dom flemons

Our latest ‘Off the Shelf’ guest is Dom Flemons, who has just released ‘Traveling Wildfire’ on Smithsonian Folkways. He shares some of the objects that line his shelves at home, including a large and well-organised record collection.

Directed by Sarah V Burns and Alex Sherratt, Dom Flemons has shared the music video for ‘Traveling Wildfire’, the title track of his new album, also one of our Featured Albums of the Month.

One thing that keeps Dom Flemons engaged and inspired is his indelible belief in the magic and wonder of music. It is that spirit which rises to the fore so definitively on ‘Traveling Wildfire’, a deep and indispensable album.

Featuring a wealth of special guests, including Brenn Hill, Dom Flemons, Corb Lund, Pipp Gillette, Tom Russell, Ramblin’ Jack Elliott, Brigid Reedy, Waddie Mitchell, and Andy Wilkinson, Andy Hedges’ ‘Roll On’ Cowboys’ is a vital contribution to preserving the musical history and heritage of arguably the most iconic and defining quintessence of America. 

With Traveling Wildfire, Dom Flemons’ second album for Smithsonian Folkways, he turns to an important, overlooked voice that he’s proudly rediscovered: his own. Listen to his lead single ‘Slow Dance With You’.

Part One of our Best Folk Albums of 2018 includes Brigid Mae Power, Anna & Elizabeth, Aidan O’Rourke, Eamon O’Leary, Buck Curran, Cath & Phil Tyler, Dom Flemons, Kitty Macfarlane, Mike Vass, Toby Hay, Duncan Chisholm and more.

Dom Flemons pays tribute to the music, culture, and the complex history of the golden era of the Wild West’s and sheds light on the role that African-American, Native American and Mexican men and women pioneers played in westward expansion. An enduring testament to the Black cowboys and what they represent.

Taken from his new album ‘Black Cowboys’, watch Dom Flemons performing “Going Down the Road Feelin’ Bad”, a favourite of the old-time string bands. The album is out now on Smithsonian Folkways.

That Flemons and Simpson are able to rework and revive the tensions and turmoils that fester in blues and folk music is the deepest tribute a musician can pay to their forebears, as well as the only way to bring those ghosts back to life.

Listen to Martin Simpson and Dom Flemons performing John Hardy from their forthcoming new album ‘Ever Popular Favourites’ which features twelve scintillating, exuberant and emotional performances recorded during the duo’s sell-out Autumn 2015 tour.

Dom Flemons (Carolina Chocolate Drops) and Martin Simpson are to collaborate on a new project commissioned by EFDSS in association with WOMAD.