Maurice Hope – August 9, 2016 at 12:32PM
Tags:_AMERICANA
Two ‘classic’ albums The Secret Handshake and Password make up this package, recorded in 1998 and 2000 on Hightone respectively, the release comes with full original liner notes. Built on authenticity of the purest form, Muldaur’s musicianship and shaping of a song ensure his dedication to dirt on the floor acoustic blues, ragtime and blues gospel, and musicians is retained throughout. Muldaur’s admiration of those who set the mould is reflected in the loving care placed on the recordings, then again, he sampled the music of these guys first hand as a young, aspiring, if then a little wayward musician (living one time in New Orleans).
Muldaur’s great attention to detail, the loving care he pours over ever note and lyric; both those borrowed from the greats Huddie Ledbetter (Ledbelly), ‘Sleepy’ John Estes, Charlie Patton, Blind Willie Johnson, Vera Hall and Ruby Pickens Tartt and those from his own hand; his story of him setting out to find the grave of Blind Lemon Jefferson in “Got To Find Blind Lemon – Part One” (Part two appears in the second of the releases) is mind-blowing, plus you have a touch of cajun blues accordion (John Magnie) “I Believe I’ll Go Back Home” and, “Kitchen Door Blues” to open the floodgates on Password.
As for musicians, the two projects, spread across them have the likes of David Grisman, Stephen Bruton, Amos Garrett, Larry Thomson, David Lindley, Bill Rich and others; on Password alone you have ace pickers Richard Greene, Don Heffington and California guitarist Dave Alvin and Greg Leisz to supply regular doses of incredible playing.
With so many treasures featured, to draw up a short list of highlights is near impossible but nevertheless here goes. “Wait Til I Put On My Robe” with Kate and Anna McGarrigle in assistance (plus Alvin, Leisz and Van Dyke Parks on pump organ) would be outstanding in any company. “Mary Of The Wild Moors” with more wonderful picking from the boys, plus twin-fiddle from Greene and Margaret Wooten isn’t far adrift, if at all. While with a timely nod to Jimmie Rodgers (Father of country music, known in some quarters as the Singing’ Brakeman) “Prairie Lullaby” is an exquisite, romantic leaning recording.
“K.C Moan” has a wonderful set of harmony vocalists in tow, plus the hypnotic lap steel of Leisz, harmonica of John Sabastian and jug, harmony vocals of Fritz Richmond, and there is more. Not least part two of “Got To Find…..Part 2”. It isn’t just about Muldaur’s incredible textures; vocally and the playing but the liner notes for The Secret Handshake are both informative and liberal. If you were looking for re-issue of the year I wouldn’t bother to look any further, it’s in your hand (or will soon be).
Maurice Hope
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