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MP3 George Fowler - Never Better: 30 Years of Fiddling in Maine
14 MP3 Songs in this album (53:11) !
Related styles: FOLK: Contra Dance, FOLK: Modern Folk
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Details:
When Albert “Hap” Collins wandered into Partridge Drug Store early one Saturday morning some 30 years ago and announced to the new pharmacist behind the counter “Son, I understand you play the violin,” I had no idea what adventures would unfold in the wake of my hesitant, but affirmative answer. During the ensuing Saturday night sessions in Hap & Margaret’s kitchen I learned the fiddle standards he had played for Maine country dances in the 1930s: Redwing, Golden Slippers, Devil’s Dream, Soldier’s Joy, Turkey in the Straw, dozens more, and ate a lot of baked beans and green tomato pickles.
My fiddle journey started there and the roads I’ve traveled in the ensuing decades have included countless rewarding chapters which have informed my musical life. Contra dance bands, music camps, trips to Ireland, Scotland, and the Canadian Maritimes, sessions, master’s classes, concert promotions, teaching - the experiences seem unlimited and every day offers new musical opportunities.
I’ve never considered my playing to be of exceptional caliber (most fiddlers I know are very self-critical of their abilities), but decided the time was approaching when I should consider recording a memoir of some of my experiences. Not long ago I shared my ruminations with another musician who smiled and remarked “You should get started soon, George, from here on it’s never going to get any better.” A discouraging prognosis, perhaps, but a great album title. Thanks, Will.
Here are a few highlights of my fiddling career, and I’m joined by almost two dozen friends who have shared parts of that journey with me. From an old cassette of Hap’s fiddling to the latest incarnation of my dance band of the past quarter-century, from tunes played on a fiddle built by my great, great grandfather to a celebration of my Welsh heritage, I hope you’ll find something in this musical smorgasbord that will resonate within you.
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