Tim Eriksen is a musician, musicologist, professor known for his solo work, his band Cordelia’s Dad and currently Chair of the Annual Western Massachusetts Sacred Harp Singing Convention held on 3/7-8 in Florence’s Bombyx Arts Center.

Our segment begins with Tim’s solo performance of “I Wish the Wars Were All Over” a song he recorded a number of times. He mentions that “I made the music, but the story comes from a manuscript of favourite popular songs written down by an American named Timothy Connor while he was imprisoned in Plymouth, England during the Revolution.It sometimes seems like the best words have been worn out through use, and I’m reluctant to tire them further. Then, sometimes, the simplest and most exhausted words and themes appear in a light that pierces. There’s something in this song.” The song has subsequently been recorded by many others including Joan Baez.

Tim Eriksen’s musical and intellectual curiosity seems to have no boundaries. He’s interested in topics like Bosnian folk pop, traditional New England hymns, South Indian Classical music, film, dance theater….He’s taught at most of the Western Mass University’s including Amherst College, Hampshire College and Smith College as well as in Poland and Czechia. He received his PHD from Wesleyan.

Tim begins with a haunting version of “Wayfaring Stranger” which is a nod to our first topic, the film “Cold Mountain”. Tim’s influence on that soundtrack is everywhere. From singing the vocal parts for actor Brendan Gleeson to contributing a number of traditional shape note songs to the soundtrack. Tim performs with Tim O’Brien, Rile Baugus, Dirk Powell, Stuart Duncan among others in the film. T Bone Burnett put together the score which was nominated for two Academy Awards. Tim tells his experiences in working with this amazing crew and cast.

We talk about Tim’s latest projects including a new punk influenced album, a new duo project with Peter Irvine as well as touring with Eliza Carthy in Europe (filling in for ailing Martin Carthy).

I ask Tim to play a song for us. He’s brought a banjo and a guitar along. He performs a song off his forthcoming duo project with Peter Irvine (also part of Cordelia’s Dad project). The album will be titled “Absence And Her Sister” with a song called “The Jolly Tinker”. We talk extensively about the history of Shape Note singing especially here in New England and the rural South. Tim details the process, the technique of learning and compiling these tunes. This is a participatory experience as opposed to a concert. March 7-8 in Bombyx. Experienced and novice singers are encouraged. Info about the event and details can be found at Bombyx.Live

We finish with Tim Eriksen illustrating a shape note song from “the book”. We also hear an example of a recording of 1999’s Western Mass Shape Note Singing Convention. This is followed by Tim’s “Better Day’s Coming”, Cordelia’s Dad do a live version of “Granite Mill” recorded at Northampton’s Iron Horse, and we finish with a song from “Cold Mountain” with Tim O’Brien.