Live!

One of the best things about living in this area is the rich musical traditions of Appalachia. Frederick has plenty of live music venues, most notably West Side Cafe. Last night they featured Trent Wagler and the Steel Wheels. As different as Erik and I seem, we both really enjoy a good live Americana music jam. These three men from Virginia were fabulous! The bassist provided a deep soulful rhythm that we all couldn't help but move to and the fiddle player was a virtuoso. The lead singer was so full of passion in his ballads that it felt as if those songs had come from his own experiences and he poured himself out there for us. Even the cover tunes felt that way. Their rendition of Long Black Veil was moving. There is something so profoundly disturbing about this tune, yet the voice of the song inspires compassion. A man faced with death says nothing because his alibi reveals him as an adulterer and he is hung. I don't know weather to picture him as a scoundrel or as merely human who made one last attempt at honor, perhaps to atone for his sins.

Ten years ago, on a cold dark night
Someone was killed, 'neath the town hall light
There were few at the scene, but they all agreed
That the slayer who ran, looked a lot like me
The judge said son, what is your alibi
If you were somewhere else, then you won't have to die
I spoke not a word, thou it meant my life
For I'd been in the arms of my best friend's wife

Chorus
She walks these hills in a long black veil
She visits my grave when the night winds wail
Nobody knows, nobody sees
Nobody knows but me

Oh, the scaffold is high and eternity's near
She stood in the crowd and shed not a tear
But late at night, when the north wind blows
In a long black veil, she cries ov're my bones