1999 Big Muddy Folk Festival

Larkin
Bryant
& Andy
Cohen

Gerry
Armstrong

Ozark
Fiddling
& Dance

Folk
Arts

Homer
McCollum

Cathy Barton
Dave Para
& Bob Dyer

1999 Big Muddy Folk Festival, Boonville, Missouri

When Blues and Dulcimers Marry

Larkin Bryant Cohen, of Memphis, played and taught the mountain dulcimer for us in 1994. She is known as one of the country's best players. Her longtime affection for blues and R&B, however, wasn't often demonstrated in her dulcimer concerts. This year she returns with husband, Andy Cohen, who resurfaced in the folk scene a few years ago after a hiatus from performing. Andy was a disciple of the late Rev. Gary Davis, an old-time master of blues/ragtime guitar and a major source of inspiration and tradition during the "folk scare" of the 1960s. Andy learned his lessons very well and carried his love and study of the idiom and culture into his graduate school work. Andy is also one of the few players (and owners) of a dulceola, a rare, small, piano-like instrument made and sold briefly in the early 20th century. An itinerant minister/singer from the period, Washington Phillips, recorded a number of songs with the instrument, and reissues of his charming songs have added to the repertoire of black gospel music among current folk musicians. It's an eclectic mix of music, to be sure, but Andy and Larkin let their affection for the music and their audiences carry the evening.