Tangier Sound

Benjamin writes:

Patrick,

There’s this older Gentleman in our Neighborhood who was walking down the sidewalk as I was walking my garbage out to the curb on my way to walking up to play on the porch with the long neck.  Well I had the bag of garbage in one hand and the Banjo in the other.  half way to the garbage can I was getting a pretty panic look from the guy.  So, I thought I would say, “Hello” and break the ice.  He asked if I was going to throw the banjo away… he thought he was on a rescue mission.

So, we got talking for a couple minutes, and then he was on his way.  About 15 minutes later he comes walking up to my porch with a violin case.  Man, I was stoked!  I was getting ready.  He didn’t say anything except key of D. He closed his eyes and man, he started to play Jesu, joy of man’s desiring.  I was stunned!  I whipped out my G harp out of my pocket and started with what knew, and I got the reaction of a life-time.  He started to giggle.  He said he didn’t expect to hear that “noise” and then started over.

Once we finished he asked if I could play the violin.  I told him the story of the found fiddle, and he handed over this crafts-made violin.  I asked him about it’s story.  That violin was made by his oldest uncle, for a gift for this Gentleman’s Father – back in 1898 in Germany.  The wood had been seasoned for over 20 years and then hand carved out of Black Forest wood.  As you could imagine I had a pretty good grip on that hollowed out peace of wood. (no disrespect)

I played Wildwood Flower, and Faded Love.  The only 2 songs that I could think of.   Holy crap that was awesome!  He then asked if I had any other instruments.  I brought out my daughter’s (model POS) guitar that I turned into a 5 string acoustic.  (with the lack of a Banjo, I was going stir crazy without frailing, hence the 5 string… but I like it and I haven’t changed it back, yet.)  And I kept the electric bass inside, as I thought that would send an 83 y.o. to his early resting place if he saw that.

I didn’t mean for this to be such a long letter… anyhow, I brought my laptop out and recorded him and me playing Jesu… I am on the guitar and he’s on the Violin.  So, this is the story in a nut shell.  Yesterday, I had Jesu, joy… on the brain and went to see if there was anything new on daily frail.  I clicked on your beautiful birds in the rain audio.  I thought how cool would this sound with us playing the violin and guitar?  So, this audio file that I sent you is what I was inspired to put together.  BTW I was struggling severely to find the chord changes.  I was making stuff up… and I am just beginning with 3/4 time.  I tried, darn it.