Monday, February 11, 2008

On my way back from Texas.

I'm a little shocked to find that it's been since Christmas that I've posted here. As usual, the busier we get the harder it is to find the time to write. Well, here's what's been going on.

We went to the awesome, awesome city of Budapest in the middle of January, to play some New Years concerts there. In Hungary the Cimbalom (their version of the hammered dulcimer) is a revered classical instrument. Why we were invited is beyond me but we were well received and we feel really lucky that we get to go.

I also bought a citera there, which is their version of the Mountain Dulcimer. IT's totally awesome but I haven't figured out any trad tunes on it yet. So far all I've gotten is parts of "Norwegian Wood," "Kashmir," and Bin Jovi's "Wanted: Dead or Alive."

I'll post video as soon as i can come up with something good.

We also played some great gigs in North East, MD and Baltimore. The last one with Ken Kolodner and Dan Landrum. Those were great shows too.

Finally we play the "Winter Festival of Acoustic Music" in Irving, Texas. It is one of the best-organized festivals I've ever been to. On Saturday, I sat in with No Strings Attached on the Duke Ellington song "O, Lady be Good."




But I would be remiss if i didn't point out that it was Aaron O'Rourke who did it first, and that was what drove me to learn it, can't have them whippersnappers nipping at my heels.

Here's the video