New CD, "Songs From The Mountain"

May 13, 1999

Dirk Powell, Tim O'Brien, and John Herrmann have known, played, studied and loved Old Time music for all of their musical careers, and it is their hope that the novel's success can somehow provide a springboard for this beautiful, but decidedly uncommercial folk music form. There is nothing fancy here, just tunes pure and simple, for these songs have been worn over the years, like the North Carolina ridges themselves, until all that remains is a powerful essence. If you are a fan of “Cold Mountain,” or if you want to enhance your experience an already incredible book, you will sure enjoy this recording.

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CCCheer: Welcome to NetCafeLive Where we host authors and celebrities throughout the month. Thanks for joining us! Borders NetCafeLive is a joint production of Borders.com(tm) & Talk City(tm), a Talk City, Inc. Production. Tonight's guest is Dirk Powell, here to talk about his new CD, "Songs From The Mountain." Dirk Powell has played traditional music since the age of 12, after being inspired from his grandfather James Clarence Hay, a highly gifted musician. He has recorded three albums of traditional Cajun music with his group "Balfa Toujours.” Powell has recorded with a diverse number of musicians, including Seamus Egan, Tim O'Brien, Bruce Molsky, Jay Ungar, Molly Mason, and many more. His recent albums include "Songs From The Mountain,” "Tony Furtado & Dirk Powell" and "If I Go Ten Thousand Miles." Borders.com and Talkcity.com is pleased to welcome tonight's guest Dirk Powell. Welcome to Talk City! Its great to have you with us Dirk, could you tell us about the CD "Songs from the Mountain"?

Dirk Powell: Yes, it was an opportunity for us to record some old time music from Charles Frasier's old novel about the Civil War in North Carolina. The writing in the book really captured the essence of traditional Appalachian music. We felt it was a wonderful opportunity to bring that music to a wider audience. It's a wonderful kind of music that doesn't get heard enough, it's not a commercial form of music. It's from an era before records, before the music industry became so enormous.

Rattlesnake360: How does it feel to be with us tonight at Talk City?

Dirk Powell: It's a great experience. It's wonderful to be able to share thoughts with an international audience. It's amazing that we can use this kind of technology to discuss and promote a type of music that has its roots in a time before the progress of this century.

Shawksie: Do you ever use dulcimers in your music?

Dirk Powell: Yeah, the dulcimer is an instrument that's a strong part of the tradition of the mountains, but wasn't as prevalent as fiddle and banjo. Also, the fact that it's partly quiet means it didn't become as strong a part of the dance tradition. It's lovely for accompanying tunes, and lovely for singing. So, it's a great instrument, but not one that we use a whole lot.

MysteryGirl: Dirk, music is a very personal issue, and touches each of our souls a different way. How does it touch you?

Dirk Powell: Music was for me something that I did at a very early age to find a sense of self, and a place where I could escape everyday reality when I needed to. Very early on, I found that the music of my grandfather not only provided that kind of feeling, but also gave me a strong sense of my own heritage. So the music for me is not only a way to be here in the present, but also a way to connect with my ancestors and past generations. I often feel that the music can bring them back.

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