Hugh's MP3 Pick:

Author: Patrick McGuigan
Song Title: "Dynamite"

Patrick McGuigan has a rootsy, American sound - similar to Slaid Cleaves but rougher and - for my money - more real. In "Dynamite," he creates the haunting story of his grandfather, who is blinded in a blasting accident. Patrick never met this grandfather, but he evokes his presence through direct dialogue and an unforgettable image, while keeping a slightly wry distance:

When the hard rain's in your face
You can't hardly bear to look
It's kind of like that with the dynamite,
though a little bit harder with the dynamite...

McGuigan is not a political songwriter per se - as he himself will tell you - yet this arresting portrait/story tells more about danger, survival and working class legacies than any ten labor ballads. Listen carefully. In the end, he reminds me a little of Harry Cox - understated, real, present. To hear the song, go to this page and scroll all the way down (issues of Fenario are arranged from newest to oldest):
www.mp3.com/fenario

For a short bio on Patrick and the full lyric, check out Fenario 102 - the first music edition:
http://folkmusic.about.com/library/bl_fenario102.htm

There's a little more on McGuigan in a recent Notes from the Road photoessay I posted from the Vanilla Bean in CT where Patrick opened for me:
http://folkmusic.about.com/library/weekly/aa050600a.htm

There are links to more excellent MP3s in Fenario, the e-zine affiliated with this site. Each month Fenario provides links to four MP3s uploaded by your Guide, and provides lyrics, bios, and contact info. For a list of past issues and their contents, check out the Fenario Index.