We’re excited to officially announce the forthcoming release of Anais Mitchell and Jefferson Hamer’s new album, Child Ballads. It’s a collection of traditional songs from the British Isles, named after their collector, Francis James Child. Anais and Jefferson recorded the album in early 2012 with legendary Nashville producer Gary Paczosa. Their versions have been carefully re-imagined to reflect an American sensibility as well as a deep respect for the tradition. The beautiful artwork has been created by Peter Nevins, who also created the illustrations for Anais’ acclaimed album Hadestown.
Tracklisting:
Willie of Winsbury (Child 100)
Willie’s Lady (Child 6)
Sir Patrick Spens (Child 58)
Riddles Wisely Expounded (Child 1)
Clyde Waters (Child 216)
Geordie (Child 209)
Tam Line (Child 39)
The album is released in the UK and Europe on February 11th 2013 and in the US and Canada on March 19th 2013.
Who: Eamon O’Leary and Jefferson Hamer (The Murphy Beds) and Friends
To celebrate the release of the new Murphy Beds record, Eamon O’Leary, Jefferson Hamer, and some talented Irish musician friends will host a concert and session in the new Back Room of the Brass Monkey Bar, located in NYC’s Meatpacking District, at Little West 12th and the Westside Highway. The Brass Monkey has been hosting a regular Sunday evening Irish Session, led by O’Leary, for the past five years. O’Leary and Hamer began playing together at these Sunday sessions two years ago, along with such local luminaries as Sam Amidon, Cleek Schrey, Ryan McGiver, Laura Fedderson, Ivan Goff, Dana Lyn, and Robert and Louise Sullivan. This show will feature a set of Murphy Beds music performed by the duo, and then segue into less formal songs, tunes, and party times for all.
Exciting News! Anais Mitchell and I are releasing our album Child Ballads at Celtic Connections on Feb. 2 at Glasgow’s City Halls. The show is a co-bill with Karine Polwart. For more information on this CD release show, check this link:
Then we return to the USA, where I’ll be joining Anais for a run of shows supporting the Punch Brothers Feb. 8-17, followed by a trip to Toronto, CA for our North American release at Folk Alliance. Then we’re headed back to the UK for proper release tour! Here are the dates:
In the spring of 2012, bouzouki player, guitarist, and singer Eamon O’Leary and I recorded ten tracks in our apartments on the Lower East Side, in Park Slope, and in a studio space in Dumbo, seven floors up, right beside the Manhattan bridge. We had to wait for the trains to rumble by before we could start each take. In some of the quiet sections, close your eyes and you might even hear the D or N, taking Brooklynites home after work or midnight cocktails. The songs are old traditionals, but we worked on them a lot and gave them new melodies and textures and sections. We sang them in harmony. We picked out the best stuff and send it off to Erick Jaskowiak for mixing and mastering. Now, just in time for the holidays, the ship is in, the fat lady is singing, hell has frozen over, the northwest passage is thawing out, and Obama just won a second term in the White House. I’m proud of this album- please enjoy it and share it with your friends!
-JH 11.21.2012
For more information on the Murphy Beds, visit any of these links:
The Murphy Beds, featuring Eamon O’Leary and Jefferson Hamer, are playing some shows in October to celebrate the recording and imminent release of their new self-titled album. Recorded in Eamon’s Lower East Side apartment, Jefferson’s erstwhile Park Slope apartment, and a studio electronica space in the famous 68 Jay Street building in Dumbo, the self-produced, homespun effort gets the Midas touch this week by the great Nashville mix engineer Erick Jaskowiak.
Get a preview of the tunes at the Brooklyn concert on Oct. 12, and pick up a physical copy of the record down at the Black Pot in Lafayette, Louisiana! In addition to playing their set Saturday at the Black Pot Chapel Stage, Eamon and Jefferson will be teaching as guest instructors at the Black Pot Camp the week of Oct. 22-26.
Tashina and I are putting out an album of original music this summer, featuring Tristan Clarridge and Simon Chrisman of the Bee Eaters. I don’t play any mandolin on that record, but here’s a jam-friendly version of Sally Goodin from 2011, which a friend of mine likened to a 1977 Scarlet Begonias-Fire On The Mountain.
Greetings from sweltering Brooklyn, as I sit in front of the fan, shirtless and restless, listening to Todd Snider’s Agnostic Hymns and Stoner Fables, pretty certain I don’t want to be hanging around the asphalt jungle come July and August. Good thing June is already accounted for! Read on if you like music, friends, swimming, good food, or all of the above.
Summer Camps June 9-15
Miles of Music Camp: An All-Ages Music Workshop & Retreat
I’m very excited to announce I’ll be teaching at the second annual Miles of Music Camp on Lake Winnipesaukee, NH, along with an all-star roster of dear friends and colleagues, including Kristin Andreassen, Laura Cortese, Stefan Amidon, Zara Bode, Eric Frey, Chas Justus, Dawn Landes, and Christopher Pappas. Besides offering unparalleled natural beauty and an idyllic summer hang with a great crew of staff, instructors, and campers, this one-of-a-kind, all-ages retreat brings instrumentalists, vocalists, and songwriters of all abilities together to learn and create the kind of music we all love to listen to. You get to decide the kind of week you want to have. Want to brush up on your old-time fiddle playing? Want to write some new songs and workshop them with your peers and coaches? Want private guitar lessons by the lake at sunset? Want to just get off the grid for a few days and chill out by the lake? Click these links for more info:
Those of you headed up to camp, or in the Boston area on June 8th, come to a special concert at Club Passim featuring the staff and guest instructors:
June 8
Miles of Music Pre-Camp Concert
Club Passim, 47 Palmer Street, Cambridge, MA
Details & Tickets: www.clubpassim.org
I’m also humbled, honored, and wickedly looking forward to teaching voice, guitar, and mandolin for the first time at the Mike Block String Camp in Vero Beach, Florida, alongside a great lineup of instructors including Hanneke Cassel, Joe Craven, Rushad Eggleston, Brittany Haas, Zach Brock, Lauren Rioux, Victor Lin, and of course, camp founder Mike Block. This promises to be a week of fun and learning with some of the best string players on the planet.
June 25-30
Mike Block String Camp
Vero Beach, Florida
www.mikeblockstringcamp.com New Jefferson Hamer and Tashina Clarridge Record Tracked – Pre-Order Campaign Success
In other news, my new record with Tashina Clarridge has been tracked! It was recorded in Nashville by Dave Sinko and features Tristan Clarridge (cello) and Simon Chrisman (dulcimer) of Tashina’s incredible chamber-grass ensemble The Bee Eaters! We recorded 11 songs in three days: 6 original songs, 3 traditionals, and 2 instrumental pieces. We funded the first phase of the recording with a pre-order campaign, announced on this mailing list and made possible by supporters like you! Thanks and thanks again! We still need to raise more funds to help pay for mixing, mastering, and duplication, so if you haven’t pre-ordered your copy yet via paypal (a $20 donation gets you a signed, limited-edition, advance copy mailed to your home in early June), please click the link below to support our new CD with your pre-order donation.
Upcoming JH Shows – Toad in Cambridge, Pete’s Candy Store in Brooklyn, more
I’ve got a couple exciting shows around New York and Boston in the next few weeks, including two with my friend and wordsmith unparalleled, Robert Sarazin Blake of Bellingham, WA. We’ll be joined by an exceptional duo- Kristin Andreassen and Rayna Gellert (of Uncle Earl fame). I’ll be debuting some brand new songs off the brand new record, missing Tashina and the Bee Eaters, but swinging for the fences nonetheless. I hope to see you there!
Tuesday, April 17
Brooklyn, NY
Jalopy Theatre
8:30 PM
$10
A night of traditional music, collected stories, and new illustrations: Anna & Elizabeth, from Southwest Virginia, with artist Katherine Fahey. Opening sets from Jan Bell, Kristin Andreassen, and Jefferson Hamer.
Tuesday, April 24
Brooklyn, NY
Pete’s Candy Store
Rayna Gellert & Kristin Andreassen 7
Jefferson Hamer 8
Robert Sarazin Blake 9
Get there early for Rayna and Kristin’s set, stay late for Robert Sarazin Blake. I’ll keep you entertained in between!
Saturday, April 28
Cambridge, MA
Club Passim
Reed Foehl
I’m excited to play guitar and sing harmonies with my talented friend Reed Foehl, from Boulder, Colorado. We’re in the middle of recording a brand new record. Come to Passim Saturday night and get a sneak preview of Reed’s incredible new songs.
Sunday, April 29
Cambridge, MA
Toad
Robert Sarazin Blake and Jefferson Hamer
I love sharing the bill with Robert. It’s been almost exactly one year since our last show at Toad together. We’re each playing our own set. Don’t miss this one.
Thanks for your love and support. You make it all possible! See you soon.
New Jefferson Hamer and Tashina Clarridge Record Tracked – Pre-Order Campaign Success
Thanks for your love and support. You make it all possible! See you soon.