Fine Times At Our House by The Long Hot Somervilles
This new offering, Fine Times At Our House is a collection of 20 traditional Appalachian and original tunes by Tom Somerville. It features Tom Somerville on fiddle, Peter Somerville on banjo, guitar and vocals, Craig Woodward on banjo and guitar, Maxine Sutcliffe on double bass and Fran Martin on lead vocals.
I learned many of these tunes from recordings of renowned Appalachian fiddlers, including Edden Hammons and Tommy Jarrell. Most of these fiddlers were born in the late 19th century or early 20th century, so their playing reflects archaic styles that were all but lost – Tom Somerville.
Tom’s inspiration for this album, Fine Times At Our House, comes from listening to several renowned old-time fiddlers whose music reflects life in the Appalachian Mountains. Tom takes us on a journey of discovery, offering up the hardship, joy and hope reflected in the life and times of these mountain folk. Their traditions flourished through their music and storytelling which play a significant role in preserving their history and culture, often sharing tales of local legends and myths.
Life in the Appalachian Mountains during the early days was a tapestry of hard work, community spirit, and rich cultural practices. The settlers’ resilience and adaptability contributed to a unique way of life that continues to influence Appalachian culture today. The legacy of their struggles and traditions remains embedded in the region’s identity and is reflected strongly in the many tunes and songs circulating today. Tom Somerville’s new album offers up a reminder of the life and times of these old-time instrumentalists and their music. He and his band mates have done a stirring job. 20 tracks of Old-Time history and reproduced with a passion for the artists who inspired him.
Fine Times At Our House Track List:
| 1. Big Hoedown 2. Weary Bird 3. Josie-O 4. Hickory Jack 5. Fool’s Gold 6. Spider On The Windowsill 7. Fine Times At Our House 8. Hell And Scissors 9. Let’s Hunt The Horses 10. Camp Chase |
11. Wild Hog In The Red Brush 12. Sail Away Ladies 13. The Muse 14. Betty Baker 15. Lost Girl 16. Streak O Lean 17. Silky Oak 18. Bonaparte’s Retreat 19. Railroad Through The Rocky Mountains 20. Wounded Hoosier |
Fans can access the album from the link above or visit the bandcamp site to preview and download this great album of original tunes and Appalachian history.
Tom Somerville
