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Lauren Sheehan, Songster
 Winter, 2011
ALTERNATIVE ROOTS - BLUES * BALLADS * COUNTRY and NEW FOLK
Two new CDs coming out, release concerts, classes, special Portland Folkmusic Society weekend workshop, David Grier house concert, private lessons and jamming skills class.
Pick a Peck of Piedmont Pickers (new blues compilation) by Andy Cohen, Gareth Hedges, Mike Higgins, Russ Mello & Lauren Sheehan
PURCHASE AT http://www.wepecket.com/music.htm
 
One way to describe Piedmont blues is as a form of country blues that is melody oriented with a strong, steady bass. We pickers keep the bass in our R thumb and pull the melody from the upper strings. So, if you like what I do, and want to hear some new songs from me and other fabulous players, I am confident you will enjoy this collection.
I am happy to be part of the Wepecket Island Records team and plan on joining them back east for some touring in June. Read the catalogue description of the album below, and I recommend checking out their other artists and projects, too. It's a diverse line up of "Traditional American Music by Modern Masters", so says the label.
PURCHASE at my shows OR http://www.wepecket.com/music.htm
The American Eastern Piedmont – The Eastern slopes of the Appalachians, from Virginia to Alabama – were where "East Coast Blues" evolved in the early part of the 20th century.
While Delta Blues migrated north in the '30s and became the "Chicago Sound," Piedmont-style players either stayed home or found themselves in Harlem. The most renowned of the Harlem street-singers, and one of the early masters of Piedmont finger-picking was the Rev. Gary Davis. Arthur (Blind) Blake, Blind Willie McTell were among other early luminaries of the style, which borrowed from ragtime piano and so-called "Spanish-style" guitar playing. More recently, Etta Baker, Elizabeth Cotton, John Jackson and John Cephas kept the tradition alive into the '70s, '80s and '90s. With the deaths of Baker and Cephas in the last few years, the torch of this distinctly American music has been passed to another generation,
The men and women on this recording have all studied either at the feet of those earlier masters themselves, or with folks like Paul Geremia and Andy Cohen, who knew, befriended, and studied for years with the giants of the genre.
Rose City Ramble - New CD release in April, with intimate concerts to celebrate
April 16 8 pm Artichoke Music
$15 door Backgate Stage, 3130 SE Hawthorne Blvd. with Johnnie Ward, Greg Clarke, Betsy Branch, Elizabeth Nicholson, Bill Uhlig
April 17 7 30 pm O'Connar's (blues band night)
$5-15 sliding scale 7850 S.W. Capitol Hwy Portland OR 97219
503.244.1690 with Terry Robb, Michael Ballash, Johnnie Ward, Greg Clarke
April 23 7 pm Alberta St Pub
$15 door 1036 NE Alberta St Portland OR 97211 503.284.7665 with Johnnie Ward, Dean Meuller, Greg Clarke, Betsy Branch, Elizabeth Nicholson.
I have been working for a couple of years on this project and so excited that it will be out soon. It is a ramble, a fun alternative excursion through different styles of American music with many of my favorite Portland musicians that I love to work with. We recorded out at Big Red Studio, so you know it sounds great and one peek at the guest musicians suggests the stellar playing and singing that you'll hear on the project.
The recording process was very creative and surprising this time, and I think you fans are going to like the CD. Most of the music is rooted in traditional styles, but have a modern treatment, even the original material. Imagine, double banjos or mandolins with Greg Clarke and myself, the beautiful slide and sting of Terry Robb's guitar work, gorgeous plaintive harmonica by Johnnie Ward along with his lighthearted horn playing. There is creative and fun bowed and plucked bass parts on the same song by Laura Quigley who also does some harmony singing. The lovely Strawberry Rune ladies, Betsy Branch and Elizabeth Nicholson add a serene shimmer with vocals, fiddle and harp, and blues players Dean Meuller and Michael Ballash add bass and drums to some fun upbeat dance pieces. My favorite 'color' though, is from my daughter, Zoe Carpenter whose voice creates a tight family harmony sound and feel that I just love.
I hope you can make it to one of the evenings shows with featured artists from the recording.
Thanks to Ed Carpenter, Sherrie Wolf and Norm Nicholson for photos, to Centrum and Neville Pierce for the live concert recording from Port Townsend, WA, to Billy, Alan and Jim for making this happen at Big Red Studio and beyond, to Joseph Chaijaroen at asmble for the graphic fun, and to all the musicians for all the great sounds and in and out of the studio.
Portland FolkMusic Society presents the 27th annual Singtime Frolics
March 25-27, 2011
Join us for a weekend of folk singing and instrumental music at beautiful Camp Adams near Molalla, Ore., 45 minutes south of Portland. Song circles! Workshops! Singing and jamming all weekend! Guest artist Lauren Sheehan will present a singing workshop: Classic and Crossover American Folk Music: songs, styles and origins, from country blues to Appalachian music.
(I will present a couple songs that were widely known, sung and recorded in white and black musical cultures with an ear toward hearing similarities, overlaps and differences in the styles. We'll will learn a few versions, explore different approaches to tone and vocal production to help add nuance and explore singing style. We'll talk a bit about historic, geographic and commercial issues effecting the songs.)
Heated cabins with hot showers; potluck dinner Friday; four meals served Saturday through Sunday breakfast.
Registrations must be postmarked by March 11
Full details are available
http://portlandfolkmusic.org/singtime.html
Ensemble/Jamming Skills Class
Mar 16 - April 27 7:30-9pm
playing by ear, rhythm, form, theory, harmony, fitting into a group
2960 NW Quimby St 97210 $120 / 6 week class
laurensheehan@earthlink.net or call 503 227 4259
This is a small group class, process oriented with some degree of 'direction' from me. My interest is is helping students identify and use basic theory, listening, responding and musicality skills to make informal group music making more musical and satisfying. In order to help students develop these skills, we will identify goals and key concepts, play, analyze the playing, consider what might make it better and play again. I will teach songs and sometimes parts, and ask participants to lead songs, too.
This is a process oriented class, meaning that the student's process of learning to listen, hear, execute a part and make choices on the fly is a main focus. It is much easier to take 'direction' than to hear and feel and adjust one's self, yet those are precisely the skills needed in the moment for music making. Expect a diverse collection of material, from trad to 60's pop-folk , (like John Prine or Neil Young), bluegrass and old-time, new and common folk and folk-blues.
Basic skills are necessary; keeping time, singing on pitch, remembering songs, etc. BUT if you are still developing in these areas, like many of us, expect guidance and some coaching/commentary. Do not be offended if we need to address weaknesses and better players should expect to provide musical leadership if you are among the stronger musicians.
Give me a call if you are interested, as critical mass is needed to make this work.
laurensheehan@earthlink.net
or call 503 227 4259
David Grier - House Concert
March 20 7 pm 2960 NW Quimby St $20 suggested donation, BYOB, snacks and coffee provided.
David is an amazing guitar picker, one of those players who knows how to find the sweet spot in a guitar on every song. I am very pleased to present him at an intimate house concert in NW Portland and know you'll be delighted to hear him pick up close and personal.
The most award-winning guitarist in recent memory is David Grier. For the pastseveral years, he has been voted by the members of the International Bluegrass Music Association as Best Guitar Player of the Year. He has also appeared on two Grammy- winning recordings: "True Life Blues-A Tribute to Bill Monroe" and "The Great Dobro Sessions." David is also included in the book, "1,000 Great Guitarists."
http://www.davidgrier.com/
... listen:
http://www.davidgrier.com/audio/roadtohope_evoc.mp3
Atomic Cocktails - with Johnnie Ward April 5 8 pm
Mock Crest Tavern 3435 North Lombard Street Portland, OR 97217
It's a blast, Atomic cocktail night with the elder statesman of Portland blues, Johnnie Ward with his Eagle Ridin' Papas jug band. Expect changing drink specials guaranteed to mushroom your mind, new tunes and hokum, as Mr. Chauncey blows the coolest jug west of the Mississippi. That's right folks, it's a modern jug band with a jug. Paul Bassett in washboard, Bill Uhlig on bass and I play mostly blues mandolin and some guitar.
LaurenSheehanMusic.com
Contact: Lauren Sheehan Music, 1812 NW 24th Ave., Portland, OR 97210
info@laurensheehanmusic.com
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