Jimmy! all the good times are past and gone!
I have gotten my share of flak for the past 2 years for adding a drummer to my bluegrass band. I’ve lost gigs over it, and probably some fans but I think we are doing something that gives us a unique style and sound. We’re trying something new.
Some bluegrass fans say to me,”you don’t need a drummer” and I say to them yes, I don’t need a drummer, I want a drummer. I like to remind people that Bill Monroe was an innovator, and a maverick. To honor his memory you should try to be as innovative as he was, take chances. Don’t just sit and listen to his records and copy his style note for note. But as progressive as I think I am, I still prefer old stuff over new stuff. I like old Monroe and Stanley brothers. I like old cars. I like old wood. ( stop snickering). I noticed at the Grammies this year the best rock album winner was Green day, for an album they made 20 years ago. Are there no rock bands putting out anything new that even deserve a nomination? I can’t remember for sure but I believe the other bands in the category were Eric Clapton and Santana. Tribute bands have bigger followings and get better gigs than original bands. Kids on American Idle that are 16 are singing songs that were hits 30 years ago. I personally don’t buy that much new music so I am part of my own problem. this may go back to an earlier blog I did about autotune. I find the old recordings I like tend to have great performances, and less recording quality. I don’t think you can duplicate it by recording with a bunch of old mikes and recording your stuff live to tape or things like that. it has to come down to performance and the digital age has helped less talented people sound better. I seem to be repeating sort of what I said in the autotune blog but somehow we need to start helping musicians who are out there creating new stuff to be heard over the din of freebird and stairway to heaven. I still like the way old wood feels in my hand though. ( stop it!)
This weeks song is an older version of “Carrol County Blues” Which I recorded on my Hobo’s lullaby cd. I did it on a four track and I think the performance turned out well( by accident). I am doing some Travis picking on the guitar and half way through I recorded myself rubbing a dirty sock on the head of my banjo to get a snare with brushes sound. I found the dirty sock had better tone than a clean one. You can download it for free on my website. Grab your old wood and dance around the room! oh yes! for those who want them, the lyrics to castlneck are on the bottom of the page.
cw
01 carrol county blues
Castleneck
the furnace of hell glows with an erie light
stoked by the hearts that are black as coal of men who hated life
the demons are laughing, dancing in a row
the fire glows brighter as the evil begins to grow
there’s an angel on the sidewalk sticky sweet blood in her hair
her last breath was taken away by a man who did’nt care
satan sits on his left shoulder with fire on his breath
he whispers to him softly, put your evil soul to rest
chorus
when the grim reaper cut him down
and drove him to the sky
there was no one else around
no one said goodbye
they were just glad to see him die
his daddy was the judge, his momma was the state
they put clothes on his back, they put food on his plate
they taught him about the law, they told him he could’nt escape
when they put him in a prison cell they taught him how to hate
there’s a castle on his neck, hell fire in his eye’s
gun in his hand, and his girlfriend in his sights
she loved him too much to put him away
he loved her so much, that he put her in the grave
chorus
solo
chorus
end
Cliffwagner's Blog 