Get Into the Act... "Duende"
“‘Duende’ is an inner struggle between light and dark, something passionate and powerful that happens to people,” says Maria Woodford, explaining one of the many meanings of the word. That’s a good a description for the music of Woodford and Alex Radus.
For over four years the duo has performed what she calls “fusion folk”, an acoustic-based music that also incorporates elements of blues, jazz, and swing. Most of their time together was spent in constant touring. The results can be heard in their just-released second CD, “Peppers and Jelly”, which was recorded live in New York City.
“We have had so many requests for a live CD ever since we began performing,” says Woodford. “Being in front of an audience makes a huge difference for us. It brings out our passion and energy.”
Duende play very few songs that they have not written themselves. Many are about their travels and their lives as performers. “Peppers and Jelly” has serious tunes like the romantic “Indian Summer”, humorous ones like “More Bees Than I’ve Ever Seen in my Entire Life”, and the whimsical title song that Radus often expands to interject road stories.
A Duende show features both Woodford and Radus singing and playing acoustic guitars, with Radus often adding intricate solos. In the Lehigh Valley, they are usually joined by Mike Tarlazzi on electric bass, and many shows feature guest musicians. Radus also plays banjo, and Woodford plays mandolin, bass, and autoharp.
The two have created a following in the Easton area. “We get a broad spectrum of people,” says Woodford, “from people in their early twenties up to sixty and seventy.” They will be playing in the area more often, choosing to do shorter national tours in the future.
Duende, January 10, Porter’s Pub, 700 Northampton Street, Easton, 9 p.m., no cover, January 16, Which Brew, 665 Northampton Street, Easton, 9 p.m., no cover, January 17, Bluetone Café, 683 Walnut Street, Easton, 9 p.m., Duende website at www.duendeonline.com.
--Dave Howell, 12/03
(This article first appeared in The Morning Call newspaper.)
For over four years the duo has performed what she calls “fusion folk”, an acoustic-based music that also incorporates elements of blues, jazz, and swing. Most of their time together was spent in constant touring. The results can be heard in their just-released second CD, “Peppers and Jelly”, which was recorded live in New York City.
“We have had so many requests for a live CD ever since we began performing,” says Woodford. “Being in front of an audience makes a huge difference for us. It brings out our passion and energy.”
Duende play very few songs that they have not written themselves. Many are about their travels and their lives as performers. “Peppers and Jelly” has serious tunes like the romantic “Indian Summer”, humorous ones like “More Bees Than I’ve Ever Seen in my Entire Life”, and the whimsical title song that Radus often expands to interject road stories.
A Duende show features both Woodford and Radus singing and playing acoustic guitars, with Radus often adding intricate solos. In the Lehigh Valley, they are usually joined by Mike Tarlazzi on electric bass, and many shows feature guest musicians. Radus also plays banjo, and Woodford plays mandolin, bass, and autoharp.
The two have created a following in the Easton area. “We get a broad spectrum of people,” says Woodford, “from people in their early twenties up to sixty and seventy.” They will be playing in the area more often, choosing to do shorter national tours in the future.
Duende, January 10, Porter’s Pub, 700 Northampton Street, Easton, 9 p.m., no cover, January 16, Which Brew, 665 Northampton Street, Easton, 9 p.m., no cover, January 17, Bluetone Café, 683 Walnut Street, Easton, 9 p.m., Duende website at www.duendeonline.com.
--Dave Howell, 12/03
(This article first appeared in The Morning Call newspaper.)