Anthologies   •   A Place To Be: Fox Hollow 10th Anniversary — Volume 1

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  • A Place To Be: Fox Hollow 10th Anniversary — Volume 1
    • 1976 - Biograph BLP-12051 LP (USA)
  • Side One
    1. June Apple — Roger Sprung (banjo) – 1967
    2. She's Up for Crabs — Pat Sky (vocal & guitar) – 1968
    3. Bad Badman — John Jackson (vocal & guitar) – 1969
    4. Wild Mt. Thyme — Sandy Paton & The Golden Ring – 1970
    5. Argentine Folk Dance — Douglas Neidt (classical guitar) – 1971
    6. Something Down in Me — Dan Smith (vocal & harmonica) Bessie Jones (vocal & tambourine) Doris Frazier (vocal) Robert Caplin (bass) – 1971
    7. Sittin' On Top of The World — Bottle Hill: Lewis London (vocal & banjo), Rex Hunt (dobro), Barry Mitterhoff (mandolin), Walt Michael (vocal & guitar), Fraser Shaw (bass) – 1972
  • Side Two
    1. Maid On the Shore — Joe Hickerson (vocal & guitar) – 1972
    2. Go To Sea No More — Craig Morton (vocal) – 1973
    3. Jews Harp Solo — John Wright (Jew's Harp) – 1974
    4. Bell Song — Susan Boyer (psaltery) – 1974
    5. Green Gravel — Evelyne Beers (vocal) – 1974
    6. Highland Bagpipe Playing — R. U. Brown (Scottish bagpipes) – 1971
    7. Closing Speech — Bob Beers – 1971

  • Credits
    • Album songs compiled by Evelyne Burnstine, Arnold S. Caplin, Joel Bernstein
    • Album Cover: Bruce MacDonald © 1975, Biograph Records Inc., Watercolor of Fox Hollow.
    • Album Notes: Evelyne Burnstine
    • Art Layout: Steve Nicastro
    • Editing-tape mastering: Don Person
    • Assistant editor: Steve Shashok
    • Special Thanks to Barbara & Don for their support.
    • Producer: Arnold S. Caplin & Joel Bernstein
    • Executive Producer: Arnold S. Caplin

Sleeve Notes

Fox Hollow is a place to "be" — to be enfolded in the warmth and sunlight, the music, and the friendships. To be one's self, to find one's self, to learn and share. The title of this album is taken from a short song sung at Fox Hollow in 1970 by Larry Hanks from California, that says everyone should have a place to "be" and to grow. To all those people who are searching, and to those who have found a "Place to Be", this album is dedicated.

June Apple — I first met Roger at the Indian Neck Folk Festival back in 1960. His unique banjo style can be heard at many of the Pick'n' Festivals throughout the land. He lives, works and teaches in New York City. Roger can be heard on Folkways and Showcase Records.

She's Up for Crabs — Pat Sky sings one of the songs which I think of as his special style. He is a composer-singer who is equally at home with traditional material as he is with contemporary, but basically an old fashioned guy. Pat can be heard on Adelphi Records.

Bad Badman — A folk and blues singer from Fairfax, Virginia, John Jackson is equally at home playing guitar or banjo. John comes from a family tradition of making music within the community for what ever the occasion. He is a rich source of a way of life that is rapidly fading. He has performed at many festivals and coffee houses and has toured Europe. He can be heard on Arhoolie Records.

Wild Mountain Thyme — Sandy Paton and members of the "Golden Ring" sing one of the all time favorites of Fox Hollow and the audience joins in on the chorus. Sandy can be heard on Folk Legacy Records.

Argentine Folk Dance — I recall walking toward the house through the dark when suddenly an enormous "WHOOP" went up. The audience let loose with a howl of approval that I'm sure is still resounding up there somewhere. Douglas Neidt had just astounded and enchanted the audience with his artistry. Douglas has studied guitar since age 7. In 1970, he won the $1,500 First Prize in the Chet Atkins Guitar Festival.

Somethin' Down in Me — Dan Smith and Bessie Jones, assisted by Doris Frazier of St. Louis, shared with us their wonderful Gospel workshop and then rocked us to rest with their joy, love and blessing on Saturday night, 1971. Dan Smith and Bessie Jones can be heard on Biograph Records.

Sittin' On Top of The World — Bottle Hill is one of the most popular new bluegrass bands in the country. They are in the forefront of what has become known as the "New Grass" style. They are now recording their second album for Biograph Records.

Maid On the Shore — Joe Hickerson has been a constant and true friend to the Fox Hollow Festival. He has encouraged and inspired all of us and generously shared his music. Joe Hickerson can be heard on Folk Legacy Records.

Go To Sea No More — Craig was born in Arizona. After spending some years of his childhood in Chicago, his family moved back to Arizona where he finished his education. He then became a union organizer. Having worked with many unions, he tended to become influenced by the music of the people with whom he came in contact. Among them Cesar Chavez. It was in New York that he first became acquainted with the music of the seaman. Craig can be heard on Philo Records.

Jew's Harp — In 1974 Catherine Perrier and John Wright came from France and shared their unique sound with us. John is a virtuoso of the Guimbaude (Jew's Harp.) Here is just a small sampling of his style. Both Catherine and John may be heard on "La Chante Du Monde" Records, 64 Rue Ampere 75017 Paris, France.

Bell Song — Susan's approach and technique on the Psaltery is much like that of her late uncle Bob's. She gave a fine solo performance of music she had written and collected during her year of study in England.

Green Gravel — This old play party song has been a favorite in the Beers family for many years. Everyone in the family carries a piece of green gravel.

Highland Bagpipes — A medley of The Dornoch Links, The Pipers Cave, and the Drunken Piper. In 1971, R. U. Brown came to teach at the Invermark College of Scottish Piping in Petersburg. He graciously consented to play for the Fox Hollow Festival. The audience never fails to respond to superb musicianship. R. U. Brown passed away April 24, 1972.

Closing Speech Saturday Night (Bob Beers) — During the past ten years the Fox Hollow Festival has been home to many of the finest performers of traditional music. Not all of these performers have been the "Big Names" but that has never been the style of Fox Hollow. The criteria has always been musicianship and many now well known performers had their first important exposure at Fox Hollow. They have returned year after year because they welcome the warmth and good music and appreciate playing for an audience who loves and understands their music.

In preparing these anniversary albums we have tried to reflect something of the feeling and activity of Fox Hollow as it has grown through the years. We have tried to capture a hint of the spirit that has given all of us, players and listeners alike, the feeling of being part of something special.

Arnold S. Caplin
Joel Bernstein