No Root, No Fruit

When Kate & Anna McGarrigle's self-titled, debut record was released in January of 1976 it sounded like nothing else of the time. Inventive harmonies, Innovative arrangements, and fresh writing combined to create 35 minutes and 6 seconds of sonic perfection. It's a recording that continues to inspire and influence to this day. With special guests Eve Goldberg, co-producer on the album, Joe Boyd, and life-long friend and sideman to the McGarrigle's, Chaim Tannenbaum.

Mississippi John Hurt made his first recordings in 1928. He didn't record again until 1963. His guitar playing has influenced thousands. He recorded "Today" for Vanguard Records in 1966. Let's dive into what made this sweet, gentle and talented man so influential. My friend Rev. Robert Jones helps me go track by track, and Canadian singer songwriter, Garnet Rogers talks about Mississippi John's profound influence.

These are excerpts from an interview I did with Townes Van Zandt on December 12, 1992 in Detroit, MI. It includes two live performances. This stuff has not been heard by anyone in over 30 years! I got the date of the interview wrong in the podcast.

Explore with me the almost mythical life of one of our greatest songwriters, Townes Van Zandt. His Live at the Old Quarter is the perfect introduction to a songwriter who, many believe, set the bar for all of the others. My guest is National Public Radio's Don Gonyea.

Two outstanding musicians converge in 1980 to record a tribute to the old-time duets of the 40s, 50s & 60s. A mandolin, a guitar, and 2 vocalists. That's it. The result is simplicity, goodness, and truth. Oh, and a record that is still inspiring decades after its release.

It was the second album and the debut major label release for this duo from Georgia, and it changed lives.  Mary Gauthier is my guest as well as Laura Jones and Cara Valenti.

Season 1 is complete and season 2 will start on November 14. But first, a little business...

This iconic 2 record set bringing together 2 generations of folk singers turned a new audience on to the genre in 1975.  With special guest, Joe Jencks.

Released in 1996, Gillian Welch and David Rawlings, along with producer T-Bone Burnett, created a timeless album of original songs that continues to inspire and influence americana music to this day.  My special guest is singer and songwriter, Danny Schmidt.

Sometimes we make music for the sheer joy of community and song--that is the spirit of the Golden Ring. More of a concept than a group, the Golden Ring introduced so many folks to the sound of traditional music and the joy of making it with friends, This episode focuses on three records: A Gathering Of Friends For Making Music (1964) and Five Days Singing Volumes one & two (1971). All three released on Folk Legacy Records. This episode is dedicated to Ed Trickett. Ed was a founding member of the group and sadly passed away a few months after I interviewed him for the podcast. My other special guest is the wonderful Sally Rogers.