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Yesterday I listened to the new Norman Blake tribute album by Bob Minner. It features an allstar cast of pickers and singers each with their own interpretation of a Blake classic. Album is titled “From Sulphur Springs to Rising Fawn: The Songs of Norman Blake”
I know that it’s not a blast from the past, but a great new listen.
W
I have been waiting all week to try and post this, but there has not been enough time to do justice to the concert.
Last weekend, my wife along with our two sons and their ladies took a road trip to DC. Our daughter and her husband live in NW DC. We all, plus a few more friends, had tickets to the Punch Brothers “Hell on Church Street” tribute tour stop at the Lincoln Theatre.
I have been a follower of Blake and Rice since the early ’70s. Punch Brothers took their music to a different level altogether, as only they could, while remaining totally respectful to the originals. As Tony related to Critter some years ago not to copy another’s music, but to make it his own. Well, they re-imagined those classics from “Church Street Blues” in a way that had the Punch Bros signature while still holding true to the tunes that Tony covered on his album. It was a two hour straight set intermixing their originals with the “CSB” numbers in such a tasteful order. They are truly masters of their style, most notably, Chris Thile and Chris Eldridge.
I have to agree with Indexless’ above post. We were all blown away. Ditto reading the podcast, and there is a great writeup on the Punch Bros website about their journey of respect in making this album.
Humbled again by what the masters do,
Walter
Chris,
I understand. I have similar regrets. Sold a ’68 SG Standard for a song when I unplugged in ’71. Love to have that one back. In college at the time and needed money. The purchaser was delighted to get it. Oh well.
Sharing is caring!
Best,
Walter
Chris,
What a great story involving your home with the furniture, and so many beautifully constructed instruments, all from the same source. They must be so “happy” to be there together. I can only imagine the feeling of harmony that results when you pick up any one of them and make beautiful music surrounded by your Koa cousins! Muy simpatico.
Would you consider posting some “family” photos of your collection?
Thanks for sharing.
Walter
Weird1963,
I do my own maintenance and fretwork falls within my capabilities, however PLEKing is another story. If you want that service performed, then back to SCGC she goes. The VA is worth the TLC. I agree with Hank.
Walter
Weird1963,
That catch is too funny. Very strange to wonder how they used that # and not VA 724. Not normal for Stan Jay!
Still lovin’ my ’90 TR
Walter
Watching this new direction podcast is refreshingly different. Early in the discussion, Jeff Traugott was mentioned as having worked at SCGC. Years ago I sent a picture of the signatures on the underside of the soundboard of my ’90 TR to Richard. I could easily identify the Otis B one, but had a difficult time trying to decipher the second one. Richard confirmed that it was Jeff’s, alongside of his, as he and Richard were the ones that were tuning the tops at the time mine was built. 8/90.
Now, back to the podcast!
Best, Walter B.
Hank,
Will do . I’ll play that tonight on my Cruz, but will be hearing the bagpipes in my mind…with tears in my eyes.
Walter
Natural finish will be awesome. Let the honesty of the wood do the talkin’. No need for eyeshadow or lipstick for that pretty lady.
#1 in the series may have been made to show at NAAM. Those are always specially appointed. Just a thought. Richard may reveal the answer in due time.
Walter
That is too weird,..Weird!
Awesome though. The Tree. Another SCGC treasure. Now we need to hear from the owner of D-722, the Norman Blake model. They rarely show up in the used market. Only seen a couple in all these years.
Walter
Whoa Tad, that is too cool.
I remember well that series of Tony Rice Anniversary models as well as the 12 fret N. Blake model, also the Doc VA one. I drove from SE Pa up to Staten Is. in the fall of 1990 to try out and purchase my ’90 Tony Rice from Mandolin Bros. I remember the experience like it was yesterday. I dealt with Larry Wexer. There were pre-war Martins on the wall that were available to play. Amazing times! I still have some copies of Stan Jay’s Vintage News. His descriptions of the instruments were classic!
He would “wax rhapsodically” about guitars “made with cortisone Brazilian, with an ebony fangabow” and one could pay with “samolians”.
Ah, the memories, along with the joy of playing a 30+ year old SC. We are a fortunate group of pickers.
I really identified with James Nash in the latest podcast as he described the feelings he has every time he picks up his ‘Cruz, examines it and then plays it. Such a pleasure.
Walter
Hank,
My wife did the same to acquire the ’83 HD-28 for me. I was deeply moved by her gift, and the trauma of the break in and theft still brings back so many different emotions.
Your story typifies the American Dream that so many honest, humble and hardworking folks strive to achieve. You benefited from an idea for a product that can make many lives better and at the same time make life more comfortable for both of you. Well done friend!
Thanks to your wife for her service to those who she helped in the OR.
W
