*Workshops Tomorrow*
Saturday, December 17th: Three workshops with Butch Ross at the Snapp's
residence (lunch provided) call: 614-313-6424 to RSVP
-10:30 am till 11:45: "Here Comes Jingle Bells" - Novice on up. This
combines a very nice version of "Jingle Bells" that moves right into "Here
Comes Santa Claus."
-1:15 to 2:30: Explore D-F#-A Tuning (1-3-5 Tuning) with Merv Rowley's
Version of "O Little Town of Bethlehem" in the D-F#-A Tuning. We'll also
work on a 1-3-5 version of Vince Guaraldi's "Christmastime is Here"--you
all know it from the Peanuts Christmas Special - Intermediate on up.
-3:00 to 4:15: Fiddle Tunes--work on two popular old time tunes -
Intermediate on up.
Workshops are $20 per workshop--$50 total if you do all three.
*Shows*
Sat. Dec 17, 2011—7pm
Columbus, OH @ Guitar House Workshop
1423 Chambers Road (Grandview Heights)
$10 Suggested donation.
CALL (614) 488-2477 TO RESERVE THIS SHOW WILL LIKELY SELL OUT!
Wed. Dec 21, 2011
J.K. O'Donnell's
121 West Wayne Street Fort Wayne, IN 46802-2503
(260) 420-5563
Thurs. Dec. 22, 2011 -- 7pm
House Concert at the home of Steve and Linda Gwinn
call Linda at: 440-328-7458 to RSVP
THIS ONE TOO MAY SELL OUT!
I just wanted to drop you a quick line to remind you about the Christmas
tour, the three workshops tomorrow and to give something away.
The CDs
I've fized the webpage you can now order multiple quantities. And while it
may be unrealistic to think that you can get the card before Christmas
(ESPECIALLY in Chattanooga where the USPS has been a major let down) I will
have plenty with me at the shows.
The Free Stuff
Also remember that you can listen to the whole CD over and over again, for
free, from the website. www.butchross.com
The first one is also still up and available www.butchross.com/xmas.html
More Free Stuff
Last year I recorded an opening set I did at a local venue, I opened for a
the spoof Bluegrass band "the Cleverlys" and altho' I was sick as a dog
that evening, the audience really enjoyed it. I also had the chance to get
two good recordings both from the soundboard and out in the audience. I've
made it available on the members page (butchross.com/members.html) simply
right-click and "save as" (it's a 34MB zip file). While it doesn't contain
any rarities (like the Year in Review did) it does contain strong
performances of some of my biggest hits (and bits). I'm calking it
"Attaboy" (you'll see why).
The Track List
1. Wild Mountain Thyme/Cold Frosty Morning
2. folksongs intro
3. Folksongs
4. Sweet Spotted Pony
5. clever/stupid
6. Stairway to Pokerface
7. Pop Culture -vs- Folk Culture
8. Eleanor Rigby
9. 1952 vincent Black Lightening
10. Two good reasons to get on my mailing list
11. Cluck Ol’ Hen (or 25 or 6 to 4)
There will not be a physical copy made available, and I will not take any
money for this. I get to do what I do because of all of you out there
making it possible. This a tiny, tiny way to say thank you.
That's it for me, I hope the holidays are treating you well, and that 2012
is everything you hoped it would be (won't be for me, I'm still waiting on
that hovercar).
Merry Christmas and have a safe and happy New Year!
--Br
www.butchross.com
*Workshops Tomorrow*
Saturday, December 17th: Three workshops with Butch Ross at the Snapp's
residence (lunch provided) call: 614-313-6424 to RSVP
-10:30 am till 11:45: "Here Comes Jingle Bells" - Novice on up. This
combines a very nice version of "Jingle Bells" that moves right into "Here
Comes Santa Claus."
-1:15 to 2:30: Explore D-F#-A Tuning (1-3-5 Tuning) with Merv Rowley's
Version of "O Little Town of Bethlehem" in the D-F#-A Tuning. We'll also
work on a 1-3-5 version of Vince Guaraldi's "Christmastime is Here"--you
all know it from the Peanuts Christmas Special - Intermediate on up.
-3:00 to 4:15: Fiddle Tunes--work on two popular old time tunes -
Intermediate on up.
Workshops are $20 per workshop--$50 total if you do all three.
*Shows*
Sat. Dec 17, 2011—7pm
Columbus, OH @ Guitar House Workshop
1423 Chambers Road (Grandview Heights)
$10 Suggested donation.
CALL (614) 488-2477 TO RESERVE THIS SHOW WILL LIKELY SELL OUT!
Wed. Dec 21, 2011
J.K. O'Donnell's
121 West Wayne Street Fort Wayne, IN 46802-2503
(260) 420-5563
Thurs. Dec. 22, 2011 -- 7pm
House Concert at the home of Steve and Linda Gwinn
call Linda at: 440-328-7458 to RSVP
THIS ONE TOO MAY SELL OUT!
Friday, December 16, 2011
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Christmas tour starts this weekend and there's a NEW Christmas Album
*Workshops
*Saturday, December 17th: Three workshops with Butch Ross at the Snapp's
residence (lunch provided) call: 614-313-6424 to RSVP
-10:30 am till 11:45: "Here Comes Jingle Bells" - Novice on up. This
combines a very nice version of "Jingle Bells" that moves right into "Here
Comes Santa Claus."
-1:15 to 2:30: Explore D-F#-A Tuning (1-3-5 Tuning) with Merv Rowley's
Version of "O Little Town of Bethlehem" in the D-F#-A Tuning. We'll also
work on a 1-3-5 version of Vince Guaraldi's "Christmastime is Here"--you
all know it from the Peanuts Christmas Special - Intermediate on up.
-3:00 to 4:15: Fiddle Tunes--work on two popular old time tunes -
Intermediate on up.
Workshops are $20 per workshop--$50 total if you do all three.
*
Shows*
Sat. Dec 17, 2011—7pm
Columbus, OH @ Guitar House Workshop
1423 Chambers Road (Grandview Heights)
$10 Suggested donation.
Wed. Dec 21, 2011
J.K. O'Donnell's
121 West Wayne Street Fort Wayne, IN 46802-2503
(260) 420-5563
Thurs. Dec. 22, 2011 -- 7pm
House Concert at the home of Steve and Linda Gwinn
call Linda at: 440-328-7458 to RSVP
Happy Green Monday to ya (at least for another 20 minutes) I've been out of
the loop for some time now, feverishly working away at my new Christmas
Card CD. Been meaning to do this for a while, but then computer issues kept
me from being able to record until mid November.* So once I got back on
track I put my nose to th grindstone and feverishly cranked this baby
out.** The Dulcimer Christmas Card 2 is 12 new (loosely-defined)
Christmas/Winter songs recorded for dulcimer and other instruments by yours
truly, with a little help form some of my very remarkable friends.
Here's the tracks.
1. O Come Emanuel/ Cold Frosty Morning
2. Angels We Have Heard on High (funky version)
3. Gettin' Ready for Christmas Day (Paul Simon)
4. Merry Christmas From The Family (Robert Earl Keen)
5. Good king Wenceslas (New "dance" version featuring Bing Futch)
6. Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairies (no really)
7. Little Jack Frost (Kate Rusby) vocals by the amazing Hayley Graham
8. Let There Be Peace on Earth
9. Judy Garland/White Christmas (Pete Chambers and Bing Crosby
respectively)
10. Christmastime is Here (Vince Guaraldi)
11. The Ballad of Larry (Jonathan Byrd)
12. Happy Xmas (War is Over) (John Lennon) featuring the Tremont
Tabernacle Choir
As before you can listen to the whole thing online, simply by going to
Butch Ross dot com. It's right there on the front page, with a little music
player so you can listen to the tracks as many times as you'd like for
free. NEW this year, is the option of downloading the songs (and liner
notes) directly from the site.
Prices for the Dulcimer Christmas Card are
$12 for the card
$15 for a jewel-boxed CD
$10 for a download
And don't forget the first Christmas Card CD is still available. Check it
out here: http://butchross.com/xmas.html
Of course the Holy Holiday is rapidly bearing down upon us, and the USPS
has only promised to be less efficient than before. So, I can ONLY
guarantee pre-Xmas delivery on items ordered before December 15th.
The CDs will be available at the shows as well. Those shows and workshops
again...
*Workshops
*Saturday, December 17th: Three workshops with Butch Ross at the Snapp's
residence (lunch provided) call: 614-313-6424 to RSVP
-10:30 am till 11:45: "Here Comes Jingle Bells" - Novice on up. This
combines a very nice version of "Jingle Bells" that moves right into "Here
Comes Santa Claus."
-1:15 to 2:30: Explore D-F#-A Tuning (1-3-5 Tuning) with Merv Rowley's
Version of "O Little Town of Bethlehem" in the D-F#-A Tuning. We'll also
work on a 1-3-5 version of Vince Guaraldi's "Christmastime is Here"--you
all know it from the Peanuts Christmas Special - Intermediate on up.
-3:00 to 4:15: Fiddle Tunes--work on two popular old time tunes -
Intermediate on up.
Workshops are $20 per workshop--$50 total if you do all three.
*
Shows*
Sat. Dec 17, 2011—7pm
Columbus, OH @ Guitar House Workshop
1423 Chambers Road (Grandview Heights)
$10 Suggested donation.
Wed. Dec 21, 2011
J.K. O'Donnell's
121 West Wayne Street Fort Wayne, IN 46802-2503
(260) 420-5563
Thurs. Dec. 22, 2011 -- 7pm
House Concert at the home of Steve and Linda Gwinn
call Linda at: 440-328-7458 to RSVP
Merry Christmas, Kwanza, Chanukah, Ramadan, Life Day, Festivus or however
you choose to celebrate the winter solstice. Thank you for making 2011 a
great year for me, and please accept my best wishes for a fantastic 2012
--Br
www.butchross.com
"Now I know what a dulcimer is supposed to sound like" —Jake Shimabukuro
*Saturday, December 17th: Three workshops with Butch Ross at the Snapp's
residence (lunch provided) call: 614-313-6424 to RSVP
-10:30 am till 11:45: "Here Comes Jingle Bells" - Novice on up. This
combines a very nice version of "Jingle Bells" that moves right into "Here
Comes Santa Claus."
-1:15 to 2:30: Explore D-F#-A Tuning (1-3-5 Tuning) with Merv Rowley's
Version of "O Little Town of Bethlehem" in the D-F#-A Tuning. We'll also
work on a 1-3-5 version of Vince Guaraldi's "Christmastime is Here"--you
all know it from the Peanuts Christmas Special - Intermediate on up.
-3:00 to 4:15: Fiddle Tunes--work on two popular old time tunes -
Intermediate on up.
Workshops are $20 per workshop--$50 total if you do all three.
*
Shows*
Sat. Dec 17, 2011—7pm
Columbus, OH @ Guitar House Workshop
1423 Chambers Road (Grandview Heights)
$10 Suggested donation.
Wed. Dec 21, 2011
J.K. O'Donnell's
121 West Wayne Street Fort Wayne, IN 46802-2503
(260) 420-5563
Thurs. Dec. 22, 2011 -- 7pm
House Concert at the home of Steve and Linda Gwinn
call Linda at: 440-328-7458 to RSVP
Happy Green Monday to ya (at least for another 20 minutes) I've been out of
the loop for some time now, feverishly working away at my new Christmas
Card CD. Been meaning to do this for a while, but then computer issues kept
me from being able to record until mid November.* So once I got back on
track I put my nose to th grindstone and feverishly cranked this baby
out.** The Dulcimer Christmas Card 2 is 12 new (loosely-defined)
Christmas/Winter songs recorded for dulcimer and other instruments by yours
truly, with a little help form some of my very remarkable friends.
Here's the tracks.
1. O Come Emanuel/ Cold Frosty Morning
2. Angels We Have Heard on High (funky version)
3. Gettin' Ready for Christmas Day (Paul Simon)
4. Merry Christmas From The Family (Robert Earl Keen)
5. Good king Wenceslas (New "dance" version featuring Bing Futch)
6. Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairies (no really)
7. Little Jack Frost (Kate Rusby) vocals by the amazing Hayley Graham
8. Let There Be Peace on Earth
9. Judy Garland/White Christmas (Pete Chambers and Bing Crosby
respectively)
10. Christmastime is Here (Vince Guaraldi)
11. The Ballad of Larry (Jonathan Byrd)
12. Happy Xmas (War is Over) (John Lennon) featuring the Tremont
Tabernacle Choir
As before you can listen to the whole thing online, simply by going to
Butch Ross dot com. It's right there on the front page, with a little music
player so you can listen to the tracks as many times as you'd like for
free. NEW this year, is the option of downloading the songs (and liner
notes) directly from the site.
Prices for the Dulcimer Christmas Card are
$12 for the card
$15 for a jewel-boxed CD
$10 for a download
And don't forget the first Christmas Card CD is still available. Check it
out here: http://butchross.com/xmas.html
Of course the Holy Holiday is rapidly bearing down upon us, and the USPS
has only promised to be less efficient than before. So, I can ONLY
guarantee pre-Xmas delivery on items ordered before December 15th.
The CDs will be available at the shows as well. Those shows and workshops
again...
*Workshops
*Saturday, December 17th: Three workshops with Butch Ross at the Snapp's
residence (lunch provided) call: 614-313-6424 to RSVP
-10:30 am till 11:45: "Here Comes Jingle Bells" - Novice on up. This
combines a very nice version of "Jingle Bells" that moves right into "Here
Comes Santa Claus."
-1:15 to 2:30: Explore D-F#-A Tuning (1-3-5 Tuning) with Merv Rowley's
Version of "O Little Town of Bethlehem" in the D-F#-A Tuning. We'll also
work on a 1-3-5 version of Vince Guaraldi's "Christmastime is Here"--you
all know it from the Peanuts Christmas Special - Intermediate on up.
-3:00 to 4:15: Fiddle Tunes--work on two popular old time tunes -
Intermediate on up.
Workshops are $20 per workshop--$50 total if you do all three.
*
Shows*
Sat. Dec 17, 2011—7pm
Columbus, OH @ Guitar House Workshop
1423 Chambers Road (Grandview Heights)
$10 Suggested donation.
Wed. Dec 21, 2011
J.K. O'Donnell's
121 West Wayne Street Fort Wayne, IN 46802-2503
(260) 420-5563
Thurs. Dec. 22, 2011 -- 7pm
House Concert at the home of Steve and Linda Gwinn
call Linda at: 440-328-7458 to RSVP
Merry Christmas, Kwanza, Chanukah, Ramadan, Life Day, Festivus or however
you choose to celebrate the winter solstice. Thank you for making 2011 a
great year for me, and please accept my best wishes for a fantastic 2012
--Br
www.butchross.com
"Now I know what a dulcimer is supposed to sound like" —Jake Shimabukuro
Thursday, April 07, 2011
Amplifying the Dulcimer
A couple of years ago, I wrote and article on amplification for The Dulcimer Players News. Since there's been some talk about this on the Everythingdulcimer forum, i thought I'd repost it here: http://butchross.com/pdf/amplification.pdf
Philly house concert and NJ workshop this weekend and a new book.
April 9th, 8pm - $15
XFS House Concert
Ambler, PA
RSVP via web site
http://www.xfsmusic.org/
Sunday, April 10th - see below
Workshops at Pinelands Folk Music Center
31 White St. (in Mill Race Village)
Mt. Holly, NJ 08060
609.518.7600
12:30 to 2pm - The Right Stuff: A fun rhythm primer for beginners on up.
3pm to 4:30 - If You Like One Tune, Yu'll Like 'em Both: Learn to
recognize recurring patterns in old-time tunes and use them to help
you quickly learn new tunes.
$15 for each workshop or $25 for both.
On my way back to the great northeast for the first of two rounds in
the region. On the first round I'm flying Southwest, who have begun
offering complimentary sunblock on domestic flights (too soon?)
Anyway, this weekend, I'll be playing a house concert in Ambler, PA
for the XFS (Extreme Folk Scene) Who, I have to say, despite what
their name may imply, are really all about what folk music is really
all about. Anyway, a great bunch of folks, and Steve Quelet, a
songwriting buddy from a million years ago is opening the show. He's
great! get there early. Philly Folk, this is as close to the City of
"Yo" as I'll be for a while so make the trek (I think it's the R5).
The next day, I'm headed to NJ to Rich Carty's Pinelands Folk Music
Center. There I'll be teaching two workshops, one on rhythm, and one
on how learn old-time tunes quickly and effectively. The workshops are
$15 a piece or both for $25. Hope to see you there.
Finally, thanks to all of you who came to OVG up in Indianapolis, yes
it was cold. But it was wonderful. For me (and I've said this before)
VG is the symbolic end of winter and the beginning of the festival
season. So I'm glad it happened.
For those of you who weren't there, you might be interested to know
that I have a new book, called "The Beatletudes" it's seven of my
favorite Beatle tunes arranged for solo dulcimer, it is NOT any of the
ones on Neal Hellman's excellent Beatles book. In addition, it comes
with a CD of the tunes, But these are NOT instructional recordings,
These are full blown arrangements, including an alternate take of
"Eleanor Rigby" from the Shady Grove sessions. This is a full-on new
EP, that I will release as a solo recording, but probably only as a
fundraiser for the oft-mentioned new CD. So for right now this is the
only way to get it. It's on the merchandise page.
butchross.com/stuff.html I hope to videotape me doing these songs as
well, more on that as it develops.
That's it for now, I got more stuff in the works, but more on that
when I talk to you about my return to the Minstrel Coffeehouse in
Northern NJ in two weeks.
C-ya out there.
--Br
www.butchross.com
XFS House Concert
Ambler, PA
RSVP via web site
http://www.xfsmusic.org/
Sunday, April 10th - see below
Workshops at Pinelands Folk Music Center
31 White St. (in Mill Race Village)
Mt. Holly, NJ 08060
609.518.7600
12:30 to 2pm - The Right Stuff: A fun rhythm primer for beginners on up.
3pm to 4:30 - If You Like One Tune, Yu'll Like 'em Both: Learn to
recognize recurring patterns in old-time tunes and use them to help
you quickly learn new tunes.
$15 for each workshop or $25 for both.
On my way back to the great northeast for the first of two rounds in
the region. On the first round I'm flying Southwest, who have begun
offering complimentary sunblock on domestic flights (too soon?)
Anyway, this weekend, I'll be playing a house concert in Ambler, PA
for the XFS (Extreme Folk Scene) Who, I have to say, despite what
their name may imply, are really all about what folk music is really
all about. Anyway, a great bunch of folks, and Steve Quelet, a
songwriting buddy from a million years ago is opening the show. He's
great! get there early. Philly Folk, this is as close to the City of
"Yo" as I'll be for a while so make the trek (I think it's the R5).
The next day, I'm headed to NJ to Rich Carty's Pinelands Folk Music
Center. There I'll be teaching two workshops, one on rhythm, and one
on how learn old-time tunes quickly and effectively. The workshops are
$15 a piece or both for $25. Hope to see you there.
Finally, thanks to all of you who came to OVG up in Indianapolis, yes
it was cold. But it was wonderful. For me (and I've said this before)
VG is the symbolic end of winter and the beginning of the festival
season. So I'm glad it happened.
For those of you who weren't there, you might be interested to know
that I have a new book, called "The Beatletudes" it's seven of my
favorite Beatle tunes arranged for solo dulcimer, it is NOT any of the
ones on Neal Hellman's excellent Beatles book. In addition, it comes
with a CD of the tunes, But these are NOT instructional recordings,
These are full blown arrangements, including an alternate take of
"Eleanor Rigby" from the Shady Grove sessions. This is a full-on new
EP, that I will release as a solo recording, but probably only as a
fundraiser for the oft-mentioned new CD. So for right now this is the
only way to get it. It's on the merchandise page.
butchross.com/stuff.html I hope to videotape me doing these songs as
well, more on that as it develops.
That's it for now, I got more stuff in the works, but more on that
when I talk to you about my return to the Minstrel Coffeehouse in
Northern NJ in two weeks.
C-ya out there.
--Br
www.butchross.com
Tuesday, March 01, 2011
Ukulele
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNoW-jCfzPjGK1vxUm_fq6kewLT2yqzG7OSWwWR8GeZIuEg1joRgWFFxnqLNsFpjOQuPW087Za2YlhyZWbNtSA4aWifE0lpkpqaCG1Zb-roxV0HbTghUUaECMLs92yOVc0lxH4bw/s320/173085_10150105224804712_768934711_6111729_8235690_o.jpg)
Some of the new tunes haven't been laying out on the dulcimer very well. This is actually been an ongoing issue since I started to play dulcimer. It's one of the reasons why there are so many covers on Moonshiner's Atlas for whatever reason it's been far easier to recreate or adapt, than it has been to create. I think this is why one song, called Weathervane has been in contention for this album since I first wrote it (which was like 2004): it's the first time that a lick on the instrument inspired lyrics (that's how I've written in the past). Anyway, although I've worked out dulcimer versions of all the tunes I'm kicking around, there are three that just don't sound right. Normally, that would just mean those songs weren't going on the record. But one of the tunes that's causing me a lot of consternation is a new one called Be Somebody (Do the work), It's what my old roommate used to call "the single" (my old roommate is also a songwriter and we used to throw a lot of ideas back and forth to each other). It's a euphemism, since realistically hoping for airplay has been a pipe dream since Clinton initiated the telecommunications act of 1997 (the so-called "information superhighway" that deregulated radio and allowed Clear Channel to buy them all). But it still means to us, that song that is gonna make you want to buy the album. On Moonshiner's it was folk songs and 52 Vincent, on Shady Grove it was Eleanor Rigby and (surprisingly) Birdwatching. A single doesn't necessarily mean the "best" song on the record, just the one that compels you to buy the record. If you think of albums as collections of songs that tell a story (and I do) the single is the sizzle to the steak.
I think that that song is Be Somebody, but it hasn't been working out as a dulcimer tune. So, as I've been talking with Folkcraft about one they're developing anyway, I figured maybe I'd try one out. I'll let you know how it goes.
Labels:
chattanooga,
dulcimer,
New CD,
Nouns,
recording,
songwriting
Monday, February 28, 2011
Day Two.
Obviously I'm not keeping this diary as a day to day thing. In part because I'm not recording everyday. In fact I feel as though I'm still demoing...I am still demoing. It's just that the line between demo and recording is going to be ever blurring. Last time I ended up recording what I thought were demo's only to have the whole thing be done in Garageband (A recording program that comes with the Mac). To that end I bought a new Mac Mini specifically to have a dedicated computer for recording. Then my laptop bit the dust again, and it's become clear that as much as I would like to separate work and creative computers I can't do that yet. And anyway, what does that mean? Anyway, so that's been the plan, But I've been slow on getting a dedicated space together and the new computer has been a source of some consternation. The Zoom I used before and the new version of Garageband do not like to play well together, an issue that will have to be resolved before I can move forward full time, which is what I'm playing on doing come March 1st, which was yesterday...You following me?
Something that I've noticed is that the recording of this album and the writing have become inseparable. Used to be I'd write a bunch of songs on guitar, play 'em out some and then go add other instruments to it. Here I've been using the recording process on a couple of tunes, New Used Car, and Be Somebody. I spent way too much time working on the intro to Angry Anymore as I see it as the intro to the album. But it starts with this old scratchy recording, Just like Shady Grove did, just like the intro to Old Home Place on Moonshiner did (and how long did we spend on that?!?!). And just like those, I've always heard this tune coming out of an old machine, preferably from an Edison wax cylinder. The problem with this genius idea is that occasionally people will come up and tell me that they're something wrong with their CD, a woman in Florida even asked for her money back (WTF!) So now I'm actually torn between art and commerce. Maybe I should put a sticker on the front that says "the first 30 seconds of this CD is supposed to sound like shit."
Something that I've noticed is that the recording of this album and the writing have become inseparable. Used to be I'd write a bunch of songs on guitar, play 'em out some and then go add other instruments to it. Here I've been using the recording process on a couple of tunes, New Used Car, and Be Somebody. I spent way too much time working on the intro to Angry Anymore as I see it as the intro to the album. But it starts with this old scratchy recording, Just like Shady Grove did, just like the intro to Old Home Place on Moonshiner did (and how long did we spend on that?!?!). And just like those, I've always heard this tune coming out of an old machine, preferably from an Edison wax cylinder. The problem with this genius idea is that occasionally people will come up and tell me that they're something wrong with their CD, a woman in Florida even asked for her money back (WTF!) So now I'm actually torn between art and commerce. Maybe I should put a sticker on the front that says "the first 30 seconds of this CD is supposed to sound like shit."
Labels:
chattanooga,
dulcimer,
New CD,
Nouns,
recording,
songwriting
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Day One (or the story so far)
I just re-read Ed O'Brien's diary from recording "Kid A" and (probably just because I'm a big fan) found it fascinating reading. I said to myself, I' think I'll do the same thing once I start recording…except I already have.
It's a bit like they said in the movie Inception. You don't remember how a dream starts, only that you've been in it for a while. Same with recording for me I guess.
One of the things I find interesting is that when Radiohead was recording Kid A, they took evenings and weekends off. You know…like a job. I guess that's 'cause it is.
So here's the story so far: A few weeks ago I wrote down a bunch of tunes that I wanted to record, separated into four categories: original songs, original instrumentals, covers and traditional tunes. Right now it's heavily skewed towards originals, so I've been starting there. I spent a day (and blew my voice out) recording a bunch of the originals to have in the car with me, but thus far that hasn't quite worked out. Some of the tunes are brand new, written in the last couple of months. Well others I've been picking at for years. Some have changed meaning as the context of my life has changed…I'm not saying which ones. Got to be a bit of an enigma. I think I know how this record will start, and kinda what it will be about. But I have NO IDEA what it will sound like when it's finished. This starting set of tunes is actually pretty bluegrass-sounding, ironic since one of the reasons I put "Shady Grove" last on the last CD was to be a launching pad for something completely different. I haven't ruled out the idea of having the record remixed, perhaps as two CDs. This is the best part, when it's all possibility. The rest is actual work.
Songs so far:
Originals:
1. Where's the damned river when you need it
2. Angry Anymore
3. New, Used Car
4. Heavy Metal Farmer's Sons (aka the ballad of Travis Kilgore)
5. A Long Way from Settling Down
6. Before the Flood
7. Weathervane
8. Brown Liquor
9. Down Where the Mountain Used to Stand
10. Shenandoah
11. Be Somebody (Do the Work)
12. What Have You Learned
13. All I Need is You
14. Betty/The Path of Least Resistance
15. Weatherman/Tornado Girl
Instrumentals/Traditional or Both
1. Little Liza Jane
2. Prototype
3. Cluck O'l Hen
4. Old Aunt Jenny with her Nightcap On
5. Elzic's Farewell (Jay Ungar)
Covers
1. Brand New 1964 Dodge (Greg Brown)
2. Brothers on a Hotel Bed (Death Cab for Cutie)
3. Here Comes the Flood (Peter Gabriel)
4. Shenandoah (Anais Mitchell)
5. Beeswing (Richard Thompson)
6. Blackout (The Affordable Floors)
7. The Pig (Todd Young)
8. Walk Beside Me (Tim O'Brien)
9. Little Liza Jane (Dave Carter)
10. Birches (Bill Morrissey)
No way is this a definitive list or a double-album, I'll be sure to drop a lot of these (and add a few back too), and don't be surprised if I end up writing a few new ones as well.
It's a bit like they said in the movie Inception. You don't remember how a dream starts, only that you've been in it for a while. Same with recording for me I guess.
One of the things I find interesting is that when Radiohead was recording Kid A, they took evenings and weekends off. You know…like a job. I guess that's 'cause it is.
So here's the story so far: A few weeks ago I wrote down a bunch of tunes that I wanted to record, separated into four categories: original songs, original instrumentals, covers and traditional tunes. Right now it's heavily skewed towards originals, so I've been starting there. I spent a day (and blew my voice out) recording a bunch of the originals to have in the car with me, but thus far that hasn't quite worked out. Some of the tunes are brand new, written in the last couple of months. Well others I've been picking at for years. Some have changed meaning as the context of my life has changed…I'm not saying which ones. Got to be a bit of an enigma. I think I know how this record will start, and kinda what it will be about. But I have NO IDEA what it will sound like when it's finished. This starting set of tunes is actually pretty bluegrass-sounding, ironic since one of the reasons I put "Shady Grove" last on the last CD was to be a launching pad for something completely different. I haven't ruled out the idea of having the record remixed, perhaps as two CDs. This is the best part, when it's all possibility. The rest is actual work.
Songs so far:
Originals:
1. Where's the damned river when you need it
2. Angry Anymore
3. New, Used Car
4. Heavy Metal Farmer's Sons (aka the ballad of Travis Kilgore)
5. A Long Way from Settling Down
6. Before the Flood
7. Weathervane
8. Brown Liquor
9. Down Where the Mountain Used to Stand
10. Shenandoah
11. Be Somebody (Do the Work)
12. What Have You Learned
13. All I Need is You
14. Betty/The Path of Least Resistance
15. Weatherman/Tornado Girl
Instrumentals/Traditional or Both
1. Little Liza Jane
2. Prototype
3. Cluck O'l Hen
4. Old Aunt Jenny with her Nightcap On
5. Elzic's Farewell (Jay Ungar)
Covers
1. Brand New 1964 Dodge (Greg Brown)
2. Brothers on a Hotel Bed (Death Cab for Cutie)
3. Here Comes the Flood (Peter Gabriel)
4. Shenandoah (Anais Mitchell)
5. Beeswing (Richard Thompson)
6. Blackout (The Affordable Floors)
7. The Pig (Todd Young)
8. Walk Beside Me (Tim O'Brien)
9. Little Liza Jane (Dave Carter)
10. Birches (Bill Morrissey)
No way is this a definitive list or a double-album, I'll be sure to drop a lot of these (and add a few back too), and don't be surprised if I end up writing a few new ones as well.
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
writing you from Florida about shows next week.
Mon. Jan 31st, 2011 8:00pm
Luna Star Cafe
775 N. 125th St.
North Miami, Fl
305·799·7123
www.lunastarcafe.com/
Pretty sure that they're opening Monday special for this show.
Thurs Feb 3, 2011. 8:00 Concert. 7:30 doors.
House Concert at the home of Gloria Holloway
Tampa, FL (Westshore/Gandy Area)
RSVP required.
Info/RSVP, contact: Gloria Holloway
gsholloway@email.com -- tell her you're on my mailing list.
813.837.6572
The Saturday house concert in Lakeland is SOLD OUT! Thank you!!!
I'm on my way to 2nd Annual Key West Gathering, but i wanted to remind you all that I'll be playing some other shows in Florida next week.
Monday, I'll be back in Miami at the Luna Street Cafe, this wonderful little place was recently voted best coffee house, best open mic, best beer selection and it's owned and run by a former chef. They're usually closed on Mondays, but I'm pretty sure Alexis is opening special just for me. It's that kind of place.
Thursday, I'll be making my first appearance in Tampa at the home of Gloria Holloway. She has a house concert series and has graciously offered to host me and my many dulcimers for the night. If you're in the area you should come out!
That's all for now.
C-ya out there.
-Br
Luna Star Cafe
775 N. 125th St.
North Miami, Fl
305·799·7123
www.lunastarcafe.com/
Pretty sure that they're opening Monday special for this show.
Thurs Feb 3, 2011. 8:00 Concert. 7:30 doors.
House Concert at the home of Gloria Holloway
Tampa, FL (Westshore/Gandy Area)
RSVP required.
Info/RSVP, contact: Gloria Holloway
gsholloway@email.com -- tell her you're on my mailing list.
813.837.6572
The Saturday house concert in Lakeland is SOLD OUT! Thank you!!!
I'm on my way to 2nd Annual Key West Gathering, but i wanted to remind you all that I'll be playing some other shows in Florida next week.
Monday, I'll be back in Miami at the Luna Street Cafe, this wonderful little place was recently voted best coffee house, best open mic, best beer selection and it's owned and run by a former chef. They're usually closed on Mondays, but I'm pretty sure Alexis is opening special just for me. It's that kind of place.
Thursday, I'll be making my first appearance in Tampa at the home of Gloria Holloway. She has a house concert series and has graciously offered to host me and my many dulcimers for the night. If you're in the area you should come out!
That's all for now.
C-ya out there.
-Br
Chattanooga Shows and Florida House Concerts.
*Chattanooga Shows
*Friday, Jan 21st
Tremont Tavern
Tremont and Hixon Pike
Chattanooga, TN
The Camp House
1427 Williams Street
Chattanooga, TN 37408
Phone: 423.702.8081
thecamphouse.com
Sitting in on Steve Brehm's CD release party.
House Concerts
Thurs Feb 3, 2011. 8:00 Concert. 7:30 doors.
House Concert at the home of Gloria Holloway
Tampa, FL (Westshore/Gandy Area)
RSVP required.
Info/RSVP, contact: Gloria Holloway
gsholloway at email.com -- tell her you're on my mailing list.
813.837.6572
Date: Saturday, 2/5/11
House Concert in Lakeland, Florida
Social: 6:30p Music: 7:30-9p
Phone: 863.640.1763
Email: Becky_Abel at msn.com -- tell her you're on my mailing list.
Coffee and light snacks will be served between 6:30 and 7:30.
Honestly, I need to either have someone start writing these for me, or
sending them out once a week, 'cuz suddenly there's lots to talk about. Even
if you're not in Chattanooga or Florida, please read (or skim) this as my
scatterbrain is putting all sorts of info in all sorts of places.
*Friday at the Tremont Tavern*
I've come to believe that creativity works on a bio-rhythm, and right now I
must be peaking, in the first four hours of being awake today I've come up
with about four different song/cover ideas. as well as a bunch of things I
want to try out live. The Tremont is a great opportunity to try this stuff
out. There's a lot of stuff that's gonna be on the next record that's gonna
get it's first shake this weekend. Get there early I'm gonna start around
9:30 (I was gonna say nine, and I intend to, but I was being honest).
Also, I'm still figuring out HOW I'm gonna do this, but I'm hoping to be
able to release early versions of the tunes I'm considering for the next CD.
Probably via Reverbnation. More info as it develops.
*
Saturday at the Camp House: Steve Brehm's CD release party.*
Ok this isn't my gig, I'm only sitting in on two songs, but it's an event
worth plugging. Steve Brehm is an awesome acoustic guitarist, he played on
"Shady Grove" (particularly the intro to 'Liza Jane') He's finally released
his first solo CD and has asked me to sit in with him on two songs, I'm
honored to do so. If you're around you should check it out. You can learn
more here: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Steve-Brehm/178937278799725?v=info
*About The House Concerts*
I'm posting these early because both of these series have built-in audiences
and cap at about 25 people. While I'm very much looking forward to these two
shows, I'd love to see some dulcimer folks out there are well. If you've
never been to one, a house concert is one of the best ways to see live
music. It's not a noisy bar, cover charges, drink minimums and parking are
not an issue. I get to play to a friendly listening environment and you get
to actually hear what the heck it is that i do.
And I need your help part 1
Those of you with an eye for detail will notice that there is a big open
Friday night, I'd really prefer to be working that night in the St.
Petersburg/Tampa (or even Orlando). This could be anything from a small
workshop to a coffeehouse to a house concert of your own (they're not hard
to do and I can walk you through the process) just two or three people in
the right circumstance can make this worthwhile for everyone involved. If
you want to help, email me privately at butch[at]butchross[dot]com put
"Friday the 4th" in the subject line.
And I need your help part 2
I'm looking for 5 or 6 ADVANCED players (preferably with tabledit) to play
through the tabs I've done for "the Moonshiner's Atlas." I need folks to
tell me if there are mistakes, if it's playable and decipherable (i.e. can
you tell what I was attempting to do). The goal is to get the 14 songs
tabbed out in a way that is true to the CD while still staying within the
Intermediate range. Some tunes will be way beyond that, but the lion's share
will not.
I'm looking for 5 or 6 people so that each of you will only have to review
one or two tabs. If possible, I'd like to get this together this week (crazy
I know). It helps A LOT if you are familiar with the "Moonshiner's Atlas"
CD, but will make the CD available online for you to listen and compare
notes to.Update, I am still looking for folks, but it ain't gonna be done in January
If you're interested email me butch[at]butchross[dot]com and put "Moonshiner
Tab" in the subject line.
For your trouble, I'll mail you a copy of the book (and CD if necessary)
once it comes out.
Whew!!! Okay, that's all for this week.
Those shows again
Friday, Jan 21st
Tremont Tavern
Tremont and Hixon Pike
Chattanooga, TN
The Camp House
1427 Williams Street
Chattanooga, TN 37408
Phone: 423.702.8081
thecamphouse.com
Sitting in on Steve Brehm's CD release party.
House Concerts
Thurs Feb 3, 2011. 8:00 Concert. 7:30 doors.
House Concert at the home of Gloria Holloway
Tampa, FL (Westshore/Gandy Area)
RSVP required.
Info/RSVP, contact: Gloria Holloway
gsholloway at email.com -- tell her you're on my mailing list.
813.837.6572
Date: Saturday, 2/5/11
House Concert in Lakeland, Florida
Social: 6:30p Music: 7:30-9p
Phone: 863.640.1763
Email: Becky_Abel at msn.com -- tell her you're on my mailing list.
Coffee and light snacks will be served between 6:30 and 7:30.
C-ya out there.
--Br
www.butchross.com
*Friday, Jan 21st
Tremont Tavern
Tremont and Hixon Pike
Chattanooga, TN
The Camp House
1427 Williams Street
Chattanooga, TN 37408
Phone: 423.702.8081
thecamphouse.com
Sitting in on Steve Brehm's CD release party.
House Concerts
Thurs Feb 3, 2011. 8:00 Concert. 7:30 doors.
House Concert at the home of Gloria Holloway
Tampa, FL (Westshore/Gandy Area)
RSVP required.
Info/RSVP, contact: Gloria Holloway
gsholloway at email.com -- tell her you're on my mailing list.
813.837.6572
Date: Saturday, 2/5/11
House Concert in Lakeland, Florida
Social: 6:30p Music: 7:30-9p
Phone: 863.640.1763
Email: Becky_Abel at msn.com -- tell her you're on my mailing list.
Coffee and light snacks will be served between 6:30 and 7:30.
Honestly, I need to either have someone start writing these for me, or
sending them out once a week, 'cuz suddenly there's lots to talk about. Even
if you're not in Chattanooga or Florida, please read (or skim) this as my
scatterbrain is putting all sorts of info in all sorts of places.
*Friday at the Tremont Tavern*
I've come to believe that creativity works on a bio-rhythm, and right now I
must be peaking, in the first four hours of being awake today I've come up
with about four different song/cover ideas. as well as a bunch of things I
want to try out live. The Tremont is a great opportunity to try this stuff
out. There's a lot of stuff that's gonna be on the next record that's gonna
get it's first shake this weekend. Get there early I'm gonna start around
9:30 (I was gonna say nine, and I intend to, but I was being honest).
Also, I'm still figuring out HOW I'm gonna do this, but I'm hoping to be
able to release early versions of the tunes I'm considering for the next CD.
Probably via Reverbnation. More info as it develops.
*
Saturday at the Camp House: Steve Brehm's CD release party.*
Ok this isn't my gig, I'm only sitting in on two songs, but it's an event
worth plugging. Steve Brehm is an awesome acoustic guitarist, he played on
"Shady Grove" (particularly the intro to 'Liza Jane') He's finally released
his first solo CD and has asked me to sit in with him on two songs, I'm
honored to do so. If you're around you should check it out. You can learn
more here: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Steve-Brehm/178937278799725?v=info
*About The House Concerts*
I'm posting these early because both of these series have built-in audiences
and cap at about 25 people. While I'm very much looking forward to these two
shows, I'd love to see some dulcimer folks out there are well. If you've
never been to one, a house concert is one of the best ways to see live
music. It's not a noisy bar, cover charges, drink minimums and parking are
not an issue. I get to play to a friendly listening environment and you get
to actually hear what the heck it is that i do.
And I need your help part 1
Those of you with an eye for detail will notice that there is a big open
Friday night, I'd really prefer to be working that night in the St.
Petersburg/Tampa (or even Orlando). This could be anything from a small
workshop to a coffeehouse to a house concert of your own (they're not hard
to do and I can walk you through the process) just two or three people in
the right circumstance can make this worthwhile for everyone involved. If
you want to help, email me privately at butch[at]butchross[dot]com put
"Friday the 4th" in the subject line.
And I need your help part 2
I'm looking for 5 or 6 ADVANCED players (preferably with tabledit) to play
through the tabs I've done for "the Moonshiner's Atlas." I need folks to
tell me if there are mistakes, if it's playable and decipherable (i.e. can
you tell what I was attempting to do). The goal is to get the 14 songs
tabbed out in a way that is true to the CD while still staying within the
Intermediate range. Some tunes will be way beyond that, but the lion's share
will not.
one or two tabs. If possible, I'd like to get this together this week (crazy
I know). It helps A LOT if you are familiar with the "Moonshiner's Atlas"
CD, but will make the CD available online for you to listen and compare
notes to.
If you're interested email me butch[at]butchross[dot]com and put "Moonshiner
Tab" in the subject line.
For your trouble, I'll mail you a copy of the book (and CD if necessary)
once it comes out.
Whew!!! Okay, that's all for this week.
Those shows again
Friday, Jan 21st
Tremont Tavern
Tremont and Hixon Pike
Chattanooga, TN
The Camp House
1427 Williams Street
Chattanooga, TN 37408
Phone: 423.702.8081
thecamphouse.com
Sitting in on Steve Brehm's CD release party.
House Concerts
Thurs Feb 3, 2011. 8:00 Concert. 7:30 doors.
House Concert at the home of Gloria Holloway
Tampa, FL (Westshore/Gandy Area)
RSVP required.
Info/RSVP, contact: Gloria Holloway
gsholloway at email.com -- tell her you're on my mailing list.
813.837.6572
Date: Saturday, 2/5/11
House Concert in Lakeland, Florida
Social: 6:30p Music: 7:30-9p
Phone: 863.640.1763
Email: Becky_Abel at msn.com -- tell her you're on my mailing list.
Coffee and light snacks will be served between 6:30 and 7:30.
C-ya out there.
--Br
www.butchross.com
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