Folk Roots Radio Episode 578: feat. Lizzy Plotkin & Natalie Spears – Just Over The Ridge & More New Releases

We’re off to Colorado on Episode 578 of Folk Roots Radio to talk to fiddle and banjo duo Lizzy Plotkin & Natalie Spears about their six track EP “Just Over The Ridge” which has a wonderful Appalachian feel to it and a really nice groove. It’s a great conversation, and definitely worth checking out. We wrap up the episode with more new music we’ve received and this time around we hear from Tekla Waterfield & Jeff Fielder, Rosier, Sarah Burton, Alec Fraser Jr, Reid Jamieson, Allison Russell, Suzie Ungerleider (formerly Oh Susanna), Rachel Cribby and Peggy Seeger. Check out the full playlist below.

Interview

Lizzy Plotkin & Natalie Spears revel in the endless groove of Appalachian fiddle/banjo duets, funky blues bass lines, and soulful harmony singing. The Colorado based duo draws from a deep history of listening to and learning from great American music of the past. Just Over The Ridge is a six track compilation of original songs that features the versatile playing of Lizzy and Natalie as they soar on the wings of American musical tradition and pull people into their colourful landscape.

Visit Lizzy & Natalie online at lizzyandnatalie.com.

Lizzy Plotkin is a fiddler, singer, songwriter and music educator who grew up in Tennessee with a musical father who had previously taught jazz strings at Berklee College of Music. Lizzy co-founded Colorado folk trio Free the Honey, who released three albums, and reached #1 on the Folk-DJ charts with “Fine Bloom” in 2015 – one of Folk Roots Radio’s favourite albums of 2016. She also released a fine solo album “We Will Sing” in 2019.

The sounds of Appalachian fiddles and banjos enliven Lizzy’s music, while equally drawn to the groove of old-jazz, blues and swing. Seamlessly combining a rich heritage of musical influence, Lizzy has sewn a folk fabric of her own.

Visit Lizzy Plotkin online at lizzyplotkin.com.

Natalie Spears was born and raised in Washington DC, and taking after her father – a jazz and classical pianist, began playing piano at age five. A multi-instrumentalist (banjo, bass, piano, and guitar) Natalie’s music draws on roots of Americana, including old time and jazz.

Natalie Spears offers listeners the space to both venture into the intimate corners of humanity and to rest easy under the strength of strings. Her original compositions are a homegrown recipe of honest lyricism, soulful melodies, and place-based inspiration.

Visit Natalie Spears online at nataliespears.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)

Tekla Waterfield & Jeff Fielder
Better Days
Trouble In Time (2021, Self)

Rosier
Voilà la Rose
Légèrement (2021, Genison Musique) CDN

Sarah Burton
I’m On Fire
(single) (2021, Self) CDN

Alec Fraser Jr
Let Me Be Your Break In The Clouds
On The Wings Of The Wind (2021, Self) CDN

Reid Jamieson
The Ballad of Luthier Rufus Stewart
Special Requests (2021, Self) CDN

Lizzy Plotkin & Natalie Spears
Seasons Change
Just Over The Ridge (2021, Self)

Interview: Lizzy Plotkin & Natalie Spears discussing their latest album “Just Over The Ridge”.

Lizzy Plotkin & Natalie Spears
Sweet Song In The Tall Grass
Just Over The Ridge (2021, Self)

Lizzy Plotkin & Natalie Spears
Tennessee
Just Over The Ridge (2021, Self)

Lizzy Plotkin & Natalie Spears
Carry Me With You
Just Over The Ridge (2021, Self)

Allison Russell
Nightflyer
(single) (2021, Fantasy Records) CDN

Suzie Ungerleider (formerly Oh Susanna)
Baby Blues
(single) (2021, Self) CDN

Rachel Cribby
Masquerade
Fragile/Fine (2021, Self) CDN

Peggy Seeger
How I Long For Peace
First Farewell (2021, Red Grape Music)