Sweeney Set

[Tim Twiss]

I'm going to try and put together my "Joe Sweeney" set of tunes for my bi monthly gig at an assisted living facility. In it will be the known tunes he did (according to Bob Carlin) segued to some of the early stuff, mostly from Briggs. It should be a fun set. I have never really done a "theme" show, so it will fun to take it out and see how they lay together. I'd like to lean on a "sawbuck" like he did...but may end up standing.

Here's da lineup:

Whar Did You Come From

Old Virginny Breakdown

Jim Along Josie

Johnny Boker

De Old Jaw Bone

Old Tare River

Lucy Long

Settin' On A Rail

Jenny Get Yer Hoecake Done

Instrumentals segued and inserted at will...

Darkey Fisher

Old 76

O Pray Goodie

Briggs Medley

Sebastopol Breakdown

Grape Vine Twist

[Nicholas A Bechtel]

That's a good set. about 45 minutes worth i would think.  Now you need a genuine "Stump Speech" and your good to go.  So when you do these performances do you use any amplification or is it just bare bones? 

[Tim Twiss]

Small venue...just go for it. It should have a nice flow. It will keep some internal focus for myself anyway. All very cool tunes, but will the audience will be relatively unfamiliar with them. 

[Bell Banjos]

'F I lived an hour closer, I'd be backin' ya up with my fiddle, tambo and my ta da new curly Boucher. Cool set Tim.

[Nicholas A Bechtel]

I know for myself even though i don't know most of, or any of these songs at all, but when I hear them they seem familiar. There is something about this instrument that makes people stop and listen. I bet it will be a real treat for your audience. Is this an on going performance, or is this the first gig of this sort.

[Tim Twiss]

Odd schedule...I go there the first Tuesday of every other month. Sometimes we think of nursing homes and assisted living facilities as second rate gigs...I don't. I play for free, and the ultimate musical connection is made...some who likes to play meets people who appreciate your efforts. I love it! I am often blown away by the connection somebody might have to a particular tune, or the dialogue that opens up afterwards. "priceless"

  Terry...line something up your way...I'll show up. We'll have a good 'ol time. 

[Nicholas A Bechtel]

That's Awesome. My girlfriends mother is in assisted living, from that I have spent a great deal of time there and that type stimulation has wonderful benefits. That's a wonderful thing for them. Great idea Tim. I might try that in time as I develop as a player. Good Deal!

[Bell Banjos]

Yup you're right Tim - the ultimate musical connection.

I was a teenager working in a hospital and almost everyday I'd get about 20 patients around the piano. Three old boys played the harmonica and everybody else played a tambourine or sticks or marracas. After 'Four Leaf Clover and You Are My Sunshine, we'd seriously get down on "Oh Susana, Golden Slippers, Swanee River' and end with a boogie woogie. One day I brought in a used Kay 5 stringer I found cheap, having NO idea how to play it and NO idea that the songs I'd been playing on the piano were even remotely related to a banjo, except maybe the 4 string strum stuff. 

[Tony Thomas]

Hope you put this out as a CD or on youtube