News letter May 03 (2)

was something we didn't see back in 1967, and we were rapt as they played some of the classic songs such as 'Crow Black Chicken'.  Amazingly, forty odd years didn't seem to have worn away their familiarity with the tunes and with each other.  Next, Tom took a solo spot:  with that original band he had played banjo and guitar - of which he is a master of the style, but now he also plays fiddle, and he performed a Swedish tune in this set, balanced by Tracy Schwarz's Cajun accordion in the next, main part of the show, which was with the band's later line-up - Tracy joining Mike and John.  Tracy has been to the UK many times playing Cajun music, but it was lovely to hear him sing a solo unaccompanied song 'Sweet Jane' really beautifully.  Mike Seeger also played a wonderful blues-y solo 'Don't let your deal go down' with fiddle and mouth-harp, and John Cohen the classic Clarence Ashley version of the 'Coo-Coo Bird'.  The band then played classics like 'Pretty Little Miss' and also an early Bill Monroe song 'the Little Girl and the Dreadful Snake'.   I didn't see any of the audience walk out, so perhaps the Old-Time/Bluegrass argument has thankfully died the death.
At the end, to start the encores, Tom joined the other three and they sang the Mainer classic 'Run Mountain', each taking a verse.   Certainly an evening to remember, and a chance to meet the band afterwards in the foyer.  Congratulations and thanks to Gary MacDowell of the Institute of US Studies at London University for setting up another great event.  Unhappily (for us) Gary is leaving the Institute to take up a position in Virginia, and this is certainly the last in this particular series of concerts.  Who knows about the future however?  At least there is a track record now of  classic Old-time American acts playing at a high quality London venue!
Rick Townend

Tom Paley joins the Ramblers for the encores.