This is a song written in response to a prompt by the "Muse and Method" group, which consists of some of my creative friends here in Kansas City. The theme this time was to create something based on the words "If Only".

Francine, do you remember how the ocean laid so still
The world seemed perfectly flat there, we had eternity to kill
I don't know what was between us and I guess I never will

But Francine, do you remember how the people looked so small
Way down on the beach below from the balcony so tall
You wouldn't go near the railing, afraid that we would fall
Oh, Francine

And then came the moment I'd longed for, when finally we kissed
I accidentally bit your lip, I was so embarrassed
You pushed away and shook your head, said "I should've expected this"
And you turned and walked, and you left me there
Oh, Francine

If only I'd been smoother on that long-lost summer day
Maybe my life would be better now, you know, I couldn't really say
Or maybe I saved us some trouble and we both wound up okay
Oh, Francine

This is a work of fiction, by the way.

Photo by Henry Tilbury, Jr., circa 1954

Francine

The latest challenge from my friends' "Muse and Method" group was to create something based on the idea of "Cycles". It had me thinking of how clawhammer banjo playing is so reliant on repeated patterns--cycles, if you will. I've fooled around in the past with multitracked and interlocking banjo patterns (Steve Reich's worst nightmare?)and thought I would revisit the idea here.

This track consists of five five-stringed banjos playing in five-four time. The picture is Charles Demuth's "I Saw the Figure 5 in Gold".

An older, looser, maybe more fun version of this experiment, from 2012, is here: https://hanklebury.bandcamp.com/track/the-dream-of-rain

5x5x5

Feral

muse and method - begin

The Flatwoods String Band bring hard driving fiddle tunes to KC. Pulling from the influences of Round Peak and Eastern Kentucky fiddlers, Lindsey Hogan Lasswell is determined to get your toes tapping and booties moving. Keep an eye out for impromptu square dances and special guests! 

Hear more here: @lindseylasswell

muse and method - begin

Lindsey and the Flatwoods String Band

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