Folk Roots Radio Episode 536: feat. Gathering Time – Old Friends & More New Releases

Long Island based folk-rock harmony trio Gathering Time join us on Episode 536 of Folk Roots Radio to chat their wonderful new album “Old Friends”, which features covers of classic songs from the 60s and 70s by artists like The Byrds, Joni Mitchell, Paul Simon, Gordon Lightfoot and more. As always, we also check out more of the latest new releases and this time around we hear from S.K. Wellington, Norma MacDonald, Annette Wasilik, Hauler, JR Moore, Jeremy Drury and Adam Karch. Check out the full playlist below.

Interview

Gathering Time describe themselves as a folk-rock harmony trio in the tradition of Peter, Paul & Mary, with a little bit of Crosby, Stills & Nash, The Byrds and Joni Mitchell thrown into the mix. The band features Stuart Markus and Gerry McKeveny on guitars and vocals, with Hillary Foxsong on percussion and vocals. Their latest album “Old Friends” is the follow-up to the very well-received “Keepsake” from 2016.

Old Friends features re-imagined and re-harmonized classics from the 60s and early 70s, when folk met rock ’n’ roll. The album also includes some timely socially conscious songs that have gained renewed relevance as the United States, riven by street protests against police brutality and racial injustice – and contentious and divisive politics, moves towards what may be the most important presidential election of modern times.

“What we’re going through now, racial strife, civil unrest, economic and political crises, we’ve endured as a nation and a society, and as a human race, before. We can get through this — hopefully emerging the better.”

Old friends starts off with their version of Pete Seeger’s “Turn! Turn! Turn!”, made famous by The Byrds. It speaks to the fact that life runs in cycles and history is like a pendulum.

Amid the Black Lives Matter protests, the racially charged reactions, the riots and the sometimes vitriolic polarization of public health, the group decided to release “Get Together,” a song made famous by the Youngbloods in 1969, as an advance single. According to the band, it sends a message that needs to be heard again – that what unites us is greater than what divides us, and that our better angels are stronger than our worst demons as a society.

Other songs on the album include “Abraham, Martin & John,” a paean to assassinated leaders who took strong stands on civil rights; “At 17” addresses the issue of teenage rejection and depression, “Hazy Shade of Winter” and “River” speak to feelings of disconnectedness and loneliness during the holiday season.

Not all of the album is heavy and serious: “Hurry Sundown” is about the need to put work down, enjoy leisure time and recharge to face tomorrow. “Ripple” is a peaceful and positive Greatful Dead favorite, Ian & Sylvia’s “You Were On My Mind” is all about the unbridled joy of falling in love. The album ends on a positive note, with CSNY’s “Carry On,” with its promise, “Love is coming to us all.”

This is the second time that Gathering Time have joined us on Folk Roots Radio. They previously joined us for a chat about their music at the 2018 Folk Music Ontario conference, with vocal support from Mara Levine on a couple of live songs. You can check out that interview HERE.

For more information about Gathering Time, visit gathering-time.com.

That’s all we have time for. Thanks to all the artists who share their music with us, and thank you for listening. We have lots of great music and interviews to bring you on future episodes.

If you enjoy the music we play on this show and want to support the artists – many of whom aren’t able to play live at the moment because of the Covid-19 pandemic, don’t just stream their music – that earns them much less than a penny per play. Instead, buy their music – and really make a difference to their income. They’ll love you for it!

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 Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher and Tune-in Radio. (Click on the highlighted link to reach your chosen platform.)

Playlist

Nicolas & The Iceni (Theme)
Lucy She Rises
Roll Right (2019, self)

S.K. Wellington
Like A Ghost
(single) (2020, Self) CDN

Norma MacDonald
One Man Band
Old Future (2020, Noyes Records, CDN)

Annette Wasilik
The World Is On Fire
Love & Fire (2020, Azalea City Recordings)

Hauler
Whalebone
Hauler (2020, Self) CDN

Gathering Time
Turn Turn Turn
Old Friends (2020, Treble G Records)

Interview: Gathering Time discussing their latest album “Old Friends”.

Gathering Time
Abraham Martin & John
Old Friends (2020, Treble G Records)

Gathering Time
Get Together
Old Friends (2020, Treble G Records)

Gathering Time
Carry On
Old Friends (2020, Treble G Records)

JR Moore
What It Takes (feat. Todd Wright and Ethan Mentzer)
Write By The Sea, Vol. 2 (2020, Rock By The Sea)

Jeremy Drury
Pour Another
Company Store (2020, Self) CDN

Adam Karch
Everything Can Change
Everything Can Change (2020, Disques Bros Records) CDN