Idlewild duo and Old Doctor Sharp's High Potency Liver Regulating, Gastro Emulsifier

 

Dave Sharp - Clawhammer Banjo, Mountain Dulcimer, vocals, storytelling and caller

Carol Sue - Penny Whistles, Tambourine, Bowed Psaltery, Pony Limber-jack, Zack Limber-jack

 

 

 

 

Medicine Show sales pitch

Ladies and gentlemen, young and old, wise and otherwise, before I start speaking let me say this. I'm here today to elucidate, educate and eradicate a few priceless gems of wisdom that I have learned during my far-flung travels round and about the civilized and uncivilized world. I also have many degrees, an esteemed member of  pie kappa pie, and Suma coom Loudmouth from Whatsamatta You! Furthermore it's needless to say, it's needless to say, although what I am here to say is that one of mans greatest goals and achievements is the conquest of human pain and suffering.

Now how about you? Yes, You!

Are hurtin for certain? (Uhuh)

Has your get up and go, got up and went? (Uhuh)

Have you blarted you bramisham and declassified your crambus? (Uhuh)

Well, whimper and whine and wallow in your misery no longer. Your face is in the right place. So step up folks, because these arcane mysteries and esoteric anomalies are not for the unassuming, unsophisticated, unwashed, unsuspecting members of the public alone , but for your ears and your ears only.

(Pulls out ears and passes them out to the audience)

Friends, I know you are all anxious for me to gesticulate about the Splendiferous, spectacular, and wondrous properties of this amazing Elixir of Life. You need not beat the bushes any longer for here is the questions for all your answers, the problems for all your solutions, and the ailments for all your cures. I am so very proud to prevent old Doctor Sharps High Potency Liver regulating, Gastro Emulsifier.

(Wow!)

If you are like most people, and most people are, you won't pass up this one and only opportunity to acquire the original, one-hundred percent genuine repatriated, amalgamated, ventriculated and highly concentrated spiritus fermenti.....compounded by me from an ancient secret concoction of un-natural spices. We have done extensive, expensive, retentive research and have left no turn un-stoned to bring to you this cornucopia of medicinal blunders that will knock your socks off and ring your dinger.

Good for everything that ails you from the pain in your Mazurka to the hitch in your get along. Pour it over your head or drink it. You can even rub it between your toes or brush your teeth with it.

No need to worry for it has all been blended to absolute perfection right in the privacy of my very own bathtub. This joy juice will put back the skip in your step and the zippity in your doo-dah. Even the razzle back  in your dazzle. Gone bald pour it over your head and grow new hair. Welds broken bones, restores rotten teeth and can even reverse the effects of time and aging. Seem miraculous? Well it is, so let me say this in confusion.

Don't bite the hand that lays the golden egg. Don't let a gift horse in the house. When your exasperated, castigated, irritated and agitated try Old Doctor Sharp's High Potency Liver Regulating, Gastro Emulsifier. If it doesn't seem to sit well with you just return the unused portion in a stamped self addressed sealed envelope to Old Doctor Sharp's High Potency Liver Regulating, Gastro Emulsifier and we'll refund the unused portion of your money.  Be sure to read the label for more inflammation and remember you can lead a horse to water, but a pencil must be lead. So get the lead out and buy Old Doctor Sharp's High Potency Liver Regulating, Gastro Emulsifier.

I thank you!

 

 

 

The Outlaw Banjo Bob

Bob was an Outlaw, his skin pale white

He played on the Banjo by day and by night

He rode into Utah the last place on Earth

where his talent for Banjo would have any worth.

So hungry and worn with his old six gun

he robbed a small store and went on the run.

A posse had chased him and as they drew close

heard the sound they were feared of afeared of the most.

There by the fire, Bob played his Banjo so fine.

that it tickled yer feet and tingled yer spine.

Soon all the posse was dancin a reel,

right elbow swing or some kinda deal.

They'd reel the set and sashay down

Until they forgot what happened in town.

When the tune finally stopped they sat for a spell

Banjo Bob was long gone, with their horses as well.

by D. Sharp

 

 

 

 

 

In looking through my old bottle collection, I found an old patent medicine bottle among the group. Here was the perfect storytelling prop for my old time medicine show skit. The Bottle was once used for Dr. W. B. Caldwell's Syrup Pepsin manufactured in Monticello, Illinois and contained Pepsin (an ingredient found in Pepsi as well as senna a type of herbal laxative. By introducing the medicine show it's the perfect format to play banjo tunes, tell jokes and stories at some o...f the storytelling festivals and mountain man rondy-voos we perform at. I've edited the script for the introduction a bit. I found an old photo of a medicine show entertainment as well. Banjos are involved, so I'm on the right track. Doctor Sharp's High Potency, Liver Regulating Gastro Emulsifier - Cures warts, welds broken bones, saves rotten teeth, restores vim and vigor, reverses stink foot, cures baldness, restores regularity, siphons off unwanted gases and digestive excesses, puts the shine back in greaseless hair, the perfect gout be gone, mends broken hearts, cures beady eyes, corrects blurry vision and reverses the wrinkles of time.

 

The short pitch

 

"Ladies and gentlemen, horses and mules,

cross eyed mosquitos and bow-legged fools,

I stand before you and sit behind you

to tell you something I know nothing about!

Admission is free, you must pay at the door;

So pull up a chair and sit on the floor.

The show is over, but before you go,

let me tell you a story I don't really know :

 

 

 

 

Wild Bill Hickock

He sat at the table Ole Wild Bill

Playing his cards with all of his skill

Shot by a weasel named Jack McCall

His shot to the head rang out in the Hall

There in Bill's hand instead of his gun

Were Aces and Eights and then he was done.

 

 

Banjo Poem

There once was a picker named Bruno
Who said, "There's certainly  one thing I do know
And mandolins divine

Guitars are just fine
But banjos are numero uno!"

 

Banjo Haiku

Like the falling Rain

Sleek wires pick-a pick-a

Belly is a Drum

 

 

Thank you for listening.

We're called Idlewild, I'm Idle and she's wild.

D. Sharp

The Set

1. Goin' across the Sea / Glenn's Ferry

2. Appaloosa

3. Old Jimmey Sutton / Goin' down to Cairo

4. On the Road to California

5. Porter Rockwell

6. Come thy Font of every Blessing

7. All are talking of Utah

8. Lincoln and Liberty

9. Spotted Pony

10. Promontory

11. Poem

12. Oh my Darlin'

13. Tis a gift to be Simple

14. Snow in the Pass / Sharp and Young

15. Poem

16. I am the Bravest Cowboy

17. Hunt the Buffalo

18. Blue Mountain

19. Zack the Mormon Engineer

20. Crossed old Jordon's Stream / Buffalo Polka

Idlewild Duo at Draper Days

Join us or Draper Days in the Day Dairy Barn

1:00 to 2:00 pm

Idlewild is Dave and Carol Sharp

We will pay tunes, sing songs, tell whoppers, tales of the

Pioneer Utah and family stories.

Sponsored by Utah Pioneer Heritage Arts

 

Carol and I are honored to be asked to present our music of Pioneer Utah. We have ancestors that came from Europe to Utah in 1850. So this is both our cultural heritage and family background. Our ancestors were well known members of the community and instrumental to the history that unfolded in Utah. We would like to thank Clive Romney and the Pioneer Heritage Arts.

 



Our set

1. Goin' across the Sea / Glenn's Ferry  - The first tune is an old time traditional American piece I learned from long time friends, Cory Webster and Mark Jardine. I've added a couple of verses to go with the first verse. Glenn's Ferry is a reel composed by me while camping at Glenn's Ferry along the Snake River in Idaho. Where the old crossing for the Oregon Trail had been. Dave - Clawhammer Banjo and Vocals. Carol - Whistle and Tambourine.
2. Appaloosa - Old time American Reel written by me within the tradition. Every day as I head to work I see four or five grey Appaloosa that were the inspiration for this tune. Dave - Clawhammer Banjo. Carol - Whistle.
3. Old Jimmey Sutton / Goin' down to Cario - The first tune is an Appalachian play song meant to make children laugh and the second tune is a Midwest fiddle tune I learned from Cory Webster. I've added two of my own verses. Dave - Mountain Dulcimer and vocals. Carol - Tambourine.
4. On the Road to California - Old Time tune from the Mormon west sung to the tune of Old Dan Tucker. It was thought that the Mormons in their exile would head to California originally. The verses of the song talk about being driven from their homes, and the extermination order of Governor Boggs. Dave - Clawhammer Banjo and vocals. Carol - Whistle.
5. Porter Rockwell - This song fragment was collected back in the early 50's. Porter Rockwell was one of the wests most notorious gun slingers, Marshalls, body guards, mountain men and saloon owners. Dave - Spoons and vocals. Carol - Tambourine.
6. Come thy Font of Every Blessing - Although originally a Shaker Hymn, this lovely tune was selected for the first Beehive Songster and was sung at many a Mormon meeting back in the day. Dave - Mountain Dulcimer and vocals. Carol - Bowed Psaltry.
7. All are talking of Utah - This song was probably written sometime after the Utah war, since it was a tune by the title of Marching through Georgia. It was characterized by General Sherman and his march to the sea during the Civil War. The song vents the defiance the Mormons felt during their conflict with Johnson's Army and the Utah War. It was sung on Pioneer Day until around 1950, by many communities around the State of Utah. Dave - Clawhammer Banjo and Vocals. Carol - Tambourine.
8. Lincoln and Liberty - This tune was used by Abraham Lincoln for his campaign prior to the out break of the Civil War. The words have been put to an old Irish air called Rosin the Beau. Dave - Mountain Dulcimer and vocals. Carol - Whistle.
9. Spotted Pony - Old Time American Dance Reel - Dave - Clawhammer Banjo. Carol - Pony Limberjack.
10. Promontory - I wrote this tune in honor of my ancestor John Sharp known as the Railroad Bishop. He was the senior partner in the firm Sharp and Young. He contracted the grading and tunneling work through Weber Canyon out to Promontory Pass Utah for the Union Pacific. Hard and difficult work, my ancestor had to later contest the Union Pacific in the New York courts for the balance owed to the Mormon Railroad workers. Dave - Mountain Dulcimer and vocals. Carol - Tambourine.
11. Banjo Poem - "Banjos are numero uno!" along with some of our favorite Banjo jokes.
12. My Darlin' - I wrote this tune together with Carol one day as I would sing a part of the verse Carol would sing me another part of the verse from the kitchen and together we wrote our first song about a young couple making plans for a life together on the frontier. Dave - Clawhammer Banjo and vocals. Carol - Tambourine.
13. Tis a gift to be Simple - an old Shaker Hymn and favorite Hymn for many people of many faiths. Dave - Mountain Dulcimer. Carol - Bowed Psaltry.
14. Snow in the Pass / Sharp and Young - Carol and I wrote this song about her Handcart Pioneer ancestor's journey to Salt Lake. The second tune is an instrumental piece in sawmill tuning titled after my Pioneer ancestor's contracting firm. Dave - Clawhammer Banjo and vocals. Carol - Bowd Psaltry.
15. Wild Bill Hickock Poem - Poetry was often a part of many a gathering as it still is today for many Cowboy Poets. I wrote this piece about the famous Wild Bill shot in a card game holding what came to be know as a 'dead man's hand', of aces and eights.
16. Old Aunt Jenny - I wrote this about  a women in a rest home that we met, but it has many elements of a belief in the afterlife that would have fit with the period. Dave - Clawhammer Banjo and vocals. Carol - Tambourine.
17. Hunt the Buffalo - Carol and I wrote this piece about a bank robber turned Buffalo hunter turned married man and the vanishing Buffalo in the west. Many a Mormon girl married a scallywag, but this one turns out alright. Dave - Clawhammer Banjo and vocals. Carol - Whistle
18. Blue Mountain - Written by Fred Keller in 1919 about the community in Monticello Utah around Blue Mountain. It gives a vivid description of times and is a real folkloric treasure. Dave - Mountain Dulcier and vocals. Carol - Whistle.
19. Zack he Mormon Engineer - A satirical look at Zack Black a railroad engineer and Mormon Bishop, who had a wife in every town along the route his train took. It is sung to the tune of 'Oh Susannah' and is from the Cheney collection. Dave - Clawhammer Banjo and vocals. Carol -Tambourine.
20. Crossed old Jordan's Stream / Buffalo Polka - Appalachian gospel tune, to which I've added extra verses along with a B part to the melody. Buffalo Polka is loosely based on Buffalo Gals and has some innovations in the melodic line. Dave - Clawhammer Banjo and vocals. Carol - Bowed Psaltry and Pony Limber-jack.

We hope that those interested can attend.

Dave and Carol Sharp

Synesthesia or Chromaesthesia

I have had several people that have played in our band describe this condition of seeing color with music called synesthesia or chromaesthesia. I personally tend to imagine or visualize light and dark, form and movement. I've often thought of my primitive and abstract sculptures as having musical patterns of light and dark. Themes and variations. It comes down to smaller things as well Viola = dark, Trumpet = bright and every shade in-between. I also think of music in terms of emotive intensity of ease and unease. Hope that's not to weird. Relative pitch also can make me feel at ease as opposed to the uncomfortable feeling I get when something is not in pitch relatively. I should also say that melodic lines seem to have emotive qualities of dramatic speech. I hear or imagine the emotive preverbal intent of a melodic idea or phrase. Some Jazz forms have expletives and soft quiet melodies like a lullaby say soothing things for example. I guess I could go on and on about this subject. Some melodic patterns set to meter seem to scream for someone to dance to it. Even to imply the type of movement that should be done to it. Setting ones feet and body in motion to the divisions suggested by rhythm. Did I mention Guided Imagery, which is sometimes used in therapeutic settings. Much of the sound of Poetry read out loud has qualities of music in its cadences and meter. Sadly I've talked to people who can not even imagine what one is talking about when you say a Viola sounds dark. (a good kind of dark) The benefits and associations of music seem to be many and of great variety. I've only scratched the surface of an amazing subject.

Salt Lake Interfaith Roundtable and the 2015 Musical Tribute

We are pleased to present this years 2015 Musical Tribute at the Salt Lake Tabernacle on Temple Square. Many faiths in our region will present their religion and culture through the performing arts. A list of our faith presenters is listed below. Tickets can be obtained at the door and the concert is free to the public. The concert will commence at 6:00 pm until 7:30 pm March 22nd, 2015.

Tickets may be found at our website:
http://www.interfaithroundtable.org/
or at:
https://www.lds.org/church/events/temple-square-events/2015-interfaith-music-tribute?lang=eng

The Salt Lake Interfaith Roundtables Music Tribute 2015

"Many Faiths One Family"

We are pleased to have 

Carol Mikita as our Master of Ceremonies again this year.

Opening devotionals:

Call to prayer or Adan by Masood Ul-Hasan-Islam/Muslim, Vice President of the Islamic Society of Greater Salt Lake.

Native American Blessing by Lacey Harris of the Northern Ute and Northern Piute Tribes

Sikh prayer by J. B. Singh member of the Sikh Temple of Utah.

 Jewish Prayer by Alan Bachman with Shofar players Josh Lipman and Larry Green

 Elder L. Whitney Clayton of the LDS Seventy gives a welcome to the Tabernacle

Carol Mikita introduction:

 

1. Ogden Buddhist Temple Taiko - Stan Hirei director

The Ogden Buddhist Taiko Group is affiliated with the Buddhist Church of Ogden. The OBTG has gone through many different variations. Currently, the group has approximately 18 members, which range in age from twelve years old to 75 years of age. The OBTG enjoys performing in various events throughout Utah and the Western United States. The interfaith performance is considered one of the highlight events that the group has been asked to perform in throughout the years. Taiko is an ancient Japanese art form and was brought to the U. S. by Seiji Tanaka who established the San Francisco Taiko Dojo in the late 1960's. The philosophy adopted by the OBTG was established by Reverend Mas Kodani of the Senshin Buddhist Temple in L.A. He related Buddhism to Taiko drum playing. He related the drum as being the world of enlightenment of the world of "Buddha" and the player as to world or delusion of the world of man. The link between the two worlds is the drumsticks which represents Buddha's teachings. So when the players are hitting the drum with their sticks they are trying to become one with the drum or with "Buddha".

 

 

2. Kopo - Krishna Temple of Salt Lake City

Kopo will be representing the Hare Krishna's and playing a medley mantra called “Maha Mantra - Tumare Darshan” which means “The Names of Krishna and dancing with the Divine feminine and masculine energy of God.”

 

3.  The Family Federation for World Peace and Unification Children's Choir. (formerly known as the Unification Church) Eiko Takeda, director - The choir will sing "The Principle Youth March" words by H. C. Hwang and music by Duk Chin Kim, also "Urie So Wonun Tongil" Traditional Korean Song. Tongil means unity.

4 Imam Muhammed S. Mehtar - Khadeeja Mosque-Islamic Society of Greater Salt Lake. Prayer  and talk in Arabic/English - Unity, Kindness and Humanity.  Imam Muhammed Mehtar is a full time Imam, religious leader, scholar, speaker and motivator with the primary objective of helping people to recognize the greatness of Allah (swt) known in English as God.  The Islamic Society of Utah was the first organization in Utah that provided religious services for Muslims since 1986. Khadeeja Mosque is located in West Valley City.

 

 

5. Mount Tabor Choir - Mount Tabor Lutheran Church (ELCA) has been an active faith community in downtown Salt Lake since 1907. Musicians and singers from Mount Tabor are performing "Psalm 141" from Holden Evening Prayer, by the Lutheran composer Marty Haugen.  

Harry Heightman, director

Gordon Smith, piano

Rebecca Sue, Stephanie Wilson, flute

Rev. David Nichols, Erin Faehling, violin

Rachel Becker, cello

 

 

6.  Lux Singers is the Choir in residence at Saint Mary's Episcopal church in Provo, Utah. Lux (pronounced/luks/and rhymes with dukes) is an elite religious choral ensemble. Our mission is to sing the great works from master of all religious denomination and sects: to sing for the congreagates of all religious faiths, in their places of worship. Lux comes from the Latin word for light. As a choir we seek to share the light that choral music can bring to the lives of all those who hear it. Since Lux Singers is interdenominational and not tied to any specific religion or congregation we seek to share the msuic of all religions and denominations; and to share the light from each religion's musical tradition with the world. The choir will sing two pieces "I stand all Amazed", arr. John Leavitt and "Prayer" by Rene Clausen. Leland Spindler, conductor

 

 

7. Kargi Kala Kendra Indian Classical Dance School - Director Sudha Kargi, Sandy, Utah

Sudha Kargi is naturally endowed and with a solid training in Bharatanatyam under the supervision of world renowned teachers in India. After moving to US, Sudha continues her journey in performing and propagating this art form to hundreds of younger generation kids.  Each performance is for her a tremendous learning experience, filling with a sense of euphoria, because dance for her is a celebration of life. Sudha has received many awards and titles both in India and the United States for her work in the traditional arts. The dance, "Krishna Nee Begane" which literally means Krishna! Come Quickly! is choreographed for this Musical Tribute Program. This song by Colonial Cousins, which features the aspects fo both Indian Classical and Western music. The song is composed by Padmashri Hariharan and Leslie Lewis.

 

8. Hilltop Gospel Choir is an outreach ministry of Hilltop United Methodist Church in Sandy, Utah, that embraces all from our community, connecting many diverse faiths and cultures in sharing a love for singing the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Gospel music is deeply rooted in the black experience of slavery, but it is music that has been shared with, and speaks to, the world. Hilltop Gospel Choir performs throughout the greater Salt Lake area at various festivals and events.

Roberta Shimensky, Director

Dan Waldis, piano

Richie Vasquez, bass

Max Meyer, drums

Rodney Strong, keys

Mat Wennergren, guitar

 

“All the Glory”    Richard Smallwood

“Forever You Shall Reign”  Carla L. Sanders

Our pianist for "Thou, O Lord" will be Thomas Klassen

 

 

9. "Let there be Peace on Earth" Piano by Alan Bachmen, Directed by Roberta Shimensky.

 

*“LET THERE BE PEACE ON EARTH”

(Copyrighted lyrics by Jill Jackson & Sy Miller)

 

Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me.

                    Let there be peace on earth, the peace that was meant to be.

 

With God our Creator, FAMILY all are we;

Let us walk with each other, in perfect harmony.

 

Let peace begin with me, let this be the moment now.

With every step I take, let this be my solemn vow:

 

To take each moment and live each moment in peace eternally,

Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me.

 

(Repeat “To take each moment” with joy and enthusiasm - and faith!)

 

 

 

*© 1955 Jan-Lee Music --  Copyright renewed 1983.  All rights reserved.  Copied by permission.  Permission granted for use in the Salt Lake Interfaith Roundtable’s “Interfaith Musical Tribute to the Human Spirit.”

The daughter of the composers of this song granted permission for its use in our concert saying, “This is exactly the kind of an event for which the song was written.  Your use of it would please them very much.”

 

 

10.  Father Elias of the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church will give the closing prayer.