Bluegrassers:
Many bluegrassers know that I sing original songs by my friend Fred Moore from Philadelphia. Through the years, I’ve recorded about 24 of his songs, and this one, “Wedding Day”, is one of his. It was recorded at “Oasis Studios” in College Park, Md. with Micah Solomon, now heading up “Oasis Disk Manufacturing”, at the controls. “Wedding Day” was the first song in a CD entitled “Acoustic Inventions”, released during the 90’s. Personnel include only 3 musicians:
John Previti Fretless Bass
Dan Cassidy Fiddle
Ed Schaeffer 87 Herringbone; lead & harmony vocals; electronic drum
Dan Cassidy, as many folks from Washington DC know, is Eva Cassidy’s brother. Since her untimely death, Eva has become well known around the world as an astounding vocalist. Dan, likewise, is an astounding fiddler in a variety of styles, including jazz and bluegrass. I’ve sent several of his instrumentals out to DCAB participants. His parents Barbara and Hugh Cassidy (cello & bass), originally from Bowie, Md., now live in Shadyside, not far from Annapolis. Dan now lives in Iceland, and plays in a country band in England.
John Previti is another Washington legend, having been Danny Gatton’s bassist for over 20 years. He plays both upright and electric, and is nationally known by musicians in all genres, including jazz. John does a ton of studio work, especially in the Washington area.
I’ve mentioned several times that Fred Moore often injects humor into the saddest of songs; in “Wedding Day”, he reverses that pattern by injecting a dark and ominous feeling into the purported joyous occasion of marriage. Ominous and dark it is!
Of particular note, Previti is able to create “sustaining sound” by tuning his E string down to D, and then playing harmonics on the fret board. Completely unique and powerful! Also, Dan’s amazing fiddle work is self-evident, especially when the arrangement changes direction.
Interestingly, I kept hearing a drum in this piece, and Micah obliged me with a keyboard and drum samples, which I played with two index fingers. One other item of note is the arrangement itself, which I worked on for some time. I believe it is effective in winding its way quite fearfully toward the song’s conclusion. I hope you enjoy “Wedding Day”.
To listen, just click the URL below:
http://rattlesnakehill.org/Web_Music/edsmusic.html
A hefty presentation for only 3 players. As always, turn UP and try headphones!
Ed
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