Today’s post was written by Paul.
Hi, Folks. The video I’m sharing today is a song that I took from the complete concert at the John C. Campbell Folk School in 2016.
I thought it was one of our better performances of the song.
Our friend Geraud Barralon was in charge of the sound, and unlike a lot of sound guys, he never walked away from the board but stayed at the controls for the entire set, making any needed adjustments. That was a big help to us.
In this performance, Chatter wowed the crowd by holding one note for 25 beats. Yes, I counted them. 🙂
We did this song, “Working on a Building,” with Pap for a while before he passed on. He sang the lead on the chorus at the high pitch. Later, Chitter learned to sing the lead at the low pitch. Chatter and I never changed our harmony parts, but somehow, they took on a different sound when matched with Chitter’s lead. With Pap, our parts sounded low. With Chitter, they sounded high, even though they were actually the same.
You can see a video of us doing the song with Pap here.
At that time, we didn’t have the full arrangement quite figured out. I’ve heard a lot of arrangements over the years. The one that I ultimately developed for us is a mixture of several versions, plus a few of our own little twists thrown in.
I was probably most influenced by a version that Jerry and Tammy Sullivan did with Marty Stuart back in the late 90’s. I saw them perform the song on the old TNN Channel, which aired some great music before its demise. My guitar break was also influenced by Mr. Sullivan’s playing.
I separated this cut from the rest of the concert and sent it to Chatter several months ago, suggesting that she could use it as a “throwback” video on the Pressley Girl Channel. She is very busy and never got around to it, so I thought I would go ahead and upload it.
I thought posting this video would give me an opportunity to mention that our story-song series will be coming up next month. Without going into a lot of detail, I’ll also mention that I hope for the complete gospel CD that I’ve been working on, to be released by late April. Some of you may be thinking, “We’ve heard that before.” Hopefully, this time it will actually happen. Thanks for watching and have a great Sunday!
Paul
That was AWESOME!!! I’m looking forward to the CD. 🙂
Wow! That’s all I can say.
Have mercy !! That was something, all of it and seeing your foot tapping while playing. One of my all time favorite songs. Looking forward to the cd.
Beautiful!!!! Love how she held that note. Thanks for sharing
What a treasure to share this music & its’ memories through generations of your family.
You all are awesome! I love this video and could watch this video and listen to this song again and again.
Corie does an outstand job on holding that note!! Beautiful!
Beautiful!
Woody Guthrie used a version of this tune but changed the title to “I’m Working for the Union”.
Chills
This is one of my all-time favorites that you and your family perform. I loved it when you, Chatter and Pap sang it, when the girls did it and also when you guys performed it at a church sometime around Thanksgiving year before last. Thank you for sharing this. It was wonderful!! Have a blessed Sunday!!
WOW that was something and I absolutely know what a blessing they are to you – how proud you must be and the huge feeling inside as you enjoy this video. Congratulations MOM and thanks for sharing this.
Beautiful! I love your music!
I love Katie’s voice!!! And the rest of you sound fantastic on your instruments and singing, too. I am so glad you have footage from so many past concerts of all of you together! I love watching all of them. It is always fun for us non-talented musicians (smile) to hear what happens in the background of your concerts and videos. You make everything look so smooth and perfect, our minds believe you just sit down and begin and that’s that. No strings break on the instrument, no frogs climb in your throats, no one in the background has a sneezing attack. I am looking forward to Paul’s story songs series!! The songs he chooses are always fun to hear, and his descriptions are always so very interesting!! And I am looking forward to the CD release – I already know a few people I am going to gift it to!!!
Donna. : )
Yes, this is a fine recording both in talent and uniformity/clarity of sound. Wish I knew what 25 beats meant in terms of time but anyway quite impressive. I’m pretty sure I couldn’t do it. I am sure I won’t be trying. Hmmm working on a building in which I am, as each believer is, one stone.
Wonderful start to a beautiful Sunday morning.
Use Geraud for all your performances, this was the best audio yet.
Wow! That is amazing. Thanks do much for sharing
My grandpa used to sing this one. Brings back a lot of great memories. He’s been gone since 1994. Thank you for sharing and sending me down memory lane.
Paul, that was a pure blessing to hear this morning! I love hearing all y’all sing and you are right, wow she really carried out that note a long time. It sounded beautiful and all to glorify our Lord! Thank you for sharing it with us!
Impressive!! So much talent! Love the acoustics of that barn! I love that ol song and y’all made it sound even better than I remember hearing it. Looking forward to the gospel cd!
Wow! I am always so impressed with this song, especially when they are holding the note!
I never get tired of hearing ya’ll sing!!!!!! I love this song!!! I love the way she held that note!!! Good ness gracious it’s pea pickin good!
My sons and I sung that song many years ago at church in acapella ( without music). Like your version of the song. Thanks
I’m not lucky at finding 4 leaf clovers either. They have always seemed to elude me. I do have a friend who can just look down and boom, she has a four leaf clover.