Eli West and Rachel Baiman reimagine folk, old-time and Scottish tunes

Eli West's new album, "The Both," features just six songs. That might seem a little skimpy by modern LP standards.

But West did much more than scratch the surface on the songs. He arranged and recorded every one of them twice — once in standard fashion with vocals and again as an instrumental.

The Seattle musician covers plenty of territory despite the sparse set list, from Carter Family classic "Give Me Your Love & I'll Give You Mine" to the traditional "The Lone Pilgrim," popularized on the folk scene by Doc Watson.

West viewed the record like production in the days of vinyl, when albums included B-sides.

"I had been working on arrangements of the songs, there were some I had two arrangements I enjoyed just as much," West said. "I like the concept of a B-side or a reprise. It gave me the chance to take two stabs at a song, which was fun."

The record also allowed him to explore the two main components of contemporary song.

"There are two different modes," West said. "Either intently listening to lyrics or focusing on the instruments. This is a way to entertain both."

"The Both" also transmitted a tribute of personal importance for West. The cover features dusky portraits of two men. The pair, Warren Foote and Dan West, are his grandfathers.

The men were as contrasted as the two versions of each song on "The Both."
Foote spent time as a prisoner of war in a German internment camp after being shot down on a mission during WWII. Dan West was a pacifist, a peace activist who founded Heifer International in an effort to get livestock to developing nations.

"I'm interested in the paradox of two versions of one thing," West said. "It probably means more to me than most listeners."

Predictably, some of the songs on the album take linear paths to their companion versions, while others sound drastically different.

"Rainbows Midst Life's Willows" is slower and more contemplative in the instrumental version but carries the same characteristics as its A-side partner.

"Lonesome Valley" is a stripped-down version, with banjo and harmony vocals from Appalachian singer Dori Freeman. While the instrumental version maintains the melody, it's more complex and textured with Bill Frisell's electric guitar starring.

West will share the stage Friday with Rachel Baiman, who returns to Alaska after touring the state a year ago with her innovative duo 10 String Symphony.

Baiman will be performing solo material — both from her debut release "Speakeasy Man," and from an upcoming release. The record is set to be produced by Andrew Marlin from Mandolin Orange.

"This one is going to focus a lot more on original songwriting," she said.
"Speakeasy Man," examined two of Baiman's favorite genres — old-time and traditional Scottish music. She recorded half of the album in Nashville and half in Dunkeld, Scotland.

Baiman mixed it up by having the Scottish musicians perform the old-time songs and the country cats from Nashville work on the Scottish traditional songs.

"I really love the rhythmic guitar playing in Scottish music," she said. "It works really well with old-time fiddle."

After spending a couple weeks last year, in part teaching at Alaska Folk Arts Music Camp, Baiman said returning to the state for another opportunity to perform and teach was a snap decision.

"I really enjoyed teaching there and doing some gigs around that time," she said. "I hope so (to return in the future). It's so beautiful up here in the summer."

The Rachel Baiman Band with Eli West

When: Friday, 7 p.m.

Where: Tap Root Public House

Tickets: $10 at taprootalaska.com (21+ or minors accompanied by legal guardian)