october 30th mountain stage

Went to Mountain Stage last night at the cultural center in Charleston. The line up was: Abigal Washburn, Si Kahn, David Childers and the Modern Don Juans, Odetta and Nanci Griffith. Abigal is a banjo player, who plays with Uncle Earl. She had a cello player with her, and is getting ready for a tour of China. She has spent some time there, and sang a song in Chinese (specific dialect?- Mandarin?) This is an intriguing combination- as the american/ appalachian banjo does have the similar sound of Chinese instruments..... Wendy bought a CD, so that is an indication of being impressed. Si Kahn, who we had not seen, but knew quite a bit about, over 30 years of political activism, and social causes, sang without an instrument, having the mountain stage band back him up, except for one accapella number. Very good set of social commentary songs- diverse. We liked the one about how much the meat factory CEO makes an hour; and the one about the private prisons-
David Childers is from north carolina- he is an attorney "by day"- and a rock and roller by night. He had a funky little band, and they really pepped up the audience. They were going to play later at the Empty Glass which would be perfectly suitable. He was dressed like he just took off his tie from his day job, and strapped on his guitar and started playing in a club. There was an entourage that had come up from the Carolinas to support him. Brendan liked the drumming on that one; though they didn't have any CD's for sale out front after the show.
Odetta (at 75) was in great voice; sang with so much power, dignity, and sense of heritage. Nuf said.
Nanci Griffith had a very good band, and sang a good diverse set, mostly off a new CD- Hearts and Mind. Had her political perspective in several songs, with her credibility built on advocating for several causes internationally. Ties things together very well.
Saw a lot of people we knew there; next week's show is already sold out; then one in tamarack in two weeks; then I think they are on break through the end of the year. Jamie Hartford at the Clay Center next saturday (5th) with a tribute to his dad, John Hartford.