CD REVIEW: Bearfoot opens new window to bluegrass

By Diana Nollen

A new grass is growing under Alaskan bluegrass band Bearfoot.

These five music camp counselors explore the more gentle, introspective side of bluegrass rhythms under pop, ballad and rootsy tunes on their lovely debut disc, “Doors and Windows.”

The collection begins with a gentle, romantic declaration titled “Oh My Love,” buoyed with delicate fingerpicking before adding just a little kick from pretty harmonies and fiddle.

Most of the 11 tracks deal with love lost, found, cherished or challenged. That's not a theme I usually associate with bluegrass, but through Bearfoot's wonderful arrangements, the blend makes sense.

Odessa Jorgensen brings her wispy lead vocals to most songs, but when the harmonies join in, the magic really begins. The Beatles' classic “Don't Let Me Down” sounds new and fresh with lush harmonies and light fiddle, followed by Jorgensen's original “My One True Love,” even more beautiful for its simplicity.

That's not to say these fine musicians from the land of the midnight sun can't turn up the heat. “Time is no Medicine” experiments with rhythms and cadences, propelling the story about roaming alone.

The most delightful track is the completely fun and funky departure of the last song, “Good in the Kitchen.” All five male and female voices join in tight a cappella harmonies before percussion and bass sneak into the merry romp.

Bearfoot will launch the spring music series at CSPS in Cedar Rapids on Wednesday. Grab your coat and boots and make tracks to get there. The concert is sure to knock down the doors of cabin fever.

FAST TAKE

Title: “Doors and Windows”

Artist: Bearfoot

Label: Compass Records

Performance: 8 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 20, CSPS, 1103 Third St. SE, Cedar Rapids

Tickets: $14 in advance at www.iowatix.com or $18 at the door

Information: www.legionarts.org/music/Bearfoot.htm or www.bearfootband.com

African to zydeco bands headlining CSPS season

CEDAR RAPIDS - Bands from nearly every continent will heat up the stage this spring at CSPS, 1103 Third St. SE.

Alaskan bluegrass band Bearfoot will kick off the spring music season at 8 p.m. Wednesday. In the weeks to come, the intimate venue will showcase musicians from Iowa and Puerto Rico, Louisiana and French Canada, Ireland, Africa and Asia. 

Tickets for all January and February shows are on sale at www.IowaTix.com

For more information about the programming, go to www.legionarts.org or call (319) 364-1580. 

Shows begin at 7 p.m. Sunday through Tuesday and 8 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday and 7 p.m.

SCHEDULE

Bearfoot, bluegrass from Alaska, Jan. 20, $14 in advance, $18 at the door.

Chris Proctor, guitar virtuoso, Jan. 24, $11 in advance, $15 at the door.

Garnet Rogers, Canadian folk singer, guitar and violin player, Jan. 29, $14 in advance, $18 at the door.

Genticorum, French Canadian power trio, Jan. 30, $14 in advance, $18 at the door.

Ben Schmidt, Iowa City singer-songwriter, CD release party, Feb. 6, $11 in advance, $15 door

Vance Gilbert, acclaimed singer-songwriter, storyteller and humorist, Feb. 12, $14 in advance, $18 at the door.

Buckwheat Zydeco, Louisiana's barnstorming musical ambassadors, Feb. 17, $20 in advance, $25 at the door.

Carrie Newcomer, singer-songwriter, Feb. 19. $17 in advance, $21 at the door.

Catie Curtis, folk pop singer-songwriter, Feb. 25, $17 in advance, $21 at the door.

The Red Stick Ramblers, Cajun band, Feb. 28, $20 in advance, $25 at the door.

Fred Eaglesmith with The Ginn Sisters, alt country, March 3, $14 in advance, $18 at the door.

Dervish, Irish band, March 7, $20 in advance, $25 at the door.

Gadji-Gadjo, Gypsy klezmer from Quebec, March 14, $14 in advance, $18 at the door.

Alash, Tuvan throat singers, March 20, $14 in advance, $18 at the door.

John Gorka with Denice Franke, singer-songwriters, March 25, $17 in advance, $21 at the door.

Adrian Legg, guitarist, March 30, $14 in advance, $18 at the door.

Las Rubias del Norte, Latin-meets-classical songbirds, April 2, $14 in advance, $18 at the door.

Zemog, El Gallo Bueno, 21st Century Latin music, April 9, $14 in advance, $18 at the door.

Bitch, singer-songwriter with attitude, April 10, $11 in advance, $15 at the door.

Bassekou Kouyate and Ngoni ba, West African Bambara music from Malian ensemble, April 13, tickets TBA. 

April Verch Band, blend of Celtic, folk, jazz and bluegrass, April 14, $14 in advance, $18 at the door. 

Baby Dee, songbird with piano, April 17, $14 in advance, $18 at the door.

Jimmy LaFave, Texas troubadour, April 22, $11 in advance, $15 at the door. 

John McCutcheon, folk legend, April 25, $17 in advance, $21 at the door.

The Claire Lynch Band, bluegrass, April 29, tickets TBA. 

The Holmes Brothers, gospel harmonies, May 5, $17 in advance, $21 at the door.