Frank Wakefield Jim Moss Bob Black The Sleeping Lady Album Project 1

Current News 1997

Date: 1-25-97

 
 

          Frank Wakefield ( 1973 )                           Bob Black ( 1976 ) 9 
Left to Right: Bob Black, Randy Davis,
Bill Monroe 
( Bluegrass Boys 1975).
 
and below,  Jim Moss showing off back-stage 
after a gig with the 49er cheerleaders.
USO Performances ( 1992 )

* ->Photos 1 from the above recording sessions
* -> Photos 2 from the above recording sessions
* -> Photos 3 from the Freight & Salvage Show
* -> Photos 4 Out Front at the Freight Show


 
Mandolin legend Frank Wakefield, Bluegrass Boy Bob Black, Jim Moss,
Bill Amatnick and Paul Squyres appeared at the Freight & Salvage in
Berkeley, California on November 18. During the course of the show
David Nelson of the New Riders of the Purple Sage, and Peter Rowan
both joined the band.Frank and Bob where in town to record JimMoss's
third Bluegrass fiddle album along with Bob Black's second banjo album,
both of which included Paul Squyres and Jeff Smith.  There were many
photographs take at this event and we are negotiating for the
right to display them here at this web site.

Bob Black played and recorded with Bill Monroe in the mid 1970's.
Bob is known for his melodic "fiddle tune" style of banjo playing
that has made him a key asset on fiddle albums.  He has appeared
on many of the later Kenny Baker albums such as "Kenny Baker Plays
Bill Monroe", "Frost on The Pumpkin", "Grassy Fiddle Blues",
"Dry & Dusty" and "Highlights" along with his own album "Ladies on
the Steamboat" and Jim Moss's two fiddle albums "Tanyards" and
"Through the Windshield" (review in the BU February 1986 issue).
In addition to playing for Bill Monroe, Bob has played with the
White Family, The Sullivan Family, and currently plays with
Rhonda Vincent.  This will be the first time that Bob Black has
appeared at the Freight & Salvage.
Frank... well, who hasn't heard of Frank Wakefield or more formally
"Franklin Delano Roosevelt Wakefield".    He is a crazy and amazing
mandolin player who will be escaping from up state New York to
participate in Jim's album project.  As you know, Frank played and
recorded with Red Allen in the 50's and 60's,  Jimmy Martin & the
Sunny Mountain Boys, his own band "The Good Ole Boys",
"The Greenbriar Boys" and again with Red Allen in the band
"Red Allen, Frank Wakefield and the Kentuckians" who appeared on
the WWVA Wheeling Jamboree. It was with the Kentuckians, that Frank
appeared at Carnegie Hall in September of 1963.   Frank has recorded
with Jerry Garcia on the 1978 Bluegrass album "Pistol Packn' Momma".
And if this was not enough, Frank made guest appearances with
Leonard Bernstein and the Boston Pops Symphony Orchestra in 1967.
Frank Wakefield has just released a new and very powerful solo
album called "That Was Now / This Is Then!" which has been
receiving rave reviews everywhere.   Frank is an unbelievable
mandolin virtuoso who will blow you away with his playing.  Those
who have seen Frank at the Freight & Salvage over the years will
remember that unforgettable "Back Talkwards" banter.   He has
just been honored as a "Living Legend" which he pronounces
"a Dead Legend" by the IBMA.
Jim Moss first met Frank when he played in High Country (1976 to 1982)
and became Frank's backup band for a time in 1979.  Jim has had several
bands since that time, first "Bluegrass One", and now "Jim Moss & the
Hillbilly Mystics".   Over the last 10 years Jim has spent much of his
time playing electric and acoustic Country Western Swing and 40's Jazz
Swing in addition to traditional Bluegrass.
Paul Squyres, who will play guitar on the album, has played and
recorded both with Jim Moss since 1982 and more recently with his
own bands. Paul is a great talent playing guitar, bass, mandolin
and fiddle.  Paul also excels in vocals singing  bass, lead and
baritone.  Paul has composed many great Bluegrass songs such
as "Hangman's Blues".

                                             by Jim Peva
 

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BOOKMARK THIS SITE !  There are many more photos coming!
This just takes a little time to put up...
 
 

Order The New 
Sleeping Lady CD

 

Sleeping Lady  Turkey In The Straw, Walkin' In My Sleep, Catnip, Moonlight Waltz,
Bluegrass Swing, The Old Mountaineer, Call Of The Shepherd,
Little Rabbit, Cruel Willie, Cotton Eyed Joe, Salt Creek, 
Carol County Blues, Sleeping Lady, Midnight At Bean Blossom

Independent  Reviews

"Sleeping Lady" Bluegrass Instrumentals
by Jim Moss (on Fiddle),
featuring Frank Wakefield (Mandolin)
and Bob Black (Banjo), is a CD that must
not be kept a "Sleeping Lady".  It must be
heard by all!

I purchased the CD after the Frank Wakefield
Concert at McCabes!   I was able to meet
Jim Moss~ and I must say i was very impressed
with his playing!  Actually, I think the band would
have played into the wee hours of the night... that is
how much they love their music!   BTW the concert
was 3 1/2 hours long!

On the CD, my favorite songs are:  "Moonlight Waltz",
"Catnip", "Little Rabbit", and "Cotton Eyed Joe".

Check this CD out... for more information
contact the web site
http://www.candlewater.com/henflings/

You won't be disappointed!

My best,
Linda Riha
Burbank, CA
 

Linda,
That is a GREAT album.  I bought one from Mr. Moss at the
Frank Wakefield Band show at McCabes.  I don't think I have ever heard
Fiddle and Mandolin with the rich Monroe sound as I have with this CD.
Mr Wakefield's mandolin sounds like it is coming through the speakers.
Same for the fiddle.   This is like no other mandolin CD.

Why can't we get more CDs with the huge sound that Sleeping Lady has.
Moonlight Waltz is incredible.   I also like Walking In My Sleep.

This is the first Moss album I have seen.    Does anyone know if there
are others out.

This sure has the Monroe sound.
Bill Mason
 

Frank Wakefield's fiddle player, band leader, manager and booking agent,
Jim Moss has a new CD called "Sleeping Lady". Frank's all over it with his
own unique style as is Bob Black on banjo and various others. This is some
really powerful fiddle playing....tough,strong recording. Bluegrass on
steroids! There are some good old tunes, some new stuff and it's a really
fresh take. He uses some open tunings on the fiddle where it sounds like a
bunch of bagpipes along with the fiddle. Good stuff as anything Frank
participates seems to be. Get it at: www.candlewater.com. Highly
recommended with no financial interest. 
Larry Otis
 

I have to second Linda's "A MUST"!  Sleeping Lady is one of the most
tasteful projects that I've listened to in quite a while.  All instrumental,
and several Jim Moss originals.  Jim's fiddle is spectacular, Wakefield's
Loar is stellar, and Black's banjo is about as tasteful as I've ever heard.
Kenny Baker must be some more teacher!

Gary McElwee
 
 

I just wonder why we don't hear more music like this.  If you close your
eyes it sounds like Monroe himself.  It also sounds like Frank Wakefield.
The fiddle has real punch in fact the entire album has punch.  This is
what bluegrass sounded like in the 1960's.  Hard! and Tough!

Bill Mason

 


 
 
   
       

The 1983 "Through The Windshield" album or the 1982 "Tanyards" album along with 
all of Bob Black's hand written  banjo tab can be ordered from this site.   To order 
any recordings or banjo tab or to send anyone mentioned on this site comments, or to 
get on our private email mailing list, just doubleclick the blue hyper text below, fill 
out and send the email form that will appear.


 

 

   
 
"Through The Windshield,
Jim Moss Bluegrass Fiddle"
BB147 County Sales: with Bob Black on banjo, Jeff Smith on mandolin,
Dave Thompson on guitar, and Paul Squyres on bass.
With guest David "Slappy" Chalupsky on banjo.
    With Sugar in the Gourd, Mitchell's Reel, Long Cold Winter, 
Cattle in the Cane, Dark was the Night Cold was the Ground, Old Uncle Jordan, 
Liberty, Paddy on the Turnpike, Apple Blossom, 
Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child, Through the Windshield.

 

 
"Tanyards, Jim Moss Bluegrass Fiddle"
BB145 County Sales: with Bob Black on banjo, Jesse McReynolds on mandolin,
Dave Thompson on guitar, and Roy Husky Jr. on bass.  With special guest Kenny Baker.
  
With Bill Monroe's "Tanyards" and "Reel Foot Reel". 
Also, Arkansas Traveler, Forked Deer,My Resting Place, Cherry Blossom, 
Old Blue Hen, Bluegrass Blues # III, Florida Blues, New Sailor's Hornpipe, 
Chicken Reel, Baker's Boarding House.
 
  


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