Folk Roots Radio Episode 384: Steve Poltz & New Releases

Crowd-surfing festival favourite Steve Poltz joins us on Episode 384 of Folk Roots Radio to chat about his music, and fabulous live show. Steve Poltz is one of those artists that once you catch a show, you can’t wait to do it again. It’s a really insightful interview – definitely worth sticking around for. And as always on Folk Roots Radio, we check out more of the latest releases and this time around we stay in the US as we check out new music from Daniel Crabtree, Rebekah Long, Banjo Nickaru & Western Scooches, Vi Wickam & Justin Branum, John Gorka and John Linn. Check out the full playlist below.

Interview

Steve Poltz’ first brush with fame was being the co-writer of Jewel’s biggest hit, “You Were Meant For Me”, however since that time he’s built a great career as the archetypal troubadour singer-songwriter – playing more than 200 shows a year, and a favourite on the festival scene. Born in Nova Scotia, raised in San Diego, where he lived for over thirty years – he’s now a resident of East Nashville, one of the coolest places to live if you’re a singer-songwriter. Steve Poltz sat down with Folk Roots Radio at the Folk North export showcase to talk about his music. Check out Steve Poltz online at poltz.com.

Show Notes

Notes about some of the new music on our radar that made it into Episode 384 of Folk Roots Radio.

Emerging bluegrass gospel singer and songwriter Daniel Crabtree has just released his second album “In The Shadow Of His Wings” the follow up his very well-received debut “The Gospel Road”. Daniels’s interest in music started at a young age when he first picked up his father’s guitar. Daniel kept his passion for music alive through his bluegrass gospel group, The Lights Chapel Boys before starting to write his own songs.

Bluegrass singer-songwriter Rebekah Long has just released her second album “Run Away”, a recording she dedicated to her husband Ben Speer who passed away during the making of the album, after a courageous battle with Alzheimer’s. The new album was once again produced by Donna Ulisse, who also helped to co-write many of the songs on the album. On this episode we play Rebekah long’s biographical love song “I’ve Seen The Light”.

John Linn who also plays with Americana combo, After The Flood released “Illinois 14” earlier this year, his album of songs he thought that would never see the light of day because he never they were quite right.

“One of my dear friends once sent me a postcard with the quote “An artist is someone who finishes things”. Illinois 14 is a series of older recording projects that I never put out into the world, thinking something wasn’t finished until it was perfect, or until I imagined no one could criticize it. So I let these songs linger, gathering dust. My friend’s postcard made me consider, “How do I get finished?”.

On this episode John Linn’s version of unattributed trad. song “Goin Down The Road” which has been recorded by Woody Guthrie, The Grateful Dead and Canned Heat among many others.

Ever wonder how songwriters find subject matter for their songs? John Gorka‘s “The Ballad of Iris & Pearl” from his latest album, “True In Time” (2017, Red House Records) was inspired by the names of Eliza Gilkyson’s two dogs, but turned into a story song about two aspiring female musicians. It’s a great song, and a worthy inclusion on this episode’s playlist.

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 Soundcloud by following the link below. You can also listen to episodes of Folk Roots Radio, on demand, via iTunes, 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)

Daniel Crabtree
I’m On My Way To Gloryland
In The Shadow Of His Wings (2017, Three Girls I Work For)

Rebekah Long
I’ve Seen The Light
Run Away (2017, LUK Records)

Banjo Nickaru & Western Scooches
Soar
Get Us Out Of Fearland (2018, On The Bol Records)

Vi Wickam & Justin Branum
Little Rhino
Armadillo On A Hot Tin Roof (2018, Wickam Music)

Steve Poltz
Silver Lining
One Left Shoe (1998, UMG Recordings)

Interview: Steve Poltz recorded at the Folk North showcase 2017.

Steve Poltz
Mother Russia
Folk Singer (2015, 98 Pounder Records)

Steve Poltz
Folk Singer
Folk Singer (2015, 98 Pounder Records)

John Gorka
The Ballad of Iris & Pearl
True In Time (2017, Red House Records)

John Linn
Goin’ Down The Road
Illinois 14 (2018, Self)