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Folk is Where You Find
It
Dick Webb
SONGS:
1. 1952 Vincent Black Lightning - Richard Thompson
Now I'm not a motorcycle guy, but when I first heard this song
the tune, the words, the story just kinda grabbed me. I think I learned it in
an open D tuning in about fifteen minutes. This song has been covered by
several performers including Greg Brown, Del McCoury as well as author Richard
Thompson. Jim Gordon is on mandolin and we
worked out this version - it still gives me goose bumps and some biker acquaintances
just can't hear it enough.
2. Not Sufferin' the Blues - Joe Davies
This is a true story, written by my late friend Joe Davies.
Joe was actually an executive at Polaroid when the company was offering
buyouts to cut costs. Joe took the deal and went to Nashville for a shot at
fame and fortune. Well, "the best laid plans" and all that - it
makes a great story. Joe's wife Anita still likes to hear this version. Brand
Cedrone struts his stuff on the blues harp on this one.
3. Save Me a Seat at the Bar - Carl Cacchio
I probably heard Carl do this on WUMB or WERS years ago and thought it an
interesting and provocative tribute to the late, great Bill Monroe. There's something
really cool about getting together at a bar in heaven to tip a few and play
some music. Doug Chambers is carrying the harmony vocals on this version.
4. Sixteen Tons - D. Minerd
Tennessee Ernie Ford, 1950 something... I always wanted to
record this and several of the bass men that I've worked with (Alan
Gianatassio on this recording) have accommodated. Listen for classic Resonator
backup vocals on this and enjoy.
5. Foggy Mountain Beatles - John Lennon and Paul McCartney (arr. Dick Webb)
I'm pretty sure that The Charles River Valley Boys did
something like this
back in the '60s when they were going through their bluegrass Beatles phase
("Beatle Country" album). I
just get a kick out of the combination of "Foggy Mountain Breakdown"
and "I Just Saw a Face". Audiences are still surprised when the
vocals kick in. I frailed my old Cole's Eclipse on this recording but have
since learned it in bluegrass on the Gibson RB-4.
6. Let's Talk Dirty in Hawaiian - Fred Koeller and John Prine
I got this one through Tom Rush. Tom's story is that Fred and
John were waiting in an airport and decided to write a song together in a language that neither
of them spoke or understood. I've added another verse to the version I perform now and
my good friend Jeff Chanonhouse lends a funky trumpet. So "hikka pooka
makka wa-wahini" to ya.
7. Cake Walk - Taj Mahal
I heard Taj do this in Boston back in 1964 or 65,
probably at The Loft on Charles Street. The Loft was great...small room, great
acoustics, hollow wood stage and no sound system... a great place to listen and learn.
There aren't many places like that left and Taj is still a master of his
craft.
8. Sadie Green - Dunn and Wills
This was a Kweskin acquisition from the Club 47 days on Palmer
Street in Cambridge. I think this is one of my favorite ragtime tunes and it's
almost as much fun to sing as it is to play. Also, since there is only one
verse, it's very easy to remember.
9. Gambler's Blues - Traditional
This one (aka. St. James Infirmary Blues) has been done by
thousands of musicians in hundreds of styles. I first heard Dave Van Ronk's
rendition of this one. To get the full effect of this version you have to
envision a young guitarist sitting on a street corner in New Orleans while a
classic ragtime funeral procession goes past. The ending on this is pretty cool - sort
of a strutting-back-from-the-cemetary-klezmer kind of thing. Jim Gordon's jazz
guitar is awesome and Brand Cedrone's kazoo is so "jug band" on
this!
MUSICIANS:
Brand Cedrone - Harmonica, ukulele, bones, kazoo, washboard,
vocals
Doug Chambers - Resonator guitar, banjo, vocals
Jeff Chanonhouse - Trumpet on Let's "Talk Dirty in Hawaiian"
Alan Gianatassio - Bass guitar, vocals
Jim Gordon - Mandolin, ukulele, bass, vocals
Dick Webb - Guitar, banjo, vocals
Vic Wotherspoon - Slide Guitar on "Not Sufferin' The Blues"
SOUND ENGINEER:
Larry Luddeke
Straight Up Music, Arlington, MA
Recorded with The Resonators over 2000, 2003, 2006. Larry is a
great guy to work with and an excellent acoustic music engineer. He's worked
with the likes of Tom Rush and Bill Staines and appreciates the nuances of
recording acoustic instruments.
ŠOverall Records & World Music Co.,
Foxboro, MA
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