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All posts tagged “folk music”
Jean Ritchie RIP
Jean Ritchie, a tremendously influential voice in American song, passed yesterday, age 92. RIP. Here is the obit in the NY Times.
Blind but Now I See
Blind but Now I See is Kent Gustavson’s biorgraphy of the late Doc Watson. When I read about this book I was very much looking forward to it because I’ve been listening to and enjoying Doc Watson’s music for many years. I think my introduction… Read More
Hurdy Gurdy time at 27th Street
It’s been a while since I’ve posted any hurdy gurdy music here. Time to change all that. Here’s Matthias Loibner… If it seems like a confusion and complicated instrument, that’s because it is. Here’s a great demonstration of how these beasts work.. How about a… Read More
Folk music and originality
In folk music, it’s expected that songs get retreaded in all kinds of ways. Melodies get recycled with different lyrics, and similar bits of lyrics find their way into a host of different tunes. How many tunes share “six white horses in a line” or… Read More
Old Time vs old time
The musical focus of this blog has shifted somewhat this year. Although it has long reflected my general interest in what I jokingly call folky-dolky music, I had been focusing on the button accordion, because that is the instrument I was playing. Somehow or another… Read More
Some thoughts on music, learning and busking
It’s important to me to not stop learning. Music is one activity I started really flirting with after I turned 40 and I started playing the button accordion. How hard could it be, I reasoned. There are only 31 buttons on the right side of… Read More
Happy Canada Day
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
Needle Case
I thought I knew a lot of old time fiddle tunes. After all, I’ve been listening to folk music for a very long time. Lately though, I’ve been listening to the music in a different way, since I’m trying to learn to bash out a… Read More
The Can
I’ve started messing about with my home-made oil can banjo, which here-to-for I will simply refer to as The Can. Although I’m convinced it will be easier when I’ve grown my nails out a bit more, I’m starting (and I mean just starting) to be… Read More
27th Street 