As this post is being typed, the sun is just setting on Riverdale, Maryland — the last Maryland sundown that Rambler juggist, banjo ukulelist, and cümbüşcü Ryan Jerving will see before getting on that old turnpike tomorrow for a drive to Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
It’s also the the sundown that brings in Hanukkah. And what better way to bring in Hanukkah than with the Ramblers’ own “Heyse Latke Kalte Latke / Jerusalem Ridge,” as recorded live at our show this past December 6, 2008 at the Home Grown Coffee House in Accokeek, Maryland. So here it is, and mazel tov, whether the constellation under which you stand is in Maryland or Milwaukee:
As you listen, you’ll hear Ryan on the cümbüş, Mike Paul and Bob Smith on the guitar, Peter Jensen on the violin, and Susan Johnson switching from autoharp on “Heyse Latke” to washboard on “Jerusalem Ridge” (even her wastub bass makes a guest appearance — listen for the sound of the broomstick neck clattering to the floor in the background on “Heyse Latke” in the section after the vocal). Incidentally, you can hear the collection of recordings for the whole 2 set show at the post that immediately precedes this one.
And if you just can’t get enough of “Heyse Latke,” check out the blog of the Viper over at http://viperblog.wordpress.com/, where Ryan has posted the first of 8 straight entries he’ll be posting over the holiday, featuring the lead sheet, the cheat sheet, and rare scratch track and rehearsal recordings of the song.
