A great musical force took over Cambridge, MA on April 14th in the form of a hootenanny. For those of you unfamiliar with the actual definition of the word, let me enlighten you: it’s a folk music party. A gathering in which musicians come together and share their songs and stories. Under the leadership of Mama Bird Recording Company, such a gathering took place at the Grand Ole Hoot. At least twenty singers, guitar players, drummers, a harpist, a violin player, a bassist, and one tap dancer showcased their paramount musicianship in the form of traditional folk, blues, and Irish music. There were raucous group numbers in which every member of the hootenanny performed in some capacity onstage, a Yiddish song, boisterous Irish medleys like “O’Donnell’s Return”, heartbreaking tales of alcoholism and love lost, and a joyful ragtime number for piano and the tap dancer.

Barna Howard performed his stories in the form of song early in the evening. Alone on stage with only his guitar, he delivered his traditional folk songs “Railroad Bill” and “Wild Mountain Thyme” with such serenity and sincerity I truly believed he had known Railroad Bill and spoke from personal experience. His sparkling eyes and fluidity in his body made him a captivating subject on stage.

After intermission, Alexandra Kalinowski opened the second half with her rendition of “He Moves Through the Fair”. She exquisitely captured the tragic story with her earnest delivery and beautiful voice.

Listeners had the pleasure of hearing the hootenanny leader Lonesome Vince perform on a number of songs, including a duet with female vocalist Jaki Doyka. The two presented an a cappella rendition of “In the Pines” – a traditional folk tune probably more widely known as Nirvana’s version “Where Did You Sleep Last Night?” Lonesome and Jaki expressed the desperation and extraordinary agony felt by the characters in the lyrics with unsurpassable haunting intimacy and intensity. The duo commanded unwavering attention in their acting and singing; they simply became the text and the music.

The audience responded enthusiastically to Sean McNally’s performance of traditional Irish song “Donegal Danny.” The singer/guitarist, joined by banjo players, a harpist, an accordion player, and a violinist, got the crowd up and moving; some even partook in Irish jigging. McNally’s ferociously raspy and incredibly powerful voice brought an exciting and contemporary punk element to the folk songs.

The evening ended with two group songs, “Two Sisters” and “O Mary Don’t You Weep”. Watching the musicians come together and share their culture and talents was inspiring and joyful.

Check out Mama Bird Recording Co. on Myspace.

*photos property of liv hauck

• The Sonorus