KRATZ&JAMMERS-Still HavingFunMakingMusic

Subject: KRATZ&JAMMERS-Still HavingFunMakingMusic
From: catspaw49
Date: 23 Apr 09 - 07:52 PM

It took me awhile to post this but I finally figured it out. Maybe it was a few other CDs I've listened to lately and maybe it was the Susan Boyle thing or maybe I was busy scratching my ass......whatever.

This is a sort of review of a CD I got from Mudcatter Charles Kratz, known here as bSeed or more commonly just "Seed." Seed's an old 'Catter coming here over ten years ago and pickin' that banjo ever since. Like many others here, in the ten plus years we have known one another, we have never met but I regard him as a friend........an old fart that holds a special place in my heart. If you don't know him, you should. He doesn't post as much anymore but lately he's been dropping in a bit more........and I'm glad. That said.....................

The Seed sends me this CD.....Kratz & Jammers---"Noe Valley Grape Jam." This is a group of folks (and friends) that, in varying incarnations, have been playing together for about 20 years. They aren't pros and its not a pro CD but one much like I hear from many other 'Catters. First though I have a helluva' time playing it because every CD device I have is somehow screwed up. I fixed the one in the Diamante and drove 2 others to the shop while listening to the CD. I enjoyed it but it wasn't because it was the greatest group I'd ever heard or because Seed's a friend or because they were all tunes I loved...........There was something else and I couldn't figure it out.

It took several things I guess to make me see (or hear) what it was and then I got to thinking about starting this thread. While I've been here more and more 'Catters have put together their own recordings and we even had a group effort as well. As time has passed something has changed and I didn't think about it til Seed's CD was playing. Some of the efforts I've heard seem to be 5 steps up in professionalism and 10 steps down in joy. These folks though were obviously having a good time and I imagine their sessions reflect that as well. It certainly comes across in a recording. Don't ask me how.....It just does.

Some people seem so wrapped up in creating the music, the music begins to lack "life." And THAT is what I enjoyed the most from the Kratz & Jammers! You can read all about the tunes and all on the original thread (click here) but this thread is about having fun.

Are you having fun or has it become a business or a chore or both? Even if it is a business, if you're not having fun, everyone is getting cheated. Mudcat's kinda' that way too............Life is just way too damn short to go off pissin' and moanin' and generally being a grumpy pain in the ass. If you're not enjoying the ride or the music or the people, then take a break and go have that proverbial Coke and a Smile and.............well, you know the rest.

Thanks old friend........Thanks for the CD and another life lesson as well.

Spaw

Subject: RE: KRATZ&JAMMERS-Still HavingFunMakingMusic
From: Neil D
Date: 23 Apr 09 - 08:08 PM

I love the name. They must be "Kids" at heart.

Subject: RE: KRATZ&JAMMERS-Still HavingFunMakingMusic
From: Art Thieme
Date: 24 Apr 09 - 12:11 AM

Pat,

I got 3 of these same CDs from Seed. The first one came broken. The second one wouldn't play in any of my 3 CD players. Finally, Seed sent me a third one --- and that one wouldn't play for me either.

Sooooo, Mr. Kratz suggested I try playing it with my computer!

Voila, that did it. It's playing fine for us now.

And all that you said is certainly true. As the old song says, it is Ragged But Right!

Chaz, thanks for sending those. Like my beard, it's growing on me!!!

Art

Subject: RE: KRATZ&JAMMERS-Still HavingFunMakingMusic
From: catspaw49
Date: 24 Apr 09 - 10:10 AM

Damn Art.....That song is RIGHT...the exact phrase that I couldn't think of!!! Ragged But Right hits the nail on the head doesn't it (Rick's friend Arnie and his wife Kathy use that name for their duo too as I recall).

You're not all that ragged Seed, but you have surely got it right!

Spaw

Subject: RE: KRATZ&JAMMERS-Still HavingFunMakingMusic
From: jeffp
Date: 24 Apr 09 - 10:20 AM

Spaw, when I finally get around to doing the CD I've been planning for years, I'm going to send it to you for review. That was the most insightful review I think I've ever read.

Subject: RE: KRATZ&JAMMERS-Still HavingFunMakingMusic
From: catspaw49
Date: 24 Apr 09 - 01:28 PM

Thanks Jeff....."Insightful" is not often associated with my name around here. Flatulent, yes. Insightful, no.   But I thank you for trying! LOL

Spaw

Subject: RE: KRATZ&JAMMERS-Still HavingFunMakingMusic
From: bseed(charleskratz)
Date: 24 Apr 09 - 03:07 PM

Aha. I found this thread just after posting my cryptic response to your cryptic response to my earlier cryptic PM.

Thanks, Pat, for the fine review. I'm hoping to make the next offering a bit less ragged, but as your note implies, I love playing with these folks and they seem to be not too repelled by the task of backing me--and even doing the lion's share of the production and providing the recording venue. Unfortunately I can't do a Noe Valley Grape Jam vintage 2009 since Joe and Courtney have moved from their beautiful Noe Street apartment to a house in the Haight/Ashbury. Perhaps another form of performance enhancer would be more appropriate for that location, but I have enough trouble remembering my verses and chords and breaks without going all fuzzy. What's that country song about the Cherokee fiddler who busked in a railroad station "for the whiskey, 'cause good whiskey never lets you lose your place"?

So what's going on in the world of hammered dulcimers these days? Although we've never managed to meet, I did see and hear an example of your craftsmanship--Pam's dulcimer with the cat's paw sound hole--a beautiful instrument (of course that was several years ago--Dave and I can never manage to connect for curry and the dulcimer has moved out of his house, anyway).

Give my best to Karen and the kids and Paw and Cletus.   I hope you're managing to keep your heart and G.I. tract behaving these days.

Charles

Subject: RE: KRATZ&JAMMERS-Still HavingFunMakingMusic
From: bseed(charleskratz)
Date: 24 Apr 09 - 03:16 PM

And back at ya, Art. I owe you for far more than the tapes and disk you have sent me and the wonderful music on the CDs I have purchased. It's great to be connected to a real folk treasure.

Charles

Subject: RE: KRATZ&JAMMERS-Still HavingFunMakingMusic
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 25 Apr 09 - 12:46 AM

I was playing with 3 or 4 friends recently when it came time to play a really good tune. One friend smiled and said, "Let's play it till the wheels fall off!"

'Twas a good thing.