Episode 004 : Kossoy Sisters, Mark Dwinell + Atlas Soul
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Although they are now usually known as Ellen Christenson and Irene Saletan, back in 1956 the identical twins were best known in New York's folk scene as The Kossoy Sisters--where they released "Bowling Green," their first LP of traditional music, at the ripe age of 17.
As a founding member of Bright, Mark Dwinell released four CDs before attempting a solo disc, but delivers his first on BaDaBing Records, where he's woven together his musical experimentations on piano and guitars with raw and honest lyrics.
Jacques Pardo and Boujema Razgui are two of the multi-instrumentalists that make up Atlas Soul, a band that infuses so many ethnic musics together that it defies categorization...and that seems to suit them just fine.
The Kossoy Sisters
Although they are now usually known as Ellen Christenson and Irene Saletan, back in 1956 the identical twins were best known in New York's folk scene as The Kossoy Sisters--where they released "Bowling Green," their first LP of traditional music, at the ripe age of 17.
I recently met with Ellen and Irene in Somerville, Massachusetts to discuss:
* how two teenagers from Queens, New York discovered and learned to love traditional American music and murder ballads
* how the Coen Brothers discovered their version of "I'll Fly Away" and ended up using it in the film, O Brother, Where Art Thou? and the song was performed by Gillian Welch and Alison Krauss on the hit soundtrack.
* why they followed up their first album 46 years later with the new CD, "Hop on Pretty Girls."
* how a new generation of traditional music fans are being born in the year 2003
Photo: Susan Wilson
Well-Rounded Raves Part 1
This month on Well-Rounded Raves, we turn the mic over to music instrument store owners in Boston, Massachusetts to find out what music they are listening to these days -- and why.
Pat McDonald of Mayflower Music raves about Steve Earle's topical and somewhat controversial CD, "Jerusalem," out now on Artemis Records.
Mayflower Music, which is one amazing guitar store, is located at 4288 Washington Street in Roslindale, Massachusetts.
Mark Dwinell
As a founding member of Bright, Mark Dwinell released four CDs before attempting a solo disc, but delivers his first on BaDaBing Records, where he's woven together his musical experimentations on piano and guitars with raw and honest lyrics.
As a founding member of Bright, Mark Dwinell released four CDs before attempting a solo disc, but recently delivered his first with "Nonloc" on BaDa Bing! Records. We recently met in Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts about:
* the origins of Bright, with drummer Joe Lebrec
* how Dwinell learned to improvise--and what's the best thing to do when you make a mistake when playing a song
* the source of the raw and emotional lyrics from his solo CD
* the similarities between his abstract paintings and his music
* information on the upcoming Bright CD, "The Miller Fantasies"
Photo: Keith Wasserman
Well-Rounded Raves Part 2
This month on Well-Rounded Raves, we turn the mic over to music instrument store owners in Boston, Massachusetts to find out what music they are listening to these days -- and why.
Another Well-Rounded Rave will be posted shortly.
Atlas Soul
Jacques Pardo and Boujema Razgui are two of the multi-instrumentalists that make up Atlas Soul, a band that infuses so many ethnic musics together that it defies categorization...and that seems to suit them just fine.
Atlas Soul combines music from as many cultures as there are members of the band. Incorporating Moroccan Rai, Shaabi, West African Hilife, Socca, Reggae, Samba, Jazz, Funk and Rock, Atlas Soul has released one CD to date and Pardo is currently infusing the band with several new members.
We recently spoke in Watertown, Massachusetts about:
* the history of the band and how it's woven together the music of Morocco, Israel, France, Italy, Germany and the United States
* how Atlas Soul's concept plays upon the talents of the musicians
* trying to figure out exactly what world music is
* how to make a cultural difference while making great groove music
Kossoy Sisters on Rykodisc
and Living Folks Records, available at CD Baby.
Pat McDonald of Mayflower Music of Roslindale Village, Massachusetts raving about Steve Earle's "Jerusalem" CD on Artemis Records
Mark Dwinell on BaDa Bing! Records
available at BaDa Bing! and paintings at Evos Arts Gallery
Atlas Soul available at CD Baby.
