Deschutes River Recordings: Eric Earley
Just got word of these recordings from a friend of mine. Pretty cool. Songs by the river, for the river.
” The river called. The indie community answered.
Deschutes River Recordings is a unique collaboration between artist and cause. Deschutes Brewery put out the call for independent artists to sing river-themed songs, from the banks of the river, to benefit the vital work of the Deschutes River Conservancy. They’re musicians as committed to the cause as they are the craft. And fearless enough to tackle whatever covers Deschutes Brewery fans tossed their way. Welcome to the riverside high wire: live, unadorned, far from a studio safety net.
Download for free or donate what you can. All proceeds benefit the Deschutes River Conservancy.”
https://www.deschutesbrewery.com/river-recordings/eric-earley
Thanks to my good friend Phil D. for bringing these recordings to my attention.
Give Me The Banjo
“Give Me the Banjo”.
“The piano may do for love-sick girls who lace themsleves to skeletons, and lunch on chalk, pickles and slate pencils. But give me the banjo….
When you want genuine music — music that will come right home to you like a bad quarter, suffuse your system like strychnine whisky, go right through you like Brandreth’s pills, ramify your whole constitution like the measles, and break out on your hide like the pin-feather pimples on a picked goose, — when you want all this, just smash your piano, and invoke the glory-beaming banjo!”
Mark Twain in “Enthusiastic Eloquence,” San Francisco Dramatic Chronicle, 23 June 1865
Check out this documentary about the history of american folk music. It describes the banjo and the first ‘truly american’ instrument and winds us through the links between the banjo and the creation of a ‘new’ ‘american’ sound. This documentary is truly fascinating. Plus Steve Martin narrates. Need I say more?
Watch PBS Arts from the Blue Ridge Mountains: Give Me the Banjo on PBS. See more from The Arts.
Woody Guthrie’s 100th Birthday…a couple days late
Happy 100th Woody!
I’d like to rest my heavy head tonight
On a bed of California stars
I’d like to lay my weary bones tonight
On a bed of California stars
I’d love to feel your hand touching mine
And ell me why i must keep working on
Yes, I’d give my life to lay my head tonight
On a bed of California stars
I’d like to dream my troubles all away
On a bed of California stars
Jump up from my starbed and make another day
Underneath my California stars
They hang like grapes on vines that shine
And warm the lovers glass like friendly wine
So, I’d give this world just to dream a dream with you
On our bed of California stars
This is a great interview and live performance from 1944..
The Feast Of The Passover
The Congos – At The Feast
This evening begins the Jewish holiday of Passover. Tonight we celebrate the exodus of the Jews from Egypt. Freedom. Over the years there have been many ‘songs of freedom’, but today we investigate the Reggae/Jewish relationship. Both are Songs of Freedom.
The similarities of Rastafarianism and Judaism have always presented me with an interest to say the least. My love of reggae and cultural affiliation with Judaism provided enough in common to do some research.
My question was, from the words of Salvatore Caputo: “Can there be an affinity between one of the oldest Jewish observances and the music popularized by dreadlocked Jamaicans, often associated with Rastafarianism – a mystical religion that venerates the late Ethiopian emperor Haile Selassie as an incarnation of God on earth?”
The answer is YES. Although reggae is not solely Rastafarian music, Bob Marley, the music’s biggest star and exponent, was. His lyrics often echoed the religion’s belief in the eventual redemption of the black africans from oppression and the return of blacks to their African home. These themes clearly have a parallel in the story of Exodus.
What I’ve found is that it is evident that the similarities exist. The two religions of Rastafarianism and Judaism embody many of the same characteristics, as well as their ancestry. Although the Rastafarians, at times, inaccurately explain the bible, their belief in the Old Testament is still prevalent. Many of the customs are almost identical, but the rationale behind the traditions and laws contrast greatly.
Alan Eder has created a musical tribute to the similarities called, “Reggae Passover”. On his album Eder collects traditional holiday songs presented in reggae and West African arrangements that evolved in his celebrations over a decade.
“Passover is observed in the home,” Eder says, “so everyone gives it a personal touch. It’s not like the high holidays that are observed by 2,000 people in a temple.
“Passover is a much-more personalized holiday. Some families have customized haggadahs. Others customize the celebration with foods or procedures, according to their interests and tastes, so it’s not so unusual that I’ve customized my observance with renditions that come from my own musical interest.”
I say, “Well Put.”
From the hisidic reggae superstar, Matisyahu, to countless reggae artists worldwide, those who choose to embrace the two can celebrate to their hearts desire. There is no shortage of Jewish Reggae music out there. So here at Shady Groove I’ve compiled a few of my favorite songs in the theme of Passover. Enjoy and Have a great holiday!
Download The Congos – At The Feast
This one’s not reggae, but it fits the Passover Theme. Its a track from the great jazz guitarist Grant Green. He also gets a little help from a 19-year-old Herbie Hancock on piano.
Download Grant Green – Go Down Moses