Concert Recap: Todd Baio (Phoenix, September 2009)

ToddBaioCOBSept09.jpgA fun show this afternoon from Phoenix's own Todd Baio -- a whole host of instruments (you ain't lived 'til you've heard a "can-jo") and songs going back 150 years (or 500 if you count "Froggy Went A Courtin'"). Definitely a fun kickoff to the 2009-2010 season for the "Not Just For Kids" Concert series. Lots more to come over the next few months. Anyway, here's "Ezekiel Saw the Wheel," with a couple more familiar tunes after the jump (as soon as YouTube cooperates). More videos at the concert series' Facebook page. Todd Baio - "Ezekiel Saw the Wheel" [YouTube]

Last-Minute Heads-Up: Chuck Cheesman / Todd Baio in Phoenix

ChuckCheesmanJan07.jpgI've tended not to talk much about the Phoenix shows I've been putting on, given the more national focus of the site, but a quick heads up for anyone from the Phoenix area who isn't on my e-mail list or didn't hear about this through Facebook and the like. Tomorrow (Sunday) there will be two different shows set up with my assistance. First up, the Children's Museum of Phoenix continues its 2009 series of concerts with a pair of sets from Flagstaff-based artist Chuck Cheesman. Chuck played in the famous Wiggleworms program at Chicago's Old Town School of Folk Music and I've seen him a number of times here in Arizona. If you've got preschoolers, this'll be a fun show for them. The show is free with museum admission. Shows are at 10:30 and 12:30 and require tickets, which I believe are sold out, but as people move in and out of the shows, you'll probably be able to get in even if you don't have a ticket and are willing to wait just a little bit. ToddBaioCMOPJuly09.jpg Second, Church of the Beatitudes here in Phoenix (which just so happens to be my church) is starting a full season of Not Just For Kids Concerts (we kicked it off last season with Randy Kaplan and Justin Roberts) and the first show will feature Todd Baio playing his ukulele with songs for young and old. The show starts at 2 PM and is free. I will get around to talking about the Not Just For Kids Concerts soon enough 'round here because we're going to have 6 or 7 shows this season and it's going to be pretty darn cool...

Concert Recap: Todd Baio (Phoenix, July 2009)

I never got a chance to mention the next show in the Children's Museum of Phoenix series I helped put together, a show featuring Phoenix musician Todd Baio, who's a little bit Pete Seeger and Dan Zanes, and a lot ukulele master. Why? Because by the time I was ready to send out an e-mail a day or so after the show hit the CMOP calendar, the free tickets were already sold out. So you'll just have to make do with a couple videos from the concert. First up, Baio's opening medley, featuring four great renditions of "Down By the Bay," "Skip To My Lou," "Polly Wolly Doodle," and "Ain't Gonna Rain No More." Todd Baio - Kids Song Medley (Live) and one more...

Video: "Railroad Bill/Freight Train" - Todd Baio

I first stumbled across Todd Baio via his Ukulele Evangelist website and interview with Jack Norton. But I've really been digging the tons of videos he's been uploading to his YouTube channel. A whole bunch of traditional favorites, mostly done solo on the ukulele. There's nothing odd or special about the renditions -- they're just folk classics, done well. And the videos are about as simple as you can get, but that's not so bad when the music's good. Here's a medley of "Railroad Bill" and the Elizabeth Cotten classic "Freight Train" for your listening pleasure... Todd Baio - "Railroad Bill/Freight Train"