Folk Roots Radio Episode 304: Julian Taylor Interview & More New Releases

Episode 304 of Folk Roots Radio features an interview with Julian Taylor, leader of self-described “pilgrims of funk, soul ‘n’ roll” – the Julian Taylor Band, recorded at the Folk Music Ontario conference. We also feature music from the band’s great 2016 double album “Desert Star”. And, as always, we take a look at some of the latest new releases. Check out the full playlist online at https://folkrootsradio.com.

The Interview

The fabulous Julian Taylor Band are heading out on an eleven date tour of Southern Ontario in support of their double vinyl release “Desert Star” (2016, Aporia Records) during February and March. Desert Star – one of our favourite albums of 2016, was originally released on four E.P.s before the vinyl version made its appearance last fall. If you love the sound of a funk, soul and rock n’roll band, with some folk, blues, jazz, reggae and calypso thrown into the mix, you definitely need to check the band out – they’re wonderful live.

The tour starts in Windsor at The Rondo on March 16, they’re at Aeolian Hall in London ON on March 25, with a Hamilton date at The Casbah on April 2. You can find our full interview with Julian Taylor, including another great song from the Desert Star album, on the website HERE. Check out all the tour dates online at juliantaylorband.com.

Show Notes

Jayme Stone‘s great new album “Folklife” will be released on Borealis Records on April 7th. The album features Jayme Stone (banjo, voice), Moira Smiley (voice, accordion), Sumaia Jackson (fiddle, voice) and Joe Phillips (bass, voice) with special guests. Inspired by Jayme’s exploration of songs catalogued by noted folklorist Alan Lomax for The Lomax Project album, Folklife is a beautiful collection of Sea Island spirituals, Creole calypsos and Appalachian dance tunes dusted off and reimagined for modern ears. Check out the teaser video for the album below.

Alberta’s Lucas Chiasson released “Telling Time” (2016, Lowdenproud) in June 2016. Described as having a Canadiana feel with an Americana sound, the album was recorded in Nashville with guitarist, singer/songwriter and producer Colin Linden (from Blackie & The Rodeo Kings, alongside a great solo career and duties as music director for the TV show, Nashville) who also performs on the album. On this episode we play the beautiful and atmospheric “My Lover and The Ghost”.

Cathy Fink & Marcy Marxer’s new album “Get Up And Do Right” (2017, Community Music) features a lovely version of Pete Seeger’s “Well May The World” followed by a wonderful spoken word “Letter From Pete’s Banjo” – which, as you’ve guessed is a letter to Pete, from his banjo, reflecting on the 65 years they spent together. Wow. Musicians can get really attached to their work tools. Which certainly explains why they get so upset when airlines don’t look after their valued possessions carefully enough. Dave Carroll broke into song about this a few years ago. From what I’ve been hearing, it’s still a problem.

There are a couple of new protest songs on this episode and both are available for free download from the artists websites. Lauren Heintz wrote “Don’t Do This”, song of hope that the U.S. remains the land of the free, and written in the run up to the 2016 US Presidential election. Roots combo Spuyten Duyvil from New York’s Hudson River Valley have just released “The Warmth Of Other Suns” a song they wrote to support the thousands of the people taking to the streets in the U.S, to make their voices heard above the tweets, fake news, and the executive orders. Expect the next four years to be very productive for, at least, one U.S. demographic – America’s songwriters!

And that’s all we have time for this time around. Thanks to all the artists who share their music with us, and thank you for listening. We have a lot of great music and interviews to bring you on future shows. I hope you’ll join us!

You can listen to this episode again on Mixcloud by following the link below. You can also listen to episodes of Folk Roots Radio, on demand, via iTunes, Soundcloud, Stitcher and Tune-in Radio. (Click on the highlighted link to reach your chosen platform.)

Folk Roots Radio Episode 304 Playlist

Nicolas & The Iceni (Theme)
Lucy She Rises (Demo)
Roll Right (expected 2016)

Jayme Stone
That’s All Right
Folklife (2017, Borealis Records) CDN

Lucas Chiasson
My Lover and The Ghost
Telling Time (2016, Lowdenproud) CDN

Cathy Fink & Marcy Marxer
Well May The World / Letter From Pete’s Banjo
Get Up And Do Right
(2017, Community Music)

Atlantic Union
She’s Like The Swallow
Homeward (2016, Blue Island Records) CDN

Julian Taylor Band
Just A Little Bit
Desert Star (2017, Aporia Records) CDN

Interview: Julian Taylor recorded at the Folk Music Ontario conference.

Julian Taylor Band
Get Loud
Desert Star (2017, Aporia Records) CDN

Julian Taylor Band
Set Me Free
Desert Star (2017, Aporia Records) CDN

Lauren Heintz
Don’t Do This
(single) (2017, Self)

Spuyten Duyvil
The Warmth Of Other Suns
(single) (2017, Self)