| Kat's Bluegrass Fiddle |
Kat Reviews:
Flame Keeper Mike Cleveland
Mike Cleveland has been tearing
up the horsehairs for years as
Rhonda Vincent's fiddler. With his
release and tour of Flame Keeper
he really comes into his own.
My favorite story of Mike Cleveland
happened while picking in the
halls of the Sheraton at Joe Val
festival--2003, I think it was. I was
in a crowded circle in an alcove off
the 3rd floor elevator and
someone started in on Cherokee
Shuffle.
Suddenly I see someone
awkwardly shouldering through
the throngs of pickers. He throws
a fiddle case down and quick as a
wink has his ax to his chin in time
to rip into the next break.
It was Mike Cleveland; right there
shoulder to shoulder with all us
amatuer pickers. It was about 2
am and the joy was just evident on
his face.
That joy comes through loud and
clear in this CD. Though there isn't
a cut I don't like, I especially enjoy
Two O'Clock in the Morning, which
is quickly becoming a picking
circle favorite... maybe cuz it
reminds me of that story.
August, 2007
Flame Keeper Mike Cleveland
Mike Cleveland has been tearing
up the horsehairs for years as
Rhonda Vincent's fiddler. With his
release and tour of Flame Keeper
he really comes into his own.
My favorite story of Mike Cleveland
happened while picking in the
halls of the Sheraton at Joe Val
festival--2003, I think it was. I was
in a crowded circle in an alcove off
the 3rd floor elevator and
someone started in on Cherokee
Shuffle.
Suddenly I see someone
awkwardly shouldering through
the throngs of pickers. He throws
a fiddle case down and quick as a
wink has his ax to his chin in time
to rip into the next break.
It was Mike Cleveland; right there
shoulder to shoulder with all us
amatuer pickers. It was about 2
am and the joy was just evident on
his face.
That joy comes through loud and
clear in this CD. Though there isn't
a cut I don't like, I especially enjoy
Two O'Clock in the Morning, which
is quickly becoming a picking
circle favorite... maybe cuz it
reminds me of that story.
August, 2007
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From the Vault
When the Storm is Over
Newgrass Revival
I was lucky enough to see Newgrass
Revival when Newgrass was, well, new! I
have to say I was pretty blown away. My old
tape of When the Storm is Over has survived
for thirty years, though I think I've cloned it at
least once to ensure its survival. So the
1992 "revival" of this out of circulation
recording along with Fly Through the
Country was a welcome arrival.
Colly Davis is a chiling tale that should by
rights have been picked up as a cover more
often. Vamp in the Middle is a classic now,
although when first released it it turned
bluegrass heads.
Sam Bush went on to a long and illustrious
musical career dabbling in other genres,
but he always comes back to bluegrass.
My favorite tale of Sam Bush was in 2003,
during his performace at Greyfox. He called
Ronny McCoury onstage. Del and the boys
had already performed, it was hot and
Ronny strolls out wearing bermuda shorts.
After a lengthy pause in which, he looks
Ronny up and down, Sam says "Ronnie are
those your legs? Or are you ridin' a
chicken?". Don't know when I've laughed
harder!
This release on CD is a welcome respite for
my old cassette and a must-have for sure.
August, 2007
When the Storm is Over
Newgrass Revival
I was lucky enough to see Newgrass
Revival when Newgrass was, well, new! I
have to say I was pretty blown away. My old
tape of When the Storm is Over has survived
for thirty years, though I think I've cloned it at
least once to ensure its survival. So the
1992 "revival" of this out of circulation
recording along with Fly Through the
Country was a welcome arrival.
Colly Davis is a chiling tale that should by
rights have been picked up as a cover more
often. Vamp in the Middle is a classic now,
although when first released it it turned
bluegrass heads.
Sam Bush went on to a long and illustrious
musical career dabbling in other genres,
but he always comes back to bluegrass.
My favorite tale of Sam Bush was in 2003,
during his performace at Greyfox. He called
Ronny McCoury onstage. Del and the boys
had already performed, it was hot and
Ronny strolls out wearing bermuda shorts.
After a lengthy pause in which, he looks
Ronny up and down, Sam says "Ronnie are
those your legs? Or are you ridin' a
chicken?". Don't know when I've laughed
harder!
This release on CD is a welcome respite for
my old cassette and a must-have for sure.
August, 2007
With a Kindle Reader you can instantly download
this book, and store up to 25 other books and
take them anywhere. Great for summer and travel
reading.
this book, and store up to 25 other books and
take them anywhere. Great for summer and travel
reading.
The Fiddle Case by Christine Palamidessi Moore
- Not really a fiddle resource, this work of fiction
about two hippie chicks trying to return a stolen
fiddle in 1972 is getting such good reviews, I had
to get it. It's especially poignant to me since as a
new empty nester, I am anticipating a time when I
can vagabond-it myself. As a young hippie chick I
never did hit the road as many of my generation
did. The possibility of finding myself destitute with
no resources in a strange place did not seem like
my idea of fun. So I can live the life vicariously
through the lens of the vagabond fiddle rescuers
in this book.
- Not really a fiddle resource, this work of fiction
about two hippie chicks trying to return a stolen
fiddle in 1972 is getting such good reviews, I had
to get it. It's especially poignant to me since as a
new empty nester, I am anticipating a time when I
can vagabond-it myself. As a young hippie chick I
never did hit the road as many of my generation
did. The possibility of finding myself destitute with
no resources in a strange place did not seem like
my idea of fun. So I can live the life vicariously
through the lens of the vagabond fiddle rescuers
in this book.
