Kathy Geary, soprano

Now and Then - Woodstock Still Alive

Original air August 19, 2023 | Time 58:00

It's time to consider the impact of the Woodstock festival on our culture and the music that was created 54 years ago in 1969.

Who performed at Woodstock and is still alive and recording?

Joan Baez released "Whistle Down the Wind" in 2018 and we hear the title track, written by Tom Waits and "The Things That We are Made Of", by Mary Chapin Carpenter. Joan's voice is immediately recognizable even at 82 years old. "I Wish All Wars Were Over" recalls the earliest music Joan sang, a folk song that sounds like the British isles. She was 6 months pregnant when she sang at the Woodstock festival, at midnight on Friday, barefoot. She sang 14 songs that night.

The next day on Sat afternoon at 2pm Santana took the stage. Carlos just released stunning new recordings on "Blessings and Miracles" in Oct 2021. The energy is electric and this master of guitar brings Latin rock to it's peak. Born July 20, 1947, Carlos Santana is a vibrant 76 years old.

John Sebastian took the Woodstock stage right after Santana. John wasn't even on the program and was just visiting the festival when he was invited to perform solo voice and guitar. They needed time for the next bands to arrive. He's still a magical singer and in 2021 released "John Sebastian and Arlen Roth Explore the Spoonful Songbook". John was the lead singer and songwriter for the Lovin' Spoonful in the 60s and 70s. He delivers beautifully on this new recording and we hear "Darling Be Home Soon" and "Did You Ever Have to Make Up Your Mind".

The Band played at Woodstock on the last night, Sunday at 10pm with Robbie Robertson on vocals and guitar. Robbie was Bob Dylan's lead guitarist in the 60s and 70s before joining The Band. He wrote timeless songs "The Weight", The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down", "Up on Cripple Creak" and so many more. The son of a Native American mother of Cayuga and Mohawk tribes, he celebrates Native American rhythms and culture in his solo recordings. He released his final studio album "Sinematic" in Sept 2019. He was 80 years old when he passed away on August 9, 2023. He worked on this final recording for five years and it's a masterpiece, you can hear the Indian rhythms and ideas so clearly, even as it's also timeless rock n' roll, always sounding fresh. He collaborates with Van Morrison on the song "I Hear You Paint Houses". We also hear "Once Were Brothers" and "Street Serennade".

Now and Then - LIVE with Erik Vanderzee and Bobby Wood

Original air August 5, 2023 | Time 58:00

Vanderzee has just released a new album "DIVERGENT". We'll explore how it all came together, the songwriting and the process of recording and releasing. We'll hear some tracks from the new release and Erik Vanderzee will also perform live solo guitar and voice. He's a classically trained guitarist and has a elegant and clean style. He's got a way of writing a strong hook in the melody that keeps his music going around in your head, it's great!

Bobby Wood will also join us for a conversation and live performance. If you've listened to my program you've definitely heard Bobby's music because I play "Water From Stone" quite a bit on my program. A storyteller, he draws a picture with his words ala Bob Dylan, with a similar mid-western accent. He's a talented guitarist and musician and has self-produced his recordings.

Kathy Geary, Host of Now & Then on Radio Catskill, Public Radio for the Catskills and Northeast Pennsylvania

Now and Then - LIVE with Matthew Albeck

Original air July 29, 2023 | Time 59:00

Matthew has just released a new recording "EYES OF THE ALLIGATOR" with his band The Immigrants. He's a talented guitarist and I've seen him perform in our area many times. I always enjoy his understanding of the guitar and his huge variety of styles and genres. I'm curious about the creative process behind his new music and invite you to listen in while we explore his story.

Kathy Geary - Host of Now & Then on WJFF Radio Catskill

Now and Then - Bob Dylan's "Shadow Kingdom", John Lennon, Bert Jansch, Bobby Wood

Original air July 15, 2023 | Time 58:00

Bob Dylan released Shadow Kingdom" on June 2, 2023. It was recorded in a studio in Los Angeles in 2021. The recording features beautifully sung renditions of some of his most iconic songs. The sincerity is palpable and wonderful to hear.

Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues
Most Likely You'll Go Your Way and I'll Go Mine
It's All Over Now, Baby Blue

Who can follow this wonderful performance by Dylan? I think there's something in John Lennon's demo tapes that captures the same kind of sincere performance. We hear Here We Go Again from a demo casette he did at the Dakota in Manhattan in the mid 70's. From the Beatles anthology we hear the demo of his famous "Strawberry Fields".

Bert Jansch was never as famous as either Bob or John, but he stands up next to them well. We hear the title track from his final studio album Black Swan in 2006. He sang Wild Moutain Thyme Live ad McCage's Guitar Shop i 1981. We also hear "Black Water Side" which was covered by Jimmy Page with Led Zeppelin, although Jansch was not credited for the composition.

Bobby Wood is a young singer songwriter performing here in the Catskills area. He has released an EP called Wood From a Stone and we hear his song El Paso Turnaround which was inspired by Bert Jansch.