David Roe: The Store

DR returns to his folk roots and records songs old and new with his compadres of 20+ years, Nick Newlin and Jim Hancock. Recorded in the Mule Barn at OkeeDokee acres, on a warm autumn evening, the crickets chirping and occasional sympathetic animal noise gives the album a campfire feeling. The songs document a love story as old as that of Orpheus and Eurydice.

"If you are wandering the New Orleans French Quarter streets, you likely will come upon what seems a statue of an angel, all in white and with chalked face and hands. She stands stock-still until someone drops a donation in the cup at her feet. Then the angel moves, ever so gently, and offers a smile for all to enjoy. The angel is just one of the many street performers gracing the French Quarter and offering all a taste of the city's unique culture. David Roe and his juke joint piano is another. The City Government of New Orleans has tried many times to shut the street performers down. Even though they are one of the main tourist attractions there. It has something to do with permits and fees and who you know. Everything is not always logical in the Crescent City. But to date, the street musicians are still alive and playing every day. David Roe is one of the most prominent. I first saw David Roe playing his piano in the middle of a side street in the French Quarter. He had gathered quite an audience when some guy in a hurry began to honk his horn to get past. David reluctantly left his piano stool and walked over to the impatient fellow's car. A few quiet words were exchanged and the guy backed up down the street.The crowd cheered and the piano music resumed. Things often work out fine if you give them enough time and don't panic. Thats the message of this warm and joyous new CD from David Roe and friends. It celebrates the near-miracle of David's survival, alongside his wife, Laura, of a March, 1999 fiery Illinois train derailment, and this CD's sales will benefit rescue agencies who saved the Roe's lives a great cause, but it's the music itself that makes this CD worth having . R e c o r d ed live in New Orleans last November, "Angel of New Orleans" mixes trad jazz, ("When You're Smiling", ""Bye Bye Blues"), with New Orleans folk, (Steve Goodman's "City of New Orleans"). The effect is very nice. Roe's brass band includes 72-year old cornet legend Jack Fine, and the sound is augmented by bluegrass fiddle (Tom Nuendel) and mandolin (Jim Hancock) for a very unique flavor. Great vocals and piano by Roe and a carny-dream atmosphere to this CD that will have you up on your feet and dancing, with a smile, whatever the weather may be! A very fun record . . "

For long time street musician and busker David Roe, it’s been a long trip from upstate New York to the streets of New Orleans. This disc documents the last 18 years of this musical journey. This is jug band stuff with Uptown attitude: Sunny Side of The Street, St. James Infirmary, Copper kettle and San Francisco Bay Blues illustrate why it is said that Roe’s performances are among the few things drunken tourists actually remember from their visit to New Orleans. San Francisco Bay Blues 6:21 Do you know what it Means? 3:59 Jubilee 4:49 Copper Kettle 4:02 Rio's Blues 5:34 Sofas and #2 pencils 6:20 Sail Away 2:29 If Ever I Cease To Love 2:25 Shores of Ponchartrain 5:14 Irish Guys 1:26 St James Infirmary 7:39 Sunny Side 2:57 One Meatball 3:27 Tom Traubert's Blues 5:50 Amazing Saints 6:04 Wonderful World 3:03 Rufus Rastus Johnson Brown 0:38

Children's album for the pre school set. “Love Flows Down” is a heartfelt celebration of the love, fun and musical joy that Maryland songwriter Eliza Newlin Carney shares with her family, many of whom perform on this CD. This recording for kids of all ages features 14 original songs that Carney wrote on subjects that will capture the imaginations of children and adults alike – playing the kazoo, bargaining for a pet, taking a trip and celebrating family life. Carney has been writing songs for 20 years and her fresh, original style blends humor, whimsy and gentle inspiration. Her 8-year-old daughter, Elizabeth, sings on some tracks with a couple of her Third Grade friends. Carney’s brother, Nick Newlin, plays accordion and piano, and her sister-in-law, Joanne Flynn, plays musical saw. “Love Flows Down” is a CD by and for families that comes straight from the heart. http://cdbaby.com/cd/encarney

Nick Newlin and Joanne Flynn “NicoloWhimsey” have been performing for kids and families for 20 years. My Whole World Grows features NicoloWhimsey sharing their own sparkling interpretations of songs for the young and young at heart. The Queen of Whimsey’s musical saw playing and Nicolo’s accordion and piano make for a merry sound that tickles the funnybone and tugs at the heartstrings!

David Roe adds great acoustic guitar work and vocals, and Eliza Newlin Carney’s harmonies add a perfect accompaniment. Add tabor pipe, glockenspiel, jaws harp and toy piano and you get a whimsical wonderland of sound!

Adding their own additional lyrics to old-timey tunes, and interspersering them with original audience-participation poems emphasizing the joy of reading books, Nicolo and Whimsey take you on an adventure that the whole family can enjoy.

Sample some of these songs and hear why NicoloWhimsey’s My Whole World Grows is a must for any family interested in sharing great singing tunes, and toe-tapping melodies. These traditional songs are timeless, and are a great way of introducing kids to songs that we all carry in our hearts, with themes of freedom and sharing (This Land is Your Land,) peace and learning (Down By the Riverside), nature and nurturing (The Farmer is the Man), and just plain fun! (Roll out the Barrel).

Kids will love participating in Nicolo’s original poems (check out David Roe’s hysterical voice on Wild about Reading) and enjoy hearing your children shout out the words (My Whole World Grows.) Look in a Book suggests a fun alternative to electronic toys.

This CD will keep growing on you and your kids. Enjoy!

"If you are not outraged, you are not paying attention" With a voice that is most often compared to Joan Baez, and a songwriting ability that has already won her recognition in contests, she attempts to bring the attention of the masses to those who are voiceless. She uses her beautiful voice to bring attention to those in our world that are not being heard, to those situations that are not getting through the media. She crafts her songs around people, and builds a vision around them, to give us a small taste of what it might feel to be them. The best way to understand something is to become part of it, if only for a few minutes. The musical sound is often called Celtic, with the 12 string guitar, the bouzouki her husband plays and the lilt in her voice. Others often comment that they are taken back to the 70s with the music. Janet and her group play often at political events, as she feels that she is first an activist and then a musician. They also play at coffee houses and small venues, and Janet also has many songs about love, family and life issues. She has several songs about her husband Ken, as they are very close and have been married for 24 years. Her love songs also usually have a very different twist. Janet and her husband Ken are Canadians currently residing in Oregon. Notable quotes "Janet Bates tells it like it is. Her Message brilliant and her music wonderful" Thom Hartmann. "Let me tell you again how much I enjoy your songwriting. This is what folk music is all about ~ social awareness. Love it." Tracy Grammer

All Star Ren Faire Recording

CELTIC MP3s MUSIC MAGAZINE and MAGE RECORDS PRESENTS...

CELTIC STONE was a band popluar at many southern & mid-western Rennaisance Festivals during the 1980's (though they played a number of folk clubs, Irish Pubs, & folk festivals, as well). The band (and its recordings) featured an eclectic mix of folk and rock influences. The early recordings tended more towards traditional Celtic fused with '60's British rock (and was renown for accoustic versions of rock classics, like "Thick as a Brick"). After 1985 the band moved more towards new grass/gypsy jazz/jam band influences. The band featured a variety of line-ups, with David Clauss on hammered dulcimer the common thread. The instrumentation also featured guitar, fiddle, flute, and vocals. Robyn Hilliard and Todd Menton were the featured vocalists on the earlier recordings, with David Roe featured on the later recordings. Other notable members were Simon Spaulding (fiddle), Malcom Smith (fiddle), Bob Bielefeld (flute), and Mitch Lawer (guitar & mandolin).

The CD is a retropective look at the band's career, with an emphasis on songs & tunes popular at Rennaissance festivals. It features tracks from the bands five main recordings, as well as two tunes not on previous recordings and two new versions of old favorites. A nice way to experience the band's changing line-up over the years. Tends to feature the band's accoustic side, though there are a couple of rockers. There are 16 tracks (about 60 min) with 1/3 instrumentals.

Chandler's brand new album, American Storyteller marks Chris Chandler's coming of age. It contains the sound track to the new video "Something' in the Air/ But it's not on the Airwaves."

Years of relentless touring, honing his craft as a writer, performer, musician, collaborator and artist pay off with the release of this 2 disc collection of prose, poems, and stories, old and new.

The recording is a departure from his previous output, which reflected the raw enthusiasm of his live performances. Recorded over a month just outside the Beltway in Silver Springs, Maryland, the production boasts a who's who of DC area talent, including vocal cameos from Nick Annis, disappearfear, Emma's Revolution and Renaissance Faire vocalists Kathryn Falcone and Stephanie Lichtman Price.

David Roe's orchestrations are a lush mixture of the acoustic - Violin, Saxophone, Cello, Cornet, Trumpet, Accordion, Pennywhistle, Clarinet, Jews Harp; and the electric- Tom Derr's guitars and Jamnation's Nick Newlin on Organ and Joe Dicey's rocking guitar solo. Henry Cross proves to be as adept as a bass player as an engineer and Mr. Roe provides sweet, simple piano and guitar foundations to create a sonic accompaniment to Chandler's tales.

As in his tale of childhood memories, "Crackerjack Cure", American Storyteller contains many treasures, including 3 short films by Chandler, collages, lyrics, links and a secret crackerjack surprise.

Born in Georgia, the son of a Baptist minister, Chris Chandler found his own way of spreading "The Word." He takes the pulse of America, and then with equal parts acidic irony and utopian idealism, casts his prognosis to audiences at the rate of up to 250 shows per year. Part preacher, poet, huckster, wandering minstrel and medicine show sideman, Chandler casts a spell over an audience with a slight southern drawl and conjures the profane with the profound. The historical past is mingled with the hysterical present. A gritty Americana blends with a grand oratorical style. "His wordy creations owe as much to the traditions of theater and slam poetry as to music. Chandler works with a musician, weaving his poetry with traditional songs in a way that gives the songs new life. Utah Phillips said, "He is the best performance poet I have ever seen."

Although I find Chandler morally reprehensible as a human being, he and I , along with many other writing partners, put out a profound and moving product here.