Iris Dement has finally released a new Album!!!

I've been searching for clues that my favorite musical artist would make a new album since 1996, she's quite private and doesn't seem to care about commercialization. Her last few years have been spent singing duets and harmonies with some of the greats; Ralph Stanley, John Prine, Emmylou Harris. She's done a few singles that are terriffic. But her fans were dying to hear a LOT of her, and MOSTLY her. Now's the time.

The last time I was this excited was when I discovered, with 4 days to spare, that she was to sing in Telluride, CO. Her tour schedule had never brought her into the southwest or rockies when I was here. Nathan and I packed the 4runner with camping gear and drove a day and a half to see her. Her voice filled the Sheriden Opra house, stronger and sweeter than the previous times her voice had accompanied me into the Telluride mountains. Obsessed? Ya, maybe....
Update, 2Nov04. On the way home from work, and before I headed to the polls, I drove to Borders and bought the CD. Just like when I bought her first CD years ago, this one starts out sounding just... different. Of course, her voice is like none other. But being a gospel album with minimum instruments or backups, it builds slow. But on the 11th or 14th song, I can't remember, it starts to permeate the psyche. By the time I switched from the miata sound system to the good stereo at home, the music was getting interesting. Then over dinner it hits me like a wave, washing over me with unique, soulful yet joyous melodies, her unmistakable accent bringing forth memories of Carolina churches and times gone by.

Bluegrass Festival

The bluegrass festival is at the fairgrounds this weekend, just 5 miles as the crow flies. Riding the mules there is more like as the quail walks, about 8 miles, but I may take them once again. The nostalgic in me makes it irresistible to arrive in style, 1800s style. Each year I recommend to acquaintances and co-workers that they would enjoy the traditional string bands, but alas few will try. Why do middle class suburbanites affect the clothes, attitudes and music of disenfranchised inner city folk and propped up pop tarts but eschew their own roots music? Is it risky to go beyond mainstream pop and try bluegrass, or reggae, or scotch-Irish or classical, or anything else? I don't mean those that listened to rap or hip-hop before it was pop. Now it's just another bandwagon to hop on. No pun intended. Once in a while I find someone who will let their guard down and let their ears and heart decide if the music is worthwhile. Once in a while I find there are others that feel the excitement of a mandolin tremolo or fast fiddle riff. There was the special colleague that shared Nickle Creek with me, the Missile Defense program manager that likes Iris Dement, and the friend who used to have a Metallica poster on our office wall but now wants to learn the banjo. Those discoveries are always heartwarming. If you go to the bluegrass festival Saturday, you'll see me there.