Episode 251 - Safety Last

Safety Last! is a 4-piece acoustic ensemble, performing "Sophisticated Western Swing & Old-School Jazz."

http://www.reverbnation.com/safetylast

Download mp3

Episode 250 - Oak Street Ramblers

Though their influences hail from much further south, the Oak Street Ramblers call home the East Side of Madison, WI. A bluegrass band in the tradition of Flatt and Scruggs, Jimmy Martin, and Hazel Dickens, the Oak Street Ramblers specialize in bluegrass stompers, classic country weepers, and originals that, lyrical content aside, wouldn't sound out of place at a barn dance circa 1954.

http://www.reverbnation.com/theoakstreetramblers

download mp3

Episode 249 - The Melon Heads

They play all original music from their heart and souls. An acoustic groove. A modern sound on old instruments. High energy banjo and guitar with deep, thought-provoking lyrics with a conscience.

http://www.reverbnation.com/themelonheads

download mp3

Episode 247 - Kivi & Pray

Thomas Kivi and Sarah Pray are Wisconsin-raised songwriters who met in the Minneapolis springtime. A Hank Williams song sung on the back porch turned into a folk/country duo eager to travel. Kivi & Pray covered 10,000 miles over the next two years as they toured in Europe and the U.S. Their new duo live EP, "Winter in Decatur" is available as a digital download.

kivipray.bandcamp.com/

 

download mp3

Episode 246 - Piper Road String Band

Born into the age of rock & roll but influenced by live performances of Doc Watson and Bill Monroe and the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band's seminal "Will The Circle Be Unbroken" in the early 1970's, they put away the electric amps and guitars and developed a unique acoustic/bluegrass style. A truly iconic Wisconsin band for almost four decades, we're thrilled to finally have them on MTL!

http://piperroad.com/

download mp3

Episode 245 - Jamie-Sue Seal & John Latini

"Jamie-Sue Seal and John Latini put together musical shows that go way beyond hipster folk. Exceptional musicianship com- bined with enormous wit and engaging showmanship, they are the real deal." Michael Curths concert Pro- moter, Ann Arbor Michigan

smokinsleddogrecords.com/_latini__seal__duo/

download mp3

Episode 244 - University of Wisconsin Russian Folk Orchestra

The UW Russian Folk Orchestra, now in its 15th season, is a unique ensemble performing Russian and other East-European folk music on authentic Russian instruments, balalaikas and domras. The orchestra was founded and is directed by Victor Gorodinsky. The RFO is made up of two groups of authentic Russian stringed instruments: balalaikas and domras, it uses accordions, bayans (button accordions), as well as various woodwind and percussion instruments.

http://www.russorch.wisc.edu/

download mp3

Episode 242 - Marilyn Crispell

The New York Times says that “hearing Marilyn Crispell play solo piano is like monitoring an active volcano. She is one of a very few pianists who rise to the challenge of free jazz.” Ms. Crispell returns to Madison to perform solo and with a trio that includes Chicago-based “free jazz” stalwarts Harrison Bankhead and Avreeayl Ra and Madison-based multi-instrumentalist JoAnne Pow!ers.

http://marilyncrispell.com/

download mp3

Episode 241 - Dietrich Gosser

Dietrich Gosser is one of Madison's premier songwriters.  We are excited to finally have him on the show.

http://dietrichgosser.bandcamp.com/

download mp3

Episode 239 - Laurence Hobgood

Pianist Laurence Hobgood, long-time musical director and arranger for celebrated jazz vocalist Kurt Elling, will perform solo and with Madison-based vocalist Sally deBroux, bassist Laurie Lang, and percussionist John Becker.

http://www.laurencehobgood.com/

download mp3

Episode 238 - John Masino

Widely recognized as one of Madison's (and Wisconsin's) best guitarists, Masino has played with dozens of bands from the midwest and is featured on the Gregg Clemons LP on Nemperor CBS Records (1980). He was a finalist in the Jimi Hendrix Electric Guitar Competition 1999 (Memphis) and has opened for a long list of national bands. During the early 1980's John lived in New York City playing shows and worked as studio musician. We're thrilled to have him on the show! 

http://www.reverbnation.com/johnmasinoband

download mp3

Episode 237 - Peter Roller

Peter Roller has been exploring guitar styles in a variety of cultural directions since discovering music like the blues of Mississippi Fred McDowell and the Bluegrass of Flatt & Scruggs as a teen. Over the past thirty years, while working as a professional musician and college instructor, he has written a body of guitar-led original music that leans variously towards Hawaiian slack key, bossa nova, Piedmont blues and steel guitar jazz. Roller is releasing his first full length CD of such pieces in Spring 2010, including his Dobro instrumental Rancho Mirage, the only work previously available on the widely popular Narada compilation Masters of Acoustic Guitar.

Roller is based in Milwaukee and teaches in the Music Department at Alverno College. He has played and recorded with area performers--bluesman, Steve Cohen, worldbeat band, Paul Cebar & the Milwaukeeans and gospel quartet, the Masonic Wonders. Previously, Roller was the guitar accompanist for first generation country bluesman, Yank Rachell, acting as producer and playing on his Bling Pig release Blues Mandolin Man.

download mp3

Episode 236 - Ida Jo

Ida Jo, a fixture in the Madison music scene, returns to the show with Scott Lamps.  Her soulful voice and unique songwriting a must listen.

www.idajo.com

download mp3

Episode 235 - Stuart Stotts

Local author, storyteller, and songwriter Stuart Stotts performs his thought provoking and politically charged songs.

stuart.stotts.com

download mp3

Episode 234 - Randy Sabien’s String Jazz Quartet (+2)

Violinist Randy Sabien and his String Jazz Quartet consisting of Mike Dowling, Jeff Eckels, Matt Turner and hosts, Chris Wagoner and Mary Gaines joining on violin and cello.  The Brink Lounge was packed for one of the greatest  Mad Toast Live shows to date.

http://www.randysabien.com/

download mp3

Episode 233 - Daylight in the Swamp

Daylight in the Swamp is a contemporary bluegrass band based out of Madison,Wisconsin. The band members are a collection of some of the top musicians in the area. The various influences they bring to the group show the diversity of their backgrounds.

www.daylightintheswamp.webs.com/

download mp3

Episode 232 - Emmettville

Led by songwriter Jay Moran, local rock/folk band Emmettville brings their talents to the Mad Toast Live stage.

http://www.emmettville.com

download mp3

Episode 231 - Intemperance Collective

Intemperance Collective is a Balkan band "playing the folk dance music of Eastern Europe and beyond with intemperate zest" and caters to folk dancers.

"The band features folk-dance and Balkan music cognoscenti, along with smoking vocals, an exciting and varied repertoire, and . . . [gasp!] . . . an instrumentalist who jumped ship to play the tuppan."

intemperancecollective.blogspot.com

download mp3

Episode 229 - Evan Murdock & the Imperfect Strangers

Evan Murdock, previously of the Lonesome Rogues and the Kentucky Waterfalls presents his newest band: Evan Murdock and the Imperfect Strangers, which includes members of the Cork n’Bottle String band, Count this Penny and North Country Drifters and Big Mouth Collective.

www.facebook.com/evanmurdockmusic

http://youtu.be/bbWB_tPJ964

download mp3

Episode 228 - Winn Dixie

3 wayward Kentucky Colonels (really!) forming a Madison, WI based super group of pickin', grinnin', and general insanity.  Featuring Col. Kirsten Earley, Col. Matt Earley and Col. Andy Moore from WI Public TV's "30-Minute Music Hour"

reverbnation.com/winndixie

download mp3