Over the last couple of months I’ve had a little bit of buyer’s remorse over selecting the Saturday line-up for the Newport Folk Festival. Other than Gillian Welch, there is no performer that I am truly excited to see. Don’t get me wrong…I’m confident that there will be LOTS of good music. But it is always a bit more exciting when there are at least a few bands that you are just thrilled to get to see. That is how I would be feeling if we were going on Sunday and getting to see The Civil Wars and The Head & The Heart. I’ve listened to these two bands over the last few months and really enjoy their music. Sigh.
However, just the other day I heard a very cool song by a portland-based band on WMVY during their “what’s new for lunch” segment. It turns out that they will be at the Folk Festival and just my luck…they will be there on Saturday. Wahoo!!! I immediately went to emusic.com and purchased their album. The band is Sallie Ford & The Sound Outside and their album is called Dirty Radio. Their website describes their music as “intertwining elements of swinging roots rock, country, jazz, and blues with a contemporary lyrical stance and Ford’s instantly recognizable voice.” Both my daughter and my friend Anne-Marie commented that Sallie’s voice has a similar sound to Adele. My husband thought she was an old time blues singer. Whatever you think, you can’t help but be sucked in by their infectious beat and quirky style. It is a good thing that I checked the line-up as they are scheduled to go on first thing (11:35 am). I will be sure to get my whole family there nice and early as this is one performance I don’t want to miss.
For those who won’t get to see her in Newport…here are videos for two of their songs. I had to post both of these videos as the second one was filmed just minutes from where my sister and brother-in-law live in Portland. In fact, I think that my kids may have played in that park!
As always…enjoy the tunes and let me know what you think.
My Musical Muses 
i like. Funny to me that you discover local pdx music for me. I love that it is filmed on my local volcano. I heart Mt. Tabor
Glad that you like them! And somewhat surprised that you had not yet heard of them. Hopefully you wil get to check them out sometime soon…