Bill Cheatham

Bill Cheatham
3:17
Public Domain / Traditional
QZR8K2560009
UPC Code: 708857001927
CO-PRODUCED BY Lawson White
PRODUCED BY Tony Trischka
ARRANGEMENTS by Tony Trischka
RECORDINGS MADE at PARLOR STUDIOS, Nashville
ENGINEER: Eli Crews
MIXING:  Jim Robeson
MASTERING: Paul Blakemore
ART DIRECTION AND DESIGN: Nathan Golub and David Gorman
Brittany Haas fiddle
Darol Anger fiddle
Mike Bub bass
Bryan Sutton guitar
Tony Trischka banjo
When I bought Flatt and Scruggs’ album Strictly Instrumental with Doc Watson back in the ‘60s I was excited to see this tune on the track listing. Finally, I would know the correct way to play this iconic fiddle tune. Instead, I became lachrymose when I spun the platter to find, instead of a break by Earl, a harmonica solo. In the Earl/John jams there were five or six versions from various dates. Listening through the first five or so revealed only fiddle lead with Earl doing back-up. Finally, on the last rendering, jumpin’ Jehosaphat!, there were two wonderful banjo solos. The fourth measure of Earl’s A part features a quirky Eb note on the second string. He plays it multiple times, so he surely meant it to be that way. The B parts are wonderfully syncopated with either all backward rolls, or backward rolls interspersed with a forward roll. Brittany and Darol’s fiddles dance with splendid, free form, contrapuntal abandon. And Bryan’s brilliant solo will lift you out of your seat!