We recorded these songs in
the comfort of our own home, on the
computer, using a Rode large diaphram condenser mic (NT2-A), through an
ART tube preamp and Presonus Firebox external audio interface.
All the songs are covers, done with
our own flair, solos, harmonies and
accompaniments. The genres vary from gypsy folk, gypsy jazz,
latin folk, latin jazz,
Irish fiddle tunes, bluegrass fiddle tunes, old time fiddle
tunes, and classical. Check out the sample clips below, and
scroll down
further for a bit of
information on the songs.
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"Hobo Stew" (2012)
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sample clips:
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About the Songs:
Dark
Eyes - A
haunting tune of somewhat ambiguous origins. Often characterized as a
Russian gypsy song, though the words and music were written
respectively by the Ukrainian poet, Yevhen Hrebinka, and the music by
composer F. Hermann, who according to some sources is a French composer
(Florian Hermann) and according to others, a Russified German (Feodor
Hermann). Dark eyes has
become a standard in gypsy jazz repertoire.
Mar
Dyandya - A playful, Roma gypsy folk song. Our version is inspired
by the 7 string (semistrunnaya gitara) virtuoso, Sergei Orekhov, with a
simplified guitar line that makes way for violin improvization.
Bright
is the Night - A traditional Russian folk song.
Again, ours is inspired by the arrangement of Sergei Orekhov, but
arranged for violins instead of guitars.
Besame
Mucho - Written
in 1940 by one of Mexico's most famous songwriters, Consuelo
Velázquez, at about the age of 20. The song has been
translated into many languages and many different styles, from the
Beatles, Sammy Davis Junior, Plácido Domingo,
and many others.
La
Llorona - A traditional Mexican folk song and cautionary
tale.
Nocturne
Op. 9 No. 2 - Chopin's most famous nocturne and one of his
most popular works, thought to have been written when he was about 20
years old. It was
written in the key of E flat major, but we adapted it here in the key
of E to
facilitate the guitar accompaniment.
Shady
Grove - An 18th century folk song popular with old time
fiddlers and bluegrass musicians.
It is thought to be based on the old English ballad,
"Matty Groves."
Teadrop
Waltz - A lovely waltz written by Reg Bouvette. This rendition is
inspired by Casey Willis and his youtube posting in 2007.
The
Ludlows - This is the theme song from the movie
"Legends of the Fall", written by James Horner. We have adapted
the piece here for guitar and violins.
Ookpik
Waltz - A beautiful waltz written and published (1965) by
musical legend, Frankie Rodgers.
We slowed this version down, at least compared to
our earlier recording. This
tune is given to reinvention, lending itself to chord substitutions and
melodic variations like no other.
There's no telling where it might go next ...
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"Noodlin'
Around" (2010)
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sample clips:
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About the Songs:
1. Silver Spear - Silver
Spear is a traditional Irish reel and a pretty popular fiddle
tune.
Traditionally used for dance, it is often played with fast tempo.
Not being dancers, we have discovered that slowing it down a bit
gives it a feel that we really enjoy. It also opens up
opportunities for soloing that would not otherwise be there, which
brings an interesting twist.
2. Amelia - Amelia was
written by Bob McQuillen, who is an important figure in the New England
traditional music and dance scene. Bob wrote "Amelia" in
1981 for Amelia Stiles, who was born in a cottage made out of two large
crates which had been built to ship the Spirit of St. Louis back to the
states after Charles Lindberg's historic journey in 1927.
Deana Stiles, who played flute in contra dances with Bob, was
living in the cottage around 1980, when Amelia was born there.
Interestingly enough, Amelia says her mother loved the Joni
Mitchell song, "Amelia", which references Amelia Earhart. At last
check, Bob and Deana were still active in the New Hampshire contra
dance scene as the group,"Old New England". (http://pierce.state.nh.us/nharts/artsandartists/tradroster/tradartistinfo.asp?ArtistID=185).
In 2002, Bob was awarded the National Heritage Fellowship by
the National Endowment for the Arts. We love this one for its old
time fiddle sound.
3. The Ludlows - This is
the theme song from the movie "Legends of the Fall", and was written by
James Horner for piano and symphony orchestra. This version is
just one section of the entire piece, or what we just call the "A"
section or movement. We are currently working on the entire
piece, and adapting it for
guitar and violins. Another one with a real old time fiddle
sound.
4. Brother's Keeper - The
theme song from the 1992 documentary, "Brother's Keeper", which won the
"Grand Jury Prize for Documentary" at the Sundance Film Festival and
the
"NYFCC Award for Best Documentary" at the New York Film Critics
Circle Awards. It was written and performed by Jay Ungar and
Molly Mason for violin, mandolin and guitar. Still another with
that old time fiddle sound!
5. Old Grey Cat - This
one is another Irish reel. Again, we found slowing it down to our
liking.
6. Randall Collins - This
was written by Norman Blake, a multi-instrumentalist and
vocalist, best known for his acoustic guitar flatpicking. A
leading figure in the bluegrass revival in the 1970s, Mr. Blake is well
known for adapting classic fiddle tunes for the guitar, but has also
authored songs that have become bluegrass standards.
7. Ookpik Waltz - Another
hauntingly beautiful waltz, written and published (1965) by another
musical legend, Frankie Rodgers. There are many different
versions of this one. We studied quite a few of them on Youtube
in coming up with our own version, chord progression and accompaniment.
We will probably develop this one further and record it again. It
seems to be given to that. This definately has that old time
fiddle sound.
8. Edelweiss - This is a
show tune written by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein (II)
for the Broadway Musical, "The Sound of Music" (1959).
It is named after the edelweiss, a white flower found
high in the Alps, which takes on an important metaphorical significance
in the context of the story. The original musical was adapted for
film in 1965, when it won 5 Acadamy Awards, including Best Picture.
In 2001, The US Library of Congress selected the film for
preservation in the National Film Registry. "Edelweiss" is
one of the most beloved songs by Rodgers and Hammerstein, and would
turn out to be the last they wrote together.
9. Road to Lisdoonvarna/Swallowtail Jig (medley) - Some
more traditional Irish music here, but played in a non-traditional
way. Both of these are very popular fiddle tunes and we love to
play them as a medley.
10. Indifference - This is a
musette waltz written for accordian by Tony Murena and Joseph
Colombo. Murena recorded it in Paris in 1942 along with the
Ferret brothers (Baro and Sarane) who also played with Django
Reinhardt. It has worked its way into the repertoire of many
gypsy swing musicians.
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