Hey, it's something...

Sure, it's practically a blank slate, but The Sweetback Sisters are on the Amazon.com radar, so I thought I would share! Baby steps right?

The Two Man Gentleman Band

These guys are amazing.
-Jesse

Good News

So, while I'm thinking of it, allow me to mention that I have it on good authority that the new CD went to the printers a day or two ago.
-Jesse

the Osborne Brothers

Some of us are born normal and get weird as we age, some of us are born weird and then mellow. The Osborne Brothers, (and make no mistake, I LOVE the Osborne Brothers) were weird when they started and they stayed weird all the way through. I really couldn't pick which of these two versions of "Ruby" to put on here, so I'll put them both. I think Bobby is aging in reverse, as he looks younger and sings higher in the later video. Meanwhile Sonny, who was six years younger but always looked older, is playing stuff that nobody else could get away with and makes it sound great. Make sure you listen to the end to get the full Osborne experience.

the Hillbilly Gypsies

A great latter-day stringband from Morgantown, WV.

-Jesse

Gritty Small Town Realism*

Take me to GoMart, I'm already wasted, and
the bouncer at Beander's wants five bucks at the door.
No way am I paying to go hear a DJ,
we can crank up our radio in front of the store.

Take me to GoMart, we might see those girls there,
the ones we saw Friday, and the weekend before.
The new cashier's hot, but I don't think she likes me,
since I dropped a full bottle of beer on the floor.

I paid for the beer, but she still acted hateful,
I'm guessing that cleanup is one of her chores.
So I'm not going in, I'll just stand by the car and say
"got any weed man? I'm trying to score."

-Jesse

*This title is designed to convey to my more sophisticated readers that this is in no way autobiographical and should be regarded as a sort of literary exercise, a character sketch, perhaps. My less sophisticated readers are free to believe what they want.

More Dancing Fiddlers

This time it's Mac Magaha playing in Porter Wagoner's band.


And what the heck, let's throw in some electric banjo:

Mac Magaha actually sounds best playing slow double-stop type country songs, but he doesn't dance around quite so much when he does that. He spent a number of years playing with Reno and Smiley and added a lot to their sound.
-Jesse

Speaking of dancing fiddlers

Clark Kessinger was a house painter from St. Albans, WV, and one of the greatest fiddlers of his generation.

He made commercial recordings with his brother Luches during the 20s, and was "rediscovered" during the great folk scare of the 1960s. It was during this later period that he recorded his best work (in my opinion.) Here he is with Gene Mead on guitar and Gene Parker (I think!) on banjo.
-Jesse

Freeborn Man

Another day shall not pass without the appearance of Jimmy Martin on the Sweetback Sisters blog.

Jimmy Martin scowls and growls, Vernon Derrick dances like a fool and the band executes a daring manual fade-out ending.

-Jesse

ps. I just noticed that this is the set with the carousel that Merle Haggard was standing on while singing "Mama Tried."

Weekend Excursion

On Friday night we sallied forth
and drove four hours to the north
to Cincinnati where we stayed
with Emily, Nelly and monsieur Dave.

Saturday we embarked again
and ended up at Oberlin.
That night we played and earned some loot
and then went to a photo shoot.

A music barn, just right for jamming
equipped with several B-3 Hammonds.
We played some tunes, and pics were shot
and then we sat and drank fine scotch.

On Sunday, at the crack of noon,
we packed up cars and cleared out rooms.
We said goodbye, and just at dark
arrived back home in Sylvan Park.

-Jesse

Hello Oberlin! Are you ready to ROCK!!!

Welll?

7pm, be there. New dresses.

I miss my wifes cooking (whenever I can)

Homer and Jethro were brilliant musicians with a long list of accomplishments. They toured with Spike Jones, worked as a house band at King records, made Kellogs Corn Flakes commercials and are credited with introducing young Nashville players to a lot of jazz influence. Of course they are mostly remembered for corny comedy songs like this:


-Jesse

My New Favorite Band

That's right folks, I have a NEW favorite band, or at least a new favorite solo artist.

Jersey Polka Richie:


I can't seem to find where his upcoming performances are, so if anybody knows, help me out. Western PA, where this recorded, isn't so far from Elkins, so I'm thinking if I keep my eyes open I may get the chance.
-Jesse

the Quebe Sisters

Our pal Nora Jane sent us this video, prompting Emily to wonder "why haven't I ever heard of these kids?"
Couldn't have said it better myself.
-Jesse

Dim Lights, Thick Smoke

Speaking of weird double neck guitars, here's Joe Maphis and Rose Lee, with Gordon Terry (who looks just like Eric Merrill) on the fiddle. I love the way the guitar and drums groove during the guitar solo. The only way this could be made better would be to add Curly Seckler's weird flat7 harmony part.
-Jesse