Sunday Sessions: Connection
Connection.
Music can be created, played, and listened to on one’s own, creating connection in that way to the stories told through the music.
It’s also possible to do all of those things with music in company with friends, acquaintances, strangers-- and then there’s the discussing songs and comparing ideas about music that takes place after the listening, too.
Connection. As major changes in political and social life continue, connection in person as wel as across time and place, may be a more helpful resource than we’d noticed.
During pandemic times when people could not go out to connect in person, bluegrass musician Kathy Kallick found herself thinking about this.
One of the things she did about it was to connect with a longtime friend and set up a time when they’d each, from their separate locations, tune in to the same radio show.
While listening, they’d talk on the phone, or connect through e mail or text, to chat and to discuss the show.
One result was Kallick’s song called Just Lonesome Ol’ Me and the Radio. As you’ll find when you listen, it’s not a sad song.
Kallick sings lead and plays guitar. You will also hear the members of the Kathy Kallick Band, who are Annie Staninec on fiddle Greg Booth on dobro and banjo, Tom Bekeny, who plays mandolin), and Cary Black on acoustic bass. They all sing, as well. Kallick is based in the San Franciso Bay area of California in the US; her band members are based in several placea long the US west coast.
Kallick has won a number of top award in bluegrass music, as well as a Grammy, and has collaborated with a range of artists in bluegrass and other genres. The band is pretty spectacular, too, all top class musicians who clearly are having a good time playing music together and sharing it with those who come to listen (I’ll add that there is a video of the band doing this song live, but the mix -- the sound -- is not that clear -- and I really wanted you to hear they lyrics, so I chose this version. To make it easier for you to sing along? You decide).
Music without words -- tunes, as these are known in traditional music -- also makes a good place to hear and explore connection.
In the midst of all sorts of news and upheavals, this sort of music can at times open space for respite from that and perhaps make way for a bit of reflection or rest. Not to say there are not lively tunes, but for this moment...
Take a listen to Daybrak, in which you will hear Rachel Hair playing harp and Ron Jappy playing guitar.
It is a set of two tunes: the title tune, composed by Tom Anderson, and Dinan Dawn, composed by Rachel.
Tom Anderson was a respected composer, fiddle player, and teacher from Shetland in Scotland’s Northern Isles.
For most of his music he drew inspiration from the life and nature in Shetland. Rachel was inspired to compose Dinan Dawn during an early morning walk while she was in Brittany.
Through the set, you will hear connection of two different places, and connection of artists and their instruments to the stories in the music.
Rachel Hair comes from Ullapool in Scotland’s northwest. She’s based in Glasgow and travels the world playing her music and teaching. Ron Jappy comes from the northeast of Scotland; he’s in demand for both live performance and recording. The pair have thus far recorded two albums together. Each has solo and other collaborative projects on record, too.
With invitation to dancing and singing along or to a quiet listen, music is a recurring source of connection.
You may also wish to see
About Ron and Rachel’s album Elan
Another bluegrass artist to learn more about: Claire Lynch
Seven ways to explore Scotland through music
Three rising stars of Scotland’s music
Photo of the Kathy Kallick Band by karen Walter; photo of Rachel Hair and Ron Jappy by Samuel Hurt.
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