I find the hardest thing about learning an instrument is keeping the songs I learn in my head. On button accordion, I’ve found I can keep the ones I play all the time in my little brain no problem, but if I stop playing one… Read More
Regular visitors to this joint know I’ve been trying to learn clawhammer banjo on my home-made oilcan banjos. Well, in a moment of madness I recently purchased an honest to god store-bought banjo. I bought it at the 12th Fret here in Toronto. I was… Read More
Let’s celebrate Canada Day by listening to a selection of Canadian folk music. I’d like to start with a tune I’ve posted before (not this again, I’m sure you’re thinking). It’s Ward Allen from the Ottawa Valley performing his masterpiece, Maple Sugar. Don’t worry, just… Read More
I’ve got the old time tune Coo Coo on my brain so let’s listen to a couple versions. I think Clarence Ashley is the performer most closely associated with this tune, but today I’d like to hear how some other players approach it. To start… Read More
A Steel-driving man is not the same as a man of steel. This song is about THE steel-driving man, John Henry. He was going to beat that steam drill through the mountain if it killed him, which it did….Great tune. Here’s an instrumental version played… Read More
I may have shared this before, I’m not sure. This is the kind of thing I like to have around for those days when people say, hey why do you listen to all that traditional music anyway? This is just right, just perfect.
The weather changed quickly from a cool morning with a menacing cloud overhead to a hot clear afternoon, one of several rapid weather shifts I experienced on the Upper Peninsula. This turtle was crossing Country Road 450 where it crossed The Driggs River very slowly… Read More
My next door neighbour Bart sent me an email today containing this remarkable video. It made my day. I think it might make your day too.
Standin’ on the corner with the low down blues, great big hole in the bottom of my shoes…..honey let me be your salty dog. Here’s your Daily Dose….
Let’s take a little trip off the beaten path this morning with some pipe music. The first video is called 100 Каба гайди, Сос ма караш, майчинко, 100 Kaba Gaidi For those of you interested in a little more information, Орк. 100 Каба гайди, Сюита:… Read More
27th Street 