Subtitled Fiddle and Banjo from Lookout Mountain, Tennessee, Fine Times at Fletcher’s House, featuring the fiddle of Fletcher Bright and the banjos of Bill Evans, was released earlier this month (June 18).
Recorded at 81 year old Fletcher Bright’s Tennessee mountain home December 11-14, 2012, the CD features 16 tunes or medleys performed simply but with much obvious enjoyment on fiddle and banjo. While the emphasis is on fiddle tunes the duo are evidently soul-mates.
Bright’s repertoire is wide-ranging with two tunes, Whitehorse Breakdown and Northern White Clouds, from Bill Monroe; a couple more, Two O’clock and Fiddler’s Dream, with Benny Williams imprint; two, Blackjack Grove and Liverpool Hornpipe, with links to John Hartford; some obscure numbers including Scott # 2 and Going Back to Israel; Blaine Sprouse’s Blue Ridge Reel and Tom Anderson’s Da Slokit Light (literally translated as The Light Gone Out); and several traditional tunes including Yellow Barber, Daley’s Reel and Greasy Coat; a two-in-one non-standard variations of Polly Put the Kettle On; and two medleys Abe’s Retreat/Fine Times at Our House and St. Anne’s Reel / Angeline the Baker / Soldier’s Joy.
Each tune is a fine selection and the playing always shows great taste matched by exceptional tone and timing.
While Fine Times at Fletcher’s House is a product of a meeting at a music camp, the impromptu nature of the first get together is present during these sessions, but none lack for careful preparation.
Full track listing ..
Yellow Barber / Two O’clock / Polly Put the Kettle On / Scott # 2 / Blackjack Grove / Whitehorse Breakdown / Da Slokit Light / Daley’s Reel / Northern White Clouds / Blue Ridge Reel / Greasy Coat / Fiddler’s Dream / Abe’s Retreat – Fine Times at Our House / Liverpool Hornpipe / Going Back to Israel / St Anne’s Reel – Angeline the Baker – Soldier’s Joy (Native and Fine Records 906-10)
The album is available directly from the Bill Evans web store. There are several samples available at the web store as well.
In addition, the entire project is streaming on-line via AirplayDirect.
A full review will be forthcoming.
