Mountain Flute Song
This is the time of year when I have to look both ways before pulling out of my little dirt driveway off the Blue Ridge Parkway. As the fall foliage gets brighter, tourist traffic on the normally quiet Parkway gets busy. I live just a few minutes from the Saddle overlook (where Joe and I got married) and spend a lot of time there watching sunsets and moon rises. It’s usually quiet, but this time of year I share it with tourists. Even so, I ran into my neighbor John Dancing Crow at the Saddle yesterday afternoon. He was about to hike up to Lover’s Leap with his daughter Sierra to play his two chambered drone flute when I asked to hear a song. How lucky am I? We couldn’t have planned it better. The song of the flute and the Blue Ridge Mountains seem made for each other. The combination was transcendent.
John is a soapstone carver of Cherokee and Scotch Irish descent. Take a listen to his music HERE. In THIS video clip he talks about the 200 year old song he played to a photographer who stopped to listen.
October 12th, 2009 11:32 am
Thanks for sharing the video Colleen. That is the way I always dream about the Blue Ridge Mountains…Indian flute music playing in the background. Ever since I made a trip to the Grand Canyon (as all my trips to sacred places are, that first trip was shrouded in fog…30-50 feet visibility), where I picked up a copy of R. Carlos Nakai’s “Canyon Trilogy” the musical background to my daydreams about the mountains include a covered porch and flute music on the stereo…As a matter of fact I think I’ll daydream a while now.
Thanks…
October 12th, 2009 11:49 am
I listened to that same tape for days on end when I worked at Four Winds, a Native American shop in Blacksburg, and Seeds of Light, a Blacksburg bead shop. I think John should give concerts on the Parkway. What acoustics!
October 12th, 2009 2:38 pm
I love the scenery behind him!
October 12th, 2009 3:58 pm
Sadly I can’t listen or view your links here because I am supposed to be working – on a holiday no less! But I imagine they accompany the theme of that photo beautifully. I’m always happy when I know people with the great views appreciate them ;0)
P.S. – Headed off to NC this weekend. Hoping to visit Asheville Monday or Tuesday. Will wander around town a bit and if we run across Josh we’ll tell him hey for you.
October 12th, 2009 4:09 pm
Check out the Wedge building in the River Arts District, home to the Wedge Brewery where Josh works on weekends and Clayspace, the pottery coop he founded. You will see views as good or better in Asheville if you hop on the Parkway there, it’s very accessible.
October 12th, 2009 9:54 pm
That’s amazing!