In its nine years, the Roots on the River Festival/Fred Eaglesmith Weekend in Bellows Falls has gone from a funky gathering of the tribe to a seriously big-time event, all while retaining its mellow, small-town charm. Have you seen this year's lineup? Lori McKenna, Mark Erelli, Eilen Jewell, the Bottle Rockets, Sarah Borges, Steve Forbert, Robbie Fulks, the Starline Rhythm Boys and, of course, Fred Eaglesmith himself, who is back and better than ever, as evidenced by his powerful new CD, "Tinderbox."
But the musician who's really got my attention is Mary Gauthier. She's been here before, but I've never seen her. This year, she's going to play the all-acoustic show at the Rockingham Meetinghouse on Sunday, June 8, and I can't wait.
I just checked out her new CD, "Between Daylight and Dark," and it's one of the two or three best I've heard all year. Rootsy and relevant, the album is well-produced by Joe Henry and doesn't make a wrong move. Gauthier's voice has just the right mix of grit and grace, and her songwriting is top-notch.
Check out the CD, or better yet, check her out at Roots on the River. For information, visit www.rootsontheriver.com