Sale!

Armadillo on a Hot Tin Roof

Name: Armadillo on a Hot Tin Roof
SKU: VWJB-AHTR
Availability: InStock

$12.00 – $20.00

Bringing together old time fiddling and the spirit of western swing, Vi Wickam and Justin Branum team up to capture that heart and soul of the old west. Vi and Justin first met playing in fiddle contests around the mid-west, and became fast friends. They each appreciated the other’s musicianship, and musical sensibilities.

When Vi moved back to Colorado in 2009, the one thing he missed about living in Indiana was getting to jam with his fiddle buddies, and particularly Justin. In 2016, when Justin and Vi formed an impromptu duet at the National Twin Fiddle Championships and finished in the top 5 overall, the inspiration for this album was born.

SKU: VWJB-AHTR Categories: Albums, Digital Downloads Tags: armadillo on a hot tin roof, ashokan farewell, bill bailey, cuckoo's nest, dusty jug, home on the range, little rhino, maiden's prayer, my love is like a red red rose, red red rose, red river valley, shove that pig's foot a little farther into the fire, stumbling, westphalia waltz, Whiskey Before Breakfast, who's gonna talk to dinah

Description

…They play so beautifully together that it’s hard to imagine these two award winning fiddlers are not twins. I love this!

John McCutcheon
Folk Singer, Songwriter, Multi-Instrumentalist

…This wonderful album will surely touch your heart and feet!

Dr. David “Doc” Wallace
Violist/Fiddler/Strings Department Chair, Berklee College of Music
More Quotes

About the Album

Bringing together old time fiddling and the spirit of western swing, Vi Wickam and Justin Branum team up to capture that heart and soul of the old west.

Vi and Justin first met playing in fiddle contests around the mid-west, and became fast friends. They each appreciated the other’s musicianship, and musical sensibilities.

When Vi moved back to Colorado in 2009, the one thing he missed about living in Indiana was getting to jam with his fiddle buddies, and particularly Justin.

In 2016, when Justin and Vi formed an impromptu duet at the National Twin Fiddle Championships and finished in the top 5 overall, the inspiration for this album was born.

Brief Bios | Credits | Quotes | Photo Gallery

Preview the Tracks

1. Dusty Jug – 3:42 – written by Justin Branum, 2016 (Instrumental, Celtic, Old-Time, Acoustic, Fiddle Tune)

Justin: I wrote this tune on my Birthday about three years ago. For a while I just called it Birthday Reel. When we put it on the album I decided it was time to give this tune a real name, so we held a fan naming contest, and we thought that the name Dusty Jug was descriptive of the feel. It’s based on the sounds of the Celtic tradition. Thanks to David Sislak for the title!

Vi: When Justin played this tune for me, I knew that it would be a great addition to the album. I think it evokes the mist of Ireland at sunrise.

2. Bill Bailey Won’t You Please Come Home (feat. Albanie Falletta) – 3:35 – Written By Hughie Cannon, 1902 (Vocal Duet, Swing, Ragtime, Dixieland)

Vi: I chose Bill Bailey in memory of Bill Barr, my dad’s long time ragtime piano playing music partner. Bill would really go to town on his ragtime piano and my dad would play right along on his tenor banjo. Those were some of my best times growing up. We wanted to bring the feel of a Dixieland swing jam to this song, so we enlisted the beautiful voice and energy of traditional jazz singer and songwriter, Albanie Falletta to sing with me. Albanie hails from New Orleans, and brings its Joy in full!

Justin: A standard from the trad. jazz repertoire, this one features Vi with New Orleans based singer Albany Falletta. I was trying hard to channel the mandolin playing of western swing great, Johnny Gimble!

3. Ashokan Farewell – 3:41 – Written by Jay Ungar, 1982 (Instrumental, Old-Time, Celtic, Acoustic, Strings)

Vi: Ashokan Farewell is a mournful waltz, written by upstate New York fiddler, Jay Ungar. It was my Grandma’s favorite song. Every time I visited her in the nursing home, I would play it for her before I would leave. I also had a chance to play harmonies on this tune with Jay Ungar, at Ashokan. That was a magical moment.

Justin: The classic fiddle tune that sounds like it was written 200 years ago! This one was actually penned in the 1980’s by Jay Ungar and was used for the Ken Burns PBS documentary on the Civil War. Even though it’s relatively new, it has the comfortable sound of a golden chestnut from days of yore.
4. Shove that Pig’s Foot a Little Farther Into the Fire – 3:11 – Traditional American Fiddle Tune (Instrumental, Old-Time, Celtic, Acoustic, Strings)

Justin: This tune has the distinction of my favorite tune title ever and just so happens to be a great tune as well!

Vi: Justin and I both really enjoy this tune, and we felt like it’s underrepresented in fiddle music recordings. The old time flavor in this tune is as thick as molasses and as rich as pan-fried cornbread rolled in butter.

5. Home on the Range – 3:24 – Written by Brewster M. Higley, 1872 (Vocal, Western Swing, Cowboy Music, Swing, Classic Country)

Justin: This might be my favorite cut on the album. I played the song many a time when I was with the old cowboy band, The Sons of the Pioneers, and it always makes me think of where I feel most at home.

Vi: This western classic is usually played as a waltz. And, to liven it up, we swung it.

6. My Love is Like a Red Red Rose – 3:38 – Traditional Scottish Melody (Instrumental, Old-Time, Celtic, Acoustic, Strings)

This lovely melody comes from a song is attributed to Robert Burns, the poet laureate of Scotland, in 1794. The melody is an even older Scottish tune, but the precise origin is unknown prior to Burns. To me, it is one of the most simply beautiful melodies ever written. I think you will agree.

7. Who’s Gonna Talk to Dinah – 3:11 – Traditional American Fiddle Tune (Instrumental, Old-Time, Acoustic, Fiddle Tune, Celtic)

This standard tune from the Missouri fiddle tradition always gets those dancers fired up!

8. Red River Valley – 4:10 – Traditional Canadian Folk Song (Vocal, Western Swing, Cowboy Music, Swing, Classic Country)

Vi: Red River Valley is a Cowboy Music classic. And, it is the song that gave me an appreciation for playing beautiful simple songs. A simple song played well can connect with people better than any technical masterpiece. You can read about my connection to this song more in my fiddle tune a day entry.

Justin: A great melody from the western music canon. We dusted up the chords on this a little and made it swing, western style!

9. Whiskey Before Breakfast – 3:34 – Traditional Old-Time/Irish Fiddle Tune (Instrumental, Old-Time, Celtic, Acoustic, Fiddle Tune)

Who doesn’t love their whiskey before breakfast?! This one belongs on any fiddle record just because of the title but it’s also one of the best fiddle breakdowns ever.

10. Westphalia Waltz – 4:50 – Traditional Polish Folk Tune (Instrumental, Western, Cowboy Music, Classic Country)

Justin: This classic always takes me back to playing in the dance halls of Texas and watching old and young alike dance the night away. If you’re gonna play in Texas, you gotta play a waltz on demand.

11. Cuckoo’s Nest – 3:24 – Traditional Irish Folk Song (Instrumental, Celtic, Old-Time, Acoustic, Fiddle Tune)

This Irish folk song makes a great fiddle tune. But BEWARE, you may have it stuck in your head for days.

12. Maiden’s Prayer – 3:11 – written by Tekla Bądarzewska-Baranowska, 1859 (Instrumental, Western Swing, Cowboy Music, Two Step, Classic Country)

This Classic Country two step, has been a mainstay of cowboy dances for generations. Often associated with Bob Wills and his Texas Playboys, this melody was originally composed in 1859 by polish composer, Tekla Bądarzewska-Baranowska.

13. Stumbling – 2:49 – written by Zez Confrey, 1922 (Instrumental, Swing, Ragtime, Dixieland)

Originally a novelty piano tune by Czech immigrant Zez Confrey, Stumbling is just as fun to play on fiddle. The jazzy melody is jaunty and clever, and it works great as a twin fiddle tune.

Justin: Another trad. jazz standard. This is one I learned off Tiny Moore and have always loved to play it. It fits the mandolin particularly well too.

14. Little Rhino – 1:58 – written by Vi Wickam, 2009 – (Instrumental, Old-Time, Acoustic, Fiddle Tune, Celtic)

Vi: Since the first song we featured on this album was by Justin, I thought it was fitting to add one of my tunes as the other bookend. This rip-roaring romp is the tale of a little boy happily careening through the house like a wild banshee. Justin and I played this live together in the same room so you could join in our jam session fun.

Justin: Love this tune that Vi wrote and I think it sums up the album pretty well. Just a couple of guys who love the fiddle and love to jam, sitting around and having a great time.

Quotes

Vi Wickam and Justin Branum cover all the bases on “Armadillo on a Hot Tin Roof:” old time, swing, jazz, Celtic, all played with the elegance and heart that is at the root of American fiddle music. They play so beautifully together that it’s hard to imagine these two award winning fiddlers are not twins. I love this!

John McCutcheon
Folk Singer, Songwriter, Multi-Instrumentalist

Armadillo on a Hot Tin Roof is the sound of the American Southwest: old-time dance grooves, tight harmonies, breezy cowboy vocals, lazy backbeats, and just enough unpredictability to make life interesting. In the masterful hands of Justin Branum, Vi Wickam, and the band, these fiddle classics and fresh originals swing with ease and dance with grace. This wonderful album will surely touch your heart and feet!

Dr. David “Doc” Wallace
Violist/Fiddler/Strings Department Chair, Berklee College of Music

Vi Wickam and Justin Branum’s “Armadillo on a Hot Tin Roof” is the perfect album for quiet sunny mornings. This disarmingly charming album captures the “joie de vivre” spirit in a way similar to some of the best Stephane Grapelli’s albums — though not entirely in the same style. There are many standout tracks, such as “Bill Bailey Won’t You Please Come Home” featuring a lovely guest vocal by Albanie Falletta. My favorite track though, is “Shove that Pig’s Foot a Little Farther into the Fire.” I enjoyed this album thoroughly from start to finish, and I suspect you will too.

Earl Maneein
Violinist, Violist, Composer

Vi Wickam and Justin Branum are two of America’s finest fiddlers. Their new album Armadillo On A Hot Tin Roof is a testament to the depth of their musicianship. From traditional old-time tunes to melancholy ballads, jazzy western swing to classic-sounding originals; each track is presented with care and authenticity. Vi and Justin play each tune clearly and accurately — a rarity on many albums these days — then throw in a splash of colour and originality.

If you are a budding musician, trying to learn new tunes, you must add Armadillo On A Hot Tin Roof to your collection. The melodies are easy to follow, the lyrics are sung clearly (with all the verses!), and the arrangements are stunning. Backed by guitar and bass, plus an occasional mandolin and clawhammer banjo, this album will make you feel like you are walking up to a jam session at your favorite music festival. You may just be inspired to pick up your own instrument to play along!

Erin Mae Lewis
National Dulcimer Champion

Brief Bios

Vi Wickam – Based in Loveland, Colorado, Vi Wickam – often known as Vi the Fiddler – is a champion fiddler and inspired performer who brings his full energy to every performance. He is a champion of music’s power to improve and enrich our lives in tangible ways, and infuses that goal into every project and performance.

Justin Branum – Justin Branum is recognized as one of the foremost swing fiddlers in the United States, recently playing fiddle with The Sons of the Pioneers, Marty Haggard, and Georgette Jones. While known as a lover of swing music, Justin is also quite fond of and at home playing bluegrass, country, and old-time.

Royal Masat – Born in Texas, Royal Masat is quickly becoming recognized as one of the premier crossover upright and electric bassists. His range and ability is shown in his current touring with acts such as legendary guitarist Warren Haynes (Allman Bros, Gov’t Mule) to the virtuosic instrumental trio Chessboxer. When not touring, Royal is an in-demand session player in Nashville, TN.

Jim Wood – Jim Wood grew up playing fiddle near Nashville, Tennessee. He studied Jazz Theory at Berklee College of Music, and has performed with more famous artists than you can shake a stick at. And, he is the one playing mandolin on your iPhone’s strum ringtone.

Albanie Falletta – A native of Monroe, Louisiana, Albanie spent her formative years marinating in the music of Louisiana: the sounds of cajun, zydeco, blues and gospel musics at festivals and backyard parties. Now hailing from New Orleans, Albanie’s beautiful voice is as expressive as it is strong.