4 posts tagged “annapolis bluegrass coalition”
16 September 2009
I'm usually not caught dead buying this kind of CD. There's a fear that the first song will end up being "Simple Gifts" and then it's time to toss it out my car window. You know the kind of CD I'm talking about - that always end up at trendy country stores and those reeking-of-potpourri gift shops at rural tourist attractions. This is not that kind of CD. This one holds more than a few surprises and will hold your interest if you're into 'roots' music. I was already acquainted with the work of Sue Tice, so that was my main incentive for picking up this CD. I was faced with a 10-hour drive to Maine last week and ended up listening to this CD for most of the ten hours. The title is a tongue-in-cheek reference to the style of music (and also a quote from C.S. Lewis) - you've heard this stuff before, somewhere, at a lot of times during your life, but maybe you just can't pin-point the time, date, or place. It was there, for all seasons, all the time, before any of us were actually born. This is the sense of timelessness Sue Tice presents us with - a little bit of Celtic, a dash of hornpipe and jig, a few numbers that make you feel like you should get up and do some serious waltzing - maybe an old protestant hymn you heard in a musty wooden church - but none of the pedestrian stuff like "Simple Gifts." Sue is a purist when it comes to fiddle no matter what genre she's delving into. On this, her second CD, she's ably backed up by the rest of her family, husband Bob Tice (banjo) and son Jordan Tice (guitar). Jordan Tice is gaining recognition in his own right for his fine musicianship and it shows on his original piece, "Crossing Jordan." This CD is a winner and I highly recommend it if you love pure fiddling, American Appalachian-style. Nothing boring here. This is Sue Tice at her best to keep you interested and entertained.
(Sue Tice and Bob Tice appear regularly with the Annapolis Bluegrass Coalition Band)
Union Cemetery - Leesburg, Virginia
6 September 2009 Leesburg, Virginia
Fun with "Found History." You stumble upon something you never knew was there. So it was yesterday - just a day trip to Leesburg, Virginia to enjoy another performance of Annapolis Bluegrass Coalition at the newly opened Rust Library. 'ABC' was the privileged First Act of the inaugurated concert series at the new library, located at the northern end of town on the edge of the old Union Cemetery. After ABC performed, (and they were magnificent as per usual) we decided to take a walk through the old cemetery. Figuring the name might have a civil war connection, we thought it may have some Union graves in it. We were surprised at the number of confederate graves and even an impressive monument to the unknown confederate soldiers buried around the area of the monument base. It's worth a trip to the cemetery if you're interested in Civil War history. Walking back to our car we came upon the above pictured grave and wondered if indeed it was THE man who made quite a stir in our own area of metro D.C. and Virginia horse country. I went home and googled the facts, and yep, it was him - Arthur Morton Godfrey - of the infamous Arthur Godfrey/Julius La Rosa incident - of the famous ukulele - of the famous one-hit wonder, "Too Fat Polka." He got his early radio start right here with WRC radio in Washington, D.C. and went on to national television fame and finally considered the Virginia horse country as his home. "Found History" is a lot of fun and you never know where you'll run into it. I encourage visitors to the library to take a side-trip to the Union Cemetery.
The Annapolis Bluegrass Coalition will be performing two more times this season at other venues within the Loudoun County Library system. Log on to "Loudoun County Libraries" for more information - but be careful - there are actually three libraries named "Rust" listed at different addresses, in different parts of Leesburg. So much for the process of creative thinking. Try to sort that one out. Google and Mapquest aren't much help if you need mapping. When I brought this to the attention of the library attendants they just gave me that 'look' . . . . . .no matter. It's best to call them and get the right library performance site before you leave home. And finally, a big thanks to the Loudoun County Library System for bringing us some great entertainment. The new Rust Library is state-of-the-art and has something for everyone . . . now if they could just get the name-game straightened out . . . .
The Annapolis Bluegrass Coalition at Leesburg's Rust Library before departing for their fifth tour of Ireland.
8 February 2009 Vienna Community Center, Vienna, Virginia
From the start of "Lost Indian" all the way through to the end of "Orange Blossom Special" Annapolis Bluegrass Coalition delighted the full-house audience once again at the Vienna Community Center on a beautiful, balmy, early spring Sunday afternoon. And yes, the appearance of this group has become a welcomed Post-Groundhog-Day tradition here in our fair neighborhood that straddles Route 66. As far as I know, this is the third winter appearance of "ABC" and Roger Green (rhythm guitar) let it be known that they'll be back to grace our Town Green Stage on June 12th, 2009.
The town audience is as interesting as "ABC." I wouldn't call it your usual hard-core bluegrass audience. But never the less, "ABC" has built a strong fan base here, and each performance of this outstanding group serves as a "Bluegrass 101 primer course" for the eclectic gatherings that show up for Vienna's free town concerts. We're richly blessed here with a town Recreational Department that keeps the entertainment line-up interesting and always varied. One big reason why I like this particular group is, you don't get the usual patter, lame jokes, or false attempts at any kind of flash. I've seen and heard better banjo and mandolin players. I've heard better individual vocalists. The trick is to put it all together in a package of solid entertainment, and Annapolis Bluegrass Coalition never disappoints.
Roger admitted to the audience that this particular annual date is an opportunity to try out new stuff for the upcoming performing season. I noted five or six new numbers, including "Senor" by Bob Dylan and "Walking the Long Miles Home" by Richard Thompson. (Richard Thompson played by a bluegrass group? - you haven't lived until you've heard "ABC" do Thompson's "1952 Vincent Black Lightening" ) I like the old chestnuts and here they offered up "Blue Moon of Kentucky," "Airmail Special," and many more. Notable was the group's rendition of "Dark as a Dungeon." Roger spun this usual 2/3-timed golden oldie into a finale of 6/8 beat - had to smile at that little twist. The harmonies were fabulous, especially on "I Thought I heard You Calling My Name" and "Gone Home." The harmony work is provided by Roger Green, Sue Tice (fiddle), and Dan Kimball (mandolin). Always mellow, subtle, just right for the work to be done. The vocal work is grounded in Roger's rich baritone.
"ABC" has been going strong since 1999 and is continually busy in the Washington, DC area and beyond. I also need to mention the two other driving forces, Bob Tice on banjo, and Jim Duvall on bass. They're kind of the 'silent' members but their instrumental work speaks for itself, along with Sue Tice's outstanding fiddle work. 26 songs, delivered with conviction, quite an afternoon for ridding one's self of the Winter Blahs.
Roger Green and Dan Kimball meet the audience at the CD table, Vienna Community Center
Next appearance is at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Herndon, Va. 28 March, 2009. Doors open at 6:30, Showtime is 7:30 $12. per Ticket
For more info: www.holycrosslutheranchurch.net
This Just In! Catch Roger Green's "Bluegrassorama" Program on WRYR 97.5 fm out of Sherwood, Maryland. See website calendar for streaming show times. This is more good news for Washington, DC region Bluegrass fans. WRYR fm is another non-profit radio group which needs your support for more Bluegrass and alternative, locally-directed, FM programming. (Good On Ya, Roger! - from Ed Henry)
Keep the date of February 8th, 2009 open on your calendars. "ABC" (The Annapolis Bluegrass Coalition) is coming back to perform at the Vienna Town Community Center. I was fortunate to catch this talented group here in our town last winter and they're coming back again after performing this summer at our new 'Town Green' Stage. The Annapolis Bluegrass Coalition has a lot of local fans as exhibited by the huge crowd which showed up for the summer performance. Returning for the third year, I hope Vienna makes it a winter tradition. It certainly breaks up the monotony of a cold, boring winter. This is Bluegrass at its basic best with a few modern numbers thrown in the mix. The Community Center is directly off Center Street, near the town baseball field and firehouse and there is plenty of free parking. Last year's concert was free. . .this is the best deal you'll ever get in free entertainment . .and another good reason for living in the town of Vienna, Virginia. More on the Annapolis Bluegrass Coalition as the date approaches.
Date: 8 February, 2009, 2:00 pm. Vienna Town Community Center, Vienna, Virginia
Annapolis Bluegrass Coalition at Vienna Community Center, 2007 performance
For more information click on to www.annapolisbluegrass.com
