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'Retro Folk' To Return To Library

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 17, 2008

NEW PORT RICHEY - Rebecca Hall and Ken Anderson call it "retro folk," and they'll perform it when they return tonight to the city's library.

Married since 1994, they have traveled thousands of miles during the past few years performing across Europe and the United States. Their CD "Hungrytown" was recorded in their Song Catcher mobile studio between gigs up and down the East Coast.

The studio is retrofitted aboard the "Blue Meanie," a "fuel efficient, solar paneled and, well, blue customized camper van" that Anderson designed to also serve as a "four-season home," office and "Conestoga wagon" for their instruments and sound system, according to www .rebeccaandken.com.

The CD's recording places included a converted barn in New York's Catskill Mountains, a double-wide in the Blue Ridge Mountains of central Virginia, and an old brick and wood meeting house on a Vermont hillside, the Web site says. "Hungrytown" brings together bluegrass, classic country and soul, Celtic folk, old-time balladry and retro pop styles.

"Rebecca Hall, who has a knack for penning tunes that sound like time-tested classics, wrote most of the songs on the album," the couple's online bio says. "She has been dubbed 'a new folk classicist' by the Boston Herald, and her composition 'Hungrytown Road' won second prize at the Minnesota Folk Festival's New Folk Songwriting Contest in 2005. That same year, legendary Nashville songsmith David Olney, who has written for Johnny Cash, Emmylou Harris and Linda Ronstadt, included his version of Rebecca's 'O Lord' on his highly acclaimed 2005 release 'Migration.'

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Anderson produced and arranged "Hungrytown," harmonizes with his wife and plays multiple instruments on the CD.

Lately, Hall and Anderson have been combining their writing talents, and their co-written ballad 'Lucille, Lucille' won third prize at the Great Waters Folk Festival Songwriting Contest in 2007."

When they're not on the road, Hall and Anderson live in a remote cottage in the Southern Vermont hills.

Tonight's concert starts at 7 at the library, 5939 Main St.

Here's what else is on the schedule:

• NPR Explorers, for ages 7 to 10, will provide activities and crafts at 2 p.m. Saturday.

Learn a different dance or skill every month, from swing to self-defense, on Tuesdays. Cost is $6 per person per class. Call (727) 853-1265 to register.

• Auditions for "Shakespeare by the River" are set for 7 p.m. Sunday and Monday at Richey Suncoast Theatre, 6237 Grand Blvd., New Port Richey. "Hamlet" is this year's selection.

People of all levels of experience are encouraged to audition. Angela Sarabia will direct the performance. E-mail her at angelalibbey@hotmail.com or call the theater box office at (727) 842-6777.

Besides the play, "Shakespeare by the River" offers sword fight re-enactments, Crusader costumes, a Renaissance fashion show, comedic skits, lectures, birds of prey, live music and a window art contest. The free festival takes place at Sims Park, Queen of Peace Hall, the New Port Richey Library and Richey Suncoast Theatre from Feb. 16 to 18.

For more, go to www .shakespearebytheriver.com.

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