Music Utopia

Blind Pilot - "Go On Say It" - Official Music Video

A terrific acoustic band from Portland, Oregon.

Angel From Montgomery - Bonnie Raitt/John Prine. Performed by O3B

Shonti Elder

I first ran into Shonti Elder when she was participating in an impromptu jam session at the Alaska Folk Festival in 1990 or 1991, I'm not sure anymore. She, and a bunch of others, were ripping into a lively jig and she just had that sparkle that comes with the pure joy of loving what you are doing. My guitar skills were, and are, such that I was content simply to lurk around the outside of the circle and strum quietly so as not to call attention to myself.

As it turned out, Shonti and a friend by the name of Will Putnam had put out an album (back when they were made of vinyl) of tunes that they had co-written and recorded. An internet search turned up personal websites for both Shonti and Will. Apparently they are still putting out some great music. You can get some of their recordings at CD Baby and at Trill Music Productions. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do.

Homefires (1991) is a great collection.  The 16 tunes are all original except for Fishing in Montana by Jensen & Thompson.  Available on CD and cassette. The linked songs are wav samples, just click and listen.  Featured songs: The Alaska Highway,  Airstrip,  Friction (a love song), TV Trained Sleepless Baby Blues, Fishing in Montana,  Stop the Clock, The Game, Plastic Flowers, Missing a Man, Grandfather, Rolling fog, No car in the parking lot,  Family reunion,  Allegheny Home, Kluonie Stomp.

dm 

Gordon Bok

Ever wanted to run off to sea? Then check out this gentle Maine-bred folk singer who has built a career on different kinds of sea chanteys and songs. I listened to Gordon and the lovely harp music of Carol Rohl create a magical experience the other night at the Carvlin Hall in Portland. The event was sponsored by the Portland Folk Music Society and I am still humming some of their tunes.

Gordon and Carol will be traveling out West for the following concerts:

• Friday September 19: Portland, OR
• Sunday September 21: Astoria, OR

  Concerts coming up at the end of the month:

• Saturday September 27: Ketchikan, AK
• Sunday September 28: Juneau, AK
• Friday October 3: Bellingham, WA
• Saturday October 4: Seattle, WA

Gordon's music is published by Timberhead Music. Here's a couple of clips from his live concert album as well as a couple of songs that he plays with Carol:

The Angelus: Download TheAngelus_clip.mp3

Patrick Spencer: Download PatrickSpencer_clip.mp3

El Parrandero: Download ElParrandero_clip.mp3

The Parting Glass: Download ThePartingGlass_clip.mp3