West Virginia Public Broadcasting's Mountain Stage with Larry Groce

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When

Sunday, September 10, 2006

Where

WVU Creative Arts Center

Show Performers

The Roches
Growing up in New York City, the Roches—sisters Maggie, Terre and Suzzy—began singing together as children. In 1970, they met up with Paul Simon who recruited them to sing on Here Comes Rhymin' Simon and subsequently helped them land a deal with Columbia Records. Since then, the sisters, known for acrobatic harmonies and charming, quirky songs, have continued to make some of the most interesting and intelligent contemporary folk music. They have recorded and written music for movies and TV including their own episode of Steven Spielberg's Tiny Toon's and the score for Crossing Delaney, which included a cameo by Suzzy. The Roches have performed and recorded with Philip Glass, Paul Simon and The Indigo Girls, to name a few.

PF Sloan
Songwriter PF Sloan has always been something of an enigma. Co-writing with Steve Barri, the two penned songs for the likes of the Turtles, the Grassroots and Johnny Rivers. But Sloan is probably best remembered for writing "Eve of Destruction," one of the '60s most poignant protest songs, for Barry McGuire. His classic "Where Were You When I Needed You," a hit for the Grassroots, has been recorded by the Bangles, Del Shannon, Jan and Dean, and Herman's Hermits. On his first domestic release in 30 years, Sloan penned a new set of tunes and enlisted friends including Lucinda Williams, Buddy Miller, Frank Black and Felix Cavaliere.

Kelley Joe Phelps
With a smooth, effortless style, Washington state native Kelly Joe Phelps has become one of the leading proponents of modern acoustic blues. Phelps captures the hypnotic beauty of rough-hewn country and gospel blues with a whiskey-cured voice, a masterful command of the lap steel and a wooden "stomp box." After discs that featured guitarist Bill Frisell, bassist Larry Taylor (Canned Heat/Tom Waits) and Billy Conway (Morphine), Phelps released Tunesmith Retrofit, which showcases his guitarwork as well as his considerable songwriting talent.

Judith Owen
In the words of fellow singer Julia Fordham, "Imagine the classic writing of a Carole King, add a dash of Annie Lennox flair, wrap it up in a soul as big as Aretha's, add a unique bright and witty bow and you would have a rough picture of the many original and innate gifts of Judith Owen." Songs from Owen's 2002 Limited Edition have been featured on numerous television shows and Owen has even appeared (in animated form) on The Simpsons. She also landed a role in Richard Thompson's 1000 Years of Popular Music tour, CD and DVD, which takes a journey from the 13th Century through medieval ballads, Gilbert & Sullivan, Julie London, the Beatles and Britney Spears. In 2004, she and husband Harry Shearer toured supporting her Christmas in July CD, which included an interpretation of Spinal Tap's "Christmas With the Devil." Last year's Lost & Found featured cameos by Cassandra Wilson, Keb Mo, Tom Scott and Richard Thompson and includes originals alongside covers like Deep Purple's "Smoke On The Water."

Tobias Froberg
A columnist and writer for Swedish magazines and newspapers, guitarist Tobias Froberg decided to record some of his original songs. Froberg's friend, well known Scandinavian producer Linus, produced and played various instruments on the record. Released in 2004, the CD For Elisabeth Wherever She Is was nominated for Album of the Year at the Swedish Indie Grammies.