During the 29-year history of Mother’s Wine Emporium, the Rensselaer Union’s student coffeehouse, hundreds of folk artists have entertained RPI and community audiences. For twenty of those years, Aieleen and Elkin Thomas have visited the campus and provided memorable performances.
In Friday and Saturday night shows, the artists featured a wonderful selection of soothing vocals, expert tempo changes, and interesting lyrics about traveling and nature. Elkin’s banjo playing was the best I have seen in years. The superb performance was definitely a good one to hold, since it provided much-needed relaxation with finals approaching and projects due.
I was especially pleased by the songs “Little John,” about the friendship between a small boy and an Indian, and “The Journey,” about a choppy boat trip up the St. Lawrence River.
The duo met in the ’60s in Nashville, Tenn., when Elkin was a songwriter and studio musician and Aieleen was a singer. They now live on a 713-acre farm on the north Texas prairie and spend much of their time traveling across the U.S. Their songs reflect the laid-back country lifestyle and their unique philosophical views. “Our main instruments are our voices,” said Elkin.
During their musical career, the Thomases have recorded eight CDs, including Music of Life, Aieleen and Elkin Thomas, Arise, We must Be Growing, Two by Two, The Journey, Like a River, Circle of Rhyme, and A Handful of Honeysuckle. They have played or sung with such well-known artists as Bob Dylan and Pete Seeger, and performed at a number of college campuses, such as Fordham and Ithaca.
Thomas has won awards from the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers, and Eileen’s music was featured in the movie Midnight Cowboy when she was a member of the ensemble The Group.
I have definitely been impressed by this year’s Mother’s performances, and I am looking to next year’s music.
