We all know the "shout Freebird at the band until they get pissed off routine" - well, here's your chance for real. Ever think of a cover song you'd want to hear me sing? Show me your Freebird! Now is the time to put in your request. I will take song requests in order, or by picking my favorite one, learn the song, videotape it wherever I am, with whoever I feel like playing with, and post it on the freebird youtube channel every Wednesday. For requests please post on the Miss Tess Facebook Page or send an email to misstessmusic[at]gmail.com. Who's up?
Freebird 19:
Watch--->"Heart of Glass" by Blondie
Nineteenth post -- "Heart of Glass" by Blondie, a request from Alison Dreyfuss in Keene, NH. This is our first ever freebird recording in the tour van! Recorded while driving through West Virginia with Thomas Bryan Eaton (guitar), Matt Meyer (iphone drums), and Jared Engel (iphone Moag) on 3/24/12. Until next time...love, Miss Tess
Freebird 18:
Watch--->"Why Should I Be So Lonely" by Jimmy Rodgers
Eighteenth post -- "Why Should I Be So Lonesome" by Jimmie Rodgers, a request from Vilray Blair Bolles in Brooklyn, NY. I'm always happy to learn a tune by the great Yodeling Mr. Rodgers who wrote this song in 1930. Recorded at my childhood home in Derwood, MD with Thomas Bryan Eaton (marimba), Mom (banjo ukulele), Jared Engel (euphonium), and Dad (clarinet) on 3/7/12. Until next time...love, Miss Tess
Freebird 17:
Watch--->"Cupid" by Sam Cooke
Seventeenth post -- "Cupid" by Sam Cooke, a Valentine's Day request from Andru Bemis in Michigan. Recorded at Foundry Hall in South Haven, Michigan with Matt Meyer (drums), Zachariah Hickman (bass), and Will Graefe (guitar) on 2/14/12. Until next time...love, Miss Tess
Freebird 16:
Watch--->"Night Life" by Willie Nelson
Sixteenth post -- "Nightlife" by Willie Nelson, a request from Mike Calabrese in Broomall, PA. Ok so I've done two Willie Nelson tunes. So what. He's amazing! Recorded at the Calabrese residence in Broomall, PA with Matt Meyer (drums), Ari Fullman-Cohen (bass), and Thomas Bryan Eaton (guitar) for 2/8/12. Until next time...love, Miss Tess
Freebird 15:
Watch--->"Santa Looked A Lot Like Daddy" by Buck Owens
Request from Matt Meyer Matt Meyer in Brooklyn, NY. Every once in a while I let a band member make a request, and since Buck Owens is one of Matt's favorite country singers, here ya go...happy holidays! Recorded with Kendall Eddy, Will Graefe, and Matt Meyer at Chris Cusimano's house in Rochester, NY 12/21/11.
Freebird 14:
Watch--->"Crazy" by Willie Nelson
Request from "endorphin18". It's not often you get abandoned in a theater with a bottle of Jameson after you play a show. This is why we love Unity, Maine. Recorded at the Unity Center for the Performing Arts at 1am 11/12/11.
Freebird 13:
Watch--->"Holding" by John Hartford
Request from Jack Eckerd in Richmond, VA.
Freebird 12:
Watch--->"If Love is a Red Dress" by Maria McKee
request from Damian Kennedy in Oakland, CA. It's been a while since I've seen Pulp Fiction, and had completely forgotten about this little gem nestled in the soundtrack. Recorded live from my bedroom in Brooklyn, NY 9/28/2011.
Freebird 11:
Watch--->"Streets of Laredo" (traditional)
Request from John Gilbert in Boston, MA. This old traditional ballad covered by folks such at Johnny Cash, Eddy Arnold, Buck Owens, and Joan Baez, a request from John in Boston. This catchy tune was recorded at 12 Dexter St. with Chris Hersch, Joe Lurgio, Celia Woodsmith, and Sten Isak in Boston on 7/27/2011.
Freebird 10:
Watch--->"I Ain't Got No Home" by Woodie Guthrie
Request from Xar Adelburg in Maine. I was excited to learn a song by such an American legend. This was recorded on my rooftop in Brooklyn with Thomas Bryan Eaton 7/6/2011.
Freebird 9:
Watch--->"Jackson" by Lucinda Williams
Request from Ben in Boston, MA. This song was recorded in Brooklyn 6/29/2011.
Freebird 8:
Watch--->"Maneater" by Hall & Oates
Request from Zachariah Hickman in Boston, MA. This is officially my first ever 80s cover. It was recorded from our vacation beach condo in Gulf Shores, Alabama 5/18/2011 with Danny Weller on bass.
Freebird 7 (oops I counted #7 twice):
Watch--->"Give You My Lovin'" by Mazzy Star
Request from Hector Casanova in Kansas City, MO. Anyone going through puberty in the mid nineties probably listened to this song. Here's another apartment hallway recording, with Thomas Bryan Eaton on lead guitar. Even the neighbors came out to listen Brooklyn, New York 5/4/2011.
Freebird 7:
Watch--->"You've Got the Right Key but the Wrong Keyhole" by Clarence Williams
Request from Aaron Keim in Boulder, CO. This song was originally sang by Virginia Lipson in 1923. It goes back to American vaudeville. This was recorded with mom and dad on 4/27/2011 in Derwood, MD.
Freebird 6:
Watch--->"Day is Done" by John Prine
Request from Matt McDonald in Knoxville, TN. John Prine is truly a master of the simple man's song. I had never heard this one, but loved it! I thought it would be fun to record it on the fire escape outside my window in the sunshine. It was very sunny, windy and loud! Brookyln, New York 4/20/2011.
Freebird 5:
Watch--->"Sophisticated Lady" by Duke Ellington
Request from John Luhn. I've always wanted to learn this song -- such a beautiful tune by one of my favorite composers. This was recorded in my apartment stairwell in Brooklyn, New York 4/6/2011.
Freebird 4:
Watch--->"Knot Comes Loose" by My Morning Jacket
Request from Randy Marx. I recorded it with Luke Richardson at my apartment in Brooklyn, New York 3/30/2011.
Freebird 3:
Watch--->"Michelle" by The Beatles
request from Danny, my bass player. Ok so maybe this is cheating because the request is from someone in the band, but we've kept Danny away from his wife, Michell, for almost six weeks. He accompanies on the upright bass, as does bandmate Will Graefe. This was recorded at Joey's place (from The Rum Drum Ramblers) in St. Louis, Missouri 3/23/2011.
Freebird 2:
Watch--->"Eveybody Knows" by Leonard Cohen
Request from Mitch in Norfolk, Virginia. I've been on a real Leonard Cohen kick lately and have been meaning to learn a song of his. This was recorded at Connie's Place in Terre Haute, Indiana 3/9/2011.
Freebird 1:
Watch--->"Mr. Blue Sky" by Electric Light Orchestra
Request from Meghan Chiampa in Boston, MA. I liked this request because it was definitely something I wouldn't think of doing on my own, and it's a little out of the ordinary from my usual repertoire. This was recorded at Gusti's place in South Bend, Indiana 3/2/2011.
