Call Me the Breeze

Lou Wilson and her son Russ live in Speedwell, TN. I was fortunate to meet them both during my project in Campbell County, and made a special effort to visit with them a second time last week when Butch and I were up there for our New Harmonies gig. These are really special people who easily pass any amount of time by playing music in their kitchen. It’s a joy to be with them because they enjoy making music so much, and it’s wild to hear what a range of instruments and styles these two play. Russ is a fantastic fiddler, but also plays guitar, and sings, and whipped out the dobro on this last visit. Lou sings, plays guitar, a bit of fiddle, and who knows what else. She has a wealth of songs in her head, little treasures she’s collected over her life. I don’t know if she learned this one from Lynyrd Skynyrd or J.J. Cale or what, but she sings it like she owns it. The rest of us had a real fun time trying to keep up.  Thanks to Jo Anne Myers for the photos!

“Call Me the Breeze”, sung by Lou Wilson, accompanied by Butch Ross, Christie Burns, and Russ Wilson, April 20, 2008:

Old Aunt Jenny With Her Nightcap On

Whoooooa cool tune alert! Butch and I were asked to come play at McCallie tonight, and Joseph DeCosimo was also on the bill. Lucky us! Joe taught us this tune outside before the show, and even though Butch is just finding his way around the chords in this video, we nailed it in the performance, and I thought it sounded great. I hope we get a chance to play with Joseph again soon! Chattanooga doesn’t know it yet, but this place is full of young talented musicians, some of whom, like Joe, are into keeping the old traditions alive and rockin’. This must be what it’s like to live in the same town as Bruce Molsky… Lucky lucky lucky….

Ni:d!

Just ran across this video on Youtube…. Gotta love the way these Swedes interpret Poor Man’s Troubles, an American fiddle tune. Also, I think I recognize that percussionist from the Swedish band who crashed the festival in Gooik, Belgium, last summer. Incredible music.

The Home Rulers

Luxury of luxuries!  I stepped out my front door the other evening and saw that my across-the-street neighbors, Rick and Brandy, had their front door open.  So of course I peeked in to see what they were up to, and their dining room was full of Irish musicians!  And they were all working at learning a tune together.  And it just so happens that I bought a fiddle this week, so I ran back over to my place, grabbed my fiddle, and ran back to learn the tune with them.  This is the tune they were learning, a hornpipe called “The Home Rulers” (which I assume is a handy tool used by homeschoolers).  After that we did a slip jig, and I went home a happy bug.  Yay for awesome neighbors!!