Jul 1

Jul 1 From Three in Tennessee to Six in Denmark

I have always enjoyed Tennessee. My earliest memories are from a mostly teenage southern road trip—four friends—3 teens and one adult (he owned the car). Let’s just say it was an improvised adventure.

In 1979 I began regular visits to Nashville, aka Music City USA to spend time with music people while working for A&M. One of those music people was David Conrad, a talented music-publishing exec, and a good friend. We created some memories together, including seeing some wonderful live music performances at the Cannery, Ace of Clubs, Opry and more.

On one of my Nashville visits, probably 1987 or so, David and I, along with A&M president Gil Friesen went to the Bluebird Cafe for a ‘Music in the Round’ evening. As I recall, the featured performers were Ashley Cleveland, Pam Tillis, and Karen Staley. Pam and Karen were already into their second song when Ashley arrived, wearing an overcoat that seemed bigger than she was and with her guitar case in hand. She sat down, unpacked her guitar, joined them, and for the next 90 minutes they owned every ear in the place. The good chemistry was obvious, the music was magical. I hadn’t thought about that evening in some time, but it came racing back to my consciousness this week when I, along with many others, looked for something new to watch or listen to during another week at home.

While casually sifting through the diversions and music offerings on YouTube I found the Tønder Festival. Never heard of it? Neither had I. This annual—since 1975—event in Tønder, Denmark is all about folk music with a significant North American influence. Think “Americana” with performers from the United States, Canada, Ireland, England, Scotland and some talented home-grown Scandinavians. During the festival, the entire town is influenced by music. Famous and less-famous artists become part of an inclusive community with the audience on the streets, squares and venues of Tønder. In fact there is a long list of world-famous artists who’ve been to Tønder but the real treat is the discovery. And that’s what happened to me.

The video I found was a 2-hour musical performance captured in a music-in-the-round setting featuring a small group of amazing women. This special “Womens Circle” performance from 2019 featured 6 outstanding talents. There’s Tennesseean Caitlin Canty, Denmark’s Signe Svendsen, Heidi Talbot from Ireland, Irish Mythen, an Irish/Canadian living in Prince Edward Island, Canadian Jenn Grant from Nova Scotia, and California-native Leslie Stevens.

Sitting in single chairs set across the stage the group was introduced, and then one-by-one each woman introduced herself and performed a song from her personal repertoire. When her song finished she'd introduce the next in line and the next performer would introduce and perform a song from her own body of work. Three rounds gave us 18 songs, plus an encore by the group. And the songs, while all easily compatible with the genre "Americana" were clearly personal to each performer.

Clockwise from upper left: Jenn Grant, Caitlin Canty, Signe Svendsen, Irish Mythen, Heidi Talbot, Leslie Stevens.

In addition to the music, there were moments when they interacted, interjected, ad-libbed, influenced and supported one another. It was clear that they were enjoying themselves, enjoying the fun and creating a comfortable and enjoyable camaraderie.

First up was Caitlin Canty. Her second-round song, appeared to be an impromptu choice. In the first set she hoped the audience wouldn't hold the current political climate, i.e. the unpopularity of the American president, against her. She never mentioned his name yet the reference was obvious. After speaking of her love for America, Canty began her love song, a paean with a hope for change.

It's Raining In Los Angeles,

Halleluja, Hallelu . . .

Moon Flowers open

to breeze in Night's Perfume.

The city climbs a hillside

just to see the color bloom,

Peddles turn

a sidewalk stream Jacaranda Blue

Where is the heart of my Country Now?

Signe Svendsen (pronounced SEE-nah) is a perfect representative of an American artist. Fair-haired and disarming, when she steps up to the mic and begins speaking, you might assume she's a California singer-songwriter. That is until she switches to her native Danish. Born in Nyborg, Denmark, her on stage rapport with her stage-mates and the audience moves effortlessly between Danish and English. Her music at Tønder was genuine Americana in feel yet—she sang her original songs mostly in Danish. Her second-set song, "det forlyder" was dedicated to her grandmother. No English translation necessary as she delivered a performance that was readily felt.

A young (40) veteran performer, Heidi Talbot toured for years as part of the Celtic music group Cherish the Ladies before going out on her own. The moment she begins to speak you hear the delightful Irish accent but that's just scratching the surface. Her opening song was inspired and written after meeting an Australian singer backstage at a Kansas folk festival more than 15 years ago. She described him as a "young Bob Dylan", and her song "If You Stay" is so good. The lyrics could be associated with almost any longing relationship and the seeming fragility of her voice delivers the message squarely to the heart.

There's no use in hiding my favorite until the end (and my wife, the publisher of the Peddler, agreed). Irish Mythen owned me from the introduction. Born in Ireland, naturally, she now calls Prince Edward Island, Canada home. Her ability to connect with the audience is obvious. Her songwriting is first-rate, and her performance talents with 'just' her voice and an acoustic guitar will surprise most. Mythen's song "Be Still. Dance" is a driving command to rise up and become a part of the performance as she sings.

The strength of her skills with the 6-string acoustic guitar suggested that in a battle between performer and instrument, when all was said and done, Irish would win and the guitar would lose. That speculation was born out in her second set song "Maria" when she broke a string and lost a pickup. (She continued by using Signe's guitar). Inspired by her relationship with her Aunt Maria, in another musical genre this song would be Mythen's 'power ballad'. It's sentimental, loving and powerful, owing much to her prowess on the 6-string, and sealed when the other five performers join in, adding background vocals during the final 6 refrains. Her closing song was a 'conversation' with Jesus that is part prayer, part sermon, and all Irish Mythen.

Jenn Grant followed Irish and was delightful with both her music and the brief stories about travels with a less-than year-old child, a son named Gus. There's a little irony in the second set, when Grant sings "Favorite Daughter", written when she was pregnant but, obviously, before her son was born. No daughter, yet, but a terrific song anyway.

The final voice at Tønder was that of Californian Leslie Stevens. Clearly the youngest of the group, her stage presence is young and fresh yet her songs often show the maturity of a veteran songwriter. She sang a song of her first love, and another, "Sinner" (the title track of her first album) was likely inspired by her "Crazy, drinkin', boating, plane-flying pilot, drinker, grandmother, who never baked a cookie in her life." She closed with something most of us may hope for: "Everybody Drinks and Drives in Heaven".

The evening closed with a group performance of "Amazing Grace", perfectly fitting on a number of levels. Music, in general has that ability—to move you to another place, to another plane—to connect you with the performer and the song.

This was a delightful two hours. Believe me, if you like Americana, and you enjoy 'discovery', try this concert on YouTube. Search for "Women's Circle at Tønder Festival 2019".

David Steffen

Note: Lyrics from some of these singer/songwriters can be found elsewhere in this issue.