Friday, July 11
River Stage
Beth Orton
While she only released her fourth solo album in February of 2006, English singer-songwriter Beth Orton seems more prolific and hardworking than many acts with twice her experience. On top of her collaborations with Beck, Emmylou Harris, Ryan Adams, and the Chemical Brothers, and others, the BRIT Award-winning artist has contributed her music to a number of films, television shows, tribute albums, and charity events. With her distinctive folk sound that ranges from stripped-down anti-folk to dazzling folktronica, Orton's beautiful songwriting and incredible performance leave no question as to why audiences just can't seem to get enough her.
Set List:
Heartland Truckstop /
Shadow Of A Doubt /
Comfort Of Strangers /
Concieved
Warns /
Stolen Cat /
Shopping Trolly /
Sweetest Decline /
Rectify
She Cries Your Name /
Katie Cruel /
Singer Boy /
Central Reservation
Website: Bethorton.co.uk | MySpace: myspace.com/bethorton
Recent Release: Comfort of Strangers | Release Date: February 7, 2006
Label: Astralwerks
Origin: London
World Cafe: Beth Orton Returns to Form on Latest CD
Song Clip: Central Reservation
Purchase Beth Orton from Amazon.com
Alejandro Escovedo
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Alejandro Escovedo began playing guitar in college and hasn't stopped since.
With the influence of his father's mariachi career and older brothers playing
with bands Azteca and Santana, Alejandro was destined for musical stardom. After
forming several bands around the country, including one with two of his brothers,
Alejandro decided to try it solo. His 1992 debut Gravity, won rave
reviews and national awards leading up to the honor of No Depression magazine
labeling him "Artist of the Decade" in the 1990s. Now with a 14-year solo career
under his belt, he tours alone as well as with a rock combo (at one time toured with his
13-piece Alejandro Escovedo Orchestra). His newest album Real Animal is scheduled for release June 24. With help from famed producer Tony Visconti (David Bowie, T-Rex, Thin Lizzy), this, Escovedo's 9th solo release, will also include a limited edition double vinyl version featuring two bonus tracks: "In Love Again" and a cover of the Stooges "I Got a Right". Real Animal is a collective journey through Escovedo's various musical incarnations from punk rock to string quintets and is as introspective as it is retrospective. "The inspiration for this record really is my life in music and the characters that I have known in and throughout that life. It's also about how music helped me survive that life," Escovedo said.
(Excerpts from official website press release)
Set List:
Put You Down /
Always A Friend /
Everybody Loves Me /
Sister Lost Soul
Chelsea Hotel 78 /
People /
Nuns Song /
Real Animal
Website: alejandroescovedo.com
MySpace: myspace.com/alejandroescovedo
Recent Release: Real Animal | Release Date: June 24, 2008
Label: Back Porch
Origin: Austin, Texas
Listen: NPR In Concert
World Cafe: Alejandro Escovedo: Defying Boundaries
Song Clip: Dear Head on The Wall
Purchase Alejandro Escovedo from Amazon.com
Chuck Prophet
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San Francisco-based singer Chuck Prophet made a name for himself in the '80s as the young guitarist in L.A.'s Green or Red. By 1990, Prophet released his first solo album, Brother Aldo, to positive reviews. With a sound reminiscent of Bob Dylan and Tom Petty, Prophet subsequently released a number of inspired albums throughout the '90s. As an extremely proficient guitarist flying somewhat under the radar, Prophet has carved an independent path through rock, soul, and country. His latest album, Soap and Water, triumphs in the tradition of Alex Chilton, the Rolling Stones and Tom Petty, functioning as a loose, guitar-based slice of Americana.
Set List:
Little Child /
Freckle /
A Woman's Voice /
Something Stupid
You Did /
Summertime Thing /
Doubter Out Of Jesus (All Over You) /
I'm Bored
Website: chuckprophet.com | MySpace: myspace.com/chuckprophetofficial
Recent Release: Soap and Water | Release Date: October 2, 2007
Label:
Yep Roc Records
Origin: Whittier, California
Listen: NPR In Concert
World Cafe: Chuck Prophet: Slice of Americana
Song Clip: Just To See You Smile
Purchase Chuck Prophet from Amazon.com
Dar Williams
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An accomplished singer-songwriter, author and activist, Dar Williams has been making waves in the music industry since the early '90s. From her home state of New York to across the country, Williams has been entertaining fans and performing with acts like Ani DiFranco, Joan Baez and Mary Chapin Carpenter along the way. With the launch of Echoes Initiative in 2005, Dar now raises awareness and funds by partnering with local organizations. Soon after, Scholastic Press published her youth novels, Amalee and Lights, Camera, Amalee. Her current CD, the much celebrated My Better Self, is to be followed by a much anticipated release in 2008.
Set List:
The Easy Way /
Babysitter /
Spring Street /
You Are Everyone /
Buzzer /
Iowa
The One Who Knows /
Are You Out There
Website: darwilliams.com | MySpace: myspace.com/darwilliams
Recent Release: My Better Self | Release Date: September 2005
Label: Razor & Tie
Origin: Mount Kisco, NY
World Cafe: Dar Williams and the Search for a 'Better Self'
Song Clip: Are You Out There?
Purchase Dar Williams from Amazon.com
The Brakes
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Incorporating many elements of American music including folk, jazz, and post-rock, Philly Local Artist, The Brakes are a rock band with considerable depth. Marked by their memorable lyrics and the unquestionable musicianship, the group's songs prove rewarding listen after listen. The Brakes' newest release, Tale of Two Cities chronicles the bands stretch of concurrent weekly performances in NYC's Knitting Factory and Philly's Milkboy Coffee.
Set List:
Boat Trip /
Supermarket /
Big Money /
Into the Ground
Everybody Wants To Rule The World /
Dusty Road
Website: brakesband.com | MySpace: myspace.com/thebrakes
Recent Release: Tale of Two Cities | Release Date: May 6, 2008
Label: Hyena
Origin: Philadelphia, PA
My Morning Download: Into The Ground
Song Clip: Into The Ground
Purchase The Brakes from Amazon.com
