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somebody said they saw me swinging the world by the tail
Packing packing packing huzzah. We interrupt this mad frenzy to bring you Highlights From Merlefest, because two of my very favourite songs from Saturday night's Midnight Jam have cropped up on YouTube, making my evening. The Midnight Jam may have been the very best part of the festival (perhaps why festivalgoers must buy separate tickets for it, which Dad had done unbeknowst to me; I didn't find out till we were on the road to North Carolina!).
the belleville outfit (& some friends) - between the devil and the deep blue sea.
This is where you can see how the Belleville Outfit is awesome, with their twenties/thirties swing-pop, and Phoebe Hunt, who has one of the most fascinating voices ever. (The male lead singer is good too -- at another set, he belted out a fantastic 'Shake, Rattle, & Roll' that I only wish they'd played where it belonged, at the dance tent.)
the girls of bearfoot with phoebe hunt of the belleville outfit - killing the blues.
This was the song that concluded the night -- after, um, an extremely unexpected comedy routine + number which I should talk about later as it was so hilariously surreal that a) several people, when told about it, did not believe it had actually happened ("no, man, you can't fool me; I'm not that drunk"), and b) it needs more space in a post than this. But anyway, that was riotous and wacky, and we're all sitting in our seats trying to remember how to work our lungs properly again, when these four girls come up and deliver this jaw-dropping quiet harmony piece -- one of Dad's favourite songs (John Prine did the most famous version, I guess, until recently when Robert Plant and Alison Krauss recorded it together). This video doesn't quite capture how beautiful it was, how there was an utter stillness, how the words of the song seemed to unfurl like celluloid ribbons behind the singers. Someday I hope to have a studio-quality (or close enough) recording of this version of this song. Maybe the girls will get together again and record it. One can only dream.
the belleville outfit (& some friends) - between the devil and the deep blue sea.
This is where you can see how the Belleville Outfit is awesome, with their twenties/thirties swing-pop, and Phoebe Hunt, who has one of the most fascinating voices ever. (The male lead singer is good too -- at another set, he belted out a fantastic 'Shake, Rattle, & Roll' that I only wish they'd played where it belonged, at the dance tent.)
the girls of bearfoot with phoebe hunt of the belleville outfit - killing the blues.
This was the song that concluded the night -- after, um, an extremely unexpected comedy routine + number which I should talk about later as it was so hilariously surreal that a) several people, when told about it, did not believe it had actually happened ("no, man, you can't fool me; I'm not that drunk"), and b) it needs more space in a post than this. But anyway, that was riotous and wacky, and we're all sitting in our seats trying to remember how to work our lungs properly again, when these four girls come up and deliver this jaw-dropping quiet harmony piece -- one of Dad's favourite songs (John Prine did the most famous version, I guess, until recently when Robert Plant and Alison Krauss recorded it together). This video doesn't quite capture how beautiful it was, how there was an utter stillness, how the words of the song seemed to unfurl like celluloid ribbons behind the singers. Someday I hope to have a studio-quality (or close enough) recording of this version of this song. Maybe the girls will get together again and record it. One can only dream.
* * *
In other news, have been packing all day, except when, um, unwinding with Angel, and playing with the little Willowcat a lot, and fetching things from stores, like nibbles for the flight. Currently working on Dad's birthday present, which I will leave with someone trustworthy to give it to him on Saturday. Dad always makes this big fuss about nobody making a big fuss about his birthday, but I think secretly he really likes thoughtful presents. (Also his fuss about not making a fuss is sometimes almost bigger than fusses made about any family birthdays. Oh, Dad.) So, yes, I am making him free and awesome presents -- burning the Abigail Washburn & the Sparrow Quartet live set that I bought from iTunes (it counts as free because I bought it for me), and I have a fabulous Nickel Creek concert, thanks to the_stook, and I'm trying to decide if i want to make a CD of the Patty Griffin b-sides and rarities I have knocking about, or if I should just wait until I can get my hands on all three discs of the semi-official rarities collection, Love from My Lips (I found disc two!). These are some of our shared very favourite musicians, so it's a fun present on both sides.
And now I must go to Wal-Mart to fetch my Ritalin, and Martin's on the way back for a baguette. My laundry's clean, and OMGOAHSOGHDKHSHF TOMORROW I AM FLYING TO SEE KYRA I KEEP FORGETTING THIS IN THE FUSS.
In other news, have been packing all day, except when, um, unwinding with Angel, and playing with the little Willowcat a lot, and fetching things from stores, like nibbles for the flight. Currently working on Dad's birthday present, which I will leave with someone trustworthy to give it to him on Saturday. Dad always makes this big fuss about nobody making a big fuss about his birthday, but I think secretly he really likes thoughtful presents. (Also his fuss about not making a fuss is sometimes almost bigger than fusses made about any family birthdays. Oh, Dad.) So, yes, I am making him free and awesome presents -- burning the Abigail Washburn & the Sparrow Quartet live set that I bought from iTunes (it counts as free because I bought it for me), and I have a fabulous Nickel Creek concert, thanks to the_stook, and I'm trying to decide if i want to make a CD of the Patty Griffin b-sides and rarities I have knocking about, or if I should just wait until I can get my hands on all three discs of the semi-official rarities collection, Love from My Lips (I found disc two!). These are some of our shared very favourite musicians, so it's a fun present on both sides.
And now I must go to Wal-Mart to fetch my Ritalin, and Martin's on the way back for a baguette. My laundry's clean, and OMGOAHSOGHDKHSHF TOMORROW I AM FLYING TO SEE KYRA I KEEP FORGETTING THIS IN THE FUSS.
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Glad you enjoyed the Nickel Creek concert - and you've found some Patty! I had a good look around for 'Love from my Lips' but failed miserably. I have a few feeders out now that might come up with something but if not then do share disc2.
Odd coincidence that I posted Angel Band tonight and your video linked to them doing 'Don't Let me Down'.
Have fun in Alaska. I spent some time in Greenland a while back and, whilst I imagine most of Alaska is nothing at all like Greenland, I feel drawn to pristine snowy wastes.
best wishes
dan
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Happy travels!
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I'll post what I have tomorrow but if you can help out with any of these that would be most welcome.
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dan