A night of musical intrigue

Music Row
By Brian Rademaekers

All right folks, spring is just around the corner, and it’s time to get out of the neighborhood, cross the river and take a trip back in time, so to speak.
That would be the Schuylkill River, and the destination would be Bartram’s Garden — the estate of 18th-century botanist John Bartram that is preserved along with a 45-acre tract in West Philadelphia, right by the water.
And it is in Bartram’s old carriage house that a very interesting show is set to take place tonight.
On one hand, there are the Baird Sisters, Meg and Laura Baird, two bright spots on the Philly folk music and singer-songwriter scene. On the other is Phantom Orchard, a collaboration between Zeena Parkins and Ikue Mori, two artists from the New York experimental scene.
It’s a strange pairing, the Baird sisters and the experimentalists from New York, but it’s one that promises to be an intriguing evening on the old Bartram estate.
Meg is a Fishtown resident probably best known for her work with the acclaimed psych folk ensemble The Espers.
Beyond the Espers, though, Meg has a prolific career in the works. She is in some respects a multi-instrumentalist, but most often is heard as a stunning vocalist accompanied by her own delicate guitar-playing.
In 2006, she released Leaves From Off the Tree with Helena Espvall, an Espers mate, and British singer Sharron Kraus.
Like many of Meg’s projects, Leaves From Off the Tree saw a rich collection of traditional folk music culled from the Appalachian Mountains and the songs of British lore.
The past year saw her make her solo debut on Drag City records with Dear Companion. Meg again used her talents and impeccable taste to breathe fresh life into dusty old traditionals and some more modern but oft forgotten songs like The Waltz of the Tennis Players.
Also blended into the mix were two originals, Riverhouse in Tinicum and Maiden in the Moor Lay, enchanting songs that showcased her writing abilities.
Last year saw her release a wholly different set of covers on an album put out by Kentucky artist Bonnie Prince Billy (Will Oldham). Meg was joined by Oldham, Espers guitarist and vocalist Greg Weeks, and Fishtown cellist Margie Weink, of Fern Knight.
Recorded in Weeks’ Northeast Philly studio, Ask Forgiveness featured eight covers of songs ranging from R. Kelly’s The World’s Greatest to Bjork’s I’ve seen it all.
Meg’s work on these diverse covers shows her playful versatility and well-honed musicianship, but what we’ll get tonight will be a more familial offering.
Her sister Laura is a songwriter with an affinity for banjos and other stringed instruments. Her relationship to music seems a bit more casual than Meg’s, though no less intimate. Meg said her sister’s preference for songwriting and banjo-playing will likely influence the opening set for Phantom Orchard tonight, as will the atmosphere at Bartram’s Garden.
"We’re going to be taking advantage of the environment, and we’ll play some instruments and songs that we normally wouldn’t do in a club," said Meg.
For her, that means playing a dulcimer. And, like her albums, the set is likely to include a mix of traditionals and originals, in this case from both of the Baird sisters.
After that, Phantom Orchard will take center stage and throw tradition to the winds of experimentalism and technology.
So far, Phantom Orchard has crafted one album, released in 2004. But Perkins and Mori have made a life in music, especially music that bends minds and discards previous notions.
Perkins is a master of the electric harp, which is something of an anomaly in itself. Besides electrifying the ancient instrument, Perkins is known to manipulate its sounds with all types of pedals and even household items.
The result is wildly psychedelic stuff that wanders across various dreamscapes ranging from pleasant and languid to a sense of terror.
Now bring in Mori. She broke into the late ’70s New York scene as a drummer with the punk band DNA, but later made a name for herself as a musician who challenged the belief that an electric drum box isn’t suited to improvisation and experimentation.
Put the two artists together and you have the unruly bouquet of sounds that is Phantom Orchard.
What would John Bartram make of this ruckus taking place in his carriage house?
Who knows? But whether it’s to catch a glimpse of the storied estate, see a rare performance by the Baird sisters, or see the creative forces of Phantom Orchard, it’s worth the trip out to West Philly. ••

Check it out . . .

Who: The Baird Sisters and Phantom Orchard
Where: Bartram’s Garden, 54th St. and Lindbergh Blvd.
When: Thursday, March 6, at 8 p.m. Tickets are $15.