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About Vernonia's voice. (Vernonia, OR) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (May 1, 2014)
community The Boys (and Girls) of Columbia County may1 2014 13 continued from page 12 under the name Timberbound Project. They chose ‘Another Good Maul,’ a foot stomper that John had is continuing on and being carried forward by the next songs that described life in the Pacific Northwest – recorded and is revived here. In the songbook John generation. Joe decided to write new lyrics to the mostly Kim and John’s songs from the songbook, but included two traditional tunes that he wrote new lyrics classic tune (in the folk song tradition) and add his own also songs by Kytr or Berge, with a Woody Guthrie for; Seamons and company perform them here in the perspective on life in Columbia County. “I wanted tune thrown in here and there. Just recently Seamons spirit they were intended. ‘Pretty Polly’ is an age-old to mention the people that I associate with Keasey because I didn’t know John and Kim when they received permission from the original members lived there. The people I mention are that place to change the name of this new band to just for me.” Timberbound. Completing this first CD is a great The new incarnation of Timberbound accomplishment for Seamons and his band mates. has clearly captured the tradition, atmosphere “This kind of gives us a central identity,” says and essence of the original string music. The Seamons. “It’s a foundation that has us rooted choice of songs on the CD reflects Seamons’ and anchored in a place and a time.” According various interests in the artists who were part of to Seamons, capturing this first batch of material Timberbound and pays homage to Seamons’ also opens other doorways for the band. “Now musical heroes. Seamons says he picked what we can do whatever we want because we have he considered some of the “...strongest material,” this big task completed.” for this initial recording. Seamons says he plans to continue in his Nine of the eighteen songs are from quest to gather more stories, information and the songbook, and include the iconic ‘Boys of folklore from the original Timberbound time Columbia County,’ and ‘Timberbound,’ John’s period and expand on what he still considers the ode’ to finding himself living in the woods of ‘Timberbound Project.’ Keasey. Three of the songs are the only three Members of Timberbound and friends at their CD release party. He has received permission from Kim Cunnick songs Dave Berge ever wrote, including the sea Photo by Emily Rome. shanty like ‘Fisherman’s Life.’ ‘Spring Rain’ is a to reprint the Timberbound Songbook. According song Kytr wrote about Kim. ‘Cedar Mill Boys’ is also murder ballad; the soaring harmonies of Seamons and to Seamons it will be an expanded version with all the a Kytr tune that the original Timberbound played live. Sandgrin on ‘Little Birdie’ make it one of the highlights songs from the original, plus several Kytr songs, all ‘Trees’ is a beautiful, haunting and powerful eulogy of the CD. three Berge songs, possibly more of John’s writings, The liner notes tell some personal stories about and other material. “It’s still developing and in the how each one of the songs found its way into Seamons’ theoretical stages,” says Seamons. heart and onto this recording and create a new, added In musical terms Seamons envisions the group layer to the Timberbound lore. The design on the CD expanding their diversity without getting too far away packaging is a beautifully crafted and complex layering from their roots. Seamons says Kytr has a large body of hand-cut relief prints that evoke the northwest. The of work that has not yet been recorded that he hopes prints are the creation of artists Kathryn Cotnoir and to tap into. “He has all these other songs that hardly Erik Sandgren, vocalist Kate Sandgren’s parents, anyone has heard,” says Seamons. Timberbound is as well Dee Vadnais, also an artist, who is Seamons’ scheduled to appear with Hobe Kytr at the Northwest mother. The printing was done at Stumptown Printers Folklife Festival in Seattle on May 23 rd . There is also in Portland, where Seamons was amazed to discover a rumor that Kim Cunnick will be back in the area for that one of the workers was a folk musician who had a Timberbound show this spring. Seamons hopes the actually played music with Kytr at one time. “It was Portland Folklore Society will also host a concert in the another sign from the universe,” says Seamons. fall. Seamons brings the new CD full circle with The possibilities continue to develop and a couple of the songs on the recording. On ‘Father’s multiply. Song’ and ‘The Ballad of Fuckin’ A’, Seamons asked a “I like the concept of the richness and texture gathering of family and friends, including Berge’s wife and the abstract idea of music that reflects the Pacific Dave Berge, a member of the original Timberbound, Dana, to help sing the choruses. Seamons says it was Northwest,” says Seamons. “We want to broaden joined the new band for several songs on the CD. Photo by Scott Bergstrom. a tribute to the ‘Rutabagga Chorus,’ longtime friends the horizons of that, because so far we’ve been very from Keasey, Vernonia and Mist, who had joined focused on this songbook and these songs. Now it to John, written by Kytr, that Kim asked Seamons to Kytr and Berge on their album. “It’s also an attempt can breathe a little bit and we can expand what we play for her when he recently visited her in Costa Rica. to recreate in the studio the sound these songs usually do. Maybe we’ll do more original songs. It’s all still Berge even joined the band in the studio and plays on have, which is a whole bunch of people in a living fermenting.” several of the tracks. “The new CD all ties back into room singing together,” says Seamons. “You create a John and Kim and tries to give a well-rounded portrait mood and a feeling and a different kind of power when You can follow Timberbound on Facebook. a whole bunch of people are together singing,” like of their life out there at Keasey,” says Seamons. The playing and singing on the CD is first- when Seamons first heard the songs as a young boy. Visit US today for ‘The Boys and Girls of Columbia County’ rate. The vocal harmonies are lovely and vocalist Kate all your financial needs! Sandgren is in fine voice throughout. The excellent is a reprise of the original and a salute to the Keasey musicianship of Gavin Duffy is definitely evident. community. It features lyrics written years ago by Josh, Teresa, Margy Estrin, a classically trained violinist who plays with Vernonian Schann Nelson and new lyrics by Seamons. Josh, Juli, Juli, Teresa, Margy & Davia 905 Street 905 Bridge Bridge Street the Portland Opera who just started playing fiddle Those new lyrics mention friends Cory Colburn, Jim (503) (503) 429-6271 429-6271 with Timberbound, fills out the sound and is superb. Buxton and CiCi Bell as well as lost loved ones Seamons sings most of the vocals, changing his style Jenelle Wiggins, John Cunnick and Charles Colburn. to meet the needs of each song and his banjo gives Erik Sandgren had suggested that Joe include some usbank.com the tunes a real folk feel. He plays the harmonica on of his own writing on the CD to show how the music Member FDIC WELLER & SON’S 503.429.7408 STEVE HM: 503-429-3400 CELL: 503-313-9006 59229 Nehalem Hwy. 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