Folk Roots Radio Episode 319: Bobby Dove Interview & More New Releases

On Episode 319 of Folk Roots Radio, we’re back at the Folk Music Ontario conference for another in our interview/mini-session series Folk Roots Radio at FMO. Country roots singer-songwriter Bobby Dove joins us to chat about her music and play a couple of songs from her great debut album “Thunderchild” live. As always, we also check out more of the latest new releases. Check out the full playlist below.

Interview

Montreal based troubadour singer-songwriter Bobby Dove released her debut album “Thunderchild” in October 2016. Recorded in Peterborough, Ontario with producer James McKenty (Blue Rodeo, Gordon Lightfoot), the album harks back to the golden age of country music, and features a mix of broody ballads, honky-tonkin two steps and reflections on the what-ifs of life. We were only able to play a portion of the interview on this episode. You can check out the full interview HERE. For more information about Bobby’s music, visit bobbydove.com.

Show Notes

Notes about some of the new music on our radar that made it into Episode 318 of Folk Roots Radio.

The Durham County Poets from the Châteauguay valley in South Western Quebec, are getting ready to release their new album “Grimshaw Road”. For a band that have developed a great rootsy soulful live sound – and influences that range from The Band and Leon Redbone to Dire Straits and James Taylor, the album finds the band on fine form. A five piece band fronted by self proclaimed blues crooner Kevin Harvey on lead vocals, they also feature David Whyte on electric and acoustic guitars and vocals, Neil Elsmore on acoustic guitar and vocals, Carl Rufh on double bass and vocals and James Preimel on drums and percussion. This time around Michael Jerome Browne and Susie Vinnick join them in the studio, giving this album a real bluesy feel. Check out the Durham County Poets online at durhamcountypoets.com

The Malvinas describe themselves as a T-for-Texas, Québec-as-in-Canada and Louisiana feminist folk trio named after American folk/ blues singer-songwriter and political activist, Malvina Reynolds and featuring Lisa Markley, Gina Forsyth and Beth Cahill on guitar, mandolin, fiddle, banjo and killer harmonies. Their latest album is 2017’s “God Bless The Grass”, an album of mostly original folk-pop and trad folk with jazzy overtones. On this episode, we play the great opening track “Crow” – which I think is all about the perils of flying over the highway,  and maybe it’s also about the importance of living in the moment. For more information about The Malvinas, visit themalvinas.com.

Taarka are a gypsy jazz folk band from Colorado whose latest album (their seventh) is “Fading Mystery”. Founded in 2001 by David Tiller (vocals, mandolin, electric guitar) with his wife and musical partner Enion Pelta-Tiller (vocals, violin), the band also features award-winning jazz upright bassist Troy Robey (bass) and guitar prodigy Mike Robinson on guitar and vocals. On this episode, we play the beautiful title track – a sad and very personal song about loss, dedicated to the brother of writer Enion Pelta-Tiller – who passed away in 2006. For more information visit taarka.com.

Valerie June has just released “Order Of Time” the follow-up to her breakout record 2013’s “Pushin’ Against A Stone”. An eclectic blend of folk and soul and country and R&B and blues, some of the songs on the new album, have been around for a while, while others seemed to come together really quickly. It’s definitely worth checking out.

According to Valerie June, “Understanding the order of time is important to anyone hoping to manifest a dream. There is a time to push, and a time to gently tend the garden”.

“Time is the ruler of Earth’s rhythm,” June explains. “Our daily lives revolve around it. Our hearts beat along to its song. If we let it, it can be a powerful guide to turning our greatest hopes and dreams into realities.”

For more about Valerie June, visit valeriejune.com

Lee Watson, spent ten years as a member of Vancouver’s The Breakmen before returning to his Ontario rural roots, and channeling Neil Young on his self-titled solo debut. We play the dream-like first single “Fallen South” on this episode. Check out Lee Watson online at leewatsonmusic.com.

Brooklyn NY’s Zephaniah OHora is a man who’s in love with the sound of the real sound of country. His music has been described as a blend of New-York-City-meets-Merle-Haggard – deeply personal songs presented through the smooth sound of a bygone era. Zephaniah OHora will release and his band The 18 Wheelers release “This Highway” in June.
For more information visit zephaniahohora.com.

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!

Listen

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.)

Playlist

Nicolas & The Iceni (Theme)
Lucy She Rises (Demo)
Roll Right (Pre-release, self)

Durham County Poets
Grimshaw Road
Grimshaw Road (2017, Self) CDN

The Malvinas
Crow
God Bless the Grass (2017, Soona Songs)

Taarka
Fading Mystery
Fading Mystery (2017, Self)

Valerie June
Slip Slide On By
Order Of Time (2017, June Tunes Music)

Jayme Stone
Boatsman
Jayme Stone’s Folklife (2017, Borealis Records) CDN

Bobby Dove
Gridlock (Live)

Interview: Bobby Dove recorded at the Folk Music Ontario conference.

Bobby Dove
Another Doggone Day (Live)

Bobby Dove
Too Late To Go Home
Thunder child (2016, Self) CDN

Chris Gostling & The Tempo
Scattering Of Stars
Breath, Blood & Tempo (2016, Self) CDN

Lee Watson
Falling South
Lee Watson (2016, Dead Radio Love Records) CDN

Zephaniah OHora
This Highway
This Highway (2017, Last Roundup Records)