Folkin’ good time at Folk Alliance International in Toronto: a first-timers reflections

Monday morning coming down. Finally a wee moment to reflect back on the blur that was my rookie Folk Alliance International (FAI), which touched down in Toronto last week. The Delta Chelsea staff I’m sure are glad all these musicians are heading out of town today, but thankful for the business they brought to the hotel.

Here are some of my random thoughts on what I heard and saw. In all, it was an amazing four days. I met several publicists and musicians who I had interviewed or corresponded with over many years of writing about my music such as the wonderful Tamara Saviano, the publicist for Kris Kristofferson, and Ellen Stanley – publicist at the wonderful Minneapolis roots record label Red House Records.  I also picked up a stack of CDs that I’ve yet to have a chance to listen to — will work my way through these as I write this week.

On Wednesday afternoon, I took in a wonderful documentary about a long forgotten seminal folk club in Cambridge, MA – a stone’s throw away from Harvard. “For the Love of the Music: The Club 47 Folk Revival” gave a glimpse of the rise and eventually decline of this venerable Boston music venue; it’s heyday was from 1958-968 and it was here where a teenage Joan Baez got her start. Through archival footage and photos, along with modern day interviews with the likes of Baez, Tom Rush, Jackie Washington, and others, filmmaker Todd Kwait brilliantly captures the vibe of this little club that grew and played host to the who’s who of folk music in that late 1950s and throughout the 60s. The producers are hopeful for a DVD release sometime in 2013. For now, check out the trailer here.