Well, I've been working on a few new mando tunes... here's one that was a lot tougher than I expected. It's still not right but there is progress being made. Many thanks to a certain bald headed, 50 year old in overalls for the continued support. It is much appreciated. Eventually, even the most stubborn digits must comply...

I spent some time playing around with the built-in video camera on one of the new Intel Macs. The quality is actually surprisingly good, though it is only capable of 15fps. Apple may not have had it in mind when they developed it, but it makes an excellent mandolin practice tool. Here’s a few scenes from today’s episode of MandoBoy, featuring “Orange”, my beloved BRW…

Evening Prayer Blues
New 5 Cents
New Camptown Races
Frog on a Lilly Pad
Jerusalem Ridge
Poor White Folks
Right Right On
Tennessee Blues

QuickTime 7 required.

Last night, my buddy Josh and I had the pleasure of attending the Santa Cruz Guitar Company’s Christmas potluck/pickin’ party. We ate, drank and bluegrassed the night away. Every room in the place had a different jam going on inside… It was especially interesting because there were guitar parts and wood everywhere you turned.

Those guys and gals make some of the worlds best guitars (including my own H13) and throw a mighty fine party to boot…

I’m a big fan of David Byrne. His self-titled solo record (pictured here) is one of my personal favorites. He offers a radio show on his website which is currently offering an interesting collection of “classic country” tunes that he’s calling Rednecks, Racists and Reactionaries: Country Classics. Some nice choices in there… including some good ‘Grass.

David’s show has also garnered him some unfortunate attention from the RIAA/DMCA.

Here’s a recording from a little bluegrass get-together I attended last night. A lovely time was had by all. And I ended up not spilling wine on Curtis’ couch after all!

Continuing from a previous post, here are more of what I consider must own Bluegrass records. The best of the best…

Old & In the Way - Old and in the Way
Bluegrass traditionalists (aka bluegrass-nazis) will scoff at this choice… but this started me and MANY others down the Bluegrass path. So feel free to kick said scoffers in the balls.

The Folkways Years: 1964-1983 - Red Allen & Frank Wakefield
Red and Frank… love it. I’d also buy the Kitchen Tapes…

Monroe Brothers, Vol. 1: What Would You Give in Exchange for Your Soul
Just buy this… your ear will explain to your brain why this is fantastic.

Off The Record, Vol. 2: Live Duet Recordings, 1963-1980 - Bill Monroe & Doc Watson
Ditto for what I said about the Monroe Brothers…

An Evening Long Ago: Live 1956 - The Stanley Brothers
Live Bluegrass is better, bumper stickers should be issued.

Tonight, the 39th Annual CMA Awards will be hosted live from… New York City?. And someday, God willing, there will be a country music radio station there too…

If Bluegrass is an acquired taste, here’s an excellent way to begin acquiring it. This is a list of Bluegrass records I own and love. They never find their way out of my standard rotation.

Music of Bill Monroe From 1936-1994 - Bill Monroe
The Master… I hate to recommend what is essentially a “Greatest Hits” but this record really does a great job. Buy all his others too but start here.

The Complete Mercury Recordings - The Stanley Brothers
If I had a gun to my head and had to choose just one bluegrass group to listen to for the rest of my life… it would be the Stanley Brothers (sorry Bill).

At Carnegie Hall! - Flatt & Scruggs
This is my favorite Flatt and Scruggs record by far. Clearly, they’ve garnered the appropriate amount of practice.

Appalachian Swing! - Kentucky Colonels
The Kentucky Colonels were part of the third wave of bluegrass and just outstanding.

On the Road (And More) - Country Gentlemen
The Country Gents (and Seldom Scene) are required listening and I especially love them live. Mr. Duffy… you are missed.

Still more tunes from yet another practice session…

• Love of the Mountains
• I Hear a Voice Calling
• Old Slew Foot
• Hot Corn Cold Corn

I spent most of the weekend at my friend Mary’s house up in the mountains in Scotts Valley. Surrounded by mountains and redwood trees, we drank, ate and played music to the *wee hours. A fine time was had by all… as this photo montage will attempt to corroborate…

* actual wee time may vary
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