Newport Folk Fest: See ‘Ambrotype’ Photos of Kristofferson, Costello
Since its inception in 1959, the Newport Folk Festival has become that rarest of music events: an undeniable piece of American history. To capture the festival's timeless quality, Nashville photographer Giles Clement asked some of Newport's headliners, from Kris Kristofferson to Elvis Costello, to sit for clear-glass ambrotypes — a mid-19th century photography technique similar to tintypes. The results are stunning, depicting country, folk and rock artists in rich sepia tones reflective of their personalities and music.
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Margo Price
Country traditionalist Margo Price brought songs from her debut Midwest Farmer's Daughter to the Newport stage.
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Elvis Costello
With his cocked hat and thousand-yard stare, Elvis Costello's ambrotype pose defines the technique's surreal quality.
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Mary Beth Richardson of the Banditos
Singer Mary Beth Richardson of Nashville honky-tonkers Banditos strikes a Janis Joplin pose.
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Alex Ebert of Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros
L.A. indie folk-rockers Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, led by singer Alex Ebert, performed songs from their latest album Person A.
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Nathaniel Rateliff
With their vibrant style of soul, Nathaniel Rateliff and the Night Sweats were a highlight of Newport.
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Kris Kristofferson
Kris Kristofferson, who recently celebrated his 80th birthday, delivered a 19-song set of classics like "For the Good Times" and "To Beat the Devil."
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Ruby Amanfu
Ruby Amanfu, whom Beyoncé enlisted for her Lemonade album, dazzled Newport with her enormous voice.
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Laura Veirs
Singer-songwriter Laura Veirs recently released a collaborative CD with k.d. lang and Neko Case.
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Charlie Gabriel
Preservation Hall Jazz Band member Charlie Gabriel represented jazz at Newport, delighting with masterful clarinet solos.
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Lucius
Jess Wolfe and Holly Laessig of Lucius released their second album Good Grief this year.
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Amasa Hines
Arkansas-based Afro-beat ensemble Amasa Hines are influenced by artists as diverse as John Coltrane and My Morning Jacket.
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Brett Dennen
Singer-songwriter Brett Dennen released his latest album Por Favor in May.
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Lady Lamb
Lady Lamb is the stage name of Maine indie-folk artist Aly Spaltro.
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George Wein
George Wein is the founder of both the Newport Jazz Festival and the folk festival and is credited with helping develop the modern-day festival template.
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Larkin Poe
Atlanta sibling duo Larkin Poe is made up of sisters Rebecca and Megan Lovell, and have toured with Elvis Costello and Kristian Bush.
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Rayland Baxter
Country-Americana singer-songwriter Rayland Baxter performed songs off his latest album Imaginary Man.
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Joan Shelley
Kentucky folksinger Joan Shelley often calls to mind Joan Baez in both her songs and vocal delivery.
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Anna and Elizabeth
Anna Roberts-Gevalt and Elizabeth Laprelle make up the folk duo Anna and Elizabeth.