The NexTradition

Subject: The NexTradition
From: Peter Kasin
Date: 18 Jun 00 - 07:18 AM

Heard a duo at this June's sea music festival at Mystic Seaport Museum that floored me! They are called The NexTradition, and they are powerful singers. They sing worksongs: chanteys, prison songs, railroad songs, etc. mostly from the African-American tradition, and have a very strong presence. Anyone see them there, or at other venues? Any opinions of them among mudcatters?

Subject: RE: The NexTradition
From: InOBU
Date: 18 Jun 00 - 07:36 AM

Do you know where they are based?
Larry

Subject: RE: The NexTradition
From: katlaughing
Date: 18 Jun 00 - 08:55 AM

According to what I found on Google, in a Mystic Seaport press release, they are "A fiery young duo from New York." It also looks as though they were there in 1998 and a few other great sounding venues in the US and in the UK.

Sounds interesting...maybe the Seaport would have more info by email or phone. I couldn't find anything else on their site about them.

Thanks,

kat

Subject: RE: The NexTradition
From: GUEST,Roger in Baltimore
Date: 18 Jun 00 - 09:18 AM

I heard them do two songs in a workshop at the FSGW Getaway two years ago. They were AWESOME!!! The male half (it was a guy and a gal then) has a parent in the FSGW. He came last year and showed up at the Worksongs Workshop Barry and I ran. His female half couldn't make it to the Getaway last year. I highly recommend them to all who are interested in the "work song/chantey" music. They have incredible energy and powerful voices. I bought their tape (essentially a demo) two years ago.

Roger in Baltimore

Subject: RE: The NexTradition
From: Jeri
Date: 18 Jun 00 - 09:39 AM

I have a very strong memory of Ken from the Gathering - great voice and incredible energy. The duo is from New York City.

Paging Liam's Brother and/or Liam's Sister-in-law, paging Barry Finn...

Subject: RE: The NexTradition
From: Wotcha
Date: 18 Jun 00 - 03:53 PM

They are regulars at Southstreet Seaport Shanty sings as well as sings aboard the Peking, according my local NYC Sources. I have seen them both times I've been to NYC sings and they are a mainstay -- they were somewhat overlooked at Mystic in 99 ... as were the Johnson Girls who also have a connection with this duet ... it is a family tree thing (Where is the Melody Maker or was it New Musical Express guy who drew those charts??)
Anyway, as an outside observer, I have always associated the NYC "Shanty Scene" with these folks who form one part of an amazingly strong local tradition. The efforts they have made to collect from the Georgia Islands has really made a contribution to the preservation of ancient songs.
OK enough gushing.
Cheers,
Brian

Subject: RE: The NexTradition
From: GUEST,Barry Finn
Date: 18 Jun 00 - 11:09 PM

A few yrs back I was invited to sing at the Little Red Lighthouse Festival, I met Ken & Allison there along with quite a few others in the New York shanty arena & was very impressed. I later shared the stage at Mystic with them in 98, it was again with great fun & pleasure. Since I've sung with them for fun, along with the Johnson Girls, Watersign, the Windlasses & other New Yorkers. Though I haven't heard anything they've done from the Georgia Sea Islands, they have done a good bit from the Manhaden fisheries along with a good bit from the West Indies & the surrounding islands. The southern prison work songs they do are also something more than a treat to hear. I'd say anyone grabbing their new CD would be very happy with it. I don't believe they were skipped over at Mystic last yr. Usually Mystic puts on groups every other yr. to space things out & they did play in 98. As for the Johnson Girls, I've heard that they'll most likely be there in 2001. Already looking forward to it. Got to meet Chantyranger this time around (hi Peter) & it was great to meet up with him among other Catters' (hi Pelgrad). Barry

Subject: RE: The NexTradition
From: Peter Kasin
Date: 19 Jun 00 - 02:17 AM

Larry -

They are based in Brooklyn. As Barry mentioned, they got a great CD. Don't know if it's out in stores, but you can get it directly from them by contacting Alison Kelley and Ken Schatz at www.nextrad.com

-chanteyranger

Subject: TNT in Brooklyn, NY
From: Suffet
Date: 20 Mar 01 - 06:54 AM

New York Pinewoods Folk Music Club proudly presents...

The NexTradition -- TNT -- Ken Schatz and Alison Kelley

Traditional music in motion. Two voices. Dangerous Harmonies. Goose-bump images. Driving rhythms and roaring choruses.

Born in June 1997 at the Mystic Sea Music Festival in Mystic, CT, The NexTradition was christened by Heather Wood (of The Young Tradition) on the back of a beer menu a few months later.

Sea songs and chanteys, Gospel and blues, work songs of the railroads, mines, prisons, factories, and fields, TNT performs traditional music of America, Great Britain, and around the world.

Hear The NexTradition at our upcoming Folk Off-Broadway concert.

Wunsch Hall Student Center, Polytechnic University
Metrotech Center, Downtown Brooklyn, New York
Friday, April 6, 2001. 8:00 PM

General admission: $10
Pinewoods members: $9
Polytechnic students: free

For directions, please call [phone].

Subject: RE: The NexTradition
From: Joy Bennett
Date: 20 Mar 01 - 08:32 AM

don't miss this one!! Deep Roots, Dangerous harmonies --and they ain't kidding!!

just another great concert happening brought to you by the Folk Music Society of NY -- with discounts for members, so whay wait? Join today!!

For your $27 per year individual, $37 per year dual/family, you get a monthly newsletter (ok, so it's 11, not 12, there's a July/August issue) with a listing of lots of around town happenings, Pinewoods news and interesting trivia, 6, count them, 6 free member series concerts per year --- discounts to house concerts and our Folk off Broadway series where you can hear some truly talented musicians up close and personal, and $25 discounts on our weekends away -- Spring & Fall (workshops, concerts and jams) and winter (all jamming, all the time.)

post to this thread or contact us at [e-mail]!!

Subject: RE: The NexTradition
From: katlaughing
Date: 20 Mar 01 - 10:50 AM

You can listen to some grand cuts of this duo at Folk Legacy's Home Page (click) on their latest CD. WOW...powerful voices!

Subject: RE: The NexTradition
From: GUEST,Evy Mayer
Date: 20 Mar 01 - 11:33 AM

Ken Schatz and Alison Kelley are The NexTradition. We at the New York Pinewoods Folk Music Club are proud to present this dynamic duo. If you want to hear music that will excite and energize you, come to our Folk Off Broadway concert on April 6th. For those of you who want to take them home, they now have a CD. See Suffet and Joy Bennett threads for more information.

Subject: RE: The NexTradition
From: katlaughing
Date: 20 Mar 01 - 12:50 PM

Or you could just click on the link in the post just above.

Subject: RE: The NexTradition
From: mousethief
Date: 20 Mar 01 - 01:01 PM

I went to Folk Legacy and searched for "NexTradition" and came up empty-handed.

What gives?

Subject: RE: The NexTradition
From: nutty
Date: 20 Mar 01 - 01:25 PM

If I can get the links right ... this should help

CLICK

Subject: RE: The NexTradition
From: nutty
Date: 20 Mar 01 - 01:27 PM

GREAT .. it worked - some really super sound clips on here

Subject: RE: The NexTradition
From: Wesley S
Date: 20 Mar 01 - 01:29 PM

You should be able to find it if you look under the "index". I also noticed that they seperate the two words. "Next Tradition". I hope that helps.

Subject: RE: The NexTradition
From: mousethief
Date: 20 Mar 01 - 01:38 PM

Oh. Yeah, that makes a big difference, I'm sure, since I was using "search." I'll try again.

Subject: RE: The NexTradition
From: Jeri
Date: 20 Mar 01 - 01:53 PM

The CD is on Folk Legacy's main page, to which both Kat and nutty linked. It's second row down, all the way to the right.

Subject: RE: The NexTradition
From: Sandy Paton
Date: 20 Mar 01 - 02:02 PM

When you see it there on the main page of the Folk-Legacy Web site, click on the image of the CD (or click here) and it will show you the traycard information. Sound bites to follow.

Ken Schatz is the son of Mudcatter Nancy King. He's an actor as well as one hellova singer.

Sandy (Folk-Legacy's resident folk fogey)

Subject: RE: The NexTradition
From: Jeri
Date: 20 Mar 01 - 02:06 PM

"Sheep in the Big City" on the Cartoon Channel. Ken is a Don Pardo sort of narrator. (Funny show! Puns! Characters include General Specific, Private Public, Major Pain...)

Subject: RE: The NexTradition
From: Joy Bennett
Date: 21 Mar 01 - 10:09 AM

and Folk Legacy also carries The Johnson Girls' CD (Alison is in that group as well)

Subject: RE: The NexTradition
From: nutty
Date: 21 Mar 01 - 12:56 PM

Heard the NexTradition version of Sinner Man on Mudcat Radio last night ..... it was very impressive

I look forward to hearing a lot more from them

Subject: RE: The NexTradition
From: mousethief
Date: 21 Mar 01 - 01:08 PM

Clicked on the thing that flashes "click to listen" and nothing happened. I'm just fated to never hear this music, I fear.

Subject: RE: The NexTradition
From: radriano
Date: 21 Mar 01 - 05:27 PM

Well, The NextTradition sounded so good that I ordered a copy from Folk Legacy this morning. I don't have sound capability on my work computer so I couldn't listen to any of the sound bytes but chanteyranger recommended them and he likes my singing so I know he has good taste.

Richard

Subject: RE: The NexTradition
From: Suffet
Date: 21 Mar 01 - 05:55 PM

New York Pinewoods Folk Music Club
Folk Music Society of New York, Inc.
450 7th Avenue #972
New York, NY 10123
[phone]

PRESS RELEASE

Contact for this event: Evy Mayer, [phone] after 11 AM only.

For immediate release on or after March 20, 2001.
The NexTradition to Appear in Brooklyn, NY, on Friday, April 6, 2001.

High Powered A Capella Duo at Polytechnic in Pinewoods ³Folk Off-Broadway² Series.

The NexTradition, traditional a capella singers Ken Schatz and Alison Kelley, will appear at Wunsch Hall, Polytechnic University in Brooklyn on Friday evening, April 6, 2001, as part of the New York Pinewoods Folk Music Club¹s ³Folk Off-Broadway² concert series produced in cooperation with the school. The show starts at 8:00 PM sharp. General admission is $10. Pinewoods members pay only $9, and Polytechnic students will be admitted free.

The NexTradition -- called TNT for short -- can best be described as traditional music in motion. Two voices. Dangerous harmonies. Goose-bump images. Driving rhythms and roaring choruses. Born in June 1997 at the Mystic Sea Music Festival in Mystic, Connecticut, The NexTradition was christened by Heather Wood (of The Young Tradition) on the back of a beer menu a few months later.

TNT performs traditional music from North America, the British Isles, and around the world: sea songs and chanteys, Gospel and blues, work songs of the railroads, mines, prisons, factories, and fields.

Wunsch Hall, the Polytechnic University student center, is located in Metrotech Center in downtown Brooklyn, easily accessible by public transportation. The nearest subway stop is Lawrence Street on the M, N. and R lines. Ample parking is available after 7:00 PM.

[end]

Subject: RE: The NexTradition
From: Joy Bennett
Date: 22 Mar 01 - 09:45 PM

Hi radriano -- Alison from TNT is also in the Johnson Girls --CD also available from Folk Legacy!!

Subject: RE: The NexTradition
From: Joy Bennett
Date: 25 Mar 01 - 06:50 PM

soon to happen

Subject: RE: The NexTradition
From: Suffet
Date: 25 Mar 01 - 10:27 PM

If you get The NexTradition CD you will note that Heather Wood (ex-Young Tradition) joins Ken and Alison on Byker Hill. You will also note that Deirdre Murtha (one of Alison's fellow Johnson Girls) joins Ken and Alison on Bonny Light Horseman. Now I am not by nature a gambling man, but I would lay even money that either Heather or Deirdre or both will be in the audience when TNT appears at Polytech on April 6th. Or am I hoping for too much?

--- Steve

Subject: RE: The NexTradition
From: Sandy Paton
Date: 25 Mar 01 - 11:20 PM

The sound bites (WinAmp) for NexTradition aren't up there yet. My fault. Got my workload going in a different direction and failed to get a message off to the web guru as to which cuts to bite on. Coming to you soon in vivid WinAmp sound! Keep trying.

Sandy

Subject: RE: The NexTradition
From: Peter Kasin
Date: 26 Mar 01 - 02:03 AM

A dream I've had since I first heard them last year at Mystic has just been realized - The NexTradition just got booked to come to San Francisco to do a concert aboard the square-rigger BALCLUTHA, on Saturday, September 8. It'll be Alison's first trip to S.F. All you West Coast Mudcatters should definitely try to see them.

-chanteyranger

Subject: RE: The NexTradition
From: Suffet
Date: 26 Mar 01 - 05:42 AM

Cool, as long as Alison is back at her day job bright and early Monday morning. I hear that her supervisor in one really tough sonofabitch! :-)

--- Steve

Subject: RE: The NexTradition
From: Joy Bennett
Date: 26 Mar 01 - 08:32 AM

I've heard that too!

Subject: RE: The NexTradition
From: Naemanson
Date: 26 Mar 01 - 09:36 AM

Which of you is her supervisor?

I heard them at Mystic when they got started and each year they've been there since. If you think they are good on stage you should hear them at the party around 2AM with a few beers fueling the fire!

I hope they are there this June!

PS, the only 'catter I've ever met at Mystic was Barry. I hope to make up for that this year...

Subject: RE: The NexTradition
From: Joy Bennett
Date: 26 Mar 01 - 04:06 PM

her supervisor is SUFFET!

I, alas, am just a lowly Johnson Girl, friend, mother, confidant, and chauffeur. Introduce yourself at Mystic -- it would be nice to put a face to the name.

Ken will be there this year (not on the program) but as Alison's guest -- so those 2am gatherings should as always be great!

see you soon.

Subject: RE: The NexTradition
From: Peter Kasin
Date: 26 Mar 01 - 05:29 PM

Aw, Suffet, give the girl a chance to see some of the sights of the beautiful S.F. bay area, meet the local singing crowd at Shay Black's Sunday night session, and to pick up another gig out here. Hey, I'll even arrange for Spaw to come to NY and take care of Alison's work monday mor......oh, no, Im blowing it! :-)

-chanteyranger

Subject: RE: The NexTradition
From: KAS
Date: 26 Mar 01 - 11:36 PM

Hi folks!

Ken Schatz here. This is my first Mudcat post ever (gulp!) and I just wanted to say thank you! for your many compliments and good wishes. Alison and I have had such a great time with y'all at Mystic, the FSGW Getaway, and Pinewoods FMSNY events, and we are very excited for this year's Mystic Festival and our west coast trip.

As many of you know, Alison and I have each had (coincidentally) a difficult year, so we haven't been in touch with people as much as we'd like, but there's been good news for each of us too, and we are very grateful to you guys for all your encouragement and support. We're insanely jazzed to see everyone at our Brooklyn concert April 6!

Thanks also to all for kind words about Sheep in the Big City. Mudcatters may be amused to note that I've now played both the "folksinger" and the "blues singer" on the show. Man, that's fun.

The NexTradition's website, www.nextrad.com, is currently down. Ali is working on it, and we hope to have it functioning again shortly. But I want to work through these first-time link-posting jitters, so here, FYI, are my site and the Sheep site:

Click here

Clickhere

Anyway, thanks again, all. Look forward to seeing and hearing everyone soon!

Cheers,

Ken

Subject: RE: The NexTradition
From: Suffet
Date: 27 Mar 01 - 07:00 AM

Joy is right about one thing and wrong about another. Yes, I am Miss Kelley's supervisor. But there is absolutely nothing lowly about being a Johnson Girl.

And chanteyranger need not worry about Alison finding the time to enjoy the sights of the Bay Area. The taxpayers of New York demand of her fewer than 190 workdays a year. In addition, she is entitled to take up to 3 days per year for personal business, no questions asked. Well, at least I don't ask any questions!

--- Steve (J-Girls Fan Club member #1)

Subject: RE: The NexTradition
From: Joy Bennett
Date: 27 Mar 01 - 08:05 AM

"lowly" was just a figure of speech!!! There ain't nothin' lowly about us!! I just fell into a moment of modesty - - but only a moment!!

yep -- come to The NexTradition concert April 6 at Brooklyn Polytech and hear what they're all about!

Then come to the Mystic Sea Music Festival June 8-10 in Mystic, CT and hear The Johnson Girls on the big stage -- and spend some time with all of us (TNT too) in the wee hours of the morning! (as long as I don't have to drive home on Sunday I'll be up late!)

Subject: RE: The NexTradition
From: Naemanson
Date: 27 Mar 01 - 08:14 AM

I'll be there at Mystic. Look for me and I'll look for all of you. The name on the tag will be BRETT.

Subject: RE: The NexTradition
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 27 Mar 01 - 08:21 PM

Naemanson- Why not wear a Mudcat T-shirt and be noticeable? barry does, Susan does, I do.

Subject: RE: The NexTradition
From: GUEST,Bedridden Barry on Sis's laptop
Date: 27 Mar 01 - 10:51 PM

Talk about gettin things done in a New York minute but a couple years, I guess better late than never. Good to see you here & see you soon, either at Mystic or NEFFA. Barry

Subject: RE: The NexTradition
From: Joy Bennett
Date: 03 Apr 01 - 01:26 PM

so, don't forget to come to the concert this Friday night!! april 6 - Brooklyn Polytech -- Wunsch Hall, 8pm--

Deep roots, dangerous harmonies!! Be there or be square!! Joy

Subject: RE: The NexTradition
From: Suffet
Date: 03 Apr 01 - 06:53 PM

Pop quiz:

Which member of The NexTradition is giving a workshop tomorrow afternoon on using Web-based instruction in the classroom?

Come to their Brooklyn gig on Friday night, April 6, and I'll tell you the answer.

Wunsch Hall, Polytechnic University, 8 PM

--- Steve

Subject: Going to Heaven on 12/14/02
From: Suffet
Date: 16 Nov 02 - 12:09 PM

Yup, you heard me right. On December 14th of this year, 2002, I'm planning a trip right through the Pearly Gates. No, I'm not suicidal. And, yes, I'm still a free thinker. So the Heaven I am talking about is Musical Heaven, as pure and simple and beautiful as anything can be, here on Earth or in the admittedly allegorical Great Beyond. And why December 14th? Because that's the night The NexTradition -- Alison Kelley and Ken Schatz -- share the evening's program with Erica Smith at the Peoples' Voice Cafe here in New York City. (I still like to call her Erica MacKenzie Smith, although she has dropped the MacKenzie from her billings of late.)

If you have never been to the Peoples' Voice, it's a trip and a half. It's an all-volunteer not-for-profit place which sells nutritious home baked snacks on the cheap, which is completely free from the odor of cigarette smoke, and which, above all, gives both the performers and the audience alike a fair shake. Where else can you get in for half price by saying that you're "up against the machine"?

Here's the skinny:

The NexTradition & Erica (MacKenzie) Smith
People's Voice Cafe at the Workmen's Circle
45 East 33rd Street (between Madison & Park Avenues)
Midtown Manhattan, New York City


Saturday, December 14, 2002
8:00 PM sharp
General admission: $10 or TDF voucher.
Peoples Voice or Workmen's Circle members: $7.
Senior or On Strike or Up Against the Machine: $5.

For more information about the Peoples Voice Cafe...
Telephone: [phone]
Website: click here!

Now a few words about the performers...

Wow! Wow! And wow again!

OK, I'll be a little more specific.

The NexTradition, Alison and Ken, sing a cappella, mostly traditional songs or songs written in traditional style. Expect to hear what Heather Wood of the legendary Young Tradition calls "deep roots and dangerous harmonies" as Alison and Ken sing anything from prison worksongs to maritime ballads to Kipling's poetry set to music. (Heather Wood, by the way, gave The NexTradition their name!)

Erica is a singer-songwriter, folksinger, anti-folksinger, guitar picking angel, subtle wit, and potential she-devil all rolled into one. And -- is it too politically incorrect to say this? -- she's pretty. I mean really pretty. She batted her eyelashes in my direction one time and I gave her my mountain dulcimer. (Alison and Ken ain't bad looking, either!) Rather than continuing my rant, let me point you to The NexTradition's and Erica Smith's respective websites.

TNT: click here!

Erica: click here!

I'll conclude with just two words -- BE THERE!

--- Steve

Subject: RE: The NexTradition
From: Suffet
Date: 26 Nov 02 - 06:23 AM

refresh

Subject: RE: The NexTradition
From: GUEST,DMK
Date: 26 Nov 02 - 09:17 AM

Great duo! with a fab CD! I believe that they will be at People's Voice Cafe in NYC in December.

Subject: RE: The NexTradition
From: GUEST,John Hernandez
Date: 27 Nov 02 - 03:16 PM

DMK believes right. They'll be at the Peoples Voice on the 14th to be exact. See Suffet's message above for details.

Subject: RE: The NexTradition
From: Suffet
Date: 01 Dec 02 - 04:51 PM

refresh

Subject: RE: The NexTradition
From: GUEST,bbc at work
Date: 02 Dec 02 - 11:56 AM

We heard them this past summer at the Old Songs Festival in New York. To say they are dynamic is an understatement! Worth a hear if you can possibly manage it.

bbc