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Richard Thompson, The Grateful Dead, Ry Cooder and Taj Mahal. They are just some of the artists who have been influenced by Bahamian guitar legend Joseph Spence (1910-1984). By combining individual inspiration and talent with regional musical traditions, Spence created a seminal guitar style. Yet, it is also thanks to the work of such music preservationists as Peter K. Siegel that his legacy lives on to this day. The founder of the fabled Explorer Series for Nonesuch Records met and recorded Spence in New York City and the Bahamas in 1965 when he was only a teenager. He shares memories of spending time with Spence in his hometown and abroad in our latest episode of JAZZIZ Travel. During this time, he also recorded the guitar master in a variety of locations. A selection of these recordings is featured in a new LP titled Encore: Unheard Recordings of Bahamian Guitar and Singing, released on July 16 via Smithsonian Folkways. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/jazziz/support
She was a musical visionary, a champion of women's voices in the male-dominated industry, a builder of connections between musical worlds, and a true Alberta treasure. Ellen McIlwaine's abilities as a vocalist and guitarist were seemingly endless in scope. She moved effortlessly between genres, styles, settings, and traditions. Her career is dotted with guest appearances by greats like Jimi Hendrix and Jack Bruce. On this episode, we remember Ellen with the help of Taj Mahal, Sue Foley, Cassius Khan, Peter K. Siegel and Holger Petersen.
For our 328th podcast, we celebrate the music of Bahamian guitarist Joseph Spence (1910-1984) and the forthcoming release of Encore: Unheard Recordings of Bahamian Guitar and Singing (out July 16, 2021 on Smithsonian Folkways). Recording engineer, musician and producer Peter K. Siegel joins us to talk about how he recorded these 13 tracks (both in NY and at Spence's home in Nassau), the unlikely guitar that Spence used (it's not what you think), and the music traditions of Andros that led to Spence's singular sound. We also get some advice on other Bahamian music to check out, learn how a former member of the Baha Men (yes, the "Who Let the Dogs Out" band) is trying to keep Spence's music alive, and hear about Siegel's recording session with Doc Watson. It's a great chat. Go to fretboardjournal.com to hear four tracks from 'Encore' here. Pre-order the album here or via Bandcamp. Subscribe to the Fretboard Journal magazine here. Don't forget, we now host an entire family of podcasts, about everything from lutherie to home recording: Luthier on Luthier; The Truth About Vintage Amps; The Truth About Recording & Mixing;Acoustic Voices; and Sweep the Floor. This episode is sponsored by Mono Cases, Folkway Music and Retrofret Vintage Guitars.