Musical, literary gift ideas from recent Fallon appearances

With Christmas two weeks away and ideas for a gift possibly dwindling, may we suggest some presents from artists who have either performed or participated in a conversation about their written works since August at the Oats Park Arts Center.

Artist Theodore Waddell examined life and death in “Hallowed Absurdities” and the connection of human and animal beings in a show that appeared during the fall.

His paintings are for sale on https://www.artsy.net, and his book “Theodore Waddell: My Montana” is priced at $29.95 paperback and $45 cloth with 185 color and 40 black and white illustrations. The book is available from online booksellers, in bookstores and directly from the University of Oklahoma Press 1-800-627-7377.

Miles Nielsen & the Rusted Hearts is an Illinois-based folk-rock sextet whose musical influences range from Otis Redding’s classic ‘60s soul to the legendary power-pop of Jellyfish. The band played in Fallon in August.

On the Miles Nielsen & the Rusted Hearts website https://rusted-trunk.goodsie.com/miles-nielsen-5, shoppers can find a “Love” hoodie for $30, T-shirts at $20 and the group’s latest CD for $12.

Blair Crimmins & The Hookers came to Fallon in September. His debut release seven years ago was “The Musical Stylings Of” and Crimmins was the critics pick for Best Song Writer of 2013 in Creative Loafing’s Best of ATL issue. Crimmins recently released his anticipated fourth studio album “You Gotta Sell Something.”

T-shirts ranging from $18-$20 and ball caps can be purchased from his website, http://www.blaircrimminsandthehookers.com, and his CDs — “You Gotta Sell Something,” “Sing-a-Longs,” “The Musical Stylings Of …” and “Live in Little Fire” are available from amazon.com.

Adonis Puentes & the Voice of Cuba Orchestra brought a distinct “island” sound to their show, beginning with their acclaimed 2014 album Sabor a Café. The songs on Sabor a Café have percussive cross rhythms and lightening-like horn lines that drive the music forward.

“Vida,” another CD also showcases the upbeat tempo of Puentes’ music.

Information on his music and downloads may be found at http://www.adonispuentes.ca.

S.M. Hulse, who spoke at the Oats Park Arts Center in November, evokes images of the American West in her writings. She is an assistant professor of English at the University of Nevada, Reno.

In writing her first novel, “Black River,” Hulse captured the essence of life in Montana and the lessons taught to the main character, Wes Carver, a 60-year-old man, through her research. When Hulse lived in Montana, she had read about a prison riot that occurred in the 1950s and wondered how the events would shape the future of one man and his many relationships.

The novel is available online at www.smhulse.com/black-river.html ranging in price from $9.99 to $18.

The Quebe Sisters performed last weekend with their flavor of the fiddle music of Western Swing and Swing Jazz that accompanied their unique harmonizing talents. The sisters, who grew up in Texas, are triple-threat fiddle champions who play and sing in multi-part close harmony.

They have three CDs, “Every Which-a-Way,” “Timeless” and “Texas Fiddlers, selling from $10 on their website, http://quebesisters.com.