community
The Boys (and Girls) of Columbia County
may1
2014
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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’
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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
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