Vixen, I LOVE IT! "Geriatico". That's the way I'm gonna play "Little Rock Gettaway" for the next few days.
I've had real trouble getting a handle on certain songs for years now. One is Alfred Karnes' "I'm Bound For The Promised Land". I first heard it while rummaging through Sandy and Caroline Paton's record collection 6 years ago. Part of the problem I guess is that in my way I'm narrower than the most academic traddie in the way I want to hear (or sing) certain songs. Rev. Karnes' skill and emotion just blew me away totally, and if I can't bring something new or worthwhile to his song (by my narrow definition) then I'd rather not mess with it. Same with his "Called to The Foreign Field". I can't imagine anyone else singing that (very antiquated) song any better. Sandy says it's the most powerful American folk performance he's ever heard, and I must have played the record 30 times in a few hours.
As to tough fiddle tunes, I still haven't got a handle on "Soldier's Joy" after 25 years. I don't have unrealistic expectations - just a weak up-stroke with the flatpick on either mandolin or guitar. This process is what makes folk music fun though.

Rick