Georgann Eubanks
Song Keepers: A Music Maker Foundation Anthology
No Depression Edition
February 26, 2024
The Music Maker Foundation was founded in 1994 by Tim and Denise Duffy to document, preserve and support traditional American music of the American Southeast. It focuses its efforts largely on musicians who are over 55 and living on $25,000 a year or less, providing them with opportunities, sustenance and distribution for their art. As such, the Music Maker Foundation supports not only the music of these often unknown creators but also the communities in which they reside. It's an important mission and it keeps alive the spirit of Americana and the roots of the music.
Song Keepers documents in prose, photography and song the history of the Music Maker Foundation. The 143-page book is filled with photographs documenting the players, communities and lives of the musicians so integral to the foundation's mission. The accompanying 4 CDs document the music. Divided into four categories, the records cover a wide range of MMF music: acoustic blues, electric blues, sacred soul and gospel, and eclectic folk. In total, 85 tracks of spectacular, authentic and largely unheard roots music from players who have unfairly languished in obscurity. The book profiles each artist and piece, providing history and context.
In short, Song Keepers is nothing short of a brilliant encapsulation of all things Music Maker Foundation, shedding light on a most remarkable story. (www.musicmaker.org)
Author Rating: 7.5/10
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