12 Gift Ideas for the Holidays
Looking for a gift for your resident folkie? You could find a decent CD, but you're looking for the gaga-eyed end-of-the-millenium my-god-you're-a-genius gift. Here are some ideas that will take all the guesswork out of wowing the most inveterate folk freak in your family - gifts from the simple to the sublime.
1. Kyser capo. The kind that clamps onto the headstock of a guitar when not in use so it never gets lost. This professional staple comes in a variety of colors: black, silver, metallic blue, red. Any local music store will have it ($15-$18).
2. Like books? Go for the classics. Try Dylan, Lyrics 1962-85. Like the Bible in our house. (Barnes & Noble, hard cover, $28). Or pick up the paperback edition of Woody Guthrie's autobiography, Bound for Glory. (Barnes & Noble, $12). Or get Joni Mitchell's The Complete Poetry & Lyrics. (Barnes & Noble, paper $14).
3. Rise Up Singing - Co-edited by Pete Seeger, this is perhaps the most universally used and loved songbook since Carl Sandberg's American Songbag. Includes lyrics and guitar chords for just about evrey classic song you can think of ($18).Perfect for family gatherings, campfires, teaching. While you're at it, splurge on a subscription to Sing Out! Magazine. Sing Out! publishes articles, reviews, interviews and an interesting variety of contemporary and traditional songs with sheet music. Back in the heyday of folk, Woody, Pete, Dylan and others got their topical material out through this venerable magazine. Editor Mark Moss is one of the best minds in the folk biz (1 yr - $22).
4. Elixir Guitar Strings. Professionals who use these strings swear by them. Nylon coated, they're almost invincible and keep their brightness far longer than ordinary strings. And they're pricey enough that your folkie probably won't buy them for him/herself, so it makes a nice gift. Get at least three sets so they can build a relationship. ($13-15/set).
5. Intellitouch tuner. Clips onto the headstock of any instrument and reads the pitch by vibration. The newest invention in the perpetual search for the perfect tuning tool. I use it (fine stores, $50-$65).
6. Anthology of American Folk Music, Vols. 1-3, edited by Harry Smith. 3CD reissue of the classic 1952 LP set that touched off the folk revival. Includes multimedia material on the last CD. Every folkie should own this (Barnes & Noble, $73).
7. Jack Hardy - Complete Works (10 CDboxed set). Jack's Songwriter's Exchange in Greenwich Village has influenced and inspired virtually all the great contemporary songwriters in the Northeast for 15 years. Pretty esoteric, this guy is an entire education in the art of songwriting. (Prime-CD, $99).
8. OK,OK, no matter what, you still have to buy a CD for a stocking stuffer. At least get something that's off the beaten track, something they might not find themselves. Why not browse through my CD reviews - you're bound to find something that sounds like it might fit the bill. ../reviews/revarchive.htm
9. Get tickets to a great folk concert - still the best deal in show biz. This will depend on your taste, but the following list will just about guarantee you a first-rate show. Round it out with an early dinner and a late cafe where you can have a deep conversation. Best bets: For intellectuals: Dar Williams, Patty Larkin, Richard Shindell, Ferron, Greg Brown, Dave Carter & Tracy Grammer. For fun lovers: Cheryl Wheeler, Christine Lavin, Vance Gilbert. For the adventurous: Ani DiFranco, The Nields, Dan Bern, Richard Thompson. For romantics: Susan Werner, Ellis Paul, Janis Ian. For old-fashioned(but hip) types: any bluegrass band, Iris DeMent, Gillian Welch. For die-hard red-diaper socialist union-types: sorry, you're shit out of luck unless Billy Bragg comes around. Nostalgics?: watch out for the Kingston Trio, Peter Paul & Mary, Joan Baez, and Roger McGuinn. To find the best concerts near you, check out the online concert calendar service Musi-Cal. (tickets: $12-$20 ea.).
10. Baby Taylor Acoustic Guitar. No matter what your folkie uses as a regular axe, everyone covets a cute tiny guitar. This one is everyone's top choice - well-made and sounds pretty decent. If your folkie does gigs, splurge for a built-in pick-up. Get it on-line from any number of places ( $300 without pick-up; $400 with).
11. Recording equipment - from the reliable, most widely used microphone (Shure SM-58) to something more exotic - Check out About.com's Home Recording guide's list of studio gear that will make someone weep with gratitude.
12. New Martin HD-28. A reproduction of the classic herringbone trim, rosewood back and sides, scalloped bracing ($2850). I dream about this one (hint, hint). For the best new and vintage instruments, try Mandolin Brothers. Their catalog makes some of the most entertaining and mouthwatering reading anywhere.... even if you can't afford most of the instruments - the folk equivalent of windowshopping on 5th Avenue during the holidays.
Hugh Blumenfeld, Editor
hugh@balladtree.com
|
|
||||
|
|
|
|
|
|