I included two covers on this album – “Samson and Delilah,” which I learned from an old Rev. Gary Davis LP. My version differs from the straight-blues of Rev. Davis, but I believe we stayed true to the spirit of the song. In addition to a driving beat, provided by drummer Rick Lonow, singers Gale Mayes and Angela Primm add some exciting vocal coloring to the tune.
The second cover is “Them Dance Hall Girls,” written by Allan Fraser, which I heard on an early 1970s album by Fraser and DeBolt. Alan Webb, Dave Smith and I used to perform that song many years ago in coffeehouses and bars in East Tennessee and it has always been a favorite of mine. I was able to connect with Allan via email, and he has graciously allowed me to post the lyrics to this wonderful song on the site. There have been several covers of “Them Dance Hall Girls,” including one by The Duhks in 2005.