No Root, No Fruit: Recent Episodes
Matt Watroba
A history of folk, roots, and americana music--one record at a time. Written, produced, & hosted by Matt Watroba.
It wasn't a big seller when it was released in 1952, but the music on the Anthology of American Folk Music continues to inspire and influence roots music to this day. Join me for a chat with Jeff Place from Smithsonian Folkways Records and Peter Stampfel--one of the founding members of the the Holy Modal Rounders.
Their career together lasted a brief 5 years before Dave Carter's sudden death in 2002, but the impact of Dave's songs continue to influence and inspire to this day. When I Go was their first record together. Recorded in Tracy's kitchen/ living room, When I go was an introduction to one of America's finest songwriters. Thanks to Tracy for joining me throughout the entire episode!
This episode is not about a single recording. Instead, I bring in Library of Congress Folklife Specialist, Stephen Winick, and Songwriter and community organizer Si Kahn to talk about the historic recordings of the Library Of Congress dating back to the 1920s. These recordings have, in many ways, kept folk music alive through the decades. They continue to teach and inspire a new generation of performers interested in carrying on a wide variety of musical traditions.
So this happened. I was doing research on the last episode about Richie Havens and his record Mixed Bag. I decided to take a chance and reach out to the great American actor Louis Gossett Jr to see if he would like to talk about his old friend Richie. If you heard episode 9, you know he co-wrote the song Handsome Johnny with him. The day after the podcast dropped, I heard from Mr. Gossett's assistant and she said he would be happy to do it. Well I couldn't pass that up. Enjoy!
Mixed Bag came out late in 1966 and introduced the world to the soulful interpreter of great songs, Richie Havens. His performance as the opening act at Woodstock cemented his fame, but he continued performing and recording for decades after. He was a beloved figure on the music scene. My guests for this episode are radio veteran John Platt, and Richie's friend and guitar player, singer/ songwriter, Cliff Eberhardt.
This record changed the landscape of bluegrass music. Sam Bush said there would be no New Grass without Aereo Plain and the Aereo Plain band.
This amazing song has traveled the world. Often mistaken for a traditional song (the highest compliment in my opinion) it was written by the late Chicago songwriter, Michael Peter Smith. We lost Michael in the Summer of 2020. I was able to have a long chat about the tune with him in the green room at the Ark in Ann Arbor, MI a few years before he died. Because episode 8 is a little behind schedule, I thought I would share this conversation with you as a bonus episode.
Let's go behind the scenes of one of the best live recordings in folk, roots, & americana history. Great songs, amazing energy, and all from an artist who left this world way too soon. Stan's brother Garnet and John Gorka are my guests!
Released in October of 1971, John Prine's debut, self-titled recored was a game changer. It really was the blueprint for a decades long career that continues to inspire song writers and camp fire singers to this day. I am joined by Andrew Calhoun and Don White.
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.
This iconic triple album was recorded in 1971 and released in 1972. It's both a celebration of roots music, and a bridge between generations of players, singers and pickers. Doc Watson, Roy Acuff, Mother Maybelle Carter, Jimmy Martin...the list goes on. My special guest for this episode is Joe Newberry.
He is the Godfather of acoustic guitar players, an amazing singer, and a man who devoted his life to the preservation and presentation of American roots music. His 1965 Vanguard Records release, Doc Watson and Son, is a perfect snapshot of Doc as a musician and as an entertainer. My special guest is multi-instrumentalist, songwriter and performer, Joel Mabus.
This episode will focus on Tom Paxton's first major label recording, Ramblin' Boy. I will use some archive tape from an interview I did with Tom in 2007, and my special guest will be New York folk D.J, Wanda Fisher.
With special guest, Ranger Doug
Recorded in 1959 on Columbia Records, this collection of western songs continues to inspire into the 21st century.
This amazing collection of songs was recorded and released in 1940. This is, what many consider to be, one of the first concept albums. My special guest will be Wood Guthrie scholar, Mark Fernandez.
This historic concert was significant for so many reasons, you'll just have to listen to find out what they are. Canadian singer songwriter James Keelaghan discovered this record as a young boy and it changed his life.
A stunning recording by two pioneers of bluegrass & country music. Special guest, Cathy Fink
One of America's best songwriters releases a perfect album of songs. With special guest, Jeff Daniels.
This iconic concert was recorded at Carnegie Hall in 1963. It changed lives. With special guest, John McCutcheon