Last night
I had the opportunity to take in a unique bit of culture. I made the nearly two-hour drive from Cape
Cod up to Concord, Massachusetts to check out something called ‘Fiddle Hell.’ It was a collection of some of the most
skilled string musicians on one stage. I
will be the first to admit that I know next to nothing about fiddling, fiddle
players, songs, etc. That said I was
able to appreciate the talent and time it takes for one to become viewed as one
of the best at what you do in any field.
Upon
arrival in Concord it was easy to get a good vibe. Even in the mid-autumn
evening there were musicians carrying cases all over the place. The historic buildings of one of the oldest
towns in America were lit up preparing for the Christmas season already. The cool crisp air completed the scene. It felt like a very friendly and safe
environment perfect for families.
Fiddle Hell actually goes for an
entire weekend with workshops, meet and greets, concerts, jam sessions, and
even contra dancing. Fiddle Hell has
been held since 2005 and is the lovechild of Dave Reiner and the Reiner
family. They did a tremendous job hosting
the event. The central location for
musicians and visitors alike this year was The Colonial Inn. It was built in 1716 but not used as a hotel
until 1889. Located next to Monument
Square, Concord’s town common,
Outside the Colonial Inn |
There was a concert held at the Concord Scout
House on Walden Street at 7pm on Saturday. The Scout House is an 18th
century barn which was turned into a community meeting center in 1930. Inside
it has a dilapidated charm which added to the ambiance of a fiddle concert. The wooden seats were a bit uncomfortable but
again it all seemed appropriate. Host
Dave Reiner began the concert and his sons were an integral part as well one
emceeing and the other playing piano.
I will reiterate that I know
nothing about fiddling so I will not try to pretend that I could appreciate the
references to famous fiddle players of the past. All I can do is report what I saw and heard
and that I truly enjoyed it. My personal
favorites were the father-son duo of Ed and Neil Pearlman who played Scottish
music of fiddle and piano. I also liked Neil’s black fedora which made me feel
better about wearing my own to the concert.
I made a point to seek him out and shake his hand for his music and
hat. I enjoyed Berklee Artistic Director
Matt Glaser and his ‘Red Wagon’ song which brought the crowd into play to help
sing. He, along with many of the
performers, has a charming eccentricity that makes you feel you already know
them and could sit and chat with them even if you have no musical talent or
knowledge like myself.
I may not play an instrument but
being a writer and photographer who works nonstop bettering my craft I can
relate to how much time and effort goes into making an upper echelon fiddle
player. It was a really fun evening and
something new in my life. I could not
name each and every player from the concert but have included links to some
pages so their work can be heard and appreciated. Even if you are not a fan of fiddling take a
moment to listen because it doesn’t take a fan to appreciate hard work and
dedication. Those are qualities that lead to success and that everyone should
have.
Great job Fiddle Hell!
My first book, In My Footsteps: A Cape Cod Travel Guide, is now available at SchifferBooks.com, BarnesandNoble.com, and Amazon.com, and stores everywhere! Follow me on Twitter and YouTube for more on In My Footsteps!
References: Reiner Family Band
- Fiddle Hell Massacre