The Bombadils

Most people are familiar with the name Bombadil from Tom Bombadil, one of J.R.R. Tolkien’s characters in The Lord of the Rings.  But the Montreal-based band The BomBombadils___Contentbadils report that using this name was mostly influenced  by a song called “In the House of Tom Bombadil” by Chris Thile of Nickel Creek. The song is playful and melodic, mimicking the cadence of character Tom Bombadil who nearly always spoke or sang in an old English meter of 7-beat lines broken into groups of 4 and 3.  Thile used septuple meter – seven notes of equal duration in a measure, making the time
signature in the song vary between 7/8 and 4/4.  

Not into music theory?  No worries.  All you need to do is attend the house concert on
Saturday, May 17, 2014 and relax and listen to The Bombadils as they play a mixture of covers and originals;  Celtic and bluegrass with guitar, mandolin, flute, upright base, harmonica, Irish whistle and violin.

Contact Tim at tlehman9@gmail.com or by phone at 717-940-9311 to save a seat.

Potluck at 6:00 pm, Show at 7:00.

 

 

Fill Your Boots

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The Bombadils released their album “Fill Your Boots” in 2012.

Whether you think “Fill Your Boots” means “get moving, take responsibility, don’t waste time’ or “live life to the fullest, take in all that you can possibly absorb” I’m pretty sure you’ll enjoy the 10 Celtic/progressive folk/bluegrass songs from this album plus tunes from their next album (to be released in August 2014) at the performance on Saturday, May 17 at 7:00 pm.  If you’d like to attend RSVP by contacting Tim at 717-940-9311 or by email at tlehman9@gmail.com.  Donations at the door (15/20), Potluck at 6:00, Show at 7:00.

Come and fill your boots.

 

I don’t care where the water goes if it doesn’t get into the wine. (GK Chesterton)

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I am one of those readers who likes to be hooked in the first few pages of a book.  Once I’m drawn in I can read for hours oblivious of all else. Sometimes, though, getting into a book is a struggle.  I once heard a review  of GK Chesterton’s novel first published in 1908, The Man Who Was Thursday: A Nightmare.  I asked for the book and received it at Christmas, never to read it.

I get hooked on albums much the same way – a song or two will pull me in and then I want to know more about artist, the producer, who wrote each song, and all the instrumentalists on each selection.

The song that hooked me on The Bombadils‘ album “Fill Your Boots!” was “Noah’s Song” – based on the poem Wine and Water by none other than…GK Chesterton.  Sarah Frank (violinist, vocalist) put the words to music and the rest of The Bombadils helped with the arrangement; Luke Fraser (mandolin, guitar, vocals), Anh Phung (Irish whistles, flute), and Alan Mackie (upright bass).  This humorous poem about Noah’s concern for his wine cellar during the Great Flood gave me a renewed commitment to trying Chesterton’s nightmare book again – perhaps with a glass of wine.

The Montreal based band The Bombadils will be at Chestnut House Concerts on Saturday, May 17, 2014.  Potluck at 6:00 pm, Show at 7:00 pm. Contact Tim at 717-940-9311 or by email at tlehman9@gmail.com to reserve a seat.  Suggested donation of $15/20.

 

Signs of Autumn

College is back in session, football games have begun, morning traffic is dotted with yellow school buses…and Chestnut House Concerts are about to begin again after the summer break.

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We have some great shows lined up for September 2013 through May 2014, beginning with the Birds of Chicago on Wednesday, September 18. Allison Russell (from Po’ Girl) and J.T. Nero (JT and the Clouds). Other shows include Dave McGraw & Mandy Fer, Mando Planet, the Wild Ponies, Adrien Reju, Nora Jane Struthers, and the recently booked Montreal-based The Bombadils.

We were privileged to host some of the finest bands in roots/Americana music last year and the feedback from the artists was consistently positive and they commented on the high level of engagement and involvement from the audience. We’re excited for September 18th and hope you can join us for our traditional potluck at 6:00 p.m. and Birds of Chicago at 7:00 p.m.

Seats must be reserved. Visit the About section for contact information.