MeFi Music

Usually heard as 'Charleston Gals' in old-time circles these days, this was originally a minstrel-era song. [more inside]
posted by usonian on Aug 13, 2015 - 2 comments

Not the old-time tune you may be thinking of. Fretless banjo with a percussion loop. (As it happens, Garageband's Jazz drum kit instrument has a rattle that sounds a lot like a jawbone.) [more inside]
posted by usonian on Apr 19, 2014 - 1 comment

A popular 19th century minstrel tune with fretless banjo, tambourine and vocals. (Different from the old-time tune by the same name, and not related to Old Joe Clark either.) Lyrics as recorded are not offensive.^* [more inside]
posted by usonian on Apr 16, 2014 - 0 comments

More fretless minstrel banjo, with tambourine and marginally played bones. This one is from Phil Rice's 1858 Method for Banjo With or Without A Master.
posted by usonian on Apr 5, 2014 - 3 comments

This instrumental track was originally named "Em wrong" because it came out of absentmindedly playing my guitar while watching tv and accidentally strumming an E minor chord incorrectly on the 3rd fret. The resulting song has an uneasy, mysterious vibe. [more inside]
posted by edlundart on Aug 10, 2011 - 1 comment