(no subject)

[joebanks]

Well, now I'm just in love with Rhiannon Giddens.

https://youtu.be/eLIEIbuh71o?si=xo7IczVOvEMdrwR3

Am I exaggerating to note her angelic sadness?

Comments

[joebanks]

You can love Elizabeth Cotton, the woman Rhiannon refers to, for different reasons:

https://youtu.be/p66KebI8aZM?si=b_s_j4rKVNdFHS-K

[rafqa]

What a wonderful performance. She is amazing. No, a beautiful way to describe her, and a perfect affect for this song.

When I think of Elizabeth Cotten, I think of "Freight Train." One of my favorite songs--I sang it so many places for so many years. Not exactly the way she sings it, probably from hearing different versions and putting in my own words where I forget the real ones! I didn't realize she'd written this song too.

I had to listen to the Elizabeth Cotten performance before I realized she was saying "pawned." A song about pawning everything--I never figured out that's what it was about. She writes melodies that just stay with you, they're so lovely.

I listened to the performance from her album from... the sixties? I thought "Wow, her voice sounds SO YOUNG and so much HIGHER, age must have really changed it"--then I remembered RG said something about her granddaughter singing it on her album and I thought, "Oh, that must be what this is"-- and it's also a wonderful performance.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AcqRex6vs-Y&list=OLAK5uy_njWqQLqN9T0U_H_f0xd1gTiDLS51ox0SI

(can't seem to embed it in a comment)

Then Google found Elizabeth Cotten and Laura Weber--about thirty minutes of talking and singing. Did you ever watch Laura Weber? This video's probably from 8-10 years after I was watching her, but interesting.

Anyway, I got to meet my new little niece finally yesterday, and I sang this to her-- well again, what I could remember, with my own fill-ins.

[rafqa]

Wish I could play the guitar like that.

[joebanks]

I first thought it was "done and gone" which is about the same.

I have to claim great ignorance on folk music in general; I never heard of Elizabeth Cotton before I saw the RG performance. i found the interview and will watch it.
My knowledge of folk is the music that made it onto the charts in the early 60's. I like it, but I'm sure there is an ocean of material that I've never heard of.

I'm glad you got to meet your niece. Isn't that the essence of folk? Sing what you remember and add some of your own.

[joebanks]

Which guitar?

[rafqa]

Oh yes, there's so much I know nothing about. Not to mention all the people that are just singing their whole lives, but never recording. I only remember her because of Freight Train.

That's what I always tell myself, when I'm filling in the blanks.

I thought it was done and gone too.

She is SO adorable.

[rafqa]

Just the ability to pick out a supporting melody. I always played chords with a simple picking style, an occasional little bass run, but never advanced beyond that. Mostly due to laziness.

Not the left-handed and backwards deal!

[joebanks]

I always had musical ambitions hampered by a mental block on learning to read music an astounding lack of rhythm and yes, general laziness. I think I posted me playing the Mountain Dulcimer 15? years ago. I can still play about that good.

Then, about a year ago I bought a melodica for under $20 on Amazon; that I pick up from time to time. It's the easiest instrument to play; only one hand to coordinate. It's not subtle.

[rafqa]

I'm so hot! I can't answer! I'm going to go look up melodica.

[joebanks]

Cool weather here; hope there is some relief.

[rafqa]

Finally finally tonight it has cooled off, what a relief. I was an angry dripping mess.

I've seen that!--the melodica. Didn't look quite real--never heard it played. I remember your dulcimer videos; I was thinking of them right before you posted this.

Not easier than the kazoo!

[joebanks]

The melodica was invented by Hohner, the harmonica people, it sounds a lot like a harmonica but has this accordion/concertina flavor to it.

[rafqa]

I'm expecting a melodica video anon.

[joebanks]

I'll think about it; I get tripped up when I try to perform vs. just playing it for 10 minutes.