Richie Reinholdt | Shelf Life
Prolific Missoula songwriter and guitarist Richie Reinhold is at it again. Pumping out his umpteenth disk of original songs, Reinholdt once more manages to embed thoughtful lyrics into danceable tunes. He says this is a more reflective effort, and “I’ve just let the emo out.”
Indeed. The Americana-influenced numbers brim with energy, and are quite expressive. Engineered impeccably in Reinholdt’s home studio, the pieces should pack the dance floor.
He’s backed by a cast of who’s-who in the Montana music world, too. There’s Al Cantrell, fiddle; Dan Funsch, accordion; David Horgan and Larry Chung, pedal steel; Jim Rogers, keyboards; and a trio of drummers: Bruce Threlkeld, Ryan Vetos and Marc Clarke.
With his plaintive vocal style and hard-rockin’ pickin’ (he plays bass
and guitars, natch), Reinholdt takes us through songs of heartbreak, hard livin’, fantasy and humor.
There’s cool twangy guitar and nice duet singing with Threlkeld on “The Wind,” co-written with Nicole Reinholdt; echo-y vocal delay and deep Ventures-sounding guitar punctuates “Cold Moon.” “Overboard” is a country shoulder-shaker… Read more
CC Alick | Dancing with the Yumawalli
On the day Karrol disappeared into the sea, “I crossed over, into matters arcane, mystical, and do I dare say, murderous?” writes the young narrator in CC Alick's debut novel. In his quest to avenge his friend’s mysterious death, Godfrey takes up with a painter, disfigured by thalidomide, and Uncle Sydney, a leper married to the mysterious Xudine. Read more
Russell Museum offers free admission to military families
The C.M. Russell Museum in Great Falls is participating in the Blue Star Museums program, a partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts, Blue Star Families, and more than 600 museums across America to offer free admission to all active duty military personnel and their families from Memorial Day through Labor Day, 2010. Read more
“The Mystery of Irma Vep” comes to Whitefish stage
Whitefish Theatre Company offers a Cabaret-style production of Charles Ludlum’s “The Mystery of Irma Vep." The campy tribute to melodramas and mysteries opens with a sneak preview on June 2 and runs June 3-5 and 10-11 at the O’Shaughnessy Center in Whitefish. Read more
National Folk Festival lists complete roster of performers
The full list of performers was recently released for the 72nd National Folk Festival, July 9-11 in Butte. “We’ve held a few surprises until the end,” said Julia Olin, executive director of the National Council for the Traditional Arts. “Not only is the line-up completely fresh, but 13 of the featured musical genres this year are new – different from any presented over the past two years." Read more
Janet Skeslien Charles | Moonlight in Odessa
Montana native Janet Skeslien Charles contrasts post-perestroika Russia with the bland and binding flavor of small-town California, seen through the eyes of an immigrant bride, in her impressive debut. “The teetering dance between humor and heartbreak burns through this tale,” writes Publishers Weekly. Read more
Scholarships available for Crown of the Continent Guitar Workshop
Scholarship applications are being accepted for Flathead Valley guitar students and teachers to attend its first annual Crown of the Continent Guitar Festival and Workshop, Aug. 29-Sept. 4 in Bigfork. The event offers a rare opportunity for students and teachers to study with renowned guitar artists, including Pat Metheny, Larry Carlton, Alex De Grassi and Scott Tennant. Read more