Album of fingered dulcimer

Subject: Album of fingered dulcimer
From: Hutzul
Date: 05 Dec 99 - 02:32 AM

Some time back, I heard a wonderful album by a female artist who played "finger pick" dulcimer and sang. One song I remember was "This Summer I Went Swimming". Anybody know of this artist or album? Don't you just love this site!

Subject: RE: Album of fingered dulcimer
From: Banjer
Date: 05 Dec 99 - 03:33 AM

This is just a stab in the dark, but could it have been Jean Ritchie? I don't know if she 'fingerpicks' or not, but she does play a mean Apalachian Mountain dulcimer, ans as far as I am concerned is the Queen of the Dulcimer.

Subject: RE: Album of fingered dulcimer
From: bunkerhill
Date: 05 Dec 99 - 11:45 AM

Right on, Banjer, Jean's the ultimate. I don't think that's one of her songs, though. Sue Carpenter has written a book about finger picking the mountain dulcimer and may be your artist, Hutzul, with her "Heliotrope Banquet" CD. Sampling of 19 players is on "Masters of the Mountain Dulcimer" CD; something on it might ring a bell for you.

Subject: RE: Album of fingered dulcimer
From: catspaw49
Date: 05 Dec 99 - 12:04 PM

Sorry, it doesn't ring a bell, but Mark may have hit it. Apps have gotten into a lot more fingerpicking/chording in the past few years, but, like Banj, I really like Jean's more traditional and simplistic stylings. If you want to hear another variant of that great Ritchie family voice and the dulcimer well used to highlight a voice, call up Sandy & Caroline at Folk-Legacy and order "Edna Ritchie of Viper, Kentucky." Its only on their Custom Cassette series, but you get the "real thing." I truly love Jean, but she is, from her long folk experience, almost too refined. That's not a criticism by any means, I think she's simply wonderful, but when you listen to Edna, its as though you're transported to another time and another place. You'll also get that great Ritchie family voice that they all have. I was in school with two of Jean's nieces and they had it too. Just amazing. ORDER THIS ONE if you're at all in love with the traditional music sound of the Southern Mountains. And BTW, if you haven't seen the PBS special on Jean and family called "Mountain Born," watch for it and the album that came from it. Jean has an excellent Home Page also.

Spaw

Spaw

Subject: RE: Album of fingered dulcimer
From: John of the Hill
Date: 05 Dec 99 - 02:56 PM

Spaw, One of the great pleasures of browsing threads on the 'Cat is coming across a reply full of the deep enthusiasm you show about Jean Ritchie. When I rattle on to my wife or co-workers about some undeservedly obscure artist and get met with a bemused smile, it's nice to remind myself there are other people as involved with this music as I am. John

Subject: RE: Album of fingered dulcimer
From: catspaw49
Date: 05 Dec 99 - 03:19 PM

Hi John....Thanks and I know what you mean about the "outside world." But I do believe in the power of 'passion' for arousing the best in us!

I know I am often the village idiot and town fool combo around here, but I do have a serious side about the music that I love and I appreciate your comment. I always enjoy that passion and good humor that comes through in so many of your postings.

I do love this place!!!

Spaw