Next year marks 35 years since I first saw The Charlies live in Brum at the Hummingbird night club. What a night, what band, what a memory. Thank you boys for everything you've written for us. Keep on keepin' on!
Bluegrass was born from British and other European folk songs. They were carried here to the Appalachian mountains by the immigrants who settled in these mountains. This song is one of many. Barbry or Barbra Allen is another classic. Bluegrass utilizes many instruments that were, and many that weren't, used in the British renditions. So it's not just the lyrics that make a song Bluegrass, it's a whole lot of other things. I highly recommend the movie, "Song Catcher", if you've not seen it. It's based on the true story of a musicologist, Dr. Lily Penleric, who went to Appalachia to 'collect' these old, traditional folk songs brought here from Europe and passed down from one generation to the next. They were being played all over the hills and hollows, but no one was recording them nor writing them down. Primarily because these folks were simple people without much, if any, formal education. The little collection of families, most not large enough to be called towns, were the epitome of rural Americans. So long story short, yes, this and many other songs that comprise the genre we name, Bluegrass, are in fact English, Irish, Scottish and Welsh in origin. There's also some French, Portuguese and Greek derived melodies. The unique instrument collection is what actually defines Bluegrass music, not the lyrics:Banjo, mandolin, bass, fiddle (violin) harmonica, dobro, ukulele, and dulcimer are instruments that are hallmarks in Americana and Bluegrass.
Does anyone have a recording of Jean's "Singing Family of the Cumberlands"? I have one, but it is very very scratchy. It was on Riverside. When Jean came to do the Revels in Oakland I asked her and she doesn't own a copy. I bought the book, but would love to have the LP.
He sent me an envelope with himself inside He sent me a letter with no letter inside He sent me an envelope with himself inside Receiving letters from the other room Receiving letters from the other room But I just saw him yesterday But I just saw him the other day But I just saw him yesterday But I just saw him the other day Last week, last second, last minute, last hour Last second, last minute, just a moment ago
Sweet, I was here, too! At 2:38 I was in heaven... Adore that part of "Apogee"! Thank you for this, I was so excited to just be seeing them live I've forgotten some of that night, just poking around seeing who recorded that night so I can relive it.
