Words and Music

Burnt Down House is an original Ken Waldman tune, a version first recorded on his children's CD, Fiddling Poets on Parade. It's an example of Ken's combination of string-band music with storytelling and original poetry. Almost a minute in, Ken puts down his fiddle, tells a story about music and fire, and then recites a poem.

Cluck Old Hen, a traditional tune from the same CD, features the twin fiddling of Ken with Chicago musician, Jordan Wankoff. A Week in Eek is another original from that disk.

The next traditional tunes include the poems Old-Time Fiddle Lesson and Learning Banjo. Both pieces are staples in live performance.

Black-Eyed Susie was first recorded on the CD, Music Party and features banjo player and singer, Bobbo Bell.

Chinquapin Hunting includes the poem, The Road, Circa 1978, and was first recorded on All Originals, All Tradiitonals. The medley of Santa Anna's retreat and Double File (with the poem, Fairbanks Cabin) is also on that double CD as are the original tunes, Gloria Switch (four fiddles and a banjo!) and Coconut Bayou (Appalachian-style string-band music with triangle!). Girdwood is an original tune first recorded on the CD, 55 tunes, 5 poems. That's Jordan Wankoff again joining Ken Waldman.