Donna Durand, riding the wave of praise generated by the release of The Road Back, is keeping busy this summer. This afternoon beginning at 1 o’clock, Durand appears with Chris Barnes at The Hub on Ross. Next Saturday evening, she holds court with Gordie Matthews at The Redstone Grill and Bar.

Tickets for the Calgary Folk Music Festival from July 22 to 25 are available. Headliners include The Avett Brothers, Michael Franti and Spearhead, Ian Tyson, Corb Lund and the Hurtin’ Albertans, St. Vincent and Roberta Flack.

Fred Eaglesmith remains one of the most popular entertainers on the Canadian roots scene and he visits Tracks Pub in Olds on July 29. Eaglesmith also has an Aug, 5 date at The Grandview Stage near Cow Lake, southwest of Rocky Mountain House. For details, call 403-845-6404.

Alberta’s biggest bluegrass festival goes at Stony Plain from July 30 to Aug. 1. Among those appearing at Blueberry Bluegrass are chart-toppers Dailey and Vincent, Rhonda Vincent, Claire Lynch, and The Gibson Brothers and Canadians The Spinney Brothers and Fred Eaglesmith.

Stompin’ Tom Connors with Tim Hus is at the Centrium on Aug. 12.

The annual Central Music Festival goes on Aug. 13 and 14. Headliners include The Trews Acoustic, Shane Yellowbird, Great American Taxi, Jim Byrnes, and Steve Coffey with many other Alberta and area artists appearing. Tickets at the Black Knight Inn and Valhalla Pure Outfitters.

This week’s disc review:

Kim Beggs

Black Hen Music

Based in Whitehorse, Kim Beggs has lived across our country and her music captures the influences that have contributed to her development as a singer and writer.

Apparent from the opening track, the organ-fueled road warrior lament Honey and Crumbs, is that Beggs has more homespun charm in her voice than many Appalachian-born singers. Not only does her voice contain attractive, easy warmth, but it has strength and depth lending Beggs the power to authentically convey intense emotions.

Based in folk traditions, Beggs’ third release defies easy categorization. The instrumentation is roots rock with country overtones. Lyrically, lively wordplay reminiscent of Loretta Lynn is customary. Has anyone attempted the following in a country song, as Beggs does within Terrible Valentine?: “Huck-tuu to you for making me blue, I wanna spit in your shoe!”

Beggs and producer Steve Dawson have structured this collection wisely. The original songs blast out of the gate, establishing Beggs’ voice and perspective. It is only midway that covers are sprinkled in, beginning with Dylan’s I’ll Be Your Baby Tonight; it is difficult to imagine a finer interpretation of the John Wesley Harding classic.

There is a spry loneliness filling these songs. The bitterness, however, doesn’t overwhelm either Beggs or the listener; in the finest country tradition, she sounds plum pleased to be singing these occasionally mournful tales. She hits the mark throughout the collection, perhaps never more accurately as when singing of her lost brother in Firewater Bones.

Available Tuesday, Blue Bones maintains the new standard for Western Canadian folk music established by John Wort Hannam, Maria Dunn and Rae Spoon.

Also in rotation: Jimmy Webb — Just Across the River; The Wilderness of Manitoba — When You Left the Fire; Mississippi Live — Mississippi Live; Various Artists — Putumayo Presents Tribute to a Reggae Legend; Great American Taxi — Reckless Habits.

Donald Teplyske is a local freelance writer who contributes a twice-monthly column on roots music; visit fervorcoulee.wordpress.com for additional reviews. If you know a roots music event of which he should be aware, contact him at fervorcoulee@shaw.ca