The Princeton Folk Music Society will present an evening of traditional folksong in Princeton with singer and songwriter Rod MacDonald on Feb. 21.
The American folksong performance will take place at Christ Congregation Church, 50 Walnut Lane, in Princeton. The event will start at 8 p.m.
According to Princeton Folk Music Society officials, admission for the performance is $25; $20 for members; $10 for students age 12-22; and $5 for children under 12.
Officials announced that doors open at 7:30 p.m.
A tenor with a clear voice and wide range, MacDonald is often cited for both his musicality and the content of his songs about political and social events. While he is a veteran of the 1980’s Greenwich Village folk song revival, and usually is identified as a folk singer, MacDonald’s styles include rock, pop, country, light jazz, and blues, according to officials.
His songs have been covered by Dave Van Ronk, Shawn Colvin, Four Bitchin’ Babes, Jonathan Edwards, Garnet Rogers, Joe Jencks, and others.
MacDonald’s best-known songs include “American Jerusalem,” in which he sings about the contrast between the rich and the poor in Manhattan, and “My Neighbors in Delray,” a description of the last days of some of the Sept. 11 hijackers.
MacDonald has appeared on stage with fellow artists, including Pete Seeger, Peter Yarrow, Odetta, Tom Paxton, the Violent Femmes, Suzanne Vega, Shawn Colvin, Dave Van Ronk, Emmylou Harris, Richie Havens, Ani DiFranco, Tom Chapin, Jack Hardy and David Massengill.
He has also performed at festivals in Philadelphia, Winnipeg, Florida, South Florida, Riverhawk, Boston, Kerrville, Greenwich Village, Falcon Ridge, New Bedford Summerfest, Port Fairy (Australia) and Trowbridge (UK), and on the radio program Mountain Stage.
The Press of Atlantic City has described MacDonald as a brilliant folk singer and composer.
“His melodic songs possess words that go straight into your heart and soul.”
The Boston Globe called him a poet with a lot on his mind who has never allowed himself to make points at the expense of making music.
All-Music Guide said MacDonald is true to the folk tradition.
Stating that MacDonald is not afraid to get political, take chances, and perhaps shock some people and his place in the folk hall of fame is assured by his ‘A Sailor’s Prayer,’ a hymn-styled tune that many people have mistaken for a traditional song.
For information about the MacDonald performance, visit www.princetonfolk.org.
