Harried Potter

There are a lot of pretty good bands out there who come to our town. Then there are the ones who are special. The Wiyos are one of those special ones. Somehow, in a world full of sounds, styles and musical cross-pollination, they've managed to create something unique - in their case an earthy, soulful blend of swing, ragtime, vaudeville, bluegrass, jugband and Tin Pan Alley.

I had heard a lot of talk about them, but I was still a little bit skeptical, until I took a listen to their third CD, titled "The Wiyos." Recorded live into microphones, with a minimum of studio technology and trickery, "The Wiyos" showcases a band in complete mastery of its own unique sound, a freewheelin' organic romp, stripped of all conceit and unneccessary artifice. In a world that sometimes seems full of nothing but conceit and artifice, it's a refreshing and utterly engaging change.

With a mix of old-time instruments - upright bass, washboard, harmonica, kazoo, archtop guitar, banjo, ukelele - the threesome of Joseph "jobass" Dejarnette, Parrish Ellis and Michael Farkas, ably abetted by Teddy Weber of the Hunger Mountain Boys, adds in some suprisingly tight vocals, and the result is a bit of old-fashioned alchemy.

My particular favorites off the CD were "Midnight Train" and "Caught Us Doing It." No doubt you'll have yours. Add to that what I'm told is a wild stage show, and The Wiyos are definitely a must-see.

If you're in Brattleboro, The Wiyos are playing tonight at the Hooker-Dunham Theater on Main (www.hookerdunham.org). If you can't make it, check out the new CD (www.thewiyos.com).

The news that Pete Seeger would be coming to Brattleboro, sent me scurrying in several directions at once.

For one, I went to brattleborotix.com to get my tickets for the Sept. 13 show at the Latchis, which also features his grandson, Tao Rodriguez-Seeger, and blues musician Guy Davis - and is a benefit for a micro-loan program for the region's farmers.

More meaningfully, the news sent me back in time to gather up some fond memories. During my childhood, we escaped the hot humid city by spending July and August in an old farmhouse in upstate New York. We had no TV there, so evenings were spent playing cards and games and listening to the handful of records we had on an old record player. The records we listened to most were three discs of American folk songs and ballads performed by Pete Seeger. At the time, they were just fun to listen to. Now, I regard all those summer evenings as my education in Americana ... important exposure to these songs which are part of our heritage, even if we never rode an old paint. I can't think of those songs without hearing Seeger's plain, pleasant voice, backed by his banjo.

That trip down memory lane sent me scurrying further to the depths of my basement, where I found those old Folkways records. With some trepidation, I brought them up, wondering if they still played. To my utter delight, they did. Once more, Pete Seeger's voice, singing "Wabash Cannonball" and "Mary Don't You Weep" and "Sweet Betsy from Pike" reached my ears, connecting me ever more powerfully with my childhood memories. Nobody sings those old folk songs with such heartfelt gusto and utter sincerity as Pete Seeger does.

Even if you don't know much about him - or think his time has come and gone - you shouldn't miss seeing him. I'll be bringing my wife and daughters with me on Sept. 13 - and my memories.