Vermont's own sing and swing factory. 4 part harmonies, old time swing, and fiddle tunes from all around.
Housetop is Naomi Morse (vocals, fiddle and mandolin), Erica Morse (vocals and upright bass), Anna Patton (vocals and clarinet), and Peter Siegel (vocals, guitar and mandolin).
They are four busy and versatile musicians: Naomi Morse is an expressive soprano and a fiery, lyrical fiddler whose rhythmic Vermont style sparks with French Canadian and southern old-time influences. She has performed throughout the US and in Europe, and now sings professionally in New York City. Erica Morse is an expert singer, rendering jazzy harmonies with her rich, clear tone. Drawing on a musical background of intensive study of the viola de gamba and cello, these days she can often be seen thumping out a lovely big fat tone on the upright bass. A resident of Brattleboro, Erica moonlights as a first and second grade teacher. Anna Patton is a third generation singer, musician and arranger of jazz vocal harmonies. An accomplished, versatile clarinetist, Anna tours regularly, delighting audiences with her command of numerous genres, her soulful style and her stunning musicianship. Peter Siegel is a mainstay of the traditional dance scene of the Pioneer Valley in Massachusets, as well as a composer and nationally-known singer-songwriter. His unique brand of "space age vaudeville" features hip-hop, finger style blues, fiddle tunes from Ireland, Quebec, New England, Appalachia, swing, funk, and country songs with lots of yodeling.
Housetop performs a lively, quirky program of swingy, bluesy, old time American music. Much of Their repertoire is from the 30s and 40s -a high point of American song writing as performed at the time by stars like the Ink Spots, The Boswell Sisters, Fats Waller, and Fred Astaire. It was a time of great musical craftiness: close harmonies and clever, concise lyrics. It's also the music with which entertainers strove to sing and dance the people's cares away, and there's an undertone of hard times, treading the line between sincerity and satire. In the irreverent spirit of Vaudeville, Housetop makes these songs their own, along with whatever else scratches their itch, including jug band tunes, songs penned by Bob Wills, Dan Hicks, the Roches, and their own originals. They'll round out the program with hot instrumentals: Peter and Erica set the groove for Anna and Naomi's wild renditions of raggy fiddle tunes and little-big-band breaks.
"Ticklin' The Strings" by Sweet Hollywaiians
Amazing Japanese hot string band playing 1920's, 30's, 40's style hawaiian, swing, calypso, blues, italian music and originals,featuring vintage instruments.3 songs with Robert Armstrong and Tony Marcus(from Robert Crumb and His Cheap Suit Serenaders)
"The Sweet Hollywaiians have probably the best feel for this 20's music of any string band working today. They manage the rare feat of sounding relaxed even when their playing is hot, are top notch musicians with tasteful arrangements and a full, rich, warm sound.Plus, they have a nice gamut of tunes, from King Nawahi to Giovanni Vicari to Bobby Leecan. See them live, if you can, for an unforgettable experience. If you can't, buy their Cds!" ~ Terry Zwigoff
The WIYOS liVe!
Saturday Dec 1st (doors 7:00 show 8:00pm)
Common Grounds Coffeehouse
55 Finn st (Big Brick Church)
Pittsfield, MA
http://fumc-pittsfield.tripod.com/wiyos.htm
Best,
joebass, michael, parrish
Sorry about that - my profile had been hacked. How embarrassing. But let me take this opportunity to mention a great deal on penis enlargement pills...
Thanks for making room for some washboard-fueled vaudevillian ragtime/jugband blues and hillbilly swing mandness in your space!
Best,
joebass, michael, parrish
Hello swingin' and fiddlin' ladies. We are honored to make your acquaintance. Love that place between swing and old-time music. Very cool, and great vocal harmonies. Hey, our new CD entitled “Magnolia” is available at CD BABY. Thanks for finding us!!
hey naomi! great meeting you the other night...hope we'll hang out again soon in the city, or come visit us in the 'burbs whenever you need a breather! :)
Hello Housetops, thanks for adding us! As bluegrass-inspired Dutchmen (and there are only a few like us around here!), we're happy to be in touch with soulmates in the motherland of this wonderful music. I enjoyed your songs, and Give Me Something is very beautifully sung! If you have the time, visit our website and listen to a lowlands version of old-time country.
Merry Christmas Naomi!!
I love you!
Come live with me in New York. I have an extra room and bed and we can play in a band with Ryan. I am perfectly serious!
Love
Erika
The WIYOS liVe!
Saturday Dec 1st (doors 7:00 show 8:00pm)
Common Grounds Coffeehouse
55 Finn st (Big Brick Church)
Pittsfield, MA
http://fumc-pittsfield.tripod.com/wiyos.htm
Best,
joebass, michael, parrish
