Tonight’s the night-The Blind Pig Gang will perform at the Union County Historical Society in Blairsville GA at 7:00 p.m. (the old courthouse). I’m excited about getting to meet some of you for the first time-and meeting up with some of you who have become good friends since I first started the Blind Pig & The Acorn. But my mind’s been on those of you who can’t come-who live much too far away to even think about it.
I was daydreaming about how if I was super rich I could hire somebody to film us and stream it live over the Blind Pig-wouldn’t that be cool! As I come back to reality I started thinking about all the songs I’ve shared with you over the nearly 5 years since I started this blog.
I ask myself what was the very first song I posted? I thought I knew,-but went back through the archives to see if I was right-I was. It was an old Simon & Garfunkle song El Condor Pasa.
Back then I didn’t even have a video camera. Chitter videoed the song with her little camera. She moved around a lot, got right in Pap and Paul’s faces, and filmed more than a few foot shots. If you look close you can see me sitting in the background and Chatter filming with her own camera.
I hadn’t watched that video in forever! We don’t even do the song anymore. Once Mandolin Man entered high school and the work force, he didn’t have time to play with us much anymore. And the song just didn’t sound right with out his mandolin-so we gave it up.
The song has an interesting history.
In 1913 Daniel Robles wrote a play named El Condor Pasa (The Condor Goes By). The story was set in the Cerro de Pasco mines of Peru. The play showed the struggle miners had surviving poor working conditions and corrupt mine owners. The symbolism of the play being-the Condor flying away to freedom-like the miners longed to do.
El Condor Pasa, the title song, was a huge hit. It was an instrumental and became popular worldwide. In 1970 Paul Simon wrote lyrics to go with the music. Simon and Garfunkel released the song on their 1970 album Bridge Over Troubled Water.
I love the song-my favorite line is “I’d rather feel the Earth beneath my feet.” Have you ever really felt the Earth beneath your feet? I have and it’s a pretty special feeling.
Hope to see some of you tonight-and I’ll try my best to wrangle somebody into videoing part of it for the rest of you!
Tipper
Tipper,
“Wake Up, wake up, wake up…time to rise and shine!”
Just ’cause you were out all night fiddlin’ around in the Georgia moonlight don’t make no excuse for not being here on time on the Blind Pig…Soooo, haul it out, get up, shake it off, plant them toes firmly on the floor and post a picture, and/or story…so we’ll know you made it back home in one piece….Kiddin’ kinda…
Your faithful viewers and readers
B. ruth and Nickabob…
Tipper,
It was every bit as much fun as I anticipated and I do not know when Sterling has enjoyed going out for an evening of music anymore than tonight. Wonderful fun meeting your lovely and talented family and I so enjoyed the old hymns too. It was all we could have asked for . . . . well maybe the aroma of home-baked sweets from your kitchen, a cup of tea and a cushioned rocker. 😀
I bet that is a great time for you guys! I hope there is video of the event for us to enjoy. How fortunate for everyone in that corner in Georgia to hear you guys in person.
Incredible!
I agree with Ed, Blind Pig Gang does it much better than Simon and Garfunkle. Love the Mandolin. And, I must say Roger is a precious man. I loved his from the heart comment.
Hope you have a good crowd tonight. Know you’ll do great. Sorry am so far away and can’t attend.
What a great memeory! I always loved Simon and Garfunkle; I love the presentation your family made. I am sorry we will miss your show, but we hope to be in Blairsville over Labor Day weekend, that is, if Isaac doesn’t change our plans. May God bless your performance; I can’t wait to see the people and fans who come out to enjoy your presentation. Oh, yes! I love to feel the earth beneath my feet.
I WISH WE COULD BE THERE TONIGHT BUT WE LIVE TO FAR SURE GLAD YOU ARE TRIEING TO GET SOMEONE TO FILIT FOR YOU I WILL BE LOOKING
FOR IT ON MY COMPUTER.
GOD BLESS YOU ALL AND HOPE YOU HAVE A SAFE TRIP.
JOHNIE IN ARK,
I liked the song. Thought sure we’d make it to Blairsville this time. Maybe next time.
I have always loved that song and The Blind Pig Gang rendition is wonderful. Love the mandolin! Wish I could make it up to Blairsville to listen to your music and meet you all in person but time does not allow. I hope you will post some video of the show.
I can’t make it to Blairsville due to Grandson’s football game which requires Papaw & Mamaw be in attendance but I’ll be there in spirit (maybe wandering around with Robert E. Lee). I never realized how much Paul & Pap’s harmony sounds so much like Simon & Garfunkel. In fact if Paul will grow a mustache and Pap get a frizzy perm it would be hard to tell them apart. Great job as usual now knock em dead in Ga.
Tipper,
I don’t even remember you all doing that song, but I’ve slept
since then. You all did a good
job on the song, sounded as good as Paul and Art could do. I thought the girls did a good job videoing too. Good luck tonite…Ken
I wish I were close enough to catch the Blind Pig Gang, but I’m not. Interesting story about El Condor Pasa. Have fun tonight.
It has been a long time for me also since I heard that song. I would love to hear the gang with studio quality sound. I have a feeling that your group will be making the rounds for some time to come. Thank you Tipper for sharing your wonderful family’s lives with us.
I loved The Blind Pig’s version of the song! Wishing I could be in attendance for the gang’s preformance tonight. I would love to see it streamed live, but if you were rich you may as well have a limo pick us all up and deliver us to a VIP section right there on the front row. Watch for talent scouts!
Good luck to the Blind Pig tonight and we will all be there supporting them in spirit!
Oh, I remember that song and I remember the first time I saw it. I thought why is Tipper’s camera wandering so much. Then I saw Tipper in the video so I knew who was holding the camera. lol
It’s still a good song.
Wish I could be there tonight. I know Ken is planning to be there.
I know you guys will do a good job. Hope you find someone to tape for you so we can see it.
I dont comment on things far i feel people say an do what they like doing but i got to tell you that i want start my day without frist sitting down with a hot cup coffee an you an a few good old songs to start my day going they are the songs i growed up with here in the mt of va i do what i can as for a good days work an the last thing at nite is your song an singing you take me to a place so long gone an missed so vary much an i no it may sound funny but i will
have your songs playing on my last day here and as i go down in that gold old grave your songs will put me to rest it is so good to no there are people that still no how to sing a good old song god bless youns
i love the earth beneath my feet, and we go barefoot inside and out unless we leave in the car… i love sand and dirt and grass and water beneath my bare feet. i had not heard the song in the video and she did a good job of filming it.
Wish I could be there tonight. Am sure it’ll be alot of fun. Enjoyed the old song. Such talent!
Tipper–I’ve always loved the lyrics of that song, but I had no idea of the melody’s history. As for feeling the ground beneath my feet, maybe some of the best times of my life, and I’m sure it holds true for many a staunch son and daughter of the Smokies, were wandering barefooted as a youngster in those summertime hills.
Jim Casada
http://www.jimcasadaoutdoors.com
My childhood was filled with barefoot summer days. Mud squishing between my toes, feet slipping on slick creek rocks, and heel bruising gravel roads were the parts of earth I liked to feel beneath my feet. Now that I am much older and a tenderfoot, the only earth I feel is sand at the beach! I know it’s a different take on the quote, but this is what I am reminded of by your title.
Tipper, You’re going to be in my hometown and in “The Old Courthouse” which my ancestors helped to put into place in 1899! And I’m 200 miles away in middle Georgia at Milledgeville, longing to be at Blairsville to hear you and fellowship with you. I hope you have a wonderful “turn-out,” and I just know the people are going to love the Blind Pig Gang’s music! Thanks for going. May it be a wonderfully warm and receptive appearance. I will be remembering you and wishing you the very best!
Great song and the group still sounds good. Nice job and I also like the mando.
Oh my, I so wish we could make the trip over, but just won’t be able to do so. Maybe someone could tape a song or two? You definitely need to find some aspiring film maker from a local school who wishes to practice. Maybe from WCU ? Well, no matter, I hope ya’ll have a great time pickin ‘n grinnin tonight. Maybe I’ll reload this page and listen to a few on the play list. :o)
I have always enjoyed listening to Simon & Garfunkle —know their music well and the Blind Pig Gang did a right good job!!! Good luck tonight —keep us as informed on the happenings and I do hope you can wrangle someone into videoing it for your followers.
The only thing missing in the song is a bass line. The camera work has a charm about it. Authentic is the appropriate word. I particularly enjoyed watching the lady in the background licking her fingers as she leafed through a magazine.
You do lead a rich life, lady. The only thing missing is the money. There are a lot of people with a lot of money that would give it all for what you have.
Wish I could be there, it’s not that far from me but I have no one to sit with my Mom. I know you all will just be wonderful!!!! Will hope for a video or two though.
Back when I was still alive that song wasn’t too popular in the circles I ran in, but I loved it and learned to sing it and play at it. It’s is just as good now as when I first heard it. And it ain’t no bull when I say I think Pap and Paul do it better than Art and Paul!
Tipper, That was always one of my favorite S&G pieces. You all do a great job in this video. Sam Ensley keeps trying to get me up to Blairsville, but I just haven’t been able to make it. Will you be at Western Carolina U. for Mountain Heritage Day? I will be leading part of the shapenote singing, so maybe I can meet you there.
I haven’t heard that song in quite a long time, really enjoyed it. Wish we could be there tonight to support you all, but we’ll be thinking of yall, have fun and safe travels..
Tipper,
My Father used to say he’d rather have a “fast walking stick” than to fly anytime..
He wanted to keep his feet firmly planted on the ground.
I loved the rendition of the song by the Blind Pig gang.
I hope you’all have fun tonight and I wish we could be there.
Great Post, Tipper!