Search - Richard Gilewitz :: Thumbsing

Title song "Thumbsing" - played with Richard's right thumb using only down strokes. "Wazamataz" premiered live during a Chet Atkins tribute at Nashville's Ryman Auditorium. A lively, finger-snapping alternating bass style selection. "Have You Ever Seen a Rainbow at Night?" first played on a nylon-string guitar. A playful nursery rhyme melody skips throughout the song. "Daughter of Pete's Feet" pushes the envelope of the blues genre as Richard's first 6-string slide tune. A contagious rhythmic selection with a groove. In the tradition of the folk hit "Cripple Creek", "Pete's Feet" is a fast paced, spunky, toe tapping gem. Features Richard's left hand playing up to the 19th fret. Composed on only five of six strings, "Sarah Natasha" is Richard's salute to his niece. When the tune was almost finished, a sixth string and note was added. Classical selections include a Bach prelude and Alonso de Mudurra's complex "Fantasia", a 16th century lute piece recorded on a steel-string guitar. The uniquely sounding Papoose Guitar adds a whimsical mood to the 45-second version of Elizabeth Cotten's "Freight Train. A short, sweet Traditional folk offering. "Layover", one of Michael Hedges signature pieces, chosen by Richard to honor this innovative player. In an unusual tuning of DACGCE. Following an appearance with John Renbourn at the Blackstone River Theatre, Richard asked the composer of "The Hermit" for some technical guidance. Smiling, John indicated pleasure with Richard's intention to record his tune as he has not played it in a number of years. A rendition of a John Fahey standard, "Sunflower River Blues", continues Richard's quest to preserve the legacy of the "father" of American primitive steel-string guitar. "Dirt To Dust", a solo 12-string rendition of the 1996 version. Exactly as Richard performs it live with the "Gypsy Minor" introduction, and revised middle section.