Something You Don't Hear Everyday

Ok, after this I'll move on from Chameleon. But this is just a damn fine album and it's one of those I think that came along at a time when I needed it.

Just a guy and some strings and look how well it turned out. No bells or whistles. If you're really good at something, it shows, and you don't need bells, or whistles, or amps, or anything else to prove it. Good work stands on its own.

One of the favorite things about this album is a chance to hear Tim play the banjo. I think I've seen him play it live once, although I'm sure he does now and then. But it's not something you see or hear often.

The fourth track on the release is my favorite. On Red Dog In The Morning, Tim is playing an Ome minstrel banjo (oh I would love me an Ome). Son of Mando had a lesson on one of these Ome cuties back a year or two at IBMA. The way of old time playing is a little more of a percussive strumming with the hand in the position of a claw, hence the term, "clawhammer". I love the sound. It's at home somewhere deep down in my heart.

So just Tim, and just an Ome. Just one intrepid voice that was born to sing this tune it wrote, and an instrument that only people who don't know much still make fun of.

I don't want to transpose the lyrics here but please give it a listen. I'm not sure what this tune is about, but it's got a bit of a march to it, and a dark feel, "It's a Red Dog in the morning/Black dog in the afternoon....When you see me a-comin/Raise your flag away up high/Put that greenwood on the fire/I'll see your smoke when I pass by."

Go on now and let it under your skin. However you take your quiet moments this weekend, I hope it includes some good music, your own or someone else's.