End of Day mix...

Well it isn't right now as I'm writing this, but this is one of my favorite mixes.  It starts and ends with J.D. Souther's recent release "I'll be here at closing time"... God that song gets to me because I so easily fall in love with waitresses and barristas.   Each CD version has unique character to it... horns on one, and acoustic on the other.  In between there is a Baez cover Dangling Conversation which is almost more a morning song, but just longs to put in bed with the other person.  Easy from now on is Becky Schlegel is written by Susanna Clark & Carlene Carter Routh and originally put out by Emmy Lou Harris.  If that isn't easy enough for you, then Give yourself to Love... here in the mix by the author the late Kate Wolf.  Originally written for a wedding, but it always brings me back to a mantra in life... "Give yourself to love, if love is what you are after"

Next a surreal "Hearts and Bones" by The Pines, sung by Benson Ramsey who has a great youthful Dylan sounding voice... again it's all about waking up, but you have to go to sleep before you can wake up.  Hideaway Girl just picks it up a little, without getting you too stirred up.  Home... a Karla Bonoff song but I bet you only think Bonnie Raitt when you hear it.  Those trains come and go, especially in the distance with the window open.

Holy Now... what's the end of the day without a story... brought to you by Peter Mayer about his youth.  

There are three songs that tie the theme together and "I hope that I don't fall in love with you" by the master Tom Waits is one of them along with "It's too late to call it a night" by Amy Speace and the JD Souther pieces.    Of course I put a favorite Midnight and Mississippi song in there for fun too.

Skipper & his wife

The Pines with Benson Ramsey covers this Spider John song superbly... like Dylan taking on a master.


kipper and His Wife
(words by Spider John Koerner; arranged by The Pines)

Skipper and his wife traveled all their life
Leaving their friends to wonder
For many long days and a many long year
They turned to one another
And they cried,
All I had, in this world done gone

Sitting on a hillside, a moon lit night
A young girl and her lover
For may long hour till it come sunrise
They turned to one another
And they're cryin',
All I had, in this world done gone

The old man with the money in his hand
Lookin' for a place to hide
Along comes a a young man, gun in his hand
And they both sat down and cried,
And they're cryin',
All I had, in this world done gone

Well, gettin' ahead is harder than you think
But gettin behind is easy.
When everyone is going for the same damn thing,
Gettin' behind is easy
And your crying,
All I had in this world done gone

Nothing in your hands, nothing in your head
All you got is to borrow
Nothing in your hands is how you feel today
And there is nothing in your head tomorrow
And your crying,
All I had in this world done gone

The Pines on Wis Public TV

Last week during the house concert the guys told me about taping this... wow... great job. I've got to get this out to people who attended, and those who missed it. Clicking on the picture won't help, here's the link http://wpt2.org/media.cfm?id=1114&category=30MMH

Over 30 years and the music continues

Last night at the Bluff View Concert performance of David Huckfelt and Benson Ramsey there were lots of laughs, house seemed full with 24 in attendance; and David and Benson were incredible. Before the show I put up a Christmas present from my wife, she framed some old posters that I used to take on the way out of Bluewhale Coffeehouse concerts... get this 30 years ago!


First up... The Pines




















Next here is a picture of the posters:











Then of course I had to find out whatever happened to the Bluewhale Coffeehouse, because it wasn't too long before all the audience had to ask, and performers wanted to find out to play there too, this came out of the UWGB brochure I found online at: http://www.uwgb.edu/inside/pdf/2005-11_inside_withd.pdf

The Pines Saturday Jan 30th

Right now... the plan is 7:30 and clear skies for a beautiful date night in January, so why not head over to a house concert known for intimate concerts where the artist gets to know the audience. Yes the hosts, Dave and Lori will have some fresh cookies, decaf coffee, and maybe some hot apple cider. Feel free to bring your own beverage, no corking charges here, HA!

Now the artist... The Pines... let's start with their website bio:

In a world swimming in singer/songwriters, it's difficult to rise above the masses and create a truly unique sound that captures ears and stimulates the mind. The Pines are a band that has taken on this feat, honing their musical craft to near perfection with a sound that wavers on the edge of traditional acoustic/roots music, but embraces the nuances of today's indie-rock and blues music.

Meeting in a Mexican barrio in Arizona, fellow Iowans David Huckfelt and Benson Ramsey began playing music together, forming The Pines. Committing to a musical career, they returned to their Midwestern roots and settled in Minneapolis, a music haven that has launched the careers of such folk and rock legends as Bob Dylan, The Jayhawks and The Replacements.

In 2004 The Pines released their debut self-titled album on the Iowa-based Trailer Records, establishing themselves as an emerging force in the roots music world with their haunting blend of indie-rock, folk, and blues with intelligent lyrics. In 2007 The Pines released Sparrows in the Bell on the world renowned acoustic/roots label Red House Records. The album had critics buzzing and was named one of the top roots releases of 2007 by Q Magazine. With the release of Tremolo, , their second release on Red House, The Pines continue to show their growth as artists as well as an unparalleled wisdom in their songwriting and musicianship.

The son of Greg Brown's producer and sideman Bo Ramsey, Benson was surrounded by folk and blues music and continues to let those influences shine, even on louder electric songs. David also has a deep love for traditional music, and together the two of them craft music that evokes the ancient while incorporating newer rock and pop grooves. Both strong writers and musicians, David and Benson have distinct voices that complement each other, causing audiences and critics alike to tout them as a powerful young force in American roots music. Steadily touring around the country, The Pines have shared the stage with some of the biggest names in music including Bon Iver, The Holmes Brothers, Jolie Holland, The Arcade Fire, and Spider John Koerner.

Now to that I would add that after Lori and I saw them at the Simply Folk 30th Anniversary show up at the BigTop, we both said WOW...now wouldn't you want to see them at the house concert... YEE HAW... they're coming.

Here's not the greatest video from a sound... but you can a drift of David's Dylan's voice and poetry..



More to come, and here's hoping you come; and here's a link to the map: http://bluffviewconcerts.blogspot.com/2010/01/map.html

The Pines - Red House Recording artists

Let's see Friday night, Cafe Carp in Fort Atkinson, Saturday Bluff View... Wow, now that's a cool placement for our little fledgling House Concert.

The Pines Saturday Jan 30th

Right now... the plan is 8:00 and clear skies for a beautiful date night in January, so why not head over to a house concert known for intimate concerts where the artist gets to know the audience. Yes the hosts, Dave and Lori will have some fresh cookies, decaf coffee, and maybe some hot apple cider. Feel free to bring your own beverage, no corking charges here, HA!

Now the artist... The Pines... let's start with their website bio:

In a world swimming in singer/songwriters, it's difficult to rise above the masses and create a truly unique sound that captures ears and stimulates the mind. The Pines are a band that has taken on this feat, honing their musical craft to near perfection with a sound that wavers on the edge of traditional acoustic/roots music, but embraces the nuances of today's indie-rock and blues music.

Meeting in a Mexican barrio in Arizona, fellow Iowans David Huckfelt and Benson Ramsey began playing music together, forming The Pines. Committing to a musical career, they returned to their Midwestern roots and settled in Minneapolis, a music haven that has launched the careers of such folk and rock legends as Bob Dylan, The Jayhawks and The Replacements.

In 2004 The Pines released their debut self-titled album on the Iowa-based Trailer Records, establishing themselves as an emerging force in the roots music world with their haunting blend of indie-rock, folk, and blues with intelligent lyrics. In 2007 The Pines released Sparrows in the Bell on the world renowned acoustic/roots label Red House Records. The album had critics buzzing and was named one of the top roots releases of 2007 by Q Magazine. With the release of Tremolo, , their second release on Red House, The Pines continue to show their growth as artists as well as an unparalleled wisdom in their songwriting and musicianship.

The son of Greg Brown's producer and sideman Bo Ramsey, Benson was surrounded by folk and blues music and continues to let those influences shine, even on louder electric songs. David also has a deep love for traditional music, and together the two of them craft music that evokes the ancient while incorporating newer rock and pop grooves. Both strong writers and musicians, David and Benson have distinct voices that complement each other, causing audiences and critics alike to tout them as a powerful young force in American roots music. Steadily touring around the country, The Pines have shared the stage with some of the biggest names in music including Bon Iver, The Holmes Brothers, Jolie Holland, The Arcade Fire, and Spider John Koerner.

Now to that I would add that after Lori and I saw them at the Simply Folk 30th Anniversary show up at the BigTop, we both said WOW...now wouldn't you want to see them at the house concert... YEE HAW... they're coming.

More to come, and here's hoping you come and here's a map.

Introducing The Pines

The Pines are made up of Iowa natives David Huckfelt and Benson Ramsey and they are going to make a name of themselves... a recent Red House artist signing. I got a chance to see them at Simply Folk's 30th Anniversary concert at the Big Top.... I was floored with the rawness, the Dylan music style I would love to hear more, and the blend of two friends. These kids will be big, I'm trying to get them to the Bluff View House Concerts before I can't afford them.