Artist Mara Levine Announces Northeast Fall Tour

Posted on October 7, 2019 by Joseph Timmons in Artist News, bluegrass, featured, Featured Artists / Bands, Featured Content, Featured Labels, Featured Record Stores, Industry News, Label News, Music News, New, New Albums, New Music, news, Touring, Touring Now // 0 Comments

Facets of Folk Hit #1 On The Folk Alliance International Folk DJ Charts And Is Now On The List For Consideration For The Grammy® For Best Folk Album

Critically-Acclaimed Folk Artist Mara Levine Announces Northeast Fall Tour Dates and Prestigious Juried Showcase at the Northeast Regional Folk Alliance Conference.

Chart-topping folk artist Mara Levine, whose latest record Facets of Folk hit #1 on the Folk Alliance International Folk DJ charts and who had nine songs featured among the Top 20 earlier this year, has announced that she has been selected for a Semi-Formal Juried Showcase at the NERFA Conference in Stamford, CT on November 8 and will be touring in the Northeast as a co-bill with the group Gathering Time.

In addition, her release has made it through to the list for consideration for the Grammy® for Best Folk Album. Members can listen to Facets of Folk for consideration through October 10here: SOUNDCLOUD: https://soundcloud.com/mara-b-levine/tracks

Hailed as “the new standard bearer for folk music” by Midwest Record, Levine will celebrate the success of her third album with a series of shows this fall as a co-bill with acclaimed folk trio Gathering Time (Stuart Markus, Hillary Foxsong, Gerry McKeveny), who recorded on five tracks on her new CD. Also receiving praise from fans and critics alike, Gathering Time is renowned for their mesmerizing three-part harmonies and eclectic mix of originals and beloved covers.

Previously, Levine collaborated with the trio on two songs, her recording of “By My Silence,” (Ellen Bukstel and Nick Annis), which reached #1 on the Folk DJ chart when released as a single in September 2017 and #6 with the album release, and “Too far To Turn Back Now” by Stuart Markus, which reached #4 as well for September.

“I’m honored to have been selected to showcase at NERFA this year and excited to be touring again with long-time partners Gathering Time, who will also support me at the showcase”, Levine said.

The Mara Levine/Gathering Time Northeast Tour will kick off with a special live in-studio appearance on WVBR’s long-running show “Bound For Glory” hosted by Phil Shapiro in Ithaca, NY Sunday, October 20 at 8 PM (Listen at https://www.wvbr.com/) and then hit Landsdowne, PA Thursday, October 24 at Landsdowne Folk Club. Next, Levine has a Semi-Formal Juried Showcase at the prestigious Northeast Regional Folk Alliance Conference (NERFA) in Stamford, CT Friday, November 8. The tour ends on a high note with a CD celebration party for Levine’s Facets Of Folk sponsored by the Edison Arts Society at the Edison Twp. Mayor’s office in Edison, NJ Sunday, November 17 at 2 PM.

“On her third album, Levine marks her territory as the new standard bearer for folk music with this classically framed set that finds her interpreting worthy modern classics, protest music and some of the sweetest vocalizing you’ll find this side of the golden sounds of the” 60s. A flat out winner throughout, this isn’t about lo-fi, nostalgia or what ever—t’s a delightful slice of the here and now hitting the nail right on the head. Well done.” – CHRIS SPECTOR, Editor and Publisher, MIDWEST RECORD

In addition, Levine and duo partner Terry Kitchen are opening for Bill Staines Saturday, November 2 at the Hurdy Gurdy Folk Club in Fairlawn, and opening for Gathering Time on December 27 at the Troubadour in Morristown, NJ December 27.

“I’ve been working for about 10 years with both Terry and Gathering Time,” Levine said. “I appreciate all of their support over the years and I’m truly looking forward to making music with them at some of the most respected folk venues in the Northeast!”

Levine, who is known for her innate ability to select songs with inherent beauty, examine them carefully, then craft and polish them to a glittering brilliance, has found her true voice with Facets Of Folk. Her rousing protest anthem “Daughters and Sons,” which was written by noted Irish songwriter Tommy Sands, (featuring Kim and Reggie Harris, Gathering Time, Andy Leftwich, Mark Schatz, Cheryl Prashker, Akiva Wharton and Sean McComiskey) is a shining example of her talent, landing in the #1 spot upon release.

On Facets of Folk, Levine presents a number of songs of social conscience with themes of taking a stand, making a difference, considering the treatment of others and becoming a better person that has resonated with her fans. Those tunes, written by popular contemporary songwriters, as well as emerging talents, are all carefully set among folk favorites and lesser known songs.

Facets of Folk was co-produced by Levine with Bob Harris, (Johnny Cash, Vasser Clements, Girlyman), who plays guitar and helped with arrangements on many of the tracks, and also with John Guth (Tom Chapin, Galt MacDermot), who plays various instruments and helped with arrangements on five of the tracks. Other contributing musicians include: Jan Alba, Greg Blake, Caroline Cutroneo, Robin Greenstein, Rob Ickes, Josh Joffen, Kim Harris, Reggie Harris, Terry Kitchen, Eleanor Kleiner, Andy Leftwich, Harold Morton, Barbara Novick, Mollie O’Brien, Cheryl Prashker, Tilman Reitzle, Mark Schatz, Michael G. Ronstadt, Ed Trickett, Scott Vestal, Akiva Wharton and Patrice Avsharian Wiseman.