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Tuesday, August 23rd, 2011

Before learning of Dr. David Ripley and the music video he made for YouTube with his music students at the University of New Hampshire, I had never heard of a little town in Nicaragua called “El Hatillo.” The purpose of the video is to draw attention to the poverty of the people there and to highlight the work of his former student, Danielle Costanza, who majored in Spanish at UNH and is now serving as a Peace Corps volunteer. The song is an effort to raise money to buy seeds and ovens to bake bread for this impoverished population, hit by a natural disaster fairly recently.

If you visit YouTube, you will be able to hear the well-done song with great solos by music students, and Professor Ripley, playing guitar and accompanied by many other instruments.

Donations are being collected at the following address. No amount is too small. Every dollar will help this worthy cause.

“Seeds for El Hatillo”
c/o Meredith Village Savings Bank
Route 25
Moultonboro, NH 03254

This announcement is brought to you courtesy of

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Thursday, August 4th, 2011

If any of you are out and about and would like to hear some live music, here is a list of current engagements by Craig and The Buskers. We saw this group perform last year at the , which by the way will be held this year from August 6-14, 2011. (They never book the same performing musical group two years in a row).

http://nhcrafts.org/craftsmens_fair/fair_home.html

Craig and the Buskers with Will Scarlett
Craig and the Buskers with Will Scarlett at Cafe Lenna, photo courtesy of Craig Jaster

AUG 5. MEREDITH, NH. Mill Falls Marketplace, 5:30-8:30 pm. (trio sans KZ, w/ Jared Steer on drums!)
AUG 6. HEBRON, NH. Town Green. 5-7 pm!
AUG 7. ROCHESTER, NH. Governor’s Inn garden patio, 4-7 pm.
AUG 9. HAMPTON BEACH, NH. Seashell Stage. 7-9:30 pm.
AUG 12. MEREDITH, NH. Mill Falls Marketplace, 5:30-8:30 pm.
AUG 13. N. WOODSTOCK, NH. Town Green. 6:30-8:30 pm.
AUG. 14 BOW, NH. Town Green. 6-8 pm.

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Wednesday, July 27th, 2011

After accessing a music file on our website, “,” Mehdi Mehtari has written the following note:

Hi,

I was visiting your page about the song “Mi Caballo Blanco” that I noticed you have not mentioned the Persian version of the song written and performed by Fereydoun Farrokhzad.

Another version is performed by Saeed Mohammadi

Here are the Persian lyrics:

اسب سفید من مهربان و رام است

اسب سپید من چون کودکی آرام است

ای دریغ از هر چه دادم برای دوست

اسب خوبم، اسب خوبم، رفیقم اوست

یال سپید اسبم روشنایی راه است

چشم سیاه اسبم چون حفره های ماه است

هر جا که خسته هستم یا غرق حسرتم

پابند مهربانی اش حتی در غربتم

آن کس که دست من را در دستش می فشرد

مرا به دست غم داد به فراموشی سپرد

ای دریغ از هرچه دادم برای دوست

اسب خوبم، اسب خوبم، رفیقم اوست

The English translation:

My white horse is as kind and well-behaved as a child
I regret for whatever I spent for my disloyal friends
My good horse, he is my faithful friend
His mane lights up the way and his black eyes resemble the holes on the moon
Whenever I’m tired or upset, I remember his kindness and loyalty even in exile
The one who held my hand as a friend , left me in difficulties and problems
I regret for whatever I spent for my disloyal friends
My good horse, he is my faithful friend

Best Wishes,

Mehdi M.

—–
Dear Mehdi,

Thank you for your message.

In receiving this note, it is nice to again realize that I am part of a global community of scholars who love to share information. I found a lip-synched version of the Farrokhzad song: and a biography about Fereydoun Farrokhzad, Ph.D., an Iranian anti-cleric activist who was studied in Germany and was murdered there. Read more about his life on wikipedia:

—–

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Saturday, July 2nd, 2011

Yesterday, on a whim, I decided to add a video to a song file that I created a year or so ago. The file shows the Spanish words as well as my translation of the song. Spanish is a beautiful language! I have studied since my first year of high school (1965). I have always felt very blessed to have been fluent enough in the language to be able to sign up for advanced literature courses when first starting my course of study as a Spanish major at the University of New Hampshire in 1969. Just 32 credits are needed to complete requirements for a B.A. degree in Spanish. Since I’d already completed those credits before going to Spain to study in 1972, forty eight is the total number of college credits I earned in the language as an undergraduate.

Over the years, it has been fun to meet or correspond with quilters who speak Spanish. I only wish I had more time and opportunity to interact with Spanish speakers. I would also like to expand my knowledge of German to the same level of fluency and I’ve always wanted to learn Japanese, Italian, Portuguese, etc. I am beginning realize that one does not possess a limitless time in just one lifetime and all of the writing, designing, and creating that I do take a tremendous amount of time, leaving few minutes available for much else.

I hope that you enjoy the new video:

Patricia Cummings

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Tuesday, June 21st, 2011

If you think of Peter, Paul and Mary or other performers of the 1960s when you hear the term “folk music,”think again. Folk music is music of the “folk” and reflects the many songs sung, often without accompaniment, and passed down, generation to generation, going through many changes of verses and interpretations in the meantime.

Last Friday night, I was privileged to attend a concert at the Peterborough Historical Society (NH) given by , a person who keeps the history of folk songs alive by his performances. He is a multi-talented musician who sings, plays fiddle, banjo, mandocello (that looks like a mandolin but is tuned like a cello), Jew’s harp, and other instruments. A resident of Connecticut, Davis loves history and is a long time friend and former musical partner of Jeff Warner, a New Hampshire musical performer (whom we met through the NH Humanities Council programs) and whose parents traveled to the mountains of Appalachia and other places to record authentic folk tunes, as sung and remembered by the local folks there.

Davis played a wide variety of songs: sea shanties, Civil War songs (that I’d never heard before), and songs that speak to the very essence of folk music: recording every day events of love and loss, hope and fear, in other words, a gamut of emotions. Available to purchase were the following two CDs. I have enjoyed listening to them and hearing some of the old songs that are at the root of the ’60s folk music revival. Perhaps not for everyone’s taste, these CDs are geared to folklorists and others who want to look into the soul and heart of rural America and its traditions. I thought I’d mention these collections as they represent a great deal of work on the part of those who “saved” these songs for posterity via these recordings of them.

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Saturday, May 14th, 2011

Note just in from John Perreault, music historian and performer/writer of folksongs and recording artist:

Dear Friends,

This Wednesday, May 18, I’ll be at the Portsmouth Library (7pm) presenting

“Spring Poets—Lyrical Ballads from Barbara Allen to Blackbird”—with a little

Mary Oliver, Wes McNair, Mr. Dylan & more mixed in. It’s sponsored by the Library

in conjunction with the NH Humanities Council.

See you if I see you.

JP

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Saturday, April 9th, 2011

2010
The Buskers playing at the NH League of Craftsmen Fair in August 2010. photo by James Cummings

Last August, when Jim and I attended the annual League of NH Craftsmen Fair, the overall ambiance of the event was enlivened by a musical group called “The Buskers.” Group members include Richard Danahy who sings, and plays guitar and harmonica; Kathy Zimpfer who sings, and plays fiddle; and Craig Jaster who sings, and plays bass, accordion, mandolin, keys and recorder. Together, they make such sweet music, I had to purchase their CD!

The Buskers Poster
The Buskers Poster

The Buskers have just announced their May 2011 schedule.

The Buskers (Craig Jaster, Kathy Sommer, Paul Hubert) cordially extend you a muddy
New England Spring invitation to catch one of our shows next month – if the snow has melted by then:

MAY 6. SO. WOODSTOCK, VT. Community Party & Potluck. Corner Rte.106 & Morgan Hill Rd. 6-9:30 pm.
MAY 12. CONCORD, NH. Capitol Center For The Arts Spotlight Café. 7:30 pm. w/ Tim Gilmore on drums.
MAY 14. ESSEX, MA. One World Coffeehouse 8 pm. (978-768-3690)
MAY 29 & 30. BALLSTON SPA, NY. GottaGetGon Festival. Performance & two workshops.

For links to venues and more info, visit our website

“Folk impurists” with a smart, distinct voice and a kitchen sink
repertoire of influences from jug band to jazz to roots rock.
“See this band if you get a chance… I’d even call them luminescent.
As well as versatile, passionate and funny.”
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We, at Quilter’s Muse, are happy to bring you news of this group!

Patricia and James Cummings

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Tuesday, January 11th, 2011

Jeff Warner photo by James Cummings

Jeff Warner, a photo by James Cummings taken in 2009

We enjoy promoting local musical artists. Jeff Warner will be performing traditional folk music four times in January 2011 at the following locations.

Tuesday, January 11, 2011, 7:00 PM
“Songs of Old New Hampshire”

http://www.hampstead.lib.nh.us/

Friends of Hampstead Public Library, 9 Mary E. Clark Drive, Hampstead, NH
No charge, courtesy NH Humanities Council’s Humanities To Go
Contact Louise Pryor: 603-329-6411

Friday, January 21, 2011, 10:00 AM
“Banjos, Bones and Ballads”
Newcomers Club at Community Church of Durham, 17 Main Street, Durham, NH
No charge, courtesy NH Humanities Council’s Humanities To Go
Contact Gayle Hylen: 603-659-2422

Monday, January 24, 2011, 12:30 PM
“Songs of Old New Hampshire”
Kearsarge Council on Aging, 37 Pleasant Street, New London, NH
No charge, courtesy NH Humanities Council’s Humanities To Go
Contact Maria Barnett: 603-927-4673

Saturday, January 29, 2011, All Day & Evening
Northern Roots Traditional Music Festival

http://www.bmcvt.org/northernroots

100 Flat Street, Brattleboro, VT
Day $18/ Evening $18/ Both $30; discount for youth
Further information: 802-257-4523


Jeff Warner – American Traditions
Portsmouth, NH, USA
Office e-mail: jeffwarner.office@comcast.net
Jeff’s e-mail: jeff@jeffwarner.com
Jeff’s website:

This is an unpaid advertisement brought to you as a courtesy of . Don’t miss the chance to see this performing artist!

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Monday, December 20th, 2010

One measure of a song’s worth is its reuse many times, over many decades. Such is the case with the Bluegrass song, “Life is Like a Mountain Railroad.” Last week, a kind friend shared a link to two videos of Lapland that are accompanied by Patsy Cline’s rendition of the song. No one, but no one does the song better than the late Patsy Hensley Cline (1932- 1963). I do not know how to share that video that was posted on Facebook with you. In checking YouTube, I did find a version of the song with the addition of Willie Nelson’s voice.

I love the words of this song that is almost like a hymn. The set of videos I was sent include the northern lights, people riding Reindeer, Husky dogs (mushers) and other inspiring scenes. Yet another friend sent a link to another video of the same song that shows just trains. The music and the images are a comfort. “Life is like a mountain railroad / with an engineer that’s brave / We must make the run successful / from the cradle to the grave [...].”

This is a new “old” song that until now has escaped me. I love it. I also love friends who share the gift of music, knowing how much I enjoy it. It’s funny that I’ve heard other songs by Patsy Cline, over the years, and never realized she was the artist. She had quite a career that tragically was ended by a plane crash.

Peace,

Pat

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Monday, December 6th, 2010

Right now, the celebration of Hannukah is underway. With the lighting of the candles of the Mennorah nightly, Jewish people celebrate a long tradition rooted in their history. Light, in a sense, has always stood for truth just as the sun shines light on all that is real and good, while evil, mistrust, and crime lurk under the cover of darkness, symbolically-speaking.

A beautiful song that I really enjoy is a Hebrew song titled, “Hine Ma Tov.” I recorded it a number of years ago when I first learned that my own great grandmother, born in Vienna in 1839, had decided to hide her Jewishness (perhaps out of fear) when she immigrated to America. One should never have to hide their true beliefs or identity because of the fear of persecution. In this our “home of the brave” and “land of liberty,” I offer this song for my ancestor and for all in the world who suffer at the hands of tyrants… and all who died during the Holocaust in the blackest period of world history.

Patricia Cummings

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Saturday, November 20th, 2010

Ever since hearing a song, some years ago, I have wondered about the last line of the lyrics. On the cassette tape, “A Rogues Gallery of Songs for 12-String” (guitar) by Gordon Bok, 1983, Bok sings the song “Blackbird,” (not the same one sung by The Beatles. The last verse of the song says:

“I’m gonna sleep in a lonely bed / with white and whiter linen spread / with a cold gray stone at my foot and head / and merck pharmacy.”

For years I have sought an explanation for the words, “pennies on my eyes.” I wonder if the words reveal a practice that is steeped in some folk tradition. I’d love to know. If you happen to have that answer, please write to me at: pat at quiltersmuse dot com. Thanks!

Pat

Update: Well, an answer has already been sent by Arlene McLeish. Thank you, Arlene! She states:

Hello Pat,

In answer to your question, my understanding is that this is a tradition dating back to the Ancient Greeks. It was believed that once they were dead, they would need to pay Charon, the boatman, to row them across the river Styx (which divides the real world from the underworld in Greek mythology). If they couldn’t pay the passage then they wouldn’t be able to cross over into the underworld and would remain in a sort of suspended animation…so their nearest and dearest would provide them with sufficient funds by placing the pennies on the eyes.

However, I would also hazard a guess that it’s also a useful way of getting the eyes to shut once the person has died.

Arlene

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Wednesday, March 31st, 2010

Today, I have been thinking of folk songs that recall the sentiment of anti-war protest and I can think of no more poignant an example than a song by contemporary songwriter, John McCutcheon, called “Christmas in the Trenches.” Perhaps, the inclement weather and the chill and rain have led me to think of this song that holds so much meaning. It is based on a true event of World War I. On Christmas Eve, 1914, both German and British troops took a brief respite from the war to share cigarettes, play soccer, and sing Christmas carols. In the morning, it was back to fighting as usual, but, with a new appreciation for the individuals involved. A new thought crossed their minds: Whose family members would be affected by any casualties?

When conflicts arise, the gang mentality grows into a “them or us” theme. Social isolation, shunning, and hatefulness are all part of the human plan to punish others. Solitary confinement, and isolation from comrades, in scary situations, such as being kept prisoner of war, can have serious mental consequences for the victim. It is easier for humans to persecute other people when those “others” are seen as “different than (us).” The dividing factors can be related to race, geographic location, religion, politics, or policy. Alternately, the dispute can be an inherited feud, like the Hatfields and McCoys.

Many folk songs that were written during the 1960s and 1970s carry a social message. Dylan’s “With God on Our Side,” is an example. “Carry It On,” is another social protest song. Joan Baez sang, “We are the children of darkness.” Indeed, with the Vietnam War hanging over our heads, it certainly seemed like a time of darkness. Music is oft used to convey personal interpretations of the current personal feelings of the masses. Any example of that is represented by the song that asks, “Where Were You When the World Stopped Turning,” shared right after 9-11.

To be memorable, a song must have one or more statements that can be accepted as universally true. In this case, the last two lines of “Christmas in the Trenches” serve well:

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I love this song, but moreover, I really like a current video on YouTube that features old photos that represent the scenes mentioned in the song. Here is a link, but if the link does not work, just key the song title into an Internet search engine, and with any luck, you will find this slice-of-life video:

Patricia Cummings

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Tuesday, February 23rd, 2010

When I was a teenager, I used to go camping with my parents. They had a truck camper on a Ford pickup, and Dad would set up a tent for me and other members of the family who wanted to come along, or perhaps a girlfriend. One time, we were camping up north at White Lake State Park, a really nice place to swim and hike. Quite late at night, a couple of dudes pulled in on motorcycles. I was forbidden to take them up on their idea of my joining them on the back of a motorcycle the next day, but we ended up sitting around a campfire, singing and playing guitar every night until they moved on. One of them taught me a folksong.

Pat and Dad - 1960s

Me and Dad – 1960s

The song was an overview of life. One verse says, “It’s a long and a dusty road, It’s a hard and a heavy load, and the folks you meet, there are all kinds. Some are bad and some are good, some are doin’ the best they could, and some have tried to ease my troubled mind.” The chorus says, “And I can’t help but wonder where I’m bound, where I’m bound. Can’t help but wonder where I’m bound.”

At seventeen, I’d already met folks who were bad, and some who were good, and even some who were doin’ the best they could, and even at that time, I wondered where I was bound. Now, I have less questions, and more answers, because most of my life is an already-written chapter in the Book of Life.

I went to school, I was married in my early 20s and the next year was blessed with a son. My early adulthood was fraught with misery, due to one circumstance or another. I remarried when I was in my early 30s, have worked outside the home, in various capacities, and now, have settled into choosing my own work. You see, everything worked out. None of the adversity I went through killed me, even though at times, I imagined that I might not live through it. I lived long enough to see two grandchildren born, and I’m still here!

I no longer have great or grandiose plans. I no longer care about things that once took my interest. Along the way, I’ve discarded relationships that I could no longer tolerate, and I now ignore people who aggravate my spirit. I remember a more carefree time when I was willing to risk more, and even was willing to get on the back of a motorcycle of an unknown stranger just because I thought it would be ok.

Sometimes, I wonder what ever happened to those young men who sat around a campfire with me, all of us wondering where we were bound. I hope they had a good life. I know I have. Looking back now, I can safely say that I have no regrets. “… and still I’m on my way.”

Patricia Cummings

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Friday, January 22nd, 2010

Ever since I can remember, whenever times were lean, as they are now for many people, the first thought is to cut back on spending. Now, it is reasonable to think about that. All of us should have some kind of a budget plan, and trim excess spending wherever we can so that earnings = more than expenses, at the end of the month. This is not a lecture on saving money, however. Rather it is a commentary on wise spending of money when it comes to school budgets, and even personal spending.

Music and Art in the schools are always the first departments to receive cuts in funding. In my opinion, they should be the last to be compromised. Music and Art are exactly what are needed to energize us and to make life worthwhile. For children, training in music will always stand them in good stead, as will the practice of art and the knowledge of the masters. Yes, some of those students may become professional performers or practitioners. Culture needs music and art, plain and simple.

Civilization requires a knowledge of the past and it is always fun to look at the “History of Ideas,” a field of thought (academic discipline) that was developed by a friend of mine, Florence Petherick, Ph.D., (who has now passed on). She was fascinated by ideas, and their origins and development, over time. We are all interested in what other people say and that is the reason that many books of quotations are sold. FDR said, “There is nothing to fear but fear itself.” Who wouldn’t remember that statement? There are many sayings, even old-time Yankee ones, that shape our thinking and help us to put things into perspective.

“A penny saved is a penny earned,” is one of those frequent remarks. What people do not realize is that in an inflationary economy, such as this one, it is not a good idea to hoard money. For me, personally, I would rather have a new book than a new piece of clothing. We all have our priorities. My point is this: Do not neglect music, art or literature because of the current financial state of the nation. In our own small way, we each need to encourage the arts, and our own knowledge of them, by continuing to buy books and also encourage our local libraries to acquire new educational materials. If you have the chance, vote for keeping music and arts in the schools!

A nice birthday gift that is easy to send is an amazon gift card in any amount from $10. to $500. that is redeemable at amazon.com or endless.com We are not always aware of someone’s taste in music or books, and the gift card allows them to choose what they would like. This is just a random thought that seems to fit in well with what I am thinking, this morning. Below, I have provided a link so that you can check out this idea for yourself.

Be well.

Patricia

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Wednesday, January 13th, 2010

Those gifted people who call themselves songwriters seem to have come up with a song for every occasion. On my Facebook page, I often post links to YouTube songs that have been within my musical awareness over the years. Just now, I remembered a Country-Western song called, “Holes in the Floor of Heaven,” by Steve Wariner. The song recalls the memory of an eight year old of his grandmother who had just died. He was wishing that she could be there to celebrate his birthday, but he just knew that there were holes in the floor of heaven and she was watching over him. In the many years I have heard this song, it always leaves me with tears streaming down my face, and that is the case today.

“In The Arms of the Angel” by Sarah McLaughlin, is another tune that is haunting for both its melody and its words – words with which most people could connect: “There’s always a reason to feel not good enough and it’s hard at the end of the day,” and “Everywhere you turn, there’s vultures and thieves at your back,” and “It’s easier to believe.” The song is also featured on YouTube. I’ve probably worn out the recording, listening to it so many times in the last day or so.

Folk songs always have universal meanings. They speak of war, of soldier’s returning maimed or not returning at all. They speak of Nature, as in the migration of Canadian Geese. They recall historical events like the sinking of the Titanic. They can be very patriotic. They recall LOVE, and being a star-crossed lover, a single woman, or someone who murders in the name of love spurned.

Any song can turn our heads or change our mood. Gospel songs can be lively and full of belief with a capital “B.” Other songs instruct: “Teach your children well … Feed them on your dreams.” When my father was being cared for at home, as he lay dying of cancer, my mother could often be heard singing, “Send in the Clowns” (usually sung by Judy Collins). It did seem to be an absurd situation that the man was just short of retirement when he was struck with the deadly disease, so crazy that if clowns showed up, it would be appropriate.

Songs with memorable lyrics stick around. “This Land is Your Land,” by Woody Guthrie will never go away. “Alice’s Restaurant” by Arlo Guthrie provided a sense of levity at a time the country needed to laugh. “Camp Granada” will be remembered for its outrageous and totally funny lyrics.

I love music, in general, and did, after all, earn an “A” in a university class, “Music Appreciation,” that considered the classic works of Debussy, Bartok, Mozart and others. So, I consider myself “exposed” to the greats. When it comes down to my musical preferences now, more often than not, I like music with words. Lyrics teach, they celebrate, and they give us insight into the universal human condition. They can bring back a period of time, like the Civil War era, or World War II, or an early part of our own lives.

These days, when I think of a song, I like to access it on YouTube, to see if the tune is available. I can get a quick music “fix” and that is like giving a dog a bone, (nothing inferential intended).

Patricia Cummings