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.
