AB, De Roma and Handelsbeurs present
Under the auspices of the Alan Lomax Archive and The Association for Cultural Equity in New York
A Tribute to Alan Lomax with The Golden Glows: A Prison Songbook and Roland plays a selection of Lead Belly songs - The Screening of ‘The Land Where The Blues Began’
In the fall of 2009 Ancienne Belgique organised a tribute to American ethno-musicologist Alan Lomax. One of the concert evenings consisted of 2 unique shows. On the one hand you had The Golden Glows, complemented by a male choir for the occasion, who brought the Prison Songs recorded in the 1940's back to live. Roland presented, solo, an anthology of Lead Belly's work, the blues legend discovered by Alan Lomax.

This unique programme will now resumed three times: Thursday 3 March in the AB in Brussels, Friday 4 March in De Roma in Antwerp and on Saturday 5 March in the De Handelsbeurs in Ghent. As a little something extra, each evening will commence with the screening of Alan Lomax directed documentary ‘The Land Where The Blues Began’.

The Golden Glows: A Prison Songbook
As part of the tribute to ethno-musicologist Alan Lomax that was organised by the AB in the fall of 2009, The Golden Glows – a trio from Antwerp with a love for old, somewhat ‘forgotten’ music – had the privilege of working with a unique musical legacy: Prison Songs.
Together with a drummer and a six-member male choir, The Golden Glows presented a selection of Prison Songs, recorded in 1947 by Alan Lomax in the oldest prison in Mississippi, Parchman Farm. For as far as we're aware, it's the first time that this precious legacy has been performed live and it is moreover a suitable alibi to show another side of the band. Whereas the Glows usually opt for soft, intimate vocal finery and a consistently applied minimalism, this time they went all out. Supported by six sturdy male voices and a phenomenal drummer, The Golden Glows created a unique performance that thrives on raw energy and vocal power. This one-off tribute concert was proclaimed 3rd Best Concert of 2009 by AB.
As of 2011, this project will be resumed as A Prison Songbook, with a five-member cast including guest musicians Geert Hellings (dobro & lapsteel) and Frederik Meuleyzer (drums).
Players: Katleen Scheir (soprano) - Nel Ponsaers (alto) - Bram Van Moorhem (tenor & guitar) - Geert Hellings (dobro & lapsteel) - Frederik Meuleyzer (drums)

Roland plays a selection of Lead Belly songs
Blues legend LEAD BELLY was discovered by Alan Lomax and his father John A. Lomax. In the 30's they travelled to prisons in the South of the United States to record prison songs. That's where they met Lead Belly and the rest is history. His ‘Good Night Irene’ in a version by The Weavers became a number 1 hit and Nirvana’s version of ‘Where Did You Sleep Last Night (In The Pines)’ is etched in everyone's memory too. But aside from that, Lead Belly played more than 500 songs in all. Who other than our very own blues legend ROLAND would be more suited to present an exciting selection of those songs?

‘The Land Where The Blues Began’ (USA, 60’)
Alan Lomax, John Bishop and Worth Long headed up the Mississippi Delta in search of the origins of the blues. They met charismatic storytellers who take you back to the origin of this Afro-American genre. Ex-detainees, railway workers and dock workers sing their hearts out. Become familiar with the authentic work songs, the heartbeat of hard labour. This documentary contains performances by oldies like R.L. Burnside and Jack Owens.

Tour:

Thursday 3 March 2011 – 7:00 pm - Ancienne Belgique, Anspachlaan 110, 1000 Brussels
Tickets 12 euro presale and 15 euro door-sales
Tickets and info: AB - 02/548 24 24

Friday 4 March 2011 - 7:45 pm - De Roma, Turnhoutsebaan 286, 2140 Borgerhout
Tickets 14 euro presale / 12 euro reduction
Tickets and info: De Roma - 03/292 97 40

Saturday 5 March 2011 - 8:15pm - Handelsbeurs, Kouter 29, 9000 Ghent
Tickets 14 euro
Tickets and info: Handelsbeurs - 09/265 91 65