From Victory Music

Posted on January 2, 2012 by yarnspinnerpress

This review of the Winter’s Bone soundtrack has recently come to our attention. For a while there in 2010 and early 2011 it was all we could do to keep up with those reviews. They are still coming at us although not quite a fast.

From Victory Music; “Blackberry Winter, on a scale with Bluegrass at one end and old timey at the other, leans toward less coffee and a somewhat relaxed beat for old favorites. Whether it’s a time honored hymn or the traditional “Fair and Tender Ladies,” Marideth Sisco and the band set a fine tone. The focus seems to be on the joy of or need for singing these songs. The musicians spent a fair amount of time picking out melody and classic harmony lines, and that resonates. Van Colbert’s singing on “On a Hill Lone and Gray” is about as plain as a gospel vocal can be, and twice as sincere for that effort. The frailing banjo sets the right background. The wonderful “Farther Along” is another reminder of the role religious music plays for these families. A second rendition of this song is backed by go-to-church-meeting piano.” Read the entire article here.

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New Years Eve – 2011

Posted on December 31, 2011 by yarnspinnerpress

2011 was a wild and crazy year. From Oscar nominations to international tour, I have much to be grateful for. Not to mention the departure of Bin Laden and Ghaddafi, the end of war in Iraq and the fact that my younger friends with pre-existing conditions now can’t be turned down for medical insurance. That skinny guy in the White House still ain’t perfect, but he’s way ahead of the rest of these clowns, and plenty good enough for this old hillbilly. There’s a lot of work left to do for all of us, and we’d best quit bitchin’ and get to it. We have a world to save.
Someone, perhaps Shelley Barnfather, posted a note that said, in part, “Do not lose heart. We were born for these times.” That pretty well sums it up for me. Don’t you feel that too? Bring on this new year, and may it be a year of bright blessings for all. Except maybe Newt.

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… from that neverland between the holidays —

Posted on December 29, 2011 by yarnspinnerpress

Swimming through the Holiday simples –

Yesterday when I visited my Dr. for my regular check up, between reporting in and scurrying quickly off into the more fun subject of gardening, we briefly touched on language, specifically the Ozarks dialect. He said he’d used the word “addled” in front of his nurses and none of them knew what he meant. I said I too wasn’t really clear on the definition, but I’m pretty sure when I’m there.
The word “simples” as used above, is another such term, only instead of having no clear definition, it has at least three. Having the simples, as a noun, describes a condition where one is so worn out by too much input, events, experiences, overeating and generally going too many ways at once as to be somewhat addled and techy, i.e. confused and uncertain as to what’s the next appropriate response.
The second reference, being “simple,” describes a person who is innocent, naive, clueless, a condition sometimes described in this culture as being blond.
But if you’re an herbalist or unschooled naturopath, a “granny woman,” then you have a command of the “simples,” meaning plant lore or herbal medicines.
So if I treat my addledness with some herb tea, would I simply put, be being simple if I rely on taking the
simples for my simples?
I’ll sure be glad when these holidays are over with so I can get back to work.
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Heartfelt Love and Gratitude!

Posted on December 24, 2011 by yarnspinnerpress

First, let me say thank you to all of you who have supported me and the band this past year. We’ve worked our tails off, but we never could have accomplished half of it without you. We’ve gathered several fans, but have also made such wonderful friends along the way. Our heartfelt love and gratitude to you all, and may you have the most splendid of holidays during this holy season. Sending love, light and peace to all.

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This from the Examiner

Posted on December 23, 2011 by yarnspinnerpress

“Increasingly over the past nearly two years, she has become much better known, nationally, as the featured singer and music consultant for the movie, Winter’s Bone, winner of the 2010 Sundance Grand Jury Prize, and recipient of four Oscar nominations, including best picture. She has toured almost all of the past year with the Blackberry Winter Band ”

This from Dr. Bill Smith on the Examiner. Thanks Bill!

Read the entire article here.

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Michael McClure, local painter

Posted on December 23, 2011 by yarnspinnerpress

Marideth had something lovely written to go here but neither one of us can find it! Here is a photo of Marideth with a recent painting of her done by Michael McClure.

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What the Haps –

Posted on December 12, 2011 by yarnspinnerpress

Sometimes, just when you think things are lined up and going well, fate steps in and sends you a curve ball. I had everything (I thought) arranged for a week-and-something trip south to meet and interview some folks and tie up some loose ends from the earlier south and east research trip. But then I inexplicably forgot to take my car in for an appointment to check the front end. Then other small saplings started falling across the ethereal road. The topper — two nights before I was to leave, my furnace died. The temp was in the low 20s, with forecasted lows in the teens, and I lost the backup heat. Then one of my prospective interviewees suggested that with the sensitive questions I would be bringing up, perhaps the holidays was not the best of all possible times.

That’s it. The trip’s off until after the holidays. Dense as I sometimes can be, even I can take a hint when the universe gangs up on me. 

-m

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