March Old Time Jam

      Here are some sample recordings from the last old time jam at my house (hidden below the fold because the music plays automatically and I didn't want to get anybody in trouble at work).  The recordings can sound a little rough at some parts, but that's part of the essence of old time music.  I need to get better at recording, but I had fun with this side project anyway. While listening to the recording to separate the tracks, I noticed that there was a lot of laughter.  So even if we don't sound like a professional band (which we are not), we all had a lot of fun.  A little homemade mead, a few instruments and some friends makes for a great time.  I also realize that lately mosts of my posts have been about the banjo.  I don't think this is a bad thing, but I'll post about some other topics eventually.

Banjo Special - Prairie Home Companion

Photo from A Prairie Home Companion's photo archives.  

      Prairie Home Companion did a special on banjos last weekend.  If you haven't heard it, check it out.  Banjos appear on the show pretty frequently, but this whole episode was dedicated to this quintessential American instrument.  If you don't want to listen to the whole show, I have posted some highlights.

Here is a parody of a catchy tune called "The Fox."  It makes me think of Fantastic Mr. Fox and includes clawhammer and three-finger style banjo.

Here is an old song called "Down the Road," played in clawhammer style.

This is an awesome version of one of my favorites, "Soldier's Joy."  It definitely puts my version to shame.

More on the Mountain Banjo

Made from hide and wood, the mountain banjo changes with the barometer, and because the ingredients were once alive it is always in some stage of degeneration, rotting in the picker's arms.  There is a shuffle and ache in the sound worthy of the weak and vulnerable and broken...  Unlike a store-bought banjo, the homegrown version has a life of its own and is perpetually dying.

- Steven Harvey, Bound for Shady Grove 

      In an earlier post I wrote about my homemade mountain banjo.  It just wouldn't be right if I didn't at least mention Frank Proffitt.  So, here is my version of one of his songs.  I played it on my mountain banjo*, which is similar to the banjos he made and played.  The song is called "Rove Riley." I first heard it played by Frank Lindamood one day after work when I used to be at the FSU Coastal and Marine Lab.  Frank Lindamood was a carpenter there, and if I was lucky I could catch him playing the banjo in the wood shop before he left.  The aroma of pine and wood shavings on the floor really contributed to the overall experience.  Both Franks have influenced my playing.  In fact, Lindamood first introduced me to old time music and also referred me to some of the early Frank Proffitt recordings.

Kelp Horn

      Here is a primitive horn I made out of bull whip kelp (Nereocystis luetkeana).  I didn't cure the kelp.  I just picked it up off the beach, chopped off both ends, and used it as a horn.  using a larger piece of kelp not shown in this video, I was able to get four different notes.  I consider that pretty good considering I have never played a horn or brass instrument.  Apparently, some people even make vuvuzelas out of the bull whip kelp.  If you are interested in other uses for the kelp, check out this website.  I tried to dry mine to make it last, but it just started to rot.  It is now composting in Portland, Oregon.  My favorite thing about the kelp horn was the response it got from a bearded man who was the epitome of an old seafaring man.  As I walked through a rock tunnel blasting the horn, I heard him ask, "Are there orcs coming?  I normally carry an elvish blade to warn me, but I forgot mine."  Later, as I was blasting it off on a rock with waves crashing all around, he suggested I stop.  "There are many sea beasts out there, and one could easily mistake that for a mating cry," he warned.  I doubted the existence of sea beasts, but I still wasn't going to hang out and test his theory.  As I was leaving the beach, he tipped his hat and thanked me and my brothers, who were also wielding horns, for the "seaweed symphony".  It's always nice to meet other people who have a sense of humor, an appreciation for Tolkein's works, and a sense of adventure.

Oyster Mushrooms

A cluster of oyster mushrooms.  They were found on quaking aspen in WY and are probably the aspen oyster mushroom (Pleurotus populinus) instead of the true oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus), but the photo does a good job of illustrating the growth form of oyster mushrooms.

      Two weeks ago, I was out in Oregon visiting my brother.  As we collected conifer boughs for a Christmas wreath, we noticed some edible* oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus ostreatus) growing on old alders.  Some of the mushrooms were even poking through snow!  I was inspired to search for some "oysters" of my own once I returned to Alabama.  The Wednesday and Thursday brought some rain to the area, and it hasn't been too cold, so I thought there might be some around.  After dropping off my rent check at my landlord's, I figured I might as well take a quick walk down the wooded bike path that intersects his street.  The harvest was not great, but I did find one cluster of oyster mushrooms suggesting that there could be more around.

Happy New Year! - Auld Lang Syne

      Happy New Year!  It's been a great year.  I got to travel, visit family and friends, and started grad school at Auburn.  Let's see what 2013 has in store!

Simple Gifts / Lord of the Dance

      This isn't exactly a Christmas song, but it is still a good song.  There are two sets of lyrics that I know, "Simple Gifts" (the original Shaker song) and "Lord of the Dance" (a hymn to the same tune written in 1967).

Angels We Have Heard on High

Gloria, in excelsis Deo!

      "Angels We Have Heard on High", in a clawhammer Banjo style.

Jingle Bells!

      Here is "Good King Jolly Wenceslas" and "Jingle Bells."  As you know, I usually try to include some history of the songs I post, but it was just covered today on the Banjo Hangout.   Two interesting things I have never heard are "Jingle Bells" was originally composed for a Thanksgiving concert, and it was also the first song broadcasted from space.  I don't know if those are true.  I'll have to check into it.

Deck the Halls!

Pick those strings and join the chorus
Fa la la la la, la la la la

      The other day I listened to the short story "Banjo Cheer" off of Tony Trischka's Christmas album.  It got me thinking, despite all the haunting tunes I play, the banjo can be quite cheerful, especially when it is used to play Christmas carols.  So over the next few days, I'll be posting my attempts at some Christmas carols.  Today, I'll start by posting banjo cheer, and then my version of "Deck the Halls."