Greetings,
This week will mark the first of three debates between the presidential candidates of the Republican and Democratic parties. Is it here where Americans will finally be able to see, hear and judge these men, each who represent very different paths for the future of the United States? Maybe and maybe not. This is an exercise in public discourse, that has been part of the American landscape since before the Constitution. With the way the progressives and the conservatives have been talking at each other lately, I don't know what to expect. Will it be a definitive explanation of issues or a fireworks display? We shall see come Wednesday evening.
How does folk music interact with the political scene? Very well, actually. In the election of 1800, where Thomas Jefferson was in contention with Aaron Burr for the highest office, it was very similar to now. Jefferson represented the intelligentsia, the learned gentleman farmer, legal scholar, architect and the progressive ideal. In Burr, one witnessed the best of the business community and the growing real estate industry that was propelling a young nation. On my forthcoming CD, due to be released soon, I have included a song that Jefferson's political campaign used. It is titled "Jefferson and Liberty."
"Rejoice, Columbia's sons, rejoice. To tyrants never bend a knee.
But join with heart and soul and voice for Jefferson and liberty!"
In the election of 1864, Abraham Lincoln's campaign had a song that went:
"Old Abe Lincoln came out of the wilderness, out of the wilderness, out of the wilderness.
Old Abe Lincoln came out of the wilderness many long years ago.
Many long years ago, many long years ago.
Old Abe Lincoln came out of the wilderness many long years ago."
This was sung to the tune of "Old Grey Mare, she ain't what she used to be."
And in more recent times, Democrats used "Happy Days are Here Again" to propel Franklin D. Roosevelt to the White House in 1932 over incumbent Herbert Hoover. Mr. Jimmy Davis of Louisiana, wrote his own theme song, "You are My Sunshine," named after his horse, Sunshine, that he rode all the way to the Governor's Mansion. Both of these songs are considered in the public domain, if not legally, at least in the minds and hearts of many.
And just twenty years ago, Bill Clinton basked in the glow of his supporters and the nation to the strains of Fleetwood Mac's "Don't Stop Thinking About Tomorrow" after defeating George H.W. Bush. Some might quarrel with the supposition of this song being in the folk idiom, myself included, but who knows what will be considered a folk song one hundred years from now. I wish I could ask Dan Emmet (Dance Boatman, Dance) or Stephen Foster (Oh, Susanna) if their "pop" songs of the mid-nineteenth century would survive well into the future. I'm sure they would have hoped.
This missive may be the only time that I expound on politics and folk music, mainly because I don't want to get in a shouting match with anyone out there about what constitutes a folk song. If you think political and religious discussions are a mine field, just listen into a heated debate between the "old school" conservatives (traditional music enthusiasts) and the "brave new world" liberals ( singer-songwriters) at some post-folk festival party. Come to think of it, that is an argument that I have with myself all the time, and one I can't win.
I guess, if this year's campaign for president had a theme song, I hope it would be an all inclusive tune, one that unites us as opposed to divide us. I did write one song a while ago that reflects my feelings about where we are now as a nation. This song, "Why Do They Have To Burn," will appear on my new album and the following is the second verse and refrain:
"There's a hunger inside everyone to be free. It's not always easy, you can't always see
The different perspectives as they ought to be, but divergent views can be shared equally.
We have more in common at this present time than what divides us and there is the crime.
Unseen forces bid us do their will while they cash in and send us the bill paid
By us all, each in turn, where we live, where we learn.
In the end, when those words are returned, why do they have to burn?"
There are issues with our present political campaigns. Where is the money coming from to finance them? Will my vote be counted? How will Democrats and Republicans work together for the greater good in such a toxic political environment after the election. Maybe, instead of some new composition, what about a song like "America the Beautiful?" What a great song! And you know the old adage, "Music can soothe the savage beast", whether elephants or donkeys.
All I really can say, is that I plan to vote. I hope you do, too! Just don't do it, too often.
Fair Winds!
Lee
Copyright September 30, 2012 by Lee Murdock
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Sunday, September 30, 2012
Saturday, September 22, 2012
I Just Can't Decide, Which One Should I Choose
Greetings,
Just yesterday, I was in the Norwest Communications Studio in Barrington, Illinois with mandolin guru Drew Carson and a true master of the banjo, Mark Dvorak, working on the new 1812 recording to be released soon. Drew and Mark were adding their musical talents to a few of the cuts when we sat down together, mikes in place and recorded an old fiddle tune that goes by the name "The Eighth of January". It was very impromptu and fun, not planned out and rehearsed as most recording really requires. I had found out that this tune had another name, "Jackson's Victory", and it could be traced back to the weeks after The Battle of New Orleans where Andrew Jackson's forces defeated the British on January 8, 1815. It was a wonderful break in the recording routine.
Aside from the recording process of this new CD titled, Here We'll Stand, much still has to be completed with the CD cover art, liner notes and lyric sheet. Most of this work is fairly easy for me, typing out (hunt and peck style) the lyrics and relating some interesting info about the songs themselves, where they came from, who sang them, historical significance, etc. The cover art is much more difficult to choose. How to pick from so many great visual artists, and what should the cover convey? Is this image too light or not light enough? Both Joann and I have had to make these decisions over the years for our albums without much outside input.
Ah, with modern technology, we might be able to get some feedback from you, Readers, on some images for this new CD. First, I need to tell you about the artist we are working with on this project. Peter Rindlisbacher is a marine artist who has long been researching the War of 1812 and painting scenes from it. I have enjoyed his work in museum settings and magazine articles about Great Lakes ships and shipping during much of my own career. I first met him in Detroit, Michigan at the annual conference of Association of Great Lakes Marine Historians in September of 2001. Originally hailing from Amherstburg Ontario, Canada, he now resides in Katy, Texas, USA. Regardless of where he lives, the Great Lakes still have a profound impact on his art. As a matter of fact, I have used Peter's art images on three previous recordings, Between Two Worlds, Christmas goes to Sea, and The View From the Harbor.
Both Joann and I are torn between four of Rindlisbacher's paintings from this period in North American history, 1812. Therefore, which image do you think we should use?
After viewing these four images, you may want to see more of Peter's work. A small book was published by Linda Stanley of Canadian Art Cards of St. Chatherines, Ontario and titled Freshwater Fighting Sail.www.canadianartcards.com Also, a new book with be released very soon by Quarry Press of Kingston, Ontario with over 100 images of Peter's paintings. That book, War of 1812, Sea Battles on the Great Lakes is available for pre-release purchase from Amazon.com for $19.77. Just search under Peter Rindlisbacher. amazon.com I know I will place an order soon!
Also, if you wish to contact Peter, either for a painting commission or his own wonderful presentation on the War of 1812, performed in period Provincial Marine uniform, he can be reached through The Canadian Society of Marine Artists and talk to Paul Adamsle.www.ultrmarine.ca/artists/index.html
I look forward to hearing from you folks on this intriguing new cover art conundrum. Please post your choice and comments below on the blog and share this post with a friend.
Until then, Fair Winds!
Lee
Copyright 2012 by Lee Murdock
Just yesterday, I was in the Norwest Communications Studio in Barrington, Illinois with mandolin guru Drew Carson and a true master of the banjo, Mark Dvorak, working on the new 1812 recording to be released soon. Drew and Mark were adding their musical talents to a few of the cuts when we sat down together, mikes in place and recorded an old fiddle tune that goes by the name "The Eighth of January". It was very impromptu and fun, not planned out and rehearsed as most recording really requires. I had found out that this tune had another name, "Jackson's Victory", and it could be traced back to the weeks after The Battle of New Orleans where Andrew Jackson's forces defeated the British on January 8, 1815. It was a wonderful break in the recording routine.
Aside from the recording process of this new CD titled, Here We'll Stand, much still has to be completed with the CD cover art, liner notes and lyric sheet. Most of this work is fairly easy for me, typing out (hunt and peck style) the lyrics and relating some interesting info about the songs themselves, where they came from, who sang them, historical significance, etc. The cover art is much more difficult to choose. How to pick from so many great visual artists, and what should the cover convey? Is this image too light or not light enough? Both Joann and I have had to make these decisions over the years for our albums without much outside input.
Ah, with modern technology, we might be able to get some feedback from you, Readers, on some images for this new CD. First, I need to tell you about the artist we are working with on this project. Peter Rindlisbacher is a marine artist who has long been researching the War of 1812 and painting scenes from it. I have enjoyed his work in museum settings and magazine articles about Great Lakes ships and shipping during much of my own career. I first met him in Detroit, Michigan at the annual conference of Association of Great Lakes Marine Historians in September of 2001. Originally hailing from Amherstburg Ontario, Canada, he now resides in Katy, Texas, USA. Regardless of where he lives, the Great Lakes still have a profound impact on his art. As a matter of fact, I have used Peter's art images on three previous recordings, Between Two Worlds, Christmas goes to Sea, and The View From the Harbor.
Both Joann and I are torn between four of Rindlisbacher's paintings from this period in North American history, 1812. Therefore, which image do you think we should use?
"Prelude to Battle"
"Amherstburg Navy Yard"
"Farewell to the Fallen"
"Friends Good Will at Mackinac"
After viewing these four images, you may want to see more of Peter's work. A small book was published by Linda Stanley of Canadian Art Cards of St. Chatherines, Ontario and titled Freshwater Fighting Sail.www.canadianartcards.com Also, a new book with be released very soon by Quarry Press of Kingston, Ontario with over 100 images of Peter's paintings. That book, War of 1812, Sea Battles on the Great Lakes is available for pre-release purchase from Amazon.com for $19.77. Just search under Peter Rindlisbacher. amazon.com I know I will place an order soon!
Also, if you wish to contact Peter, either for a painting commission or his own wonderful presentation on the War of 1812, performed in period Provincial Marine uniform, he can be reached through The Canadian Society of Marine Artists and talk to Paul Adamsle.www.ultrmarine.ca/artists/index.html
I look forward to hearing from you folks on this intriguing new cover art conundrum. Please post your choice and comments below on the blog and share this post with a friend.
Until then, Fair Winds!
Lee
Copyright 2012 by Lee Murdock
Friday, September 14, 2012
It's Apple Pickin' Time
Greetings,
I just got back from the local apple orchard on this picture-postcard, perfect afternoon. The sunlight that cast its golden glow over the rows of Jonathan and McIntosh, as well as many other apple trees, reminded me of another time, when afternoons were spent in the branches of the trees of my youth.
Folk songs can give you a similar feeling, a window into a world of long ago or far away. Like a fragrance can help you remember where you were the last time you encountered it, an old ballad can transform your thoroughly modern existence into a smokey, dim lit campfire gathering. Songs like "Oh, Susanna," or "Sweet Betsey From Pike" give one a sense of crossing the Great Divide in the Rocky Mountains and traveling into California in 1849 in search of golden dreams. "The Greenland Whale Fisheries," and "New Bedford Whalers" takes us out on the high seas, harpoon in hand; you can almost smell the salt air!
It is, also, a lot of fun to try to recreate that sense of time and place through new songs. Stan Rogers was well known for his gift of language and melody that created new "old folk songs". My favorite is "Harris and the Mare", a dramatic barroom scene that erupts into the tragic story of the death of "young Clary" at the hands of a conscientious objector from World War II. No one expected that.
With those thoughts in mind, this weekend I will be performing on Saturday evening at The Foundry, in South Haven, Michigan and on Sunday afternoon at Blackberry Farm in Aurora, Illinois. The Foundry is a very intimate setting for a concert set in downtown South Haven, not far from where the topsail schooner Friends Good Will, a reproduction of an 1812-era naval vessel, is docked. It will be great fun to sing songs about that time, when Great Britain and the United States were engaged in a struggle that had a profound impact on the future of Canada and North America.
Consequently, Blackberry Farm is a wonderful stroll into yesteryear, where the family farm and midwestern values mingle amid the sun-dappled tree branches surrounding the town square. It's a perfect place for old folk songs to drift over the grounds and create new memories of the "good old days."
So get out and enjoy these wonderful September days and sing an old song, even if it is just to yourself.
Fair Winds!
Lee Murdock
www.michiganmartimemuseum.org
www.foxvalleyparkdistrict.org
www.foundryhall.com
Copyright 2012 by Lee Murdock
I just got back from the local apple orchard on this picture-postcard, perfect afternoon. The sunlight that cast its golden glow over the rows of Jonathan and McIntosh, as well as many other apple trees, reminded me of another time, when afternoons were spent in the branches of the trees of my youth.
Folk songs can give you a similar feeling, a window into a world of long ago or far away. Like a fragrance can help you remember where you were the last time you encountered it, an old ballad can transform your thoroughly modern existence into a smokey, dim lit campfire gathering. Songs like "Oh, Susanna," or "Sweet Betsey From Pike" give one a sense of crossing the Great Divide in the Rocky Mountains and traveling into California in 1849 in search of golden dreams. "The Greenland Whale Fisheries," and "New Bedford Whalers" takes us out on the high seas, harpoon in hand; you can almost smell the salt air!
It is, also, a lot of fun to try to recreate that sense of time and place through new songs. Stan Rogers was well known for his gift of language and melody that created new "old folk songs". My favorite is "Harris and the Mare", a dramatic barroom scene that erupts into the tragic story of the death of "young Clary" at the hands of a conscientious objector from World War II. No one expected that.
With those thoughts in mind, this weekend I will be performing on Saturday evening at The Foundry, in South Haven, Michigan and on Sunday afternoon at Blackberry Farm in Aurora, Illinois. The Foundry is a very intimate setting for a concert set in downtown South Haven, not far from where the topsail schooner Friends Good Will, a reproduction of an 1812-era naval vessel, is docked. It will be great fun to sing songs about that time, when Great Britain and the United States were engaged in a struggle that had a profound impact on the future of Canada and North America.
Consequently, Blackberry Farm is a wonderful stroll into yesteryear, where the family farm and midwestern values mingle amid the sun-dappled tree branches surrounding the town square. It's a perfect place for old folk songs to drift over the grounds and create new memories of the "good old days."
So get out and enjoy these wonderful September days and sing an old song, even if it is just to yourself.
Fair Winds!
Lee Murdock
www.michiganmartimemuseum.org
www.foxvalleyparkdistrict.org
www.foundryhall.com
Copyright 2012 by Lee Murdock
Thursday, September 6, 2012
War of 1812, 200 Years of Peace
Greetings,
On this beautiful Thursday morning, I am writing about a program that has been in development for over two years. I felt back in 2010 that this year, 2012, would be a very important anniversary for one of the most overlooked periods in United States history. The early 19th century was a pivotal time for our young country. Europe was still recovering from the shock of the French Revolution, and its aftermath, Napoleon and his quest for empire. World trade from America was being hampered by British Naval forces. (The British Navy was giving American sailors the opportunity to see the world, through impressment). The beginning of the collapse of colonialism was spreading across the globe. In essence, things were changing rapidly.
President Jefferson expanded the US territory profoundly with the purchase from France of lands west and north of the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers, The Louisiana Purchase. The population of the original 13 colonies was exploding, and therefore, people were beginning to settle in the fertile valleys west of the Appalachian Mountains. This put pressure on those who lived there originally, the First Nation peoples, to "adjust." England became more nervous about the expansionist sentiments south of the Canadian border in the western frontier of the US.
This set up a most fascinating scenario, conflicting interests that boiled into armed conflict in North America and on the high seas between the major world power at the time, England and the brash but naive United States. Caught in the middle were the Indian nations, upon whose lands battles would be fought, and the Canadian settlers, many who had fled the US after the American Revolution in the 1780's.
In the middle of June, war was declared by the US on Great Britain and it didn't go well for both sides early on. Within two months, all of Michigan territory was lost to the British, and on the other hand, the USS Constitution engaged and destroyed HMS Guerierre in the mid Atlantic. Both sides expected a very short conflict, but that was not to be the case.
I knew that there were some poems and ballads from the period that could illuminate the human side of that contentious time and, therefore, set out to find and hone into a musical lecture many of these songs and stories. And that brings me to today, where at 12:30 pm, I will perform at Lewis University my program, The War of 1812, the Conflict that Forged Two Nations. This weekend, I will also be at the fort in Fort Wayne, Indiana for a reenactment of the siege of Fort Wayne in September of 1812. See information at my website, leemurdock.com about these and other upcoming events.
Fair Winds!
Lee
info@oldfortwayne.org
On this beautiful Thursday morning, I am writing about a program that has been in development for over two years. I felt back in 2010 that this year, 2012, would be a very important anniversary for one of the most overlooked periods in United States history. The early 19th century was a pivotal time for our young country. Europe was still recovering from the shock of the French Revolution, and its aftermath, Napoleon and his quest for empire. World trade from America was being hampered by British Naval forces. (The British Navy was giving American sailors the opportunity to see the world, through impressment). The beginning of the collapse of colonialism was spreading across the globe. In essence, things were changing rapidly.
President Jefferson expanded the US territory profoundly with the purchase from France of lands west and north of the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers, The Louisiana Purchase. The population of the original 13 colonies was exploding, and therefore, people were beginning to settle in the fertile valleys west of the Appalachian Mountains. This put pressure on those who lived there originally, the First Nation peoples, to "adjust." England became more nervous about the expansionist sentiments south of the Canadian border in the western frontier of the US.
This set up a most fascinating scenario, conflicting interests that boiled into armed conflict in North America and on the high seas between the major world power at the time, England and the brash but naive United States. Caught in the middle were the Indian nations, upon whose lands battles would be fought, and the Canadian settlers, many who had fled the US after the American Revolution in the 1780's.
In the middle of June, war was declared by the US on Great Britain and it didn't go well for both sides early on. Within two months, all of Michigan territory was lost to the British, and on the other hand, the USS Constitution engaged and destroyed HMS Guerierre in the mid Atlantic. Both sides expected a very short conflict, but that was not to be the case.
I knew that there were some poems and ballads from the period that could illuminate the human side of that contentious time and, therefore, set out to find and hone into a musical lecture many of these songs and stories. And that brings me to today, where at 12:30 pm, I will perform at Lewis University my program, The War of 1812, the Conflict that Forged Two Nations. This weekend, I will also be at the fort in Fort Wayne, Indiana for a reenactment of the siege of Fort Wayne in September of 1812. See information at my website, leemurdock.com about these and other upcoming events.
Fair Winds!
Lee
info@oldfortwayne.org
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