events
DO people become musicians because it’s in their
genes, or is it because of the environment they are
subjected to as children? That question of ‘nature
versus nurture’ has long occupied behaviourists,
psychologists and many others. Although it’s
impossible to state categorically whether it’s one
or the other, the existence of musical families
and dynasties such as the extended WatersonCarthys, the Coppers and MacColls in the UK, and
the Carters and Seegers in the States, suggests
that the answer probably lies somewhere between
the two. That said, sometimes a musician comes
along whose history does make you take stock.
Take award-winning American folk singer and
songwriter Diana Jones, for example. Adopted
as an infant and raised in a New York home with
no art and little music, she nevertheless began
writing songs at the age of 11 and later, when
her contemporaries were grooving to Michael
Jackson and Prince, found herself unaccountably
attracted to the music of Johnny Cash, Patsy
Cline, Dolly Parton and Emmylou Harris and to
the folk music of the rural south.
In her early 20s Diana reconnected with
her birth family, most significantly with her
maternal grandfather Robert Lee Maranville. An
accomplished guitarist and singer from Tennessee,
who had once been in a band with renowned
guitarist Chet Atkins, Maranville was familiar
with the songs that Diana had heard and through
getting to know him her deep affinity for traditional
folk and Appalachian music began to make sense.
Following Maranville’s death in 2001, Diana
used that music as the inspiration for her
breakthrough album, 2006’s My Remembrance
Of You (dedicated to her grandfather’s memory),
since when she’s released several more critically
acclaimed albums that have drawn comparisons
to Gillian Welch, Iris DeMent, and Alison Krauss.
Her most recent release, Museum Of Appalachia
Recordings, was recorded live at Peters Homestead
Cabin, Museum of Appalachia, in Clinton, Tennessee,
with two session musicians, and was again inspired
by the love of old-time Appalachian music her
grandfather passed on to her. Brilliantly executed, it’s
cemented Diana’s reputation as one of Americana’s
finest writers and performers and, if your interest has
been kindled, you’ll be able to witness her performing
some of her poignant, thought provoking songs when
she appears as part of the Roots Unearthed series at
Cardiff St David’s Hall on Weds 26 Mar.
Buzz also recommends
Emily Smith. Exquisite Scottish singer. The Muni
Arts Centre, Pontypridd (Sat 15)
Brooks Williams. Superlative playing from UKbased American guitarist. Lyceum Folk Club,
Lyceum Tavern, Newport (Thurs 20)
John Kirkpatrick Weekend. English folk’s finest
squeezebox player gets his own mini festival.
Cuffern Manor, Pembs (Fri 21-Sun 23)
Please send your folk and roots listings to
[email protected] or phone them in to
029 2022 7677
BUZZ 56
Gerry Cottle’s Turbo Circus
Cyfarthfa Park, Merthyr Tydfil.
5 + 7.30pm, £12-£24. Info 0845
8355050. (Until Sun 9)
Live Superstars Of Wrestling
Coliseum Theatre, Aberdare.
7.30pm, £10/£8. Info 0800
0147111.
Märzfest CSM Hospitality
Suite (Cardiff Met Uni), Cardiff.
7pm-12am, £5 adv. Info 07837
963010. Live music, beer and
German cuisine, in aid of Ty
Hafan.
Newport Photographic Club
Skip Jennings Hall, Maindee,
Newport. 7.30pm. Info 01633
400685. Every Friday.
NoFit State Circus: Aerial
Conditioning Prince Of Wales
Building, John Street, Cardiff.
6-7.30pm, £7/£5 per session or
£35/£30 for six sessions over
10 weeks. Info 029 2022 1330
/ www.nofitstate.org. Every
Friday.
Older Adult Dance/Exercise
The Riverfront, Newport.
11.15am-12.15pm, £2.80. Info
01633 656757. Low impact
dance and exercise class aimed
at the over 50s every Friday.
Rhiwbina Farmers Market
The Butchers Arms, Rhiwbina.
10am-1pm, free. Info 029 2022
7982. Every Friday.
SeeWales Sightseeing Day
Tour: Mines & Mountains
National Museum & Gallery,
Cardiff (pickup point). 9am5.30pm, £5 off if you present
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