About 7 or 8 years ago, I bought a very old (c. 1890) Cole banjo that had been lovingly restored by banjoist Emery Hutchins of York, Maine.  It was a treasure; I always feel as though I am holding a piece of American history in my lap when I play her.  But being old, and with mostly original parts, she has become a bit temperamental ( I say this with great empathy, as I am a temperamental old woman myself. With mostly original parts.).  A few years ago, I purchased a beautiful handmade banjo by the master builder Chuck Lee from Texas.  Easy to play and pretty dependable about staying in tune, my Chuck Lee became my everyday on-stage banjo.

But didn't I long for that old Cole from time to time?  One year, I brought her to Banjo Camp with me and asked my lifelong friend, banjo expert Henry Sapoznik, for some advice.  He and several others advised me to take it to Glenn Nelson at Mockingbird Music in Berlin, Massachusetts and have him fix the failing the 5th string peg, repair the frets, and make other improvements.  And with a sparkle in his eye, he suggested that I lose the steel strings on this banjo and replace with some imitation gut.... nylon strings that are meant to sound and feel like gut strings... the strings which would have been on the banjo when it was new.

It took me three years of saving up the dough and getting through many changes in my life... and finally I brought the banjo to Glenn.  He liked this banjo right away, and was pleased that I was switching her over to nylon strings. 

Yesterday I picked up the banjo at Mockingbird Music. Glenn showed me the ways in which this banjo was designed for gut, not steel strings. It was fun talking with him because he is so knowledgeable about vintage instruments.  And the new instruments that Glenn makes are exquisite.  Murray took a good shot of a guitar and mandolin that he made. They need to be seen and heard in person to truly appreciate.

But this story is about my banjo: She sounds like a totally different instrument!  Soft and clear, with a gentle, plunky voice, this opens up a whole new banjo sound for me.  I can't wait for you to hear this old gal... the banjo, not me!

All photos by Murray Dellow

So a couple of weeks ago, I let them have at it, and it went pretty well.  Recovery has been slow but steady, and I can do a lot of things without pain.  But I can't turn door knobs, open jars or bottles, or wash dishes yet.  I just tried to play the banjo and it kinda hurts, but I did get to play a bit of one song.  What song was waiting for my fingers? "Music Tree."  Now that it is in my head, my hands are thinking about playing it.  Hmmm... frustrating to not be able to play.  Another week or two and I think I'll be strumming again.

So for the moment, the calendar is a bit empty. 

If you can't PLAY a show, might as well HEAR a show, right?  I caught David Francey and Craig Werth in Portsmouth.  An amazing show.  These two never fail to leave me slack-jawed.  And finally Murray got to hear them live, after nearly wearing out their CDs when we drove all through NZ last year.

Craig's new CD, "Spokes Man" deserves special notice.  His songwriting has developed so deeply over the years and his playing......  Depth is the word that keeps coming to mind.  I listened on the way to work today.  And I remember popping the CD into the player on Rt 5 in Saco... then the next thing I knew, I was on Forest Ave in Portland.  "Spokes Man" carried me to the radio station.  Floating.  This is the kind of recording one can get lost in.  Riveting stories, eloquent melodies and stunning instrumental execution.  And Craig's smooth but expressive voice conveys his songs as though you were having a conversation over tea.   

If you don't know Craig Werth, I recommend a little visit to his website.  www.craigwerth.com

Oh yeah... my CD is still available at my website, and I'd love it if you will buy one.  And I hope you will recommend me to your friends and your local coffeehouses, libraries and other venues.  But before you do any of that, give Craig a listen. 

I'll be back with a stronger, more accurate left hand in a few weeks.  In the meantime, I wish you a delightful end of summer.

Signing off for now,

Dale Robin

Life has been moving at a pretty fast clip these last months. So many life changes in the past year: boys are young men, CD released and getting radio airplay (thanks Wepecket!) and selling, divorce, new love, new place to live, new town... seems like I am drinking in change each day. Change is stressful?? Change is fabulous!

Turns out this friend of mine, Murray, is really my new partner. Murray is not a musician, but a music lover, and such a support to me in this way. On tour I ask, "don't you get tired of hearing me play the same songs all the time?". Smiling, "No," he says. "I love them every time."

So the times turn into dozens and he still loves them and it turns out I love him. And he loves more than my songs. So guess what? Caution gone. We're gettin' hitched next week. It's not just the songs he doesn't tire of, and I cannot get enough of his eyes and the sound of his voice and the way he takes my guitar from me and carries it out to the car.

So now the love songs are about somethin' and I could Waltz Across Texas... ok well I'd need some orthopedic shoes, maybe, but you get the idea. So that's the news from the Dale Robin corner of the world. We're getting married on Tuesday the 22nd of June, and I've got a gig on the 25th. He thinks this is a good thing. I love that fella!

The Wepecket Family gathers at the Black Watch Pub for kick-off the tour dinner and rehearsal. Jim McGrath’s new CD is playing, sounds fabulous! Tonight we are here for fun. We return here on May 7 for a gig. The night before our performance the Black Watch presents an Iron Maiden tribute band, called Iron Mustache. Gee, this place is eclectic! Lovely spot, nice selection of beer, great ambiance. This will be a fun gig! But first, we head out for Princeton, NJ in the morning. House concert tomorrow night, and my brother, who is a killer blues harp player will be sitting in with me. First time we’ve played together for a couple of decades. Oooh - band meeting starting right now!