Focus falls on pure folk sounds

MUSO and sound engineer Dave Marks of 3rd Ear Music believes that while times and technology have changed, the humble folk song, be it traditional, classical or contemporary, remains an integral part of the modern music scene.

He also believes the folk festival, so popular in the 1960s and 1970s, is still a relevant form of entertainment today and that a local one would be well received.

To test the waters, he is organising what he calls his Folk Song Festival Tester, featuring USA trio Dusty, Jo and Ray, at Rock Bottom Music Bistro in Umzumbe on Sunday and Monday, April 20 and 21, from 2pm to 6pm.

Folk musicians Dusty and Joanna have lived – and played their lovely acoustic music – in Maine for the past dozen years. Joanna’s main instrument is her voice but she also plays the six string guitar. Dusty’s main instrument is the autoharp but he also plays guitar and has been spending some of his golden years coming to terms with a mandolin that is even older than he is.

Together Dusty and Joanna blend their voices in rich harmonies. Their repertoire is an eclectic mix of songs ranging from public domain folk songs to gospel, bluegrass, songs of the sea and covers by Bob Dylan, Willie Nelson, Robin and Linda Williams and Ian Tyson.

Joining them on bass is Ray Montana, possibly the most versatile of the group. In his teens as a member of a ‘garage band’ he started out playing rock ‘n roll. He has since moved on to Celtic and jazz in addition to what he calls the ‘Dusty and Joanna easy listening folk’ style of music.

Some local folk singers will also take part in the festival and any other folk musos, singer-songwriters and Maskandi artistes who would like to be part of the festival can contact David Marks 083 3595610 or Noel @ The Rock 082 3115000.

Entrance to The Rock is free, but the traditional Rock Bottom mine hat will be passed around for the musicians. As usual donations of clothes, small change and unwanted tools will be accepted and distributed to the needy.

“Folk song festivals are about the songs not the singers. Through this festival let’s try to get back to our roots,” Dave concluded.