 |
 |
 |
 |
THE
JOE DOBBS/PIERRE CRUZETTE THEATRE:
They're Gonna Put Me in
The
Moooovies...
|
In
conjunction with the 200th anniversary of the Lewis and Clark expedition,
Joe participated by portraying French trader and trapper Pierre
Cruzette who was a fiddler in the original Corps of Discovery. Here
are samples of Joe's presentation, in costume, to a group of young
Wayne County, W.Va., students in 2004.
|
|
NOTE: This, as with all online multimedia, will play best if you have a broadband connection. Dialup visitors are welcome to try, of course, but should not be surprised if the playback is sluggish. |
 INTRODUCTION. (4:24) Joe opens his presentation with the playing of "Swallow-Tail Jig," an old tune he explains was used throughout the movie, "The Last of the Mohicans" and that it was many, many years older than the Lewis & Clark expedition. He also explains his costume, clothing of the the period, and introduces the Pierre Cruzette personage he portrays. He also plays "Barbara Allen." |
 GOURD BANJO. (3:11) Next, Joe displaysinstruments of the period, starting with a gourd banjo patterned after one from the 1850s brought over by the slaves. He demonstrates by playing "The Boatsman." |
 TAMBOURINE AND JEW'S HARP. (2:56) Continuing, Joe next shows and demonstrates the tambourine, explaining that as a percussion instrument, it was one the Native Americans met on the trail could relate to. He also plays a Jew's Harps for the kids. |
  BONES
AND FLUTE.
(3:34) After fielding a question about why guitars were not
probably among the instruments on the Lewis and Clark trail, Joe made
a hit with the crowd with the old Irish bones! He then played "Amazing
Grace" on his handmade wooden flute, pointing out there is good
research to suggest that specific melody was played during the expedition. |
 IMPORTANCE OF LEARNING MUSIC. (3:42) Asked by a student how he learned so many instruments, Joe explained that he started playing fiddle very early in life and that learning one instrument made it easier to learn others. He then played "Gary Owens" on the fiddle. |
 IDA RED. (1:28) The kids then turn the tables and entertain Joe with their singing/chanting of "Ida Red." |
 EVOLUTION OF FOLK MUSIC. (3:01) Joe illustrates how the "folk process" works, playing a selection of fiddle tunes, starting with Abe Lincoln's favorite tune, "Haste to the Wedding." He then talks about how the tune he'll play next has been called "Too Young to Marry," "Sweet Sixteen" and "My Love is But a Lassie Yet." |
 CONCLUSION. (3:05) Joe points out that the time of Thomas Jefferson, Patrick Henry and Lewis and Clark, learning an instrument was considered an important part of a young person's education. He urges the students today to follow that example. He ends with playing "Turkey in the Straw." |
Joe
asHome | About Joe | Radio | Discs & Tapes | On Stage | Contacting Joe | Fret 'n' Fiddle | News