Category Archives: Random Topics
Sounds of Swasey
Ambrose Swasey was born in Exeter, NH, on December 19, 1846. This Exonian became a mechanical engineer, inventor, entrepreneur, and philanthropist. He made his fame and fortune with the Warner & Swasey Company, which he founded with his partner, Worcester … Continue reading
A Song My Mother Sang
As I recall, the song that my mother – Avis Louise Foss Sinclair (1914-2001) – sang the most often around the house when I was a kid was “Let Me Call You Sweetheart.” “Let me call you sweetheart, I’m in … Continue reading
“Summer Solstice Rag” – Take 2
Today’s the day! Here’s some finger-style acoustic guitar music to get your first-day-of-summer party started: my “Summer Solstice Rag.” Hope you enjoy it! And… here’s my guitar TAB transcription if you’re a picker and want to try it out yourself. … Continue reading
Going To The Zoo
52 years ago, when I bought my first guitar – a mahogany-body Harmony H165 acoustic (aka: the best $50.00 I ever spent)… … I also bought my first song book: Ramblin’ Boy and other songs by Tom Paxton. That small … Continue reading
This Historic Day… My Granddaughter
My granddaughter, Margaret – aka Molly – was born this day, May 25, in 2021. Though I didn’t get to meet her in-person until about two weeks later, I had this song all ready to serenade her with as I … Continue reading
This Historic Month In The World of Guitar
April is “International Guitar Month.” Ok, but I’ve got five very good reasons why I think March should get that honor. They are: Doc Watson, Wes Montgomery, Mississippi John Hurt, Lightnin’ Hopkins and Eric Clapton. Why those five? Each of … Continue reading
Finding Covers – “Oh Babe It Ain’t No Lie”
I’ve been a big fan of Gillian Welch & David Rawlings since I first heard them perform in August 2004 as part of The Sweet Harmony Traveling Revue. The last time I was fortunate enough to see them in concert … Continue reading
“Johnny B. Goode” – Who(?), What, When(?) & Where
Last week, I was putting together a “This Historic Day In Music” post to celebrate the anniversary of something good that happened on a January 6: the recording of “Johnny B. Goode.” At least I thought that January 6, 1958, … Continue reading
“Christmas In The Trenches”
“Christmas In The Trenches” is a song by John McCutcheon. It is the fictionalized but masterfully rendered telling of the very real events that took place on Christmas Eve in 1914 between British and German troops on the battlefields of … Continue reading
This Historic Day In Music: “Sweet Home Chicago”
“Oh, baby, don’t you want to go?” If you were to make a list of “standard” Blues songs, “Sweet Home Chicago” would definitely be among the top ten. I can’t, however, think of any song on that list with roots … Continue reading
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