It’s been cloudy here for weeks and weeks, and I have missed a number of lunar spectacles. Venus has been chasing Mars through the heavens for the past few months, and this month, they came within 5 degrees of each other. The full snow moon this month included a...
I have to admit, I have become enamored with banjos. There is such a variety of expression that includes the instrument, and such a varied approach to playing them that each time I find a new group, I hear something different and amazing. They are as at home with...
In order to trace the genealogy of the banjo back through its African roots, Béla Fleck took an extended trip to the continent, arranging multiple opportunities to connect with local musicians. The trip became a documentary film called Throw Down Your Heart. The title...
Will you indulge me with a few more weeks of music that includes the banjo? I have been listening to an interview that Krista Tippett conducted with Béla Fleck and Abigail Washburn in November 2016. Many parts of their conversation are worthy jumping-off points for my...
A child named after three of Europe’s most interesting 20th century composers is almost set up to fail. If that child choses the banjo as their instrument of choice, we would probably shake our heads and walk away. But Béla Anton Leos Fleck has succeeded in amazing...
This series of song-a-week postings will conclude with Epiphany. And of course, the only music for this week is We Three Kings. Written in 1857, We Three Kings was one of the first home-grown, American Christmas hymns to find wide popularity. Its author and composer,...
