There was a time when folk singers hopped trains, traveled the country by foot and sang about real people – workers, men lost at war, and the injustices inherent to rapid industrialization. Maybe that sounds like some kind of folk-singer-hero stereotype, but I had the pleasure to open for one of America’s old-time folk legends in Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin the other night… and I’ll tell you that this kind of folk singer still exists.
Larry Penn is an unassuming 80+ year old. He dons a worn pair of jeans, suspenders and a simple button-up shirt. He sips several glasses of brandy throughout the evening. He sings old railroad songs and tells stories about the IWW and unsung heroes from the ’20s and ’30s, everything from the famous “Danville Girl” to “Kettle Valley Rail” (which he kindly introduces as a song for “our Canadian young lady”). He’s a true storyteller – sometimes it’s hard to tell where a story ends and a song begins. He speaks fondly of his years on the road with the famous Utah Phillips (labor organizer and folk singer) and his inclusion on the recently Grammy-nominated compilation of Utah Phillips songs.
I just sit and listen, soaking in the perfect, simple, timeless songs… wishing I could find a way to summon those brilliant troubadours of the past for just one song of my own.
Upcoming Tour Dates:
May 12 – Stage Left Café, Woodstock, Illinois
(8:30pm $5 at the door)
May 13 – Racine Arts Council Gallery, Racine, Wisconsin
(7pm $8 tickets available at the door)
May 14 – ArtBar, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
(9-11pm)
May 15 – House Concert, Barrington, Illinois
(8pm $20. For info contact carmel@carmelmikol.com)
May 16 – Uncommon Grounds, Chicago, Illinois w/ Rob Reid & Matt Campbell
(8pm $5 at the door or call 773-929-3680 for reservations)
May 18 – Club Passim Open Mic, Cambridge, Massachusetts
May 20 – House Concert, Easton, New Hampshire
(contact carmel@carmelmikol.com for info)
May 21 – House Concert, Albany, New York
(contact carmel@carmelmikol.com for info)
May 22 – Vintage Bistro, Hampton, New Brunswick
(8:30pm $10 tickets available at the door)
Check out some US Press for my tour – http://journaltimes.com/news/local/article_2423bcae-5c24-11df-9908-001cc4c03286.html
My tour to the US has come to an end. After finishing up with two amazing house concerts in New England, I’m back in Canada for a show at New Brunswick’s Vintage Bistro (14 Centennial Drive, Hampton NB) tonight.
