SEEKING
Band to Join, Cello, Upright bass, Bagpipes, Vocalist - Alto, Fiddle, Mandolin, Banjo, Other, Flute, Harmonica, Background Singer, Piano, Violin, Bass Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Lead Guitar, Vocalist - Soprano, Vocalist - Tenor, Vocalist - Baritone, Vocalist - Bass, Vocalist.ABOUT
Most of the music I do has been off the top 40 for 150 years or more. I do mostly "living history" expressed through music as an offshoot of my Civil War reenacting hobby.
Collect music from about 1800 through the early 20th century, focusing on the American Civil War period. A lot of the music in my collection is old hymns, chants, spirituals etc.many of which have never to my knowledge been recorded, and many have been forgotten entirely. A lot of it is beautiful, and deserves to be remembered. Since I don't read music all that well I would love to have somebody who does go through my collection to pick out some of the better melodys that might be hidden in there.
Do some "Minstrel" music as an extension of Civil War living history... have to be careful where and to whom we perform that though these days.
For a while I did a lot of "Sea Chanty" and age of sail nautical music when we lived in coastal Yarmouth ME.. Still could if provoked I suppose.
Have written a bit of music - mostly what you'd call "contemporary Christian" I suppose. Have also set some poetry to music.
- Screen name:
- UncleJaque
- Member since:
- Apr 23 2011
- Active within 1 month
- Level of commitment:
- Just for Fun
- Years playing music:
- 40
- Gigs played:
- 50 to 100
- Tend to practice:
- 2-3 times per week
- Available to gig:
- 1 night a week
Influences
The Old Ones. Tennessee Ernie Ford; Joan Baez (before she got all political on us and wouldn't open her mouth but to protest something)...
EQUIPMENT
One "modern" acoustic guitar; Yamaha 12-string that I only put 6 strings on to facilitate my finger picking style. Avoid picks. One Victorian "Parlor guitar", gut strung as per the 19th century standard. Made a period replica "choker" (capo) for it that uses a fiddle peg and string to clamp it on to the neck.
5-string banjo; Vega Folkmaster and A replica "Minstrel" hide head gut strung friction pegged fretless banjo. They were tuned 2 and a half steps below modern Bluegrass banjos, were played in the old "stroke" style and have a distinct sound.
Irish tin penny whistle; have several, some of which I made.
Open holed low "G" walnut Celtic flute that I made. "Old Gilead". Tried to replicate it and never could.
Military Bb fife - used in the Third Maine Regimental Field Music (Fife & Drum Corps).
Noodle around with a concertina, but not much good with it. would like to learn from someone who knows what they're doing with it. I don't.
MUSIC
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Flanders Field
Flanders Field Year: 2009 Album: na Genre: Celtic
Set the WW-I poem "Flanders Field" to music for an Armistice Day Memorial ceremony. In Flanders Fields -- Lt. Col. John McCrae M.D. (1872-1918) Canadian army "In Flanders fields the poppies blow Between the crosses row on row, That mark our place; and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing, fly Scarce heard amid the guns below. We are the Dead. Short days ago We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, Loved and were loved, and now we lie In Flanders fields. Take up our quarrel with the foe: To you from failing hands we throw The torch; be yours to hold it high. If ye break faith with us who die We shall not sleep, though poppies grow (in song; repeat) In Flanders fields."
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Night in Jerusalem
Night in Jerusalem Track number: 5 Year: 2003 Album: "Home From the Hill" Genre: Christian Contemporary
Inspired while looking over the lights of the city of Portland ME from the Maine Medical Center while recovering from surgery. Cities can be pretty at night... the "New Jerusalem" will be beautiful!
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Requiem
Requiem Track number: 14 Year: 2003 Album: "Home From the Hill" Genre: Acoustic
Requiem by Robert Luis Stevenson. "Under the wide and starry sky Dig the grave and let me lie: Glad did I live and gladly die, And I laid me down with a will. This be the verse you 'grave for me: Here he lies where he long'd to be; Home is the sailor, home from the sea, And the hunter home from the hill." Music by "Uncle Jaque" Clarke Written for the "Celebration of Life" after the passing of an old Friend from Randolph NH who would recite this poem, among other classical poetry, while we were out in the woods hunting. His capacity to memorize poetry always amazed me.
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Beautiful the Feet...
Beautiful the Feet... Track number: 9 Year: 2003 Album: "Home From the Hill" Genre: Christian Contemporary
Written and performed by "Uncle Jaque" Clarke Circa 1984 Acoustic guitar; Yamaha 12/6.
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Nearer My God to Thee
Nearer My God to Thee Track number: 8 Year: 2003 Album: "Home From the Hill" Genre: Christian / Gospel
Played on "Old Gilead" - black walnut low "G" open holed flute made by "Uncle Jaque" Clarke.
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Lorena
Lorena Track number: 7 Year: 2003 Album: "Home From the Hill" Genre: Folk
Guitar, Vocal by "Uncle Jaque" Rev. H.D.L. WEBSTER & J.P. WEBSTER, 1857 Popular on both sides during the American Civil War.
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Old Ship of Zion
Old Ship of Zion Track number: 10 Album: Home From the Hill Genre: Christian / Gospel
A compilation of several versions of old Negro Spiritual / Southern Gospel Hymns of the same name which seemed to morph back and forth between cultures and regions. Slaves and White Methodists sang it along with who knows who else back then. It was a true product of early American spirituality. The tunes and lyrics vary a lot between versions, but the ones I used for this one are essentially: "What's that ship you've enlisted for to sail upon? Glo-ry Hal-le-lluia! 'Tis the Old Ship of Zion Hallellu-i- a; Glo-ry Hal-le-llujia! Can't you see that ship a-sailin'; sailin' in; Crossin' over to the promised; promised land? 'Tis the Old Ship of Zion - Halle-lu-u-llia; Glo-ry Ha-lle-lluia!
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Frog in the Well
Frog in the Well Track number: 6 Year: 1850 Album: Home From the Hill Genre: Folk
Originally a Southern Minstrel tune, it was adapted by the Military for use in the Fife and Drum Corps. It sounds a lot better with our drum line, and some day I hope to get a recording of the "Regimental Field Music" doing it together. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wzSWkAufhxY&feature=related
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Battle Hymn
Battle Hymn Genre: Christian / Gospel
Military Bb Fife with guitar