The Music Fog Loft has been spilling over with great music, artists and friends this weekend at WoodyFest in Okemah, Oklahoma. Actually, it's the "Thompson Loft." Thanks so much to the Thompson's for the use of their living quarters as our recording space. Jimmy LaFave hooked us up, with help from their daughter Kay, who recommended this most amazing location. The Thompson's have the entrepreneurial thing going on big time, with a printing company, flowers and antique shop, and the town newspaper.
We set up on Thursday night when the Music Fog crew all got into town, and then came back for sessions on Friday and Saturday. The music here has been stellar, the musicianship totally over the top! Okemah has been relentless in its heat and sunshine; but endearing and charming, as only small town America can be. One wonders how people lived here before air conditioning. Today, during this heat wave, the bank thermometer read 104 degrees! We were serenaded though, by an all star band backing Jimmy LaFave that was a celebration of the contributions of Woody Guthrie. Then the Cherokee Maidens backed by Sycamore Swing, followed by Stonehoney, singing sweetly, and swaying gently on the second floor against the red brick wall. Last night they rocked the main stage, under the phosphorescent water tower, right down by the road; that ribbon of highway, I-40.
We obviously haven't posted any video yet, as we've been in capture mode, with Friday's sessions featuring BettySoo, Red Dirt Rangers, Randy Weeks with Stonehoney backing, and Terri Hendrix & Lloyd Maines. We rounded out Saturday with Red Molly and Butch Hancock, and then a chat with Jimmy LaFave and David Amram. WoodyFest is a celebration of the life and work of Woody Guthrie. Being here has rekindled my fascination with him, and the art he brought. In writing, in song craft, in drawing. In all things that come from the intellect. I feel I need to read everything that is out about Woody, and also that I must read David Amram's three books. You just walk away from this place filled once again with the beauty that art can bring. Eager to drink all of it in. Ah, to have all the time in the world for this most worthy pursuit. Everyday. We can't wait to bring you all that we have filmed!
- Jessie Scott
On Gordie's third album, Mercy or Sin, the song “Alfred” is a dark, poignant, acoustic tale. “Walks with a hitch, right side hip, reads a dirt palm, right before he spits, thinks on the rain, hollers for the end, Alfred is old his blood ain't thin.” Subject matter meets texture. I remember an interview with Bonnie Raitt from eons ago, where she said that the slide guitar's sound drew her in because it sounded human. Like mourning, wailing, crying. I love how evocative different instruments are. What tone Ken Hermanson gets. It immediately transports you. And then there is Jennie Sosnowski on upright. Sweet harmonies all around. Gordie Tentrees, "Alfred." And we did it on a bus!
