Over the years, I’ve had lots of folks send me recordings of their music -- sometimes it’s original tunes, sometimes it’s remakes. Some of these independent projects have become favorites of mine. This is a section that has absolutely nothing to do with business. It’s all about my pleasure. No one under this section is asking me for an endorsement or for advertisement, and I can never allow this to turn into an endorsement section. It needs to always remain about what I like. I’m not saying that you’ll like what I like. I don’t even know if everybody who has sent me these CD’s are looking to sell them. All I’m saying is that they sent me something they did, and I like it.
If you look on my dulcimer section, you’ll see lots of pictures of Graham and his daughter. I built more dulcimers for Graham than for any other one person. I guess he’s the best dulcimer person I know, especially since Rich Mullins is not in the world anymore. Over the years, I have turned into the family luthier. I’ve also gotten to build Graham’s wife, Rosalind, a guitar and a mandolin. Music seems to be a big thing in their family, and he has sent me a couple of recordings.
This newest one, Songs for a Downturn, turned out to be just a fun little CD. It’s short, only having 5 songs on it. And my mind is kind of slow. It took me awhile to realize that there was an overall theme behind what they did. On the front, they are looking all somber and serious like. Then when you open the CD cover, they are all smiley. And the 5 songs are No Depression, Careless Love, The Wayward Wind, Love’s Gonna Live Here, and Blue Christmas. And finally, the truth come ‘round to me. The title of the CD speaks about our current economic downturn, and the songs are all fun songs that are bound to make a body feel good.
Well here it is. To date, this is the best independent release I have ever heard. And truth be told, it’s better than some of the big name label releases I’ve heard. These folks are based in California. And I gotta tell ya’, it’s just so masterfully done. Every musician proves that they know what they’re doing, the singers are incredible, and this whole CD just comes together seamlessly.
A lot of folks send me music, and most of it is good. Ever once in awhile, somebody does something that’s real good. William and Jimmy play 30’s and 40’s jazz. If you like jazz from that time period, this would not disappoint. I put it in my CD player in my shop, and I have yet to take it out. I never tell a person to buy something, but here’s my word as a gentleman. Should you buy this CD and not like it, it’s not possible to loose. I would buy it from you. You can catch up with these guys at teleguitarman@peoplepc.com.
I have both this CD and a video from Mitch Turbinson. Mitch is from Gilbert, Arizona. I’d like to say he’s great considering the fact that he’s a teenager and still in high school as of 2007. The truth is, he’s great even when grouped together with classical guitar players of any age. I love what he does. It gets me mellow. I’m not a smoker, drinker, or drug user. When I like to unwind and get easy, I want music to do it for me. I have two instrumental CD’s. One won’t make it to this section, because it is a big name recording that is already signed to a label. At present, Mitch is unsigned. But I know if he doesn’t get distracted, then his name will be a name that most of us hear. His mom has gotten me to build several instruments for her, and that’s how I found out about Mitch. jturbenson@yahoo.com
Here’s a man from Texas. He’s the most diverse person I guess I have ever heard. First of all, he’s bilingual. He has actually sent me a half dozen of his CD’s. The man plays every instrument known to man. There are no bum songs on any of his CD’s, and every one is like a wild roller coaster ride. Most singers fit nicely into a certain category. I’m not sure how it can be in one person to go in so many different directions. He does it, though, and I’m always convinced that he means it. It doesn’t sound like he’s straining to fit into all these different styles of music. Years ago, he got me to build him a solid body electric dulcimer that is held like a guitar. That dulcimer even made it to the cover of one of his CD’s.
I have lots of CD’s with hymns and contemporary Christian music -- some are O.K., some are very forgettable. I’m not sure what Lucas Allen does, or how he manages to fly so far below the radar. This is the most incredible remake of hymns that I have ever heard. And then there’re a couple of songs on there that I think must be his. It’s all good. It’s one smooth ride, and the beginning and the end fit together. I can’t hardly play this CD one time. When it ends, I need to hear it again. www.mostlyhymns.com and www.lucasallen.net
This is probably one of the lowest production CD’s I have ever gotten. Debi Kerner does all of her recording at home. In fact, she’s the one who finally made me understand that my preacher and I could put our CD together without having to float a loan. When I hear this CD, though, I am convinced and I know she means every bit of it. To my knowledge, every song on this CD was written by her. Sometimes Sherry and I write a letter to someone if we think they need encouragement. We might have them over for supper, or pick up a nice gift for them. Debi writes a song for a person in need, and then she goes to that person and sings it to them face-to-face. Now that’s for real. dobroz@windstream.net
I have loved to hear Andrew Osenga even back before I knew who he was. He used to be with a band called The Normals. Truth is, I think he was The Normals. He had some other guys in the band, but I think he wrote all the songs, he sure did mast of the singing, and I believe he was the best musician. He is now with Caedmon’s Call. I wish I could say that he used one of my instruments on this release, but he didn’t. He has two other independent releases -- Souvenirs and Postcards and The Morning -- where he uses lots of my instrument. Still the truth remains that this is my favorite. And it’s not just my favorite out of his three independent releases. To me, it’s just full of great stuff.
They say two things are certain – death and taxes. And here’s a bit of truth. We try to avoid both. We don’t like talking about death, but sooner or later, it pertains to all of us. Here’s the best book I’ve ever read on the subject. I talked with the little old lady who wrote this book about the dying of her husband. I asked her when she wrote this book. She said she wrote it while he was dying. The Almighty has not enabled me to understand much while I am going through something. I always have to come out the other side of whatever is going on, and then think about it awhile. The perspective she has while he is dying is just amazing. Every person on this planet needs to read this book. You can catch up with her at 318-334-7600. Her name is Carol Volentine.
There’s a gentleman in Virginia who has gotten me to build several instruments for him. In the work I do, I have been blessed to get to know a lot of good musicians. I’m not sure if Mr. Luke knows it or not, but he is a definite genius. He has published at least three books. Since I am left-handed, I have the chord book for left-handed folks. He also has one for those who are right-handed. And I guess one of the most ingenious things I have ever seen is the way he treated these public domain hymns. Each song comes in 5 different keys. If a person knows how to effectively use a capo, then with those 5 keys, a person can play in all 12 keys. You can catch up with him at Stephen Luke, 1532 Wild Duck Crossing, Chesapeake, Virginia, 23321-1241. His phone number is 757-478-2786.
My son and I have enjoyed reading Allen’s short stories over the years. In this book, Beerman and Sodaman, he effectively weaves all these stories together. The stories are short enough that it’s hard to read one and just put it down. allantracy@sbcglobal.net