Crickets Lullaby by James Bryan and Carl Jones

Cricket’s Lullaby
James Bryan & Carl Jones

An old tune played through the years is a treasure just like an old friend. James and I are old friends that always treasure each time we get together and enjoy seeing what happens musically. This new recording captures some things from way back, as well as some very new. We always strive for a relaxed approach, minimal arranging, and embrace the unpredictable. It’s a real treat to be playing and recording once again and our hope that you enjoy listening to our latest meanderings. May they take you to a good place as they certainly did that for us.


Sam Hill
I learned this tune from Jim Cauthen of Birmingham, Alabama. It is one of the tunes composed by Ralph Whited from Oneonta, AL. -JB

Blackie & Emma/ Rolling in the Dust
Blackie and Emma were brother and sister of the feline persuasion. Initially they were quite aloof but warmed up to me considerably after I made up these tunes inspired by their antics. –CJ (Carl Jones. Chordwood Music. ASCAP.)

Dear Honey *
This beautiful song was sung by Mrs. Dock Eason and included in Texas Folk Songs, a book published in 1950 by collector, William A. Owens of the Texas Folklore Society. My version has strayed a bit as this is no longer a waltz and the melody has wandered with time. -CJ

Kansas Waltz
The Kansas Waltz appears in one of the 19th century publications by Elias Howe. It was originally written in the key of E but it works nicely in the tuning ADAD. –JB

Cleveland’s March to the White House
A fine tune from Emmett Lundy of Galax, Virginia. –JB

Patty on the Turnpike
I learned this tune from a 78 record called Patty on the Turnpike by Fiddlin’ Cowan Powers of Russell County, Virginia. –JB

Bonaparte’s Retreat
This unusual 6/8 version of Bonaparte’s Retreat comes from the playing of Melvin Wine of Copen, West Virginia. It was the first tune he learned from his father, Bob Wine. It is played with a high bass and counter. –JB

Cricket’sLullaby
This song sprang from an attempt to calm two overly-energetic girls, (my daughter Kelli and Jame’s and Patti’s daughter Rachel), and help them embrace slumber. I still vividly recall the crickets in full chorus and the snores that arose just before the song came to a close. –CJ (Carl Jones. Chordwood Music. ASCAP.)

[please insert photo of kids Rachel & Kelli (coming soon) here]

Dust in the Lane
This tune comes from the collection of tunes in Marion Thede’s The Fiddle Book. I learned it from mandolin player, Mike Compton. –JB

Stoney Fork
West Virginia fiddler, Ellis Hall, recorded this in the early 1950’s for RCA Victor. –JB

Old Friends’ Reunion
While playing the mandolin I am always amazed when a new melody appears almost of its own accord. This tune has a fitting title because James and I go back a far piece. It is always a treat when James plays one of my tunes. -CJ (Carl Jones. Chordwood Music. ASCAP.)

Messenger
Another tune I learned from Jim Cauthen who, in turn, learned it from southern Alabama fiddler, Henry Lee Hudson. –JB

Lesson
This Minnie Case Hopkins poem was on a well-worn page that had been neatly folded and tucked into an old book I bought second-hand. I was enthralled by it and compelled to set it to a melody. I’m sure all parent’s relate to its simple heart-rending question and if they still have young ones, hopefully take heed. –CJ (Music/arr. Carl Jones. Chordwood Music. ASCAP.)

Piedmont
Piedmont is a Missouri tune from fiddler, Art Galbraith. It was recorded on an album called Simple Pleasures by Art Galbraith and Gordon McCann [Rounder 0157]. Gordon has been long-time supporter of traditional music in the Springfield area and has shared many recordings with me. -JB

Dust and Ashes (The Prayer of the Owl) *
The Prayer of the Owl is a French poem from Prayers From the Ark [1964 Viking Press] by Carmen Bernos De Gasztold. Translated by Rumer Godden. I have always delighted in setting poems to music and this whimsical collection inspired me to do just that. –CJ (Music/arr. Carl Jones. Chordwood Music. ASCAP.)

Star of the East
Our adaptation of a shapenote hymn from the Christian Harmony book. -JB


CRICKET’S LULLABY
By Carl Jones

Falling to sleep to a cricket’s lullaby
It’s been a long day
I’ve got weights on both my eyes
Every night while I’m lying in my bed
I can hear those crickets’ chirping
Bidding me a good rest

The sun’s going down now it’s evening once again
Soon I’ll hear the sounds
Of all my night time friends
I know I can count on my friends every time
To play that symphony
A cricket’s lullaby


DEAR HONEY
As sang by Mrs. Dock Eason 1950 (Texas Folk Songs)

These few lines to you, dear Honey,
Faithfully I send;
I hope to see your face again
If God will be my friend.

The road seems long and lonesome
Which I have underwent,
But still to follow after you
It is my whole intent.

If I had wings like a wooing dove,
I’d sail the waters wide,
And nothing could prevent me
From sitting by your side.

For when I dream of you,
It breaks me of my rest;
I dream of sitting by your side
Just leaning on your breast.

But when I wake and find myself
A-lying all alone,
And no dear Honey to speak to me,
The night seems mighty long.

And if your life should outlast mine,
And I should never return,
Pray keep these few lines to look upon
When I am dead and gone.

THE PRAYER OF THE OWL
Translated by Rumer Godden
From the French of
Carmen Bernos de Gasztold

Dust and ashes!
Lord,
I am nothing but dust and ashes,
Except for these two riding lights
That blink gently in the night,
Colour of moons,
And hung on the hook of my beak.
It is not, Lord, that I hate Your light.
I wail because I cannot understand it,
Enemy of the creatures of darkness
Who pillage Your crops.
My hoo-hoo-hooooo
Startles a depth of tears in every heart.
Dear God,
One day,
Will it awake your pity?
Amen

LESSON

by Minnie Case Hopkins

Have you seen, anywhere, a tall little lad
And a winsome wee lass of four?
It was only today, barefooted and brown,
That they played by my kitchen door.
It was only today (or maybe a year;
It could not be twenty, I know!)
They were shouting at me to help in their game,
But I was too busy to go,
Too busy with sweeping and dusting to play,
And now they have silently wandered away.

If by chance you hear of a little slim lad
And a small winsome lass of four,
I pray you to tell me! To find them again
I would journey the wide world o’er.
Somewhere, I am sure, they’ll be playing a game,
And should they be calling for me
To come out and help, oh, tell them, I beg,
I’m coming as fast as can be!
For there’s never a house might hold me today
Could I here them call me to share in their play.


INSTRUMENTS

Jame’s fiddles:

All tunes in GDAE tuning on this recording were played on a fiddle that was given to me by my friend David Morris of Jacksonville, Alabama. Brian Christianson of The Fiddle House in Nashville built a beautiful neck for it. The fiddle has a handmade label that says: “Nicholas Duchane a Paris. Regraded 1907. P.E. Coulter. Portland, Oregon.”

The other fiddle that I use for lower tunings is a circa 1850, American-made instrument with birds eye maple sides and back. I also got this violin from David Morris. It does not have a label.

Carl’s instruments:

1983 Martin 00-25 K 150th anniversary series
This is the same guitar I played on our first (Two Pictures) recording.
Great for fingerpicking with sparkling high tones.

Late 1920 or early 1921 Gibson A-4 mandolin
I am thankful for the day when this was kindly placed into my hands by a good friend and great luthier, John Pringle.

1930’s Slingerland May Bell open-back banjo
This 10 ¾ inch pot with a Dobson style tone ring has a lovely, mellow but clear sound.

1940’s C-46 Vega Archtop guitar
I have been told this guitar was built when Martin and Vega were working together. It plays great and has an “edgy” sound all it’s own.

1927 O-18 Martin guitar
Thanks to Erynn Marshall for the loan of this small but powerful guitar.
The bass is warm and just right for many fiddle tunes.

THANK YOU
Debbie Adams for her artistic flair and design expertise,
Harrol Blevins for toting a big camera into the Virginia hills,
Wesley Easter for great mike placement and disposition.

SPECIAL THANKS

From James:

I would like to thank Pattie Bryan and the Alabama State Council.

From Carl:

I would like to thank all my friends and relatives
for their encouragement and support.
Kelli & Asa for wisdom and whimsy through the years,
James and Patti Bryan for great music and always making me feel welcome.

Last but by no means least, I would like to thank my own “Dear Honey,” Erynn Marshall, for truly believing in this project and helping to make it a reality.

PHOTOGRAPHY

Booklet photo by Harrol Blevins, back cover photo by Erynn Marshall.

DESIGN

Debbie Adams, Adams + Associates Design Consultants Inc., Toronto

PRODUCTION

Produced by James Bryan and Carl Jones

Recorded at Eastwood Studio.

Engineered and mastered by Wesley Easter

Recorded July 24th, September 24-25th, 2011

James & Carl photo 1 (both posing) to go in whatever spot you think best in the booklet.

Back cover:

Photo 2 of James & Carl playing outside for back cover
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All tunes/songs arranged by James Bryan and Carl Jones unless marked.
* Arranged by Carl Jones



Tune titles
1. Sam Hill
2. Blackie & Emma
3. Dear Honey
4. Kansas Waltz
5. Cleveland’s Waltz
6. Patty on the Turnpike
7. Bonaparte’s Retreat
8. Cricket’sLullaby
9. Dust in the Lane
10. Stoney Fork
11. Old Friend’s Reunion
12. Messenger
13. Lesson
14. Piedmont
15. Dust and Ashes
16. Star of the East

Spine:

Cricket’sLullaby James Bryan & Carl Jones Dittyville 004