Marley's Ghost

Presented By: Caltech Folk Music Society

Marley's Ghost gets their name from the Charles dickens character in A Christmas Carol, as well as from Bob Marly, one of their many musical influences. Featuring Danny Wheetman (bass, National steel, fiddle, guitar, lead and harmony vocals), Jon Wilcox (mandolin, guitar, Irish bouzouki, lead and harmony vocals), Mike Phelan (guiars, Dobro, bass, fiddle, lead and harmony vocals), Ed Littlefield, Jr. (pedal steel, guitars, bass, fiddle, Highland bagpipes, lead and bass vocals), and Jerry Fletcher (drums, percussion, keyboards, harmony vocals). They are absolute masters of all of these instruments, and the only thing that surpasses their musicianship is their amazing signature vocal sound, which features spine chilling hramonies. At first blush, this may sound like more than any band can deliver, but the diverse currents in this band is a towering strenth, and they delight you at every turn.

As Marley's Ghost first came together, they captured everybody's attention at the Strawberry Music Festival, doing a show-stopping a cappella version of an early Bob Dylan song, Lay Down Your Weary Tune. Their first CD One Love, as well as the traditional Pass Me Not and some other delectable songs. Later recordings would include country and western, old time, traditional folk, blues, and a truly landmark CD, Gospel: How Can I Keep From Singing, devoted to traditional gospel music. The album, Spooked, from 2007 was produced by the highly respected Van Dyke Parks, producer of the Beach Boys and Ry Cooder. Their brand new Ghost Town, a collection of country and cowboy western songs, was produced by famed country singer/producer Cowboy Jack Clement. Their current and recent work finds them continuing to bend the boundaries of musical styles with marvelous results. These five guys love to play music, and they have a lot of fun along with their audience.