The Civil Wars, a folk band, won best fol album of the year, beating Eddie Vedder's offering, and others. He is pictured here in his promo photo for 'Ukulele Songs', nominated for best folk LP, 2012 Grammys. The famous West Seattle resident has, up until now, been known for his unique, loud rock sound. This album is a departure, and extremely popular. But is it folk?
UPDATE: GRAMMY NIGHT, FEB. 12:
In the best folk album category at the Grammy' Awards tonight, The Civil Wars album "Barton Hollow" won. That means they beat West Seattle icon Eddie Vedder with his "Ukulele Songs".
It was a bittersweet evening as many paid tribute to the late Whitney Houston. The winner of six Grammy Awards, Ms. Houston was honored by Jennifer Hudson who sang "I Will Always Love You" written in 1973 by Dolly Parton.
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Most everyone in the area knows Pearl Jam artist Eddie Vedder lives in West Seattle. Now everyone everywhere is beginning to learn that the grunge, rock icon is getting recognized as a folk artist for his ukulele LP,Ukulele Songs, placed in the "folk" category by those who nominated him for a Grammy. The 54th Grammy Awards air on CBS Feb. 12. Also intriguing, his album is up against another Seattle band's album, Helplessness Blues by Fleet Foxes.
Also nominated for best folk LP, I'll Never Get Out Of This World Alive by Steve Earle, who gives a tip of the cowboy hat to Hank Williams, Sr., with the title track. Other nominees are Barton Hollow's The Civil Wars and The Harrow & The Harvest by Gillian Welch.
The West Seattle Herald asked two West Seattle residents knowledgable about the music scene for their take on these nominees, and the folksiness, if you will, of Vedder and Fleet Foxes. Adam Tutty is the manager of Easy Street Records, and David Bergler, who many here know as Westside School's Director of Admissions, was Capitol Records' National Promotions manager for the Canadian label, and before that, served as Capitol Records Artist Relations, Detroit Office. Both positions ran from 1967 to 1977 where he got to work with top artists including John Lennon and Linda Ronstadt.
"I wouldn't consider the Fleet Foxes 'folk'", said Tutty. "I guess the Grammys are broadening their definition of the word 'folk'. It's mostly acoustic, but I would consider them rock, or maybe alternative rock. Vedder- I guess you put that under folk. His album and Fleet Foxes' albums both have done very well in sales.
"Steve Earle's album has also done well," Tutty added. "Civil Wars is folksy, I guess. Gillian Welch is definitely folksy, with kind of a country roots, blue grass, and folk all fixed into her music. This is Fleet Foxes' second album. It's a little too quiet for me. I like the Vedder album. I'm a big fan of his. It's definitely a big departure in reference to other records he and the band has done. It took a few listens to really appreciate it. It's a beautiful record."
"Folk is such an unusual category," Bergler said. (The West Seattle Herald featured his son, Alex, and his senior high school project, a high performance auto show at Boeing Field.
"I don't think I would categorize either Ukulele Songs or the Fleet Foxes as folk because folk for me is like folk art," added Bergler. "It's more of a historical genre than anything else. Folk (involved) people playing traditional instruments back in the West Virginia, Tennessee, Ozarks type of thing, then obviously moved into the political movement during the Civil Rights era. I would almost categorize American folk music as world music, which represents a culture.
"I hope Eddie wins," said Bergler. "I like Eddie. He's one of the kindest... I could tell you stories off the record of things he does for people that just continue to amaze me. He's very thoughtful. I love the Seattle music scene and I am pleased that they are both nominated."
