Geography Lesson

From 2000, the title song from Mark Knopfler's album Sailing To Philadelphia, the only pop song about the two surveyors of the Mason-Dixon Line which established the boundary between Delaware, Pennsylvania, and Maryland.  Inspired by Thomas Pynchon's 1997 novel on Mason and Dixon, the song features Knopfler's trademark guitar sound and vocals with Knopfler playing Jeremiah Dixon and James Taylor as Charles Mason.

I am Jeremiah Dixon
I am a Geordie Boy
A glass of wine with you, sir
And the ladies I'll enjoy

All Durham and Northumberland
Is measured up by my own hand
It was my fate from birth
To make my mark upon the earth…

He calls me Charlie Mason
A stargazer am I
It seems that I was born
To chart the evening sky

They'd cut me out for baking bread
But I had other dreams instead
This baker's boy from the west country
Would join the Royal Society…

We are sailing to Philadelphia
A world away from the coaly Tyne
Sailing to Philadelphia
To draw the line
The Mason-Dixon line

Now you're a good surveyor, Dixon
But I swear you'll make me mad
The West will kill us both
You gullible Geordie lad

You talk of liberty
How can America be free
A Geordie and a baker's boy
In the forest of the Iroquois…

Now hold your head up, Mason
See America lies there
The morning tide has raised
The capes of Delaware

Come up and feel the sun
A new morning is begun
Another day will make it clear
Why your stars should guide us here…

We are sailing to Philadelphia
A world away from the coaly Tyne
Sailing to Philadelphia
To draw the line
The Mason-Dixon line 

The reference to "Geordie Boy" is because Dixon was born near Newcastle in the north of England whose inhabitants are known as Geordies.  Dixon's mother was from Newcastle and Jeremiah spent much time there over the years.  Mark Knopfler is also a Geordie, which is why he voices Dixon in the song. The lyric about enjoying "a glass of wine" is a reference to Dixon being a heavy drinker, despite being a Quaker (he also enjoyed wearing colorful clothes, another aspect frowned on by Quakers).  The reference to "coaly Tyne" is to Newcastle, on the River Tyne, and one of the birthplaces of the Industrial Revolution and the heavy use of coal.

Mason was born in 1828 in the West Country as the lyric says, specifically in Gloucestershire. 

Both Dixon (1733-79) and Mason (1728-86) were well educated, trained in surveying and astronomy, meeting in 1761 when both were sent by the Royal Society on a mission to observe the transit of Venus in Sumatra.  Their passage delayed, they made their observations from the Cape of Good Hope.

For many years the precise location of the border between Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Delaware had been the subject of controversy with violence occasionally erupting among settlers.  In 1763 the Penns and Calverts, proprietors of the Pennsylvania and Maryland colonies, hired Mason and Dixon to survey and establish the bounds.  Their project would take four years.

While it settled the border dispute, the Mason-Dixon Line would take on a broader significance in American history.  It was only during the debates over slavery that led to the Missouri Compromise in 1820 that Mason-Dixon Line came into popular usage and from then it came to mean (at least the PA/MD part of the line) the division between free and slave states in the Union.  Indeed, it is possible that the term "Dixie" to describe the South may have been derived from Jeremiah Dixon's last name. 

After returning to England, Dixon continued survey and astronomical work until his death at the age of 45.  He is buried 40 miles from Newcastle.  Mason also continued working in England, primarily as an astronomer, but in September 1786 he wrote a letter to Benjamin Franklin informing him he'd returned to Philadelphia with his wife and eight children but was ill and confined to bed.  He died the following month and is buried in Philadelphia's Christ Church Burying Ground where Franklin was also laid to rest four years later.  It is not known why Mason returned to Philadelphia. 

Cause We've Ended As Lovers

In the mid-70s Stevie Wonder composed this song for Jeff Beck, allowing the guitarist a showcase to demonstrate his instrumental mastery.  Beck employs a variety of tones and techniques, giving a lyrical feel to this wordless tune.  At times it's as if he is caressing the guitar.  This is a concert version from 2006.  The phenomenal bass solo is by 19 year old Australian Tal Wilkenfeld, invited to join Beck on tour after he heard her audition tape.  Since then Wilkenfeld has had a solo career and played with Eric Clapton, Prince, Mick Jagger, and Herbie Hancock among others.

Ain't Nothing Wrong With That

Robert Randolph & The Family Band.  Robert on pedal steel and his cousins on bass and drums.  Great message.  A live act not to miss - I've seen 'em three times.

Romeo And Juliet

One of my favorite pieces of music.  An exquisite and moving song about a love gone awry due to bad timing.  Beautiful melody, lyrics, and music capped by Mark Knopfler's mumbled croaking voice which suits the song.  Bracketed by a perfect piano intro and Knopfler's sparse but evocative endpiece, finger-picked on his steel guitar.

This 2006 live performance is far superior to the studio version recorded in 1981.  The video says it is Mark Knopfler and Emmylou Harris but that is incorrect.  It is from a tour the two of them did together, but only Knopfler appears on this.

You and me, babe, how about it?

A lovestruck Romeo sang the streets a serenade
Laying everybody low with a love song that he made
Finds a streetlight, steps out of the shade
Says something like, "You and me, babe, how about it?"

Juliet says, "Hey, it's Romeo, you nearly gave me a heart attack"
He's underneath the window, she's singing, "Hey, la, my boyfriend's back
You shouldn't come around here singing up at people like that
Anyway, what you gonna do about it?"

 

"Juliet, the dice was loaded from the start
And I bet, and you exploded into my heart
And I forget, I forget the movie song
When you gonna realize it was just that the time was wrong, Juliet?"

 

Come up on different streets, they both were streets of shame
Both dirty, both mean, yes, and the dream was just the same
And I dreamed your dream for you and now your dream is real
How can you look at me as if I was just another one of your deals?

 

When you can fall for chains of silver you can fall for chains of gold
You can fall for pretty strangers and the promises they hold
You promised me everything, you promised me thick and thin, yeah
Now you just say "Oh, Romeo, yeah, you know I used to have a scene with him"

 

"Juliet, when we made love, you used to cry
You said 'I love you like the stars above, I'll love you 'til I die'
There's a place for us, you know the movie song
When you gonna realize it was just that the time was wrong, Juliet?"

 

I can't do the talks like they talk on the TV
And I can't do a love song like the way it's meant to be
I can't do everything but I'll do anything for you
I can't do anything except be in love with you

And all I do is miss you and the way we used to be
All I do is keep the beat, the bad company
All I do is kiss you through the bars of a rhyme
Julie, I'd do the stars with you any time

 

"Juliet, when we made love you used to cry
You said 'I love you like the stars above, I'll love you 'til I die'
There's a place for us you know the movie song
When you gonna realize it was just that the time was wrong, Juliet?"

 

And a lovestruck Romeo, he sang the streets a serenade
Laying everybody low with a love song that he made
Find a convenient streetlight, steps out of the shade
He says something like, "You and me, babe, how about it?"

"You and me, babe, how about it?"

Wichita Lineman

One of the finest songs of the 20th century, I've posted Glenn Campbell's hit version of it before.  This is a more recent performance by Jimmy Webb, the song's composer.  Absolutely stunning, I actually like it better than Campbell's version.  Webb brings out some of the subtleties in the music and melody that aren't emphasized as much by Campbell and his piano playing is like he is composing a painting.  You can hear the humming in the wires as he plays.

Warren

It was twenty years ago today that Warren Zevon died at the age of 56.  Thought it was appropriate to listen to a few of my favorites.  We'll skip the great ones from his breakthrough album Excitable Boy; Werewolves of London, Lawyers, Guns and Money and Roland The Headless Thompson Gunner.

My favorite, and an outstanding example of Warren's underrated talents as a musical composer, is Desperadoes Under The Eaves

I was sitting in the Hollywood Hawaiian Hotel
I was staring in my empty coffee cup
I was thinking that the gypsy wasn't lyin'
All the salty margaritas in Los Angeles
I'm gonna drink 'em up

And if California slides into the ocean
Like the mystics and statistics say it will
I predict this motel will be standing until I pay my bill

 Accidentally Like A Martyr

The phone don't ring
And the sun refused to shine
Never thought I'd have to pay so dearly
For what was already mine
For such a long, long time

Bill Lee.  About one of my favorite ballplayer characters.

You're sposed to sit on you ass and nod at stupid things
Man that's hard to do
But if you don't they'll screw you
And if you do they'll screw you too
And I'm standing in the middle of the diamond all alone
I always play to win when it comes to skin and bone

I Was In the House When The House Burned Down

Boom Boom Mancini.  Its chorus is "Boom Boom Mancini's fighting Bobby Chacon" but the song is really about the brutality of boxing.  Ray "Boom-Boom" Mancini was the lightweight champion in 1982 when he fought Duk Koo Kim of South Korea (which is referenced in the lyric). Mancini won by TKO in 14 rounds but many thought the fight should have been stopped earlier because of the beating Kim was absorbing.  Kim collapsed after the fight ended, dying four days later.  Mancini attended the funeral in South Korea and went into a severe depression.  Kim's mother committed suicide three months later and the bout's referee killed himself five months after that.  Mancini returned to the ring, beating challenger Bobby Chacon in 1984.  The relentless beat of the song echoes that of the ring.

Mohammed's Radio

You know, the Sheriff's got his problems too
He will surely take them out on you
In walked the village idiot and his face was all aglow
He's been up all night listening to Mohammed's Radio

My Shit's Fucked Up.  Recorded for the album Life'll Kill You, shortly before his cancer diagnosis.  Somehow he knew, and you laugh despite yourself because it is all so true.

Keep Me In Your Heart.  From his final album, recorded when he knew the end was near.  Beautiful sentiment. 

Wake Up!

 A little toe tapper from the Dropkick Murphys to start off your day.

After the sonic assault, take time to listen to the lyrics.  I'll get you started:

She had excuses and she just used them
She was the victim of unspeakable abuses
Her husband was violent, malicious and distant
Her kids now belong to the state of Massachusetts

Youngblood Hart

The only song listed in Bob Dylan's The Philosophy of Modern Song that I've been unable to find on YouTube or iTunes is Alvin Youngblood Hart's version of Stephen Foster's Nelly Was A Lady.  I'd never heard of Youngblood Hart before and though I couldn't find Nelly I started to listen to some of his other recordings.  Turns out he's a terrific guitarist and vocalist.  This is his version of In My Time Of Dying, recorded in 2005, composed by Blind Willie Johnson who recorded it in 1928.

I've featured a couple of other Blind Willie songs previously, Dark Was The Night, Cold Was The Ground, and Trouble Will Soon Be Over.  In My Time of Dying has been covered by many artists, most notably Led Zeppelin.  I prefer the Youngblood Hart version.

These Days

Well I've been out walking
I don't do that much talking these days
These days
These days I seem to think a lot
About the things that I forgot to do
For you
And all the times I had the chance to

Jackson Browne was 16 when he wrote These Days in 1965, and 25 when he released a recorded version on his album For Everyman.  In his young hands, the lyrics sound presumptuous and pretentious, as did the title of the album.

Glen Campbell was 72 when he recorded These Days in 2008.  He'd lived quite a life.  Considered one of the finest guitarists in America, a noted session musician since 1960, a recording star (listen to Wichita Lineman), host of a TV show, a tumultuous and public love life, with bouts of alcoholism in the mix, Campbell had something to sing about and it shows in his version of the song.  The last line of the song weighs heavy here:

Don't confront me with my failures/ I had not forgotten them

Two years after this recording Campbell was diagnosed with Alzheimers (whether he was already showing signs of the disease in 2008 I don't know). Glen Campbell passed in 2017.

Miracle Drug

Freedom has a scent
Like the top of a new born baby's head

I know exactly what they mean.

U2's 2004 album, How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb, displays both the band's excesses (mostly when Bono's lyrics, not infrequently, go 100% bombastic) and its strengths (mostly the atmospheric guitar touches of The Edge, about which I've written previously).

Miracle Drug is one of my favorites from the album.  At 2:45 listen to the guitar pattern solo by The Edge and then his playing during the verse in which he deploys his trademark; distinctive tonal strokes in that gray area between lead and rhythm guitar.

Elegy From Gump Worsley

My dad took me to a couple of New York Rangers games in the early 1960s.  At the time the Rangers were a mediocre entry in the six team National Hockey League (NHL), a league in which only Canadians played.

We had tickets rink-side, protected by the clear plastic barrier.  The Rangers' star was Andy Bathgate, and I remember being startled when he skated by us, only a couple of feet away, opened his mouth and he had maybe three teeth!

The goalie for the New York team was Lorne John "Gump" Worsley.  The Rangers were so bad that when Gump was asked "which team gives you the most trouble" he answered "The New York Rangers".  I also distinctly remember him because in those days goalies did not wear masks so you could see their faces.  Years later when Worsley became the last goalie not to wear a mask he was asked why and responded, "My face is my mask".(1)

 

Gump enjoying a smoke:

Gump had a long career, entering the NHL in 1952 and not retiring until 1974, with his best years from 1964 to 1969 as goalie for the Montreal Canadians.  Gump had some outstanding seasons and developed quite a fan base because of his wit but most of all because he just looked like some guy who came off the street and got put in to be a goaltender.

It's tough playing without a mask.  That's Gump knocked out after taking a puck to the head.

That's not the only time:

When Gump passed in 2007, Canadian band The Weakerthans recorded a tribute which I came across recently and quite enjoyed.  The lyric:

He looked more like our fathers, not a goalie, player, athlete period. Smoke, half ash, stuck in that permanent smirk, tugging jersey around the beergut, “I’m strictly a whiskey man” was one of the sticks he taped up and gave to a nation of pudgy boys in beverage rooms. Favourites from Plimpton’s list of objects thrown by Rangers fans: soup cans, a persimmon, eggs, a folding chair and a dead rabbit. The nervous breakdown of ’68-’69 after pant-crap flights from LA, the expansion, “the shrink told me to change occupations. I had to forget it.” He swore he was never afraid of the puck. We believe him. If anyone asks, the inscription should read, “My face was my mask.”

 

 

--------------------------

(1)  The first NHL goaltender to wear a mask was Jacques Plante of the Montreal Canadians who, on November 1, 1959, donned a fiberglass mask after suffering a badly cut nose and lip from a first-period shot by, yes, Andy Bathgate of the Rangers. 

This is Detroit goaltender Terry Sawchuk, a contemporary of Gump's.

How Deep Is The Red?

From Elvis Costello's 2009 album, Secret, Profane and Sugarcane.  Backed by country players with no drummer.  How Deep Is The Red is a poignant tune, with a fine example of Elvis wordplay.  The fiddle is by Stuart Duncan.

Is this is not a pretty tale? Is this not a riddle?
A bow shoots arrows through the air
A bow drags notes from a fiddle
But who is the beau of a young girl's heart?
That a king may send to battle

Ten

Well, I've been at this for ten years now, starting two days after my retirement.  2,487 posts as of today. Who'd have thought I would be working in the blogging mines this long?  I didn't.  Guess I'll keep going for a while longer.

My first post featured this song.  It's still pretty good so let's do it again.

Onda

THC featured the studio version of Onda by Los Lonely Boys a few years ago.  This is a more recent live version.

We saw them do the extended version in a concert back around 2008.  The feeling took me back to the early 1970s.  Los Lonely Boys are the Garza brothers, Henry, JoJo, and Ringo.

1952 Vincent Black Lightning

Been on a bit of a Richard Thompson tear lately.  You can't go wrong with a song about a cool motorcycle and a red-haired girl in black leather.  That's Suzanne Vega and Loudon Wainwright watching Richard play.

All Things Must Pass

From the 2002 memorial tribute concert to George Harrison, organized by his friend Eric Clapton.  This is a beautiful version of All Things Must Pass and Paul McCartney's vocal does it justice.  That's George's son, Dhani, next to Paul.  You can also see Ringo on drums and the late Billy Preston on piano.  Also recognized Gary Brooker from Procol Harum on keyboards and Jeff Lynne and I'm sure there are some other well known names there.

Ring Them Bells

Been on a bit of a Dylan kick lately, particularly from his "late" (post-1980) period.  Ring Them Bells is from Oh Mercy (1989).  Enjoy this lovely version by Sarah Jarosz.

Ring them bells, ye heathen
From the city that dreams
Ring them bells from the sanctuaries
’Cross the valleys and streams
For they’re deep and they’re wide
And the world’s on its side
And time is running backwards
And so is the bride

Ring them bells St. Peter
Where the four winds blow
Ring them bells with an iron hand
So the people will know
Oh it’s rush hour now
On the wheel and the plow
And the sun is going down
Upon the sacred cow

Ring them bells Sweet Martha
For the poor man’s son
Ring them bells so the world will know
That God is one
Oh the shepherd is asleep
Where the willows weep
And the mountains are filled
With lost sheep

Ring them bells for the blind and the deaf
Ring them bells for all of us who are left
Ring them bells for the chosen few
Who will judge the many when the game is through
Ring them bells, for the time that flies
For the child that cries
When innocence dies

Ring them bells St. Catherine
From the top of the room
Ring them from the fortress
For the lilies that bloom
Oh the lines are long
And the fighting is strong
And they’re breaking down the distance
Between right and wrong 

 

Rockin' The Rest

 From 1990 on, the last part of the My Concert series (I'll continue to update this):

 

November 14, 1997

U2

Smashmouth

Pro Player Stadium

Miami, FL

 

Took the THC daughter and two of her friends. Although we were quite a way from the stage our seats were directly in line with the speakers and it was incredibly loud (and I like loud music).  My ears were full of static for several days after.

 

August 20, 2001

Crosby, Stills and Nash

Oakdale Theater

Wallingford, CT

 

Talked into going to this by my sister.  Thought CSN would sound outdated and they had this reputation back in their heyday of not sounding good in concert.  I went and I was wrong. Very good show.  Their harmonies were tight and David Crosby's tenor was strong and beautiful.  Suite: Judy Blue Eyes was about 10 times better than the recorded version.

 

June 15, 2002

Elvis Costello & The Imposters

Oakdale Theater

Wallingford, CT

 

When I Was Cruel tour.  The Imposters were The Attractions without bassist Bruce Thomas, who'd been fired by Elvis. Another terrific Costello concert with three encores, the final one ending with Lipstick Vogue followed by I Want You, which is a very, very creepy ballad and a very, very odd, but Elvis-like choice, to end a concert.

 

September 10, 2003

Steely Dan

Oakdale Theater

Wallingford, CT 

Good, solid but not great show by one of my favorite bands.

July 14, 2007

Los Lonely Boys

New Haven Green

New Haven, CT

An outdoor, free concert on the Green in downtown New Haven on a balmy summer evening, sitting on the grass and listening to Henry, JoJo and Ringo Garza, the brothers of Los Lonely Boys.  Guitar-driven improvising, climaxed with a 20+ minute version of Onda.  Felt like I was back in 1971.  Very underrated band that was not as popular as it should have been.

 

April 15, 2008

Elvis Costello

Tony Bennett

Saturday Night Live Studio

NBC 30 Rock

New York City 

In 2008-9, Elvis filmed 20 shows for Spectacle TV in which he interviewed other musicians and then they performed separately and together.  Filming was done in the Saturday Night Live Studio, which was cordoned off into a smaller area with seating for about 250-300 people.  At the time, I worked for GE which owned NBC and a couple of people at 30 Rock knew I was an Elvis fan and got me tickets so I took Mrs THC and two close friends.  Tony Bennett was immensely cool.  He sang The Way You Look Tonight.  His voice was no longer what it once was, but he sang that song so beautifully I teared up. Elvis is a fine interviewer and the conversation was lively.  Diana Krall, Elvis' wife was seated in front of us (we were three rows from the stage) and Tony impulsively went out into the audience and pulled her up to perform a song with him.  A memorable evening.

May 28, 2009

Robert Randolph & The Family Band

Tarrytown Music Hall

Tarrytown NY

Robert Randolph is a unique entertainer and along with The Family Band one of the best club and party acts you will ever see.  Everyone in the audience was standing for the entire show.  Randolph plays pedal steel like lead guitar.

 

June 10, 2009

Elvis Costello

Beacon Theater

New York City

The Sulphur to Sugarcane tour with Elvis supported by a country band with no drummer.  Excellent, as usual.  32 songs, including encores.  Highlight was The Delivery Man.

 

March 5, 2014

Robert Randolph & The Family Band

Crescent Ballroom

Phoenix, AZ

Mrs THC and I raised the average age in the club by several years.  Awesome show by the awesome Robert Randolph.  Here's a clip from that show.

June 15, 2014

Kenny Wayne Shepherd featuring Robert Randolph

Ridgefield Playhouse

Ridgefield, CT

Ace guitarist Shepherd and ace pedal steel player Randolph, a dynamite combo.

August 14, 2014

Tedeschi Trucks Band

Simsbury Meadows

Simsbury CT

Susan Tedeschi's voice and Derek Truck, master of the slide guitar, are a perfect pair, as husband and wife and musicians.  Unexpectedly started off with a creative cover of Traffic's Who Knows What Tomorrow Will Bring.

 

April 8, 2016

Elvis Costello

Larkin Poe
Mesa Arts Center

Mesa, AZ

Mostly an Elvis solo show, with occasional backing by Larkin Poe and Nils Lofgren.  Heavy media with clips of Elvis' musician dad and Elvis in his early days.  Reimagined versions of songs from his huge catalogue.  This venue was designed for concerts and the sound quality was amazing.  We were in the last row of the 4th balcony and the sound was crystal clear.

 

September 2017

Los Lobos

Criterion Theatre

Bar Harbor, Maine

 

A fun time in a small venue (several hundred seats).  Thirty years after first seeing them the band still sounded fine and David Hidalgo's voice had held up well. 

November 2017

Tedeschi Trucks Band

Orpheum Theater

Phoenix, AZ

 

As good as the last time around. 

November 16, 2019

The Black Keys

Talking Stick Resort Arena

Phoenix AZ

This was one fine rock n roll show.  The sound quality was clear and crisp, particularly for large arena.

November 5, 2021

Tommy Emmanuel

Mesa Arts Center

Mesa AZ

Back to live music!  What a great guitarist and showman.

November 10, 2021

Elvis Costello & The Imposters

Federal Theater

Phoenix AZ

 

Elvis once again.  No opening act.  Played for 2 1/2 hours.  New stuff, old stuff, in between stuff.  His voice is not what it once was, but still a fine show.  Played half the songs I heard at his first concert in 1977. 

May 17, 2023

Billy Strings

Financial Theater

Phoenix AZ

Had wanted to see Billy since discovering him in the fall of 2021.  Outstanding show.  Nearly three hours highlighted by a 30 minute combo of several songs including Hide and Seek.  Incredible guitarist and the players in his band (banjo, fiddle, upright bass, mandolin) are just as good.

 

April 15, 2024

Ukelele Orchestra of Great Britain

Casa de Christo Lutheran Church

Scottsdale AZ 

 

Been a fan for years. Good musicians with a great sense of musical humor.  Covered everything from ZZ Top to Robert Palmer, The Clash, Willie Nelson, a medley of Live on Mars/My Way/For Once in My Life/Substitute/Born Free, The Muppet Show Theme, the Bond movie theme, to Black Sabbath's Paranoid intertwined with Dance of the Sugar Plum Fair.  Also a straight and gorgeous version of Dreams by The Cranberries and closed with Kiss' God Gave Rock n Roll to You. 

 

May 28, 2024

Molly Tuttle

Musical Instruments Museum Theater

Phoenix AZ

 

Molly is part of the new bluegrass thing along with Billy Strings and Sierra Hull.  A terrific show with a mixture of originals, bluegrass (lovely version of Shady Grove), and rock covers featuring She's A Rainbow by the Stones and Jefferson Airplane's White Rabbit.  None of the covers were straight; all introduced unique elements. 

 

March 5, 2025

Chicago

Celebrity Theater

Phoenix AZ

 

A last minute invite from a friend; had not known they were still touring. A fun show though the sound balance could have been better.  Played their hits (of which there were many) and most popular cuts off their albums.  Musically, they miss their phenomenal original guitarist (Terry Kath) and drummer (Danny Seraphine) but still enjoyable.  Only three of the original members are still with the band.  

 

March 16, 2025

Taj Mahal

Musical Instruments Museum Theater

Phoenix AZ 

 

I first heard Taj in the late 60s but had never seen him perform.  He's now almost 82 and moving a lot slower than he used to but his voice and playing was as strong as ever.  Played electric, acoustic, and steel guitar, ukelele, banjo, and keyboards.  An eclectic mix of country blues, roots music, reggae and even Hawaiian music.  A fun show.

 

December 10, 2025

Billy Strings

BOK Center

Tulsa OK

 

Fantastic long show by Billy and the boys.  Only knew about 1/3 of the songs but it did not make any difference.  Next morning visited the Bob Dylan Center. 

Deep River Blues

 I had the privilege of seeing Doc Watson play in Paris in 1978.  Doc, who lost his sight before turning two due to an infection, called Deep Gap, way up in the North Carolina mountains, his home from his birth in 1923 until his death in 2012.  A guitar master with a fine voice (and his deep and warm speaking voice just invited you in) here he is performing Deep River Blues in 1962.

 

While putting this together I came across another gem - a performance of Down In The Valley To Pray from the early 2000s.  Many originally heard the song in O Brother Where Art Thou? when it was called Down In The River To Pray and performed by Alison Kraus.  In this video, Doc is joined by Alison and Ricky Skaggs, while Earl Scruggs sits next to Doc.  We learn that Alison learned the song from Doc who, in turn, learned it from his grandmother who he remembers singing it as she churned butter on the porch.

And finally, here are rehearsals sessions from 2001 with Dolly Parton, preparing for Merlefest, the annual tribute to Doc's guitar playing son, with whom he toured for many year, who died in 1985 in an accident on the family farm.  The song is The Last Thing on My Mind, written by Tom Paxton, a 60s folk musician.  Listen in particular to the first three minutes.

I Need More Love

This was the first music video featured on THC more than eight years ago.  Still a great song and who can disagree with the sentiment?  Never understood why Robert Randolph and the Family Band weren't bigger.