Alastair Moock
| Alastair Moock | |
|---|---|
 Alastair Moock in 2005 |
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| Background information | |
| Born | 1973 |
| Origin | Boston, Massachusetts, United States |
| Genres | Folk |
| Occupations | Singer-songwriter |
| Years active | 1997 – present |
| Labels | Corazong Records |
| Website | Alastair Moock |
Alastair Moock (born 1973 in New York, NY) is an American folk singer-songwriter based out of Boston. He is known for his gruff voice, thoughtful lyrics, and fingerpicking guitar style. His songs have won awards at many of the country's most prestigious competitions, including songwriting contests at the Falcon Ridge Folk Festival, Sisters Folk Festival, and the Great Waters Music Festival.[1]
His interest in traditional music started at a young age when his father took him to Pete Seeger and Arlo Guthrie concerts. What he heard and saw that evening affected him strongly. While invigorated by the music, he noticed how the audience became part of the event by joining in the singing. A few years later he discovered Woody Guthrie's Library of Congress recordings.[1] During his college years, Moock spent his junior year in Zimbabwe which served as a turning point in his life. After college Moock moved to Boston, and although he didn't know much about the contemporary folk scene, he soon discovered the acoustic singer/songwriter scene. Launching his performing career at open mikes, he formed friendships with performers such as Ellis Paul and Mark Erelli. In 1997 he released his debut album, Walking Sounds, and followed it with the eight-song mini-album Bad Moock Rising in 1999.[1]
Moock says that he's always been moved by music "that connects me to progressive issues and social involvement. It's always been a big part of what I've wanted to do as a musician."[2] That social involvement has resulted in Moock often organizing benefits to help those in need.[2]
His latest album, Fortune Street, produced by David "Goody" Goodrich, was released in the United States and Europe by Corazong Records in May 2007. In his review of the album for Sing Out!, Scott Sheldon wrote "There are no simple songs on Fortune Street; each grapples with hard times, deep feelings, or dramatic moments in history."[3] The album includes two historical ballads: "Woody's Lament" exploring Woody Guthrie's internal conflict between his family and the pull of the road, and "Cloudsplitter," a modal mountain dirge based on Russell Banks' novel about the life of abolitionist John Brown.[3]
In December 1999 Moock first hosted his Pastures of Plenty series at Club Passim in Boston. The series features a group of songwriters and musicians who come together to celebrate the roots of American music.[4] The series is named after a well-known Woody Guthrie tune. In essence a hootenanny, the lineup for that inaugural show included Moock, Laurie Geltman, Les Sampou, Laura Risk, Sean Staples, Eric Royer, Tim Kelly, and Rob Laurens. A fall 2002 presentation of Moock's Pastures of Plenty showcased at the Boston's Regent Theatre.[1]
In 2010, Moock's first children's album, A Cow Says Moock, received the "Recommended" award by the Parents' Choice Foundation.[5] The Parents' Choice Awards program honors the best material for children in these categories: books, toys, music and storytelling, magazines, software, videogames, television and websites.
[edit] Discography
- Walking Sounds (1997)
- Bad Moock Rising (1999)
- A Life I Never Had (2001)
- Let it Go (2005)
- Fortune Street (2007)
- A Cow Says Moock (2010)
[edit] References
- ^ a b c d Wood, Arthur.Alastair Mook (sic). Folkwax E-zine. Retrieved September 22, 2010. (Free with registration.)
- ^ a b Perry, Jonathan. His roots are deep in social issues. Boston Globe, January 9, 2009. Retrieved September 22, 2010.
- ^ a b Sheldon, Scott. ALASTAIR MOOCK: Fortune Street. Sing Out!. June 22, 2008. Retrieved September 22, 2010.
- ^ Arts Boston. Pastures of Plenty w. Alastair Moock, Mark Erelli, Jennifer Kimball, and more. September 16, 2010. Retrieved September 22, 2010.
- ^ Parents' Choice Foundation. Parents Choice Awards: A Cow Says Moock. Spring, 2010. Retrieved September 22, 2010.
[edit] External links
- Official web site
- CoraZong Records
- Moock's Fortune Street (Album review from ArtsEditor.)
- "Inspired Americana: the rootsy music of Alastair Moock" (April 2003 article from ArtsEditor.)
