Tentative Set List for Stone Arch Festival (11:15, Sat. June 16th)

We've done variations of the same set list for the last 3 gigs, culminating in our first appearance on the outdoor stage at the MBOTMA Home Grown Kickoff. For the Stone Arch Festival, we are adding a few 'new' songs and tunes, including two on the 12-String (I'm leaving the mandolin at home). The set is scheduled to go for 45 minutes, about 5 minutes longer than our MBOTMA set, so theoretically we'll get one or two more songs in. Here's where we're at a few days before we play Stone Arch:

Little Annie: One of our newer songs. I've got versions by the Carter Family and Laurie Lewis - we sound more like the Carter family, but we're using Laurie's words. (The Carter family's version has the 'bees' returning to the trees. I picked Lauries version where "the leaves" return to the trees in the spring time). Got the idea from Bruce Johnson who suggested I learn this after I sang another Carter family song at a Homestead Picking Parlor Jam.

Blue Railroad Train: This is pretty close to the Delmore Brothers Version. This is about as 'jazzy' as we get. We're both on Guitar and doing it in the Key of F. (Delmore brothers do it somewhere between E and F - they didn't have electronic tuners back then) I'm capo-ed on the 5th fret and kinda sound like the tenor guitar on the original. Lynn is playing in E with the capo on the 1st fret and gets a good 'train' rhythm going.

When First Onto This Country: This is from the New Lost City Ramblers. Mike Seeger sings it with autoharp, so of course I have to do it with the 12th string in order to get that slightly out of tune effect that multiple strings bring. My 1971 Martin 12 String is certified for 'old time' music since I bought it at the Homestead Pickin' Parlor. Lynn plays guitar and calls it her 'Zen' piece.

Been in the Lowlands Too Long: This is by Gillian Welch. Her version has a bass and drums, so I bring out the 12 String and bang on it pretty hard, while Lynn plays fiddle.. Lynn grew up in the mountains of Washington State and Montana, so I think of her when I sing this song. (When we can't get to the mountains we escape the lowlands to go up to Lake Superior). Key of F. (It'll look like I'm playing in G, but the 12 String is tuned a step low -- I learned this the hard way: Michelle at Hoffman's Guitar repaired a totally collapsed neck stemming from tuning it up to standard pitch).

Xander's Tune: This is a Swedish fiddle tune that Lynn learned from Xander, an 11 year old fiddler whom we originally met at Danebod folk camp. Key of D. I play backup guitar and try to remember that there are only two chords.

Train on the Island: This is based on Bruce Molsky's version on the Big Hoedown CD. Lynn sings and plays fiddle at the same time which she learned how to do at a workshop Bruce gave at a MBOTMA festival a couple of years ago. At the same time, I did the old time guitar workshop with Paula Bradley so I get to 'channel Paula' in this song. Key of G. Guitar/fiddle.

Milwaukee Blues: This is a Charlie Poole song that I recently learned - I get to sing it, while Lynn gets to play a cool fiddle part throughout.This is based on Charlie Pooles original version - I have a couple other versions, but we stick pretty close to his ('cept no banjo).

Key of C. Guitar/fiddle.

Dear Companion: Lynn sings this one. This is from the Any Old String Time Band - recorded in the 70s or 80s: the liner notes say they got it from a 'super market' album & that the singer was probably Jean Ritchie. For once I get to sing harmony. (At jams, Lynn's sung it a couple of times with Pam K and Deb Carlson singing along - not to be missed!). We're both on 6-string guitars - key of B.

Bonaparte Crossing the Rhine: I am flatpicking this in A (it's usually in D). I got the idea from an early Norman Blake recording, although its mostly my own arrangement. This is one of the tunes I'll do at the flatpicking contest (it's on my B-list, so this year only if I make the final 5). Lynn is accompanying on guitar.

Otto Wood: this is one of our outlaw songs. I have a brother-in-law named Otto and its one of his favorites. Since he and my sister live in Prior Lake, I've been playing it with the Rhubarbarians when we do the Prior Lake Farmer's market. Our version is based on the one by Norman & Nancy Blake - it has considerably less verses than some other versions I've heard. Key of E-Flat - 2 guitars.

I Truly Understand: based on Bruce Molsky's version, although we have a couple of other recordings as well. He uses all fiddle, we use two guitars: Key of E.

That should close out the set - however, we have the following in reserve:

Ain't Gonna Work Tomorrow: From the Carter family - I turned the last 'verse' into a chorus as this is my current career goal. I'm at the age where a visit to the financial planner includes discussion of 'retirement' - he wants us to fill out forms to help us 'create' a full life etc during our golden years. I'm thinking I'll just be quitting the day job... Foghorn String Band did this the last time they were in town, but I don't think they've recorded it yet. Key of B with guitars.

Lonesome Pine Special: This is a Carter family song which I first heard on a Hazel Dickens Album. Norman & Nancy Blake were backing her up. 2 Guitars, Key of F