Review: East Texas Jam: Some songs they play and sing

This album is a one-of-a-kind idea. Not all that complicated. Margaret Wright just got a large group of friends together. They came, they played, while someone recorded.

Well, Margaret is Margaret Wright, and some of her friends are the Wright's of East Texas (Jerry, Lloyd and Hollis) and others including Georgia Shell, Bill Thurman, Gary Hamilton, June McAdams, Ken Ryan, and Kathy Davis. Folks, these people know how to play mountain dulcimer and a host of other jamming instruments.

This recording is an informal jam, and no attempt is made to disguise that. It's part of the charm. You hear the talk and jokes between songs, you hear tuning going on, you even hear the mistakes! Yes, even these talented folks make mistakes.

So what is there to do with this kind of album? Learn, of course, and have a great time while you do. Put it on to learn some new songs, or different arrangements of songs you might already know. They're all fun songs that might leave you torn between playing and dancing.

Jerry sent me this album several months ago, and I'm just now getting around to writing this review. There are several reasons for this but two of them are that my time is limited, and the second is that since this album arrived I have less time because it brought me another set of friends to jam with. They're ready to jam at midnight, early in the morning, even on weekends and holidays! Warning...this would be addictive!

So at last, I've written this review. I'll be buying Margaret's next jam album as soon as it comes out. You are going to do more of these, right?

Margaret include tracks of songs tuned in DGD, and in DAD, and even some in A (Capo'ed at 4). I normally play in DAD, and I learned a great deal tuning to DGD and playing along. This is a great idea for expanding a repertoire!

I'd recommend this album who wants to be a better mountain dulcimer player, or banjo, or guitar, or just about any jamming instrument. This album will keep you playing! And, the next jam you attend you can confidently lead your version of one of these great tracks!

Here are the tracks (an unbeatable collection!):

1. Green Corn (DGD)
2. Liza Jane She Died On The Train (DGD)
3. Handsome Molly (DGD)
4. Leaning On The Everlasting Arms (DGD)
5. Shove That Pig's Foot a Little Further In The Fire (DGD)
6. Flop Eared Mule (DGD)
7. Squirrel Heads In Gravy (DAD) - Definitely the most interesting title and a catchy tune!
8. Soldier's Joy (DAD)
9. Whiskey Before Breakfast (DAD)
10. John Stinson's #2 (DAD Capo 4)
11. June Apple/Old Joe Clark (DAD Capo 4)
12. Sandy Boys (DAD Capo 4)
13. Bill Cheatham (DAD Capo 4)
14. Rosin the Beau (DAD)
15. Camptown Races (DAD)
16. Arkansas Traveler (DAD)
17. Bonepart Crossing the Alps (DAD)
18. Black Mountain Rag (DAD)
19. Wildwood Flower (DAD)
20 Seneca Square Dance (DAD)

Here's where to get more information: http://www.geocities.com/pickinwright/recordings.htm