Collaboration Results in Recording of “Handsome Molly.”
Penultimate Single From I Am A Pilgrim: Doc Watson at 100 Out Next Friday (April 28) Loving Tribute Album Celebrates Doc Watson’s Legacy + Centennial Featuring Dolly Parton, Steve Earle, Marc Ribot, Jerry Douglas, Jeff Parker, Matthew Stevens, Yasmin Williams, Rosanne Cash and More.
April 20, 2023 – Valerie June and Bill Frisell have joined forces on a fresh interpretation of Doc Watson’s “Handsome Molly” featured on new tribute album I Am A Pilgrim: Doc Watson at 100 out next Friday, April 28. Valerie June is a renowned singer-songwriter with a distinct and rich voice whose soulful vocals and captivating stage presence have earned her critical acclaim, while Grammy-winning artist Bill Frisell’s innovative guitar playing has made him a legend in the music world. The collaboration showcases their fresh spin on the beloved Doc Watson recording originally released by Watson in 1961.
“Handsome Molly” is a traditional Appalachian folk tune that dates back to the early 20th century. It tells the story of a woman named Molly with lyrics that portray themes of unrequited love and longing. Watson often performed “Handsome Molly,” showcasing his mastery of flatpicking guitar. Doc Watson’s renditions of “Handsome Molly” were known for their authenticity and heartfelt delivery, resonating with audiences who appreciated his ability to capture the essence of traditional folk music while adding his own unique touch.
“Doc Watson added an effervescence and spark to American music,” says Valerie June. “I’m so grateful that his music brought me together with one of my guitar idols, Bill Frisell. By covering “Handsome Molly”, we are welcoming the world to enjoy the wonder and imagination that sends a simple folk song soaring through starry skies.”
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“Doc Watson. The one and only. What an honor and privilege to have been invited to take part of this beautiful project,” says Bill Frisell. “So thankful to meet Valerie June for the first time. What a joy this was. We just played. No effort. No fear. Nothing to figure out. Thanks so much to Matt Stevens for giving us this opportunity. He and Jeremy Loucas created a space and welcomed us into it. A place where we could be ourselves. Magic happens. I feel so Luc
I Am A Pilgrim: Doc Watson at 100 celebrates the deep influence and legacy of the North Carolina guitarist, singer and songwriter and features new renditions of some of Watson’s most beloved recordings from his expansive catalog. In addition to Valerie June and Bill Frisell, it features Dolly Parton, Rosanne Cash, John Leventhal, Jeff Parker, Matthew Stevens, Nora Brown, Jerry Douglas, Chris Eldridge, Steve Earle, Corey Harris, Jack Lawrence, Lionel Loueke, Ariel Posen, Marc Ribot and Yasmin Williams. It was executive produced by Mitch Greenhill, Matthew Greenhill and Peer Steinwald.
Dolly Parton’s version of “The Last Thing On My Mind,” has already been released. It is a song that Parton recorded in 1967 and it was performed by Parton and Watson at Merlefest together in 2001.
I Am A Pilgrim highlights Watson’s talent and charisma and features contributions from Rock And Roll Hall of Fame Inductees, numerous GRAMMY Award winners, and several NPR Tiny Desk alumni – interpreting his work through a prismatic lens of folk, bluegrass, blues, jazz, experimental and rock music. Given Watson’s seismic impact on guitar playing, it’s no surprise that so many guitar playing styles are represented here, from the finger tapping style of Yasmin Williams (“Doc’s Guitar,” a Watson original) to the slide guitar of Ariel Posen (“Will The Circle Be Unbroken”) and the harmonics featured on Lionel Loueke’s version of “Reuben’s Train.” Nora Brown, a teenager turning heads with her take on old time music, contributes a moving rendition of the hymn “Am I Born To Die.” The album concludes with “Your Lone Journey,” a song that Watson penned while mourning his son, and lovingly interpreted here by Bill Frisell.
Arthel Lane “Doc” Watson earned 7 GRAMMY Awards and 23 nominations including the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2004. He received the National Medal of Arts in 1997 from President Clinton and has been the subject of multiple books, boxed sets and compilation albums. He was born in Deep Gap, North Carolina on March 3, 1923, grew up listening to the Grand Ole Opry, Jimmie Rodgers and the Carter Family and learned guitar at a young age. Watson was an integral part of the early 1960s folk revival and became known as one of the greatest flatpicking guitarists of all time, a style that influenced the playing of countless guitarists. Watson, who lost his eyesight at a young age, was also considered a master of the banjo. He released nearly 30 albums spanning 50 years and collaborated with Earl Scruggs, Ricky Skaggs, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Del McCoury, Taj Mahal, Mississippi John Hurt, David Grisman and many others. His work embraced the regional music of North Carolina and he helped to change what people thought about mountain music through his repertoire of traditional and folk recordings. Watson also presided over MerleFest from its inception in 1988, founded to honor the memory of his son, Merle, as a fundraiser for Wilkes Community College in Wilkesboro, North Carolina. Taking place each spring since 1988, MerleFest has become one of the premiere music festivals in the country.
I Am A Pilgrim: Doc Watson at 100 Track List:
Shady Grove – Jerry Douglas
The Last Thing On My Mind – Dolly Parton
Am I Born To Die – Nora Brown
Alberta – Jeff Parker & Matthew Stevens
Make Me A Pallet – Steve Earle
I Am A Pilgrim – Rosanne Cash and John Leventhal
Florida Blues – Jack Lawrence
How Long Blues – Corey Harris
Will The Circle Be Unbroken – Ariel Posen
Handsome Molly – Valerie June & Bill Frisell
Doc’s Guitar – Yasmin Williams
Little Sadie – Chris Eldridge
Reuben’s Train – Lionel Loueke
The Lost Soul – Marc Ribot
Your Lone Journey – Bill Frisell
UPCOMING TOUR DATES VALERIE JUNE:
APR 28, 2023 – APR 30, 2023
Stagecoach 2023 Indio, CA
MAY 14, 2023
Mill Valley Music Festival
Mill Valley, CA
MAY 29, 2023
City Winery
Chicago, IL
MAY 31, 2023
City Winery St. Louis
St. Louis, MO
JUN 3, 2023
Railbird Music Festival
Lexington, KY
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JUN 4, 2023
City Winery
Nashville, TN
JUN 5, 2023
City Winery
Atlanta, GA
JUN 7, 2023
Virginia Arts Festival
Norfolk, VA
JUN 8, 2023
Howard Theatre
Washington, DC
JUN 10, 2023
City Winery Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, PA
JUN 12, 2023
City Winery
Philadelphia, PA
JUN 13, 2023
City Winery
New York, NY
JUN 14, 2023
City Winery
Boston, MA
JUL 8, 2023
Bliss Fest
Harbor Springs, MI
JUL 16, 2023
Catalyst @ Salvage Station
Asheville, NC
AUG 26, 2023
National Museum of Ireland, Collins Barracks
Dublin, Ireland
SEP 3, 2023
Bumbershoot Festival
Seattle, WA
BILL FRISELL TOUR DATES:
APR 21 FRI
NASJONAL JAZZSCENE :: Bill Frisell & Thomas Morgan DUO @ 8:00pm
Oslo, Norway
APR 22 SAT
LANTAREN VENSTER :: Bill Frisell & Thomas Morgan DUO @ 8:30pm
Rotterdam, Netherlands
APR 23 SUN
BASEL JAZZ FESTIVAL :: Bill Frisell & Thomas Morgan DUO @ 7:00pm
Basel, Switzerland
APR 24 MON
TEATRO DELLE ALI :: Bill Frisell & Thomas Morgan DUO @ 8:45pm
Breno, Italy
APR 25 TUE
MOODS :: Bill Frisell & Thomas Morgan DUO @ 8:30pm
Zurich, Switzerland
APR 26 WED
PORGY & BESS :: Bill Frisell & Thomas Morgan DUO @ 8:30pm
Vienna, Austria
APR 27 THU
MAGYAR ZENE HAZA :: Bill Frisell & Thomas Morgan DUO @ 7:30pm
Budapest, Hungary
MAY 4 THU
GREAT AMERICAN MUSIC HALL :: Bill Frisell Residency – FOUR featuring Johnathan Blake, Gerald Clayton & Gregory Tardy @ 8:30pm
San Francisco, CA, United States
MAY 5 FRI
GRACE CATHEDRAL :: Bill Frisell Residency – DUO with Luke Bergman @ 8:30pm
San Francisco, CA, United States
MAY 6 SAT
GREAT AMERICAN MUSIC HALL :: Bill Frisell Residency – TRIO featuring Thomas Morgan & Rudy Royston AND special guest Ambrose Akinmusire @ 8:30pm
San Francisco, CA, United States
MAY 7 SUN
GREAT AMERICAN MUSIC HALL :: Bill Frisell Residency – FIVE featuring Tony Scherr, Thomas Morgan, Kenny Wollesen & Rudy Royston @ 8:30pm
San Francisco, CA, United States
MAY 12 FRI
EVANSTON SPACE :: Bill Frisell Trio w/ Tony Scherr & Rudy Royston @ 8:00pm
Evanston, IL, United States
MAY 13 SAT
KNOX COLLEGE – ROOTABAGA JAZZ FESTIVAL :: Bill Frisell Trio w/ Tony Scherr & Rudy Royston and the Knox Jazz Ensemble @ 7:00pm
Galesburg, IL, United States
MAY 25 THU
WOLF TRAP :: The Avett Brothers w/ openers the Bill Frisell Trio w/ Tony Scherr & Rudy Royston @ 7:30pm
Vienna, VA, United States
MAY 26 FRI
JIMMY’S JAZZ & BLUES CLUB :: Bill Frisell Trio featuring Tony Scherr & Rudy Royston @ 9:30pm
Portsmouth, NH, United States
MAY 27 SAT
THE DRAKE :: Bill Frisell Trio featuring Tony Scherr & Rudy Royston @ 8:00pm
Amherst, MA, United States
MAY 28 SUN
ARTS AT THE ARMORY :: Bill Frisell Trio featuring Tony Scherr & Rudy Royston @ 7:00pm
Somerville, MA, United States
JUN 2 FRI
SHU COMMUNITY THEATRE :: Bill Frisell Trio featuring Thomas Morgan & Rudy Royston @ 8:00pm
Fairfield, CT, United States
JUN 16 FRI
STONE MOUNTAIN ARTS CENTER :: Bill Frisell Trio featuring Thomas Morgan & Rudy Royston @ 8:00pm
Brownfield, ME, United States
JUN 17 SAT
CAMDEN OPERA HOUSE :: Bill Frisell Trio featuring Thomas Morgan & Rudy Royston @ 7:30pm
Camden, ME, United States
JUL 22 SAT
58th San Sebastian Jazz Festival @ 9:00pm
San Sebastian, Spain
AUG 21 MON
ALTERNATIVE GUITAR SUMMIT CAMP @ 3:00pm
Big Indian, NY, United States
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