The Azalea City Record

January 2009

Happy new year! Here at Azalea Recordings, we’re starting 2009 with new tracks we can’t wait to share—so read on!

What’s Inside

Related Links

Azalea Sampler 3: Songs for a Changing World

Release party, January 18th at Jammin’ Java

Azalea Sampler 3 CD cover

Azalea City Recordings presents its third compilation CD. Azalea Sampler 3: Songs for a Changing World is a collection of politically-charged songs… some timely, others timeless.

The sampler includes tracks from Joe Uehlein of the U-Liners, Jon Carroll, Ruth Logsdon from Ruthie and the Wranglers, Jesse Palidofsky, Zoe Mulford, Seth Kibel, Carey Creed, Karen Collins, and Laura Baron. We’ll be celebrating the release of the Sampler with an Azalea City Recordings extravaganza two days before the presidential inauguration:

Sunday, January 18th at 7pm
Pre-Inaugural Azalea City Recordings CD Release Party
Jammin’ Java
227 Maple Ave E, Vienna, VA 22180
Tickets: $10 in advance, $12 at the door
(703)255-1566

All of the Azalea musicians who appear on the Sampler will be performing at the CD release concert. The show will be emceed by Mary Sue Twohy, The Village XM Satellite Radio host and Azalea City Recordings artist.

The songs on the sampler are mostly penned by the artists, with a peppering of choice covers of tunes by Dave Alvin, Robert Hunter, and Bob Dylan. The CD comes to a close with a group sing/medley of three of the most famous and well-loved protest songs.

If you can’t join us for the release concert, the Sampler will be available soon at the House of Musical Traditions and many other local businesses in Takoma Park, or online at CD Baby.

Updates from Azalea City Artists

Starting the new growing season

Karen Collins and Ira Gitlin at the Washington Christmas Market

The Blue Moon Cowgirls (Karen Collins, Ann Porcella, Lynn Healey, and Ira Gitlin) are currently in the studio recording their first CD, a seven-song EP of acoustic country music.

Ruthie and the Wranglers are finishing up with recording their fifth CD, produced by Marco Delmar of Recording Arts studio. The new CD’s official release will be in early 2009.

Laura Baron’s song “Kindness Don’t Rest Easy” won the gold award in the Jazz/Blues category of the 2008 Mid-Atlantic Song Contest. She will be playing at the awards concert on January 11th, 4pm at Jammin’ Java.

Zoe Mulford, still living in England, is working on a new recording project. Drawing on her experience singing in British folk clubs, it features narrative songs, unaccompanied singing, traditional songs, and clawhammer banjo.

Azalea City Recordings is now on Facebook!

All Together Now

Azaleas Collaborate in the Studio

Joe Uehlein

After two very successful compilations drawn from recent releases on the label, we decided to try something new and organize the third sampler around a theme.

We chose to make a collection of political and topical material. We also wanted to try another first: a collaborative track involving as many Azalea artists as possible. Joe Uehlein (pictured) suggested a medley of three classics of the Civil Rights movement: “We Shall Not Be Moved,” “If I Had a Hammer,” and “This Land Is Your Land”—including the three verses originally suppressed by Woody Guthrie’s publisher.

Joe describes the recording session as “pretty amazing, with Jon Carroll working his magic to my basic arrangement of the songs.”

The track features Joe Uehlein, Jon Carroll, Ruthie Logsdon, Carey Creed, and Jesse Palidofsky, and was produced and engineered by Jon Carroll.

“Hearing everyone sing and singing together was inspiring and reminded me why these songs are so powerful,” says Joe. “When you sing, or hear, the lyrics to these songs it’s hard not to believe that a better world is possible, and that we all have a role in bringing it about.”

Butternut Squash and Apple Soup

From Zoe in the UK Office

I learned this one from my friend Michele.

Peel the squash (this is much easier if you steam the whole thing for about two minutes—just long enough to soften the skin). Cut it in half, scoop out the seeds, and cut the squash into half-inch strips.

Slice the onion thin. Peel, core, and quarter the apples. Peel the garlic and leave it whole. Oil a glass baking dish and lay everything in it with a sprinkle of thyme. Brush a little olive oil over the top (virtuous) or dot with butter (sumptuous) and bake at 350° until the squash is soft. (Add more butter or add some liquid and cover with foil if veggies seem to be burning or drying out before they get soft. Some browning is good.)

Combine vegetables and stock in a blender and whiz until smooth. A few canned tomatoes will deepen the color and balance the flavor.

Season to your taste and heat before serving. Good with croutons or crusty bread.

We really look forward to seeing you at one of our special events. Please check our website to learn more about each of our artists. Everyone at Azalea City wishes you a very happy fall!

All the best from the Azalea City Newsletter Team

http://www.azaleacityrecordings.com/
azaleanews@azaleacityrecordings.com