Saturday, 24 October 2015

[dcab-l] Two Love Songs: "Sweetest Gift" & "You Put the Blue in Me"

Music Lovers:

 

The very beautiful "Sweetest Gift" was written by James B. Coats, a staff writer for the Stamps-Baxter Music Company; he is a member of the Gospel Music Association’s Hall of Fame.

 

Coats was born in 1901 in Summerland, Mississippi.  He composed many other beloved songs such as: “Where Could I Go?”, “A Wonderful Place”, “My Soul Shall Live On”, “I’m Winging My Way Back Home”, and “Tomorrow May Mean Goodbye”.   He died in 1961.

 

“Sweetest Gift" has been done by Linda Ronstadt & Emmylou Harris Duet, the Judds, Trisha Yearwood, Hazel Dickens and Alice Gerrard, and most recently by the Gibson Brothers.  This version was inspired by the oldest version we know: the Blue Sky Boys.

 

Personnel:

            Carol Hausner             Rhythm Guitar and Vocals

            Ed Schaeffer              Lead Guitar and Vocals

            Greg Nelson                Bass

 

This version was recorded live, on stage, at the Appalachian Jubilee, a live syndicated country show from Chambersburg, Pa.  Carol, now in Vermont, was a Takoma Park, Md. musician I met at the old "Sligo Creek Sunday Jam", early 1980s;  WAMU’s bulletin board always notated the jam:  “Sligo Creek at Kennebec Avenue".

 

Carol won 1st place at the 2009 MerleFest Songwriting Contest.  Please acquaint yourself with Carol's work: http://www.carolhausner.com/

 

The second song, "You Put the Blue in Me",  was released by the Whites in 1982; it rose to Number 10 on the country charts.  Here, Carol switches to lead vocal, Ed to harmony.

 

At the Jubilee, folks would sometimes bring a Cow Bell, and sure enough, you can hear it during the applause.  I hope you enjoy the big stage sound we produced that evening; just click below:

 

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

 

As always, turn UP and try headphones!

Ed

 

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