[dcab-l] Seldom Scene 40th Anniversary

Bluegrassers:

 

I hope you enjoyed the last song with the Seldom Scene I sent

to you, the title cut "High Lonesome Sound".

 

This is now the last cut that includes the Seldom Scene.  Recording

this album was a wonderful experience for me, playing with

these guys, and creating something original together.  Even more,

doing a project with this scope, you learn so much about recording,

arranging, artistic expression, and musicianship.  And friendship, I

might add.  I am forever indebted to them for playing on this CD, and

also to Lee Michael Dempsey for writing the wonderful Liner Notes.

 

As for an original fiddle tune for the album, Carl Nelson had none in his

bag of tricks, but Phil Rosenthal  DID  have one, which I named

"Rock Creek Ramble",  again a Washington reference to a local

creek and park.  Not a breakdown, this tune cruises along with

a gorgeous lilting tempo, and lovely notes!

 

In particular, listen to their adherence to the notes of the melody; Ben's

take is especially superb, but so are the others!  The melody is clearly

stated for each break, by each musician.

 

Recorded at Wally Cleaver's in Fredricksburg, Va., personnel:

 

Willie Oldes              Bass

Fred Travers                        Dobro

Phil Rosenthal          Mandolin

Carl Nelson              Fiddle

Ben Eldridge            Banjo

Ed   Schaeffer                      Guitar

 

Unfortunately, the Bluegrass Unlimited reviewer assigned for this album,

not only slit my throat for this album, he also gutted me, real proper like.

Not pleasant for me.  I spent 3 days in the hospital getting sutured up!

 

On the other hand, and taking myself OUT of the equation below, I still

loved the one line (!) review from long-time Washington Post Music

Critic Mike Joyce:

 

"The high caliber of musicianship on this album is self-evident."

 

Truly, it was a remarkable experience having these guys on the bandstand.

They have had 40 years of making music, and I hope they have 40 more!

 

Instead of attaching an .mp3 file, as I normally do, just click the URL

below. Once on the web page, you can simply listen to the cut by clicking the

URL on the left (watch the volume!), and even download it by clicking the

"Download Compressed File"  button on the right.

(You may need to uncompress the .zip file).

 

http://rattlesnakehill.org/Web_Music/edsmusic.html

 

Again, thanks so much for giving these wonderful original tunes a listen.

Next, we'll begin a cache of love songs, both live and recorded.

 

I hope you enjoy "Rock Creek Ramble"!

Ed