|
Fishken & Groves (David/Fish & Buffie) are an integral part of the folk scene in the Boston area. With superb song selections, uniquely edgy harmonies and witty commentary on every imaginable topic, their performances are deeply entertaining, oddly amusing and often informative. They sing traditional folk songs but really dig into western, cowboy style material. Expect some old-time songs, songs about work, some Woody Guthrie songs, a couple of contemporary favorites, and songs with which audiences can sing (and yodel) along.
The duo has headlined at Club Passim and Caffe Lena. They've done opening sets for Ramblin' Jack Elliott, Steve Gillette & Cindy Mangsen, Barry & Holly Tashian, David Surrette & Susie Burke, and shared the stage with Paul Rishell & Annie Raines and Lorriane & Bennett Hammond. Appearances include Phil Shapiro's historically significant radio show, "Bound For Glory," Mike Agranoff's "Minstrel Coffeehouse," The New England Folk Festival (NEFFA), Summerfest (New Bedford, MA) and the National Traditional Country Music & Bluegrass Festival (Missouri Valley, IA). They are frequent guests on WUMB-FM, Boston's "all folk" radio station. Gradually, their performances are taking them further from home, in all directions. Having befriended folk musicians from England and Germany, perhaps there's a tour 'across the pond' in the future.
Fishken & Groves also play significant roles in the local folk community. They run open mike nights, present and promote concerts for local and touring artists, teach Harmony Singing and Performance Skills and have close ties with The Woody Guthrie Foundation and Archives and the Huntington's Disease Society of America.
"Fishken and Groves hark back to a time when folk music was less about the stars and more about the songs. With front-porch conviviality, they sing folk classics and gems by contemporary songwiters in a style that puts all of the attention on the song; melodically pure, instrumentally unadorned, with harmonies as sweet and thick as home-baked cake."
-- Scott Alarik, Boston Globe 2/21/02
"In a sea of singer-songwriters, roots-savvy song interpreters such as Fishken & Groves are a relief. From 19th century cowboy ballads to Geoff Bartley, from the Sons of the Pioneers to Irving Berlin, John Prine to Vaughan Monroe, the duo's new CD, "Going to the West," has a range as wide as the harmonies are close. Fishken & Groves create a back porch feel..."
-- Dan Gewertz, Boston Herald 2/22/02
|
