Skylark sings all day, and day Not long enough. Spring- through morning mist, what mountain’s there? Sparrow in eaves, mice in ceiling- celestial music. BASHO
DGDGBDb Low to High, From the Robbie Basho Archives... "Every guitar works different for a tuning; little bit lower or higher... He always tried to find the best pitch for a good sound of a tuning."
I first heard Bruce when he toured with Odetta, who had the good sense to employ Bruce front and center over her strumming. I was so taken by his playing that I tried to mimic his style, sliding thirds on the G and high E strings, up and down the neck. I also mimicked his left hand fingering and long after I found out the had lost two (?) fingers in an accident, I kept mimicking him, to the point where I still favor my fingers that correspond to the ones he lost. He also backed a Belafonte discovery named Valentine Pringle whom I encountered when his accompanist was a pianist. Pringle invited me to back him up with Bruce’s accompaniment on Alberta one night in the African Room in the Times Square area. Bruce had a special ear for the perfect accompaniment and I’ll never forget him.
I also met Bruce Langhorne in the mid-60s and he taught me the same sliding double stops that I've been relying on ever since. Perfect accompaniment, a gentle soul, and like you, I'll never forget my great fortune in meeting and learning from Bruce Langhorne. Thanks for you comment.
This amazing composition is what I heard on WBCN Boston in 1971 (it had just been released on his "Venus in Cancer" album) which first caused me to investigate this most unusual, talented, and still under-appreciated artist. His synthesis of folk and classical techniques and Indian/Japanese idioms has never been repeated. He was a giant, yet is still "on the brink of not being there", as someone noted here a year ago.
I got a ‘no no’ going, Getting out of this town And when youse alone and runnin’ And home alone some sound And I get back to my baby The rigamarole comin’ down, (yeah) Chorus: (Whoo-woo-whoo) She got that moon in her valley Ruby diamonds for eyes Chorus: (Whoo-woo-whoo) I left the darkness in the alley For her wide open skies Chorus: (Dah-woo-whoo) I’m gon back to California Where the grass grows so high Chorus: (Whoo-woo-whoo) Chorus: (Whoo-woo-whoo) Chorus: (Whoo-woo-whoo) Chorus: (Whoo-woo-whoo) Chorus: (Whoo-woo-whoo) Chorus: (Whoo-woo-whoo) I’ve got a rhythm lease in my pocket Music turn it up on high Chorus: (Whoo-woo-whoo) I’ve got that white lied fever Chorus: (Whoo-woo-whoo) Feels like the end is nigh Chorus: (Whoo-woo-whoo) I got a ‘no no’ going, Chorus: (Whoo-woo-whoo) Yes, I’m passing Tulsa town Chorus: (Whoo-woo-whoo) Well I know the red ball rolling Staring at who going’t down Hopefully close to accurate... Great song!
