Granite City Folk Society
Singer-Songwriters "In-The-Round"
Bo Diddley's Pub and Deli - St. Cloud, MN
01/30/2002

by Al Kunz

During an end of year discussion on the Rockzillaworld Yahoo discussion group I noticed some Texans listed a singer-songwriter night as their favorite live performance of 2001. I enjoy this performance format, but commented that while it seemed commonplace in Texas it didn't seem to be so common elsewhere. In fact since moving to Minnesota I hadn't heard of even one. Then at the Rockzillaworld Music Awards in Dallas Alex Whitmore mentioned that he would be in Minnesota to perform at this songwriter's night in a few weeks.

Normally a songwriter's night consists of a group of singer-songwriters in an acoustic setting with just their guitar for musical accompaniment. A Houston radio station sponsored a recent show with ten performers (playing in two groups of five), although three is typical. This is sometimes called "songwriters in-the-round" because each performer takes a turn singing one song, making three or four passes around the "circle" of singers each set.

Some artists don't like to perform in this format because it splits potential income from admission and merchandise sales three ways. Those who normally front full bands will find that some of their fans aren't interested in seeing them in this setting. But some find songwriter nights to be a more intimate musical experience, akin to a group of friends sitting around the living room swapping songs. I've also found that when I attend a songwriter night to see one of my favorite artists I'll be exposed to artists I'm not as familiar with, oftentimes adding a new artist to my list of favorites.

This was one of a series of shows being sponsored this spring by St. Cloud's Granite City Folk Society, although the only one featuring the songwriter in-the-round format. In addition to Alex Whitmore from Denton, TX the performers were Kathy Neufeld Hare, a singer-songwriter from central Minnesota, and Katy Tessman from Minneapolis.

Folk music covers a wide spectrum and each of the artists performing this night fell within a distinct part of this range. Born in Canada, but a longtime resident of Minnesota, Kathy Neufeld Hare performed a selection of her own songs. Additionally she sang "Images," written by a Canadian friend and closed with a cover of legendary folk-protest singer Phil Ochs' "No More Songs." It may have just been the Canadian connection, but Kathy's voice at times reminded me of Joni Mitchell in her less jazzy, more earnest folk singer mode. While the other performers songs often revolved around nature and specific places Kathy described her songs as being "about internal landscapes."

The first thing you'll notice about Katy Tessman is that she performs barefoot. If asked she'll tell the story of performing at a family birthday party. "It was a very casual, laid back show and I spontaneously kicked off my shoes. The next day, my sister told me I sounded better barefoot and strongly encouraged me to perform that way. Needless to say, I highly regard my sister's input on my sound."

Tessman's Fall CD was the source for several of her selections. A good songwriter is usually a good storyteller, and songwriter nights are best when the artists explain the background of the songs. Tessman told us stories and sang songs about bad bosses, her special group of girlfriends, and in "Caribou," about time spent at her family's lake cabin. "Four hours north of here / My childhood waits for me / In the water and in the woods / Growing-up-summers / were spent with family."

Before her solo career Tessman spent several years as a member of Joe's Elevator, a Minneapolis folk-rock group. Others have described her music as "contemporary urban folk." This description fits. However live, even in a solo acoustic setting, her energetic performance still might be described best as folk-rock. Think in terms of contemporary artists like the Indigo Girls or Natalie Merchant.

While Alex Whitmore's songs fit within the folk spectrum being a Texas singer-songwriter also puts him squarely within the Americana genre. The influence of his Texas roots are reflected in the music and as he describes it, "I can't hide the Texan in my voice," which makes for a more country-leaning sound. Alex drew heavily from songs on the two discs he released in 2001 for his selections. My View (originally titled Just Me and the Guitar) best reflects what you can expect from his solo live performances. Tale by the World was recorded with a full band including his daughters (Eleanor and Bonnie Whitmore, who perform with Alex as Daddy & the Divas) and other musicians including Dallas area songwriter Kevin Deal.

Some of the better songs Whitmore performed were serious. Stories an Indian friend told about his ancestors while with Alex on a camping trip in the Big Bend area of Texas inspired the haunting "Apache Wind." The nostalgic "Ghost Freight" was written after the railroad tracks near Alex's home were converted to a hiking trail. However Whitmore's reputation is for songs with a touch of humor and he performed plenty of those too. "Daddy's Little Girl" really hit home for me, as it will for any father of a teenage girl.

Now Daddy's little girl she was sweet as he remembers
She was playing in the leaves in the last days of September
She was nine years old and such a pleasure to behold
And she was always, daddy's little girl

But now she's putting on her makeup and she says she's gonna take up
With a spiked haired boy with an earring in his tongue
And she's smarter than her parents and she say's she doesn't care and
She says "don't you call me daddy's little girl...anymore"

On one of his records George Carlin said that if he were a dog he'd never leave home. Whitmore performed "A Dog's Life" from his Not at Home on the Range release. In the song he makes the same point as Carlin ("I like to lick my testicles just because I can") while expanding on the advantages of "a dog's life."

I don't have no money I don't pay no bills
I don't have an ex wife my dog house has no frills
I'm always there at supper time to lick up the dregs
Anything I want to eat is mine if I sit up and beg
You know a dog's life it really ain't that bad

Even though my preference is for a full band and all that implies, occasionally a change of pace is welcome. Some of my favorite musical memories involve just the singer and their guitar a friend bringing his guitar to a party a songwriter night such as this one. This was one of those "change of pace" nights to store in my memory bank of favorites.

*Visit www.rhythmelodic.com to listen to song samples or purchase Katy Tessman's Fall disc and for the latest information on her schedule of performances. Additional information about Alex Whitmore including selected lyrics, song samples, and purchase information can be found at www.2aw.com If you live within striking distance of St. Cloud, MN check www.cloudnet.com/~dsever/folk.htm for a list of additional performances sponsored by the Granite City Folk Society.


Contact Al Kunz at kunz-at-rockzilla.net

 
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