Quirky, funny, topical political, satire

17 MP3 Songs
FOLK: Political, FOLK: like Ani



Details:
Motherlode, a dynamic group of four women from Bellingham, Washington and Portland, Oregon, have been delighting audiences with their original songs and passionate singing for over 25 years.

Artists Nan Collie, Marie Eaton, Kathleen Fallon, and Janet Peterson, in addition to working, performing, and raising families, write most of their own material - love songs, political satire, traditional ballads, and songs addressing contemporary issues while emphasizing positive solutions. These original contemporary acoustic songs blend wry humor and a heartfelt look at questions of love, family, and human relations in an uncertain world.

Their melodies and exquisite harmonies penetrate to the heart of each song and the soul of the listener, and they sing with hope, passion, promise and commitment, with a dose of humor thrown in for good measure. They are known for their warmth, spontaneity and rapport with their audiences, which are invariably singing along by the end of the concert.

This album, Motherlode: Live and Laughing was recorded in response to their audiences repeated requests for the âfunny ones.â They had a blast recording them, and hope theyâll tickle your funny bones.

Nan, Kathleen, Marie and Janet may play more than fifteen different instruments in the course of their concerts, including acoustic guitars, cello, bass, dobro, flute, French horn, mandolin, harmonica, oboe, trumpet, and a variety of percussion instruments.

The group regularly plays to enthusiastic audiences from Vancouver, B.C. to Los Angeles, California, including venues such as the Seattle Folklife Festival, the McCall Music Festival (Idaho), The Palms (Davis, CA), Portland Center for the Performing Arts, The Hollywood Theatre (Portland), the Corvallis Fall Festival, the Seattle Museum of History and Industry, Seattle Folklore Society, Berkeley's Freight and Salvage, and colleges and universities throughout the northwest and California. They have shared stages with such nationally known artists as Ronnie Gilbert, Tom Paxton, Theresa Trull, Ferron, Judy Small, and Betsy Rose. Motherlode has developed a devoted following, and their concerts often benefit local non-profit organizations, such as Educators for Social Responsibility, Hands Off Washington, National Women's Political caucus chapters, and environmental education groups.

Motherlode has seven albums to their credit: Dance the Afternoon Away, Everything Possible, Heartline, Precious Stone, Circle on the Sand, Motherlode Live and Laughing and Still Pie After All These Years.

The members of Motherlode said: âWe started performing in 1980, back when an all-woman folk band was somewhat of a novelty. Festivals, booking agents, and record stores categorized our albums as âwomen's music.â âExactly what is women's music?â we wondered, as we continued to write honestly and openly about our lives. Seven albums later, in retrospect, we believe that we have been making women's music all along by writing about our own experiences of relationships, motherhood, political activism, loss, changes, and more. Through it all we remain a family.â (More about Motherlode at www.motherlodemusic.com)

Reviewers say:

âThe perfect blending of four very talented women who are friends and musical soulmates⦠Over the years they have written hundreds of songs expressing the truth, the pain and the joy of most of life's puzzles and social and political issues.â - Carm Heart, Long Beach NOW

âTheir music has a feminist and spiritual focus - a great resource for women seeking hope and healing." â Ladyslipper Catalog

Many of their lyrics are dedicated to hardships of survivors. "Outrage" is dedicated to all victims of prejudice, like Rodney King. "Maria" is the story of a small Columbian girl's struggle from slavery to sovereignty in her new American family. Many of Motherlode's friends and follower's outlook on life are intermixed in their songlines.â - Becky Harrison, KBOO Radio

"Motherlode's compelling lyrics, straight to the heart melody lines, and tight harmonies are vital strands in the 'folk fabric' of the ...western seaboardâ¦. each woman is a solid singer, songwriter, and musician in her own right. Blended, their individual threads --flute, 'cello, guitar, banjo, harmonica, mandolin, fiddle, congas...vocal ranges from baritone to high soprano, and real life lyrics -- weave a jewel-colored cloth you'll want to wrap around you!" - Bonnie Buckingham - Skagit Valley Herald

âA MOTHERLODE concert is an experience that leaves the listener warmed, cleansed and ready to face the world with renewed idealism.â - Heritage Music Review

âThey pack a lot of energy, humor and heart into their music." â Betsy Rose

âThe wide range of styles and unusual instrumentation leaves audiences feeling that their concerts always seem to end too soon.â â Bellingham Herald

âThereâs a feeling that everybody up there is in tune with each other, not just musically, really spreads to the audienceâ¦.and is part of what makes a Motherlode show so special.â â Rob Lopresti, Whatcom Homemade Music Society

Northwest Womenâs Music Celebration: Motherlode has also been coordinating the Northwest Womenâs Music Celebration - an opportunity for women to come together for two days filled with music. Whether you're a beginning musician, an accomplished performer, or someone who just enjoys music, there is a place for you here. (See www.motherlodemusic.com and click on NWMC for more details.)