Making Tracks While I Can
SEA COW RECORDS
Bill Christophersen is a fiddle player from the New York area and is steeped in the traditional style of the music, having been influenced by such traditional groups as the New Lost City Ramblers, and others. Since 1971 he has performed with the Lazy Aces, Fly By Night String Band, the Rock-House Gamblers, James Ream’s Barnstormers, and he currently is performing as a member of New England’s Fish Family contradance band. His song selections on this twenty-song project covers his catalogue of bluegrass, old timey, and traditional country. His sources include Arthur Smith, “Clarence” Ashley, Charlie Poole, Carter Stanley, and the Louvin Brothers. This is primarily an instrumental collection that features Christophersen’s fiddle work along with help on various tracks by John Gordon (guitar, bass, tamborine), Dave Howard (guitar), Dave Goldberg (banjo), Aron Weinbach (guitar, vocals), Tom Phillips (fiddle), Bruce Rosen (piano), and Dave Gates (vocal). Familiar tunes include “Lost Indian,” “Temperance Reel,” “The Gardenia Waltz,” “Gum Tree Canoe,” “If I Lose,” “The Girl I Loved In Sunny Tennessee,” “The Denver Belle,” and everyone’s favorite “Clinch Mountain Backstep.” Other traditional tunes are “Little Rose,” “Paddy, Won’t You Drink Some Cider,” “Jenny On The Railroad,” “Return From Fingal,” and the medley “Dick’s Gossip/Hunter’s House.” There is also a bonus track “I’ve Had A Big Time Today,” gleaned from the Arthur Smith songbook. Christophersen is shown to be an excellent fiddle player and his accompanying musicians on various cuts add some nice layers to these tunes. Fiddle players need to take heed of this talented young man.
