Oh no, Janie 19 Oct 2005 8:29 AM, I definitely don't claim to be in the same league as Judy Cook in knowing songs. (I sure am glad she had a chance to learn the "Buckskin Bag of Gold", though--I ran across that on a Henry Clay Work LP I had--- and it had Judy written all over it so I took the record to her. Among other things, Work almost always seems to have great choruses, so there's something for the rest of us to sing.)

I'm also not in the same league as Amos--he'd certainly be a top candidate for human jukebox--and it doesn't even cost anything---the songs just tumble out. And a fantastic guitarist of top of it. And of course a great guy.

Or Noreen.

Or Keith Baldwin.

Or...or...or...

But that's why it's so fantastic-- we weren't competing with each other at all--in fact we were proving over and over that the Getaway sum is worth far more than any of its (uncountable) talented parts.

What I like more than any other aspect of it is its cooperative nature. And that was there in spades. It is such an indescribable joy to go from one type of music to another and witness and/or be part of enriching the musical life of the group. I love throwing in a viola low harmony or vocal low harmony and hearing people do their harmonies with their instruments or their voices. The Friday, Saturday and Sunday impromptu sings were each totally unique--- such an incredible range of music-- (of course sometimes there was more than one going on in various areas)--and totally stunning-------and far more fun than the law allows in public. But there is something about voices intertwining which just beggars description.

And that's not even mentioning the great official concerts--the grand finale Saturday night was probably the most entertaining ever to the Saturday concert--I wished it had gone on for a lot more songs by that troupe. We've never had anything like that before. And other wonderful moments--I certainly second LaMarca's enthusiasm for that incredible Hawaiian slack-key original by T. J. O'Malley.

And the Sunday concert--I think that song by El Greco really hit us all where we live.

And other great moments in both concerts that I can't recall.

And I wished that K T's miniconcert had gone on for hours. Just her and her guitar. She may have asked for some help--but K T--you really need absolutely nothing else.


And it was such a delight to meet more of the people behind the Mudcat handles, as well as to experience so many hidden talents--at least not experienced by the Getaway before---obviously, as others have noted, the Duelling Banjos solo duet--kazoo and midget banjo (what's that called?) by Geoff the Duck has to be particularly singled out.

But there were so many others--just can't possibly mention all the highlights.


OK so the food wasn't the best. I have to admit I was pretty impressed with the first breakfast--it was even worth getting up for after singing til 5--it had both pancakes and fresh pineapple. Well, I'm just inordinately impressed with fresh pineapple.

And after that the food went downhill. But at weekends like that my main goal is enough fuel to keep singing as long as the singing lasts. And that was there.

I'm real sorry that Jan wasn't there--we even had some songs to do.

But despite that, I have to say that was the best Getaway I can recall.

And I'd also say that it was the Mudcat people who made the difference. The Getaway is always one of the high points of the year--even before Mudcat was a gleam in Max's eye that was so. But Mudcatters have added just staggering richness to an already wonderful experience.