We love to travel and play in different places with different folk. Road trips are our kinda fun – Chris likes to drive and Jen likes to take photographs.
Dadswells Bridge, Victoria
We’ve been very lucky over the last few months to be able to travel to some fantastic places, we live in a beautiful place and appreciate it all the more when we return after a road trip!
Shoreham, VictoriaBalnarring Beach, Victoria
It’s a real challenge to get a good photograph from a moving vehicle and very satisfying when it works well.
Merton, Victoria
The Kelly Country Pick is in beautiful Beechworth – always a real pleasure the visit a gorgeous town and have a pick with excellent musicians. KCP is all about the pickin’!
Beechworth, VictoriaBeechworth, Victoria
We had a great time, a perfect mix of pickin’ and performing.
At Kelly Country Pick 2017 – photo thanks to Ian FiskBeechworth, Victoria
It’s lovely to live in a beautiful place – very inspiring, going away often inspires us to experience our area at home with fresh eyes.
Point Leo, Victoria
We were very lucky to be invited to return to Wirrina Bluegrass & Acoustic Roots Festival this year- a great time and really great performers – we felt blessed to be in such excellent company!
on the road to Adelaide – Horsham, Victoria
So we hit he road again – headed for South Australia.
Kaniva, Victoria
Wirrina Cove is on the gorgeous Fleurieu Peninsula, a real pleasure to visit.
Victor Harbour, South Australia
Despite some incredibly wild, wet and windy weather – we endured…..
Thanks to Lisa Martin for recording us on Sunday, in the wild windy tent! Jen was very ill all weekend with the flu but we endured! This is our version of the Ola Belle Reed song – I’ve Endured, which was inspired by South Australia’s own Cherry Pickers version of the same.
Wirrina Cove, South Australia
It’s always a pleasure to jam with great musicians and Wirrina was no exception.
At Wirrina 2017 – photo thanks to Ian Fisk
At Wirrina 2017 – photo thanks to Ian Fisk
As usual the most intrepid Ian Fisk was there documenting both festivals. He has become a stalwart presence at most events.
Wirrina Cover, South Australia
After a wild weekend of weather the sun peeped out briefly……..
Stawell, Victoria
and the wild weather followed us home again.
Point Leo, Victoria
for a fortnight of unusually cold weather all the way from Antarctica.
Point Leo, Victoria
Which bought some fantastic clouds our way and some welcome rain.
Balnarring Beach, Victoria
We headed north, but not too far to our first Guildford Banjo Jamboree.
Bolte Bridge, Melbourne, Victoria
We had a fun banjo-centric set all prepared.
Guildford, Victoria
We enjoyed playing with fine folk all weekend.
Castlemaine, Victoria
And appreciated the gorgeous historic area.
Guildford, Victoria
As always all photos by Jennifer Land unless otherwise credited
A travelogue is a record of a journey: an account of roads traveled and places visited. This is a catalogue of stuff we’ve seen, heard and done. Some of the songs are old, written years ago but never recorded, some of them we wrote specifically for this album.
All of them were recorded live, with no overdubs. You can hear a chair creak, breathe and finger on fret board. Our songs are about being humans on the road of life.
It’s customary to “Launch” a new CD so we’d love to invite you to celebrate with us.
Making a CD is a collaborative process and we’d like to take the opportunity to thank everyone that helped us on the road.
All 13 songs were recorded live by a collection of beautiful vintage microphones by Matt Walker and Rowan Matthews at Stovepipe Studios, the album was produced by Matt Walker and mastered at Deluxe Mastering by Adam Dempsey. Our current bio was penned by Elizabeth Williams.
If you want to buy a digital copy of the album please head here and follow the links to your preferred music purveyor. If you would like a physical disc, you old fashioned soul, please email us to arrange purchase. slimdime[@]gmail.com
Bony Flowers - Land/Williams/TaylorBony Flowersflies a gypsy mothher dusty wings have eyesBony Flowers is tall and leanancient, old and wiseBony Flowers snaps her gumblows clouds that pop on her chinshe keeps loose change and featherspockets full of air to keep them inBony Flowers and her gypsy moththeir bones have weldedtheir skin is patched raggedtheir hearts nearly meldedLeaves snail tracks, plane trailsilver thread unwoundingover patch worked ground verdant greenvelvet, button and pearlBony Flowers is a gypsy mothdusty wings clear eyesone thousand feet and risingthat’s the way, this story flies
I’m Satisfied – John Smith HurtI’m Satisfied, tickled tooold enough to marry youI’m Satisfied, it’s gonna bring you backFirst in the country, then in the townI’m a total shaker from my naval on downThere was a time that she treated me fineSend all them shivers up and down my spineI pull my dress down to my kneesgive my total all to whom ever I pleaseBless my Soul what’s wrong with me?I’m a shakin’ like a leaf on a fuzzy treeI’m Satisfied, tickled tooold enough to marry youI’m Satisfied, it’s gonna bring you back
Mary Jane - Land/TaylorOh Mary JaneTell me your gameWhat’s in a nameyou’re still the sameI’ve nothin’ left to gainMy Mary JaneOh Mary Janeleaving is the aimescape without painslowly going saneI’ve nothin’ left to sayMy Mary JaneOh Mary JaneI can hear the rainon my window panerunning down my braintime to break the chainMy Mary JaneOh Mary Janeyou can never be tamedmoving with the grainunknown despite your famelost inside the frameMy Mary JaneOh Mary JaneI’m so glad that you cameI was a little lamein a lot of painnow I’ve gone and changedMy Mary JaneOh Mary JaneFarewell is the aimleaving in the rainsolitude’s OKthank you once againMy Mary Jane
In the Shadow of the Mountainside - Land/TaylorIn the shadow of themountainsidecold as the gravetoo late to save mysoulSurely it must beendtimeswhiskey in my veinsnicotine stainson my fingers on my nailsand on myeyesSilence in the cold bluemorning lightalone in the palelocked in the jailof mymindBottomless welldeep in my soulcup that never fillsbruise on the hillsiron in my chestand in my armIn the shadow of themountainsidecold as the gravetoo late to save mysoul
Circling the Wagon - Land/Taylor
Estelle - Land/TaylorThe house was oldAnd falling downCockroaches crawled up out of the groundShe answered the adWe needed her rentIt was my fault the money was spentShe was so thinUgly as sinI know you shouldn’t judge - it’s only skinShe was using & I didn’t knowMy flatmate did & asked her to goHer last three houses burned right downUp in flames burned to the groundAll she had left, all that she ownedWere four blurred photos & a stained t-shirtI could’ve been sorryI should’ve been sadI was so young I didn’t careShe moved onWent awayNo-one was sorry that she didn’t stayIf I knew thenwhat I know nowYou can’t go backwards anyhowPeople come & People goSome you don’t really get to know
I see you now - Land/TaylorI’ve been watching you nowfor the longest timewondering who you are andwhat goes on in your mindI see you nowHaven’t slept well at nightin the longest timewondering where you are nowand if you’re alrightIf I could see you nowIf I could see you right nowI’d apologiseI wasn’t thinking clearly whenI spoke my mindIf I could see you nowIf you were here right now andI could see your eyesThen I’d know if you were smilingor if you were cryingIf I could see you nowI must have met you in athousand livesyou’re so familiar I feelI know your eyesI see you nowI’ve been watching you nowfor the longest timewondering who you are andwhat goes on in your mindI see you now
One Room - Land/TaylorAnd the night comes rollin’ increepin’ up the valley wallsthe chill creeps in my bonesas the darkness quietly fallsDo I see a bladethat yr holdin’ in yr fist?Do I hear those wordsfrom the lips that I have kissed?And the wind begins to blowhowlin’ in the treesyr not smilin’ nowas yr down there on yr kneesDarlin’ when I found youlike an angel from aboveyou & me we fit each othertighter than a gloveAnd the flowers start to bloomon the mountainsidethe days are getting’ longerand yr right there by my sideThe promises we madewere golden in the lightsugar candy melting in thesweetness of our heightAnd the nights are hot & closethe days are long & brightI can’t see my edges anymorein the nightWhen we went out dancin’you held me oh so tightbut yr eyes they were roamin’to the left & to the rightAnd the leaves begin to fallall golden, red & brighteverything is falling apartin my mindYou say that you love methat I’m the only onelast time you were lyin’so I gots me a gunAnd the rain begins to fallon the roof above my headcrimson tide is risin’up the walls of my shedThe silence spreads in wavesunbroken in the nightthe moon she rises slowlyup the dark blue mountainside
The Code of the Mountains - H. Taylor, K. Davis & P. McAdoryThere’s a code of the mountains, way down in the backwoodsThere’s a code of the mountains, and an unwritten lawThere Harry and Joe Brown, way down in the backwoodsThere Harry and Joe Brown, shot Charlie McGrawThey caught him at daybreak, way down in the backwoodsThey caught him at daybreak, down on his kneesHe pleaded for mercy, way down in the backwoodsHe pleaded for mercy, but they heard not their pleasSaid Harry to Charlie, way down in the backwoodsSaid Harry to Charlie, you thought you were slyBut the code of the mountains, way down in the backwoodsThe code of the mountains, says you must dieHe loaded his rifle, way in the backwoodsHe loaded his rifle, Joe loaded up tooOne shot and another, way down in the backwoodsOne shot and another, and then it was throughThey buried poor Charlie, way down in the backwoodsThey buried poor Charlie, without any prayerThe code of the mountains, way down in the backwoodsThe code of the mountains, is the only law thereDeep in the earth now, down in the backwoodsDeep in the earth now, lies Charlie McGrawFor the code of the mountains, way down in the backwoodsThe code of the mountains is the unwritten law
The Leaving Song - Land/TaylorSally’s packing up the bar and callin’ out, “last drinks”,washing all the dregs of beer and ciggies down the sink.It’s the tail end of a long night, the kind that just won’t end.The same old crowd of punters driving her right round the bend.Sam’s still sitting at the bar, been sitting there all week.His Mrs upped and left him after 13 angry years.He shoulda seen it coming: he couldn’t be surprised.Still he can’t forget the wounded look deep in her eyesIt’s something we all knowwithout having to be toldwhen it’s time to goyou’d better goEm and John have been together now for 20 years,stuck it out together through the heartbreak, laughs and tears.Now she can’t remember, who it was she loved,that happy young man that she married - vanished into dust.They talk in different languages, lead their separate lives,quiet daggers stabbed in backs using just their eyes.Judy’s gonna stick it out, doesn’t wanna quit.She’s gonna keep on hanging on to get her little bit.She knows she’s bloody earned it, it’s her bloody due,and if she doesn’t get it, well, maybe she’ll sue!
Lil Darlin - Land/TaylorYou have been by my sidefor so long Lil’ Darlin’You’re there in the morn and in the nightYou have been by my sidefor so long Lil’ Darlin’My one, Lil’ Darlin’ my lightI will be with you‘til the end Lil’ Darlin’There in the dark and in the lightI will be with you‘til the end Lil’ Darlin’My one, Lil’ Darlin’ my lightI have walked by your sideso long Lil’ Darlin’I can feel your hand in mineYou have been so longby my side Lil’ Darlin’My one, Lil’ Darlin’ my lightYou are there when I closemy eyes Lil’ Darlin’You’re there inside my heartI have been so longby your side Lil’ Darlin’My one, Lil’ Darlin’ my light
Comin Home - Land/TaylorOh don’t you roamOh don’t you goOh don’t you roamSo doggonne far from homeOh don’t you cryOh don’t you sighOh don’t you cryUntil I’m dead and goneOh don’t you knowOh where to go?Oh don’t you knowThis long and lonely roadDarlin don’t you cryYou’re the apple of my eyeDarlin don’t you cryUntil I’m dead and goneOh you must knowThis hard and heavy loadOh you must knowthis long and dusty roadOh all alonePlease help me find my homeNowhere left to goLord, please let me goOh Lonesome RoadSo lost and aloneOh Lonesome RoadLord, please bring him homeOh Lonesome RoadSo far from homeOh Lonesome RoadLord, I’m coming home
Lay Down My Ole Guitar - Land/TaylorI am travelin’ down that roadleaving off my heavy loadhavin’ journeyed long & hardthrough near & farI am not far now my dearIf you listen you will hearas I laydown my ole guitarI will laydown my ole guitarand we’ll sing that ole songone more timecome on round yougood ole friendsand we’ll sing ‘till the endand then I’ll laydown my ole guitarI am weary let me restwaitin’ for that final testnothin’ left for me to dofor me to sayCan you hear our ole time bandLord we travelled this wide landcan’t you hear the musicas it playsI have done the best I canI would do it all againI have tried with all my heartto keep the beatI’d rather be your shot of whiskeythan be everyone’s cup of teayou can pour me on nowI’ll take it neat
We recently traveled to Harrietville for GAP – the Great Alpine Pick. We stayed in the most excellent on-site caravan. It was so terribly awesome that we filmed some videos there.
It had an autumnal burnt orange vibe that absolutely matched the beautiful Autumn weather.
I fell in love with it and took WAY too many photographs of it’s 1970’s splendor.
I particularly loved the bedside lamp.
“Estelle” is a song we wrote a few years ago and with the encouragement of our Goddaughter we dusted her off and added another verse. We recorded it recently and it will appear on our new album ‘Travelogue’ – which you can preview here.
A classic folk song about share house living that tells the true, but sad story of Estelle, who owns only a few photos and a stained t-shirt as a result of her last few houses having burned down.
“Estelle” – Live at the Harrietville Caravan Park!
One of the reasons that we named our album ‘Travelogue’ is that we like to travel & I always take photographs as we go……. Here are some from that journey
Bonnie Doon
Mt Hotham
Mt Hotham
all photographs taken in April 2016 by J. Land – instagram
We’re just finished recording another album; it’s called Travelogue.
A Travelogue describes the experience of a traveler, often in images.
We recorded at Stovepipe Studios with Matt Walker and Rowan Matthews.
We prefer to record a live performance, preserving the human sounds of fingers on fret boards, breath and squeaky chair. It means it isn’t perfect, it feels more important to sound real in these times of heavily processed sound.
If you close your eyes we are sitting in the room with you, just two people playing music and singing.
photos thanks to Matt Walker
We recorded 16 songs over a day and a half, with no overdubs.
It’s important to find the right studio for the songs. Matt and Rowan immediately understood what we were looking for. It is challenging to record a live performance in a studio environment but they were up for it. For those of you who have never recorded, it’s important to have nice clean recordings of each instrument/ voice without anything spilling over into it, which is very hard with a live recording when the room is filled with sound. With the help of some really lovely microphones and their technical know how they caught our performances beautifully with very little “cross contamination”.
photo thanks to Matt Walker
After recording the songs all the tracks are mixed together – it’s a process……..
are we there yet?
photo thanks to Chris Taylor
Very soon we’ll have an album to share with you all – till then here’s a track from it we recorded by our friend Chris – “Coming Home”.
With the help of our friend Chris we recorded our original song “Coming Home”.
This song has been, in one form or another, in the repertoire for a while now but recently got a rewrite, buff and polish and it’s come up a treat! It’s a two point perspective story, two sides of a situation, two voices each in turn.
photo thanks to Chris Rickard
We are all on a journey “Home” – to that place where we feel most ourselves, whether that be a geographical location, an internal sense of peace or the kinship found within a relationship.
unknown photographer – please let us know if it’s you!
It can be hard to hear the lyrics clearly so they appear below. Chris plays banjo in the clawhammer style.
With the help of our friend Chris we recorded our version of the traditional song “I wish I was in Bowling Green”, which we learned from the Kossoy Sisters, adding to it with more lyrics: somethin’ old, somethin’ new, somethin’ borrowed & somethin’ blue.
The lyrics talk specifically about the town “Bowling Green” in Kentucky in the US of A, but the song for us is about the longing for that place that feels like home and a nostalgic recollection of the place you grew up in, or belong to.
A perfect home…….
Traditional songs last in popular culture because the message or meaning is timeless, continuously relevant, like any cliche there’s a deep truth enfolded inside,
“Shady Grove” is a lovely Bluegrass standard, which many really great musicians have done versions of. One of our favourites would have to be Doc Watson’s.
We recently enlisted the help of our friend Chris to film us playing a few of our favourite cover songs/standards. All these clips were recorded with a Nikon D90 – the sound quality is pretty good considering we’re outside!
Video Still from “Shady Grove”
We don’t make a huge fuss about our guitars but we get asked a lot what we play. Jen plays a Martin LXM tenor guitar and Chris plays a Martin D00-18V acoustic guitar. Neither have pick ups – all acoustic!
Video Still from “Shady Grove”
So here’s a link to our version of “Shady Grove” – hope you enjoy it as much as we enjoy playing it!
We write our own music but we also enjoy doing covers of well known songs in a Slim Dime kinda way. Enormously successful in the 80’s, Euro synth pop hit, “Take On Me” – lyrics & music by Pal Waaktaar, Mags Furuholmen & Morten Harket is a great example. Although recognisable, without that synth tag it sounds totally different.
Video still – Take On Me
With the help of our friend Chris this was recorded September 2015 in a house more picturesque than ours on our trusty iPad so the image and sound quality isn’t excellent but it’s certainly good enough. God bless technology!
Video still – Take On Me
We decided to share this particular song because it isn’t something we’d ever put on an album but it is a song we put in the set along with country & bluegrass numbers. It has that lovely bittersweet quality that we love so. And it’s fun to surprise folk with something a little unexpected.
Video still – Take On Me
One of the memorable things about this song is singer Morten Harket’s incredible vocal range, we don’t do that either! It’s more fun to make a song your own than to mimic someone else.
Here’s a link to the original video, which has a happy albeit sweaty ending……
Despite having a really busy month, with the help of our friend Chris we recorded some wee home videos. She lives in a gorgeous house with a brilliant garden. The Spring blossoms were bloomin’ up a storm.
Sliver Tongue & Gold Plated Lies video still
Silver Tongue & Gold Plated Lies was written by K. T. Oslin – country stalwart songstress, although we learned it from Suzanne Thomas on the excellent album “O’ Sister – The Women’s Bluegrass Collection”.
Sliver Tongue & Gold Plated Lies video still
We play it slow.
More like a blues song than a bluegrass number………
Sliver Tongue & Gold Plated Lies video still
Lots of fantastic musicians play this excellent song – this is our version!
Everything we do, we do with a little help from our friends…….
Slim Dime 