Ginny Hawker and Tracy Schwarz
Music CD
Since the beginnings of our journey into bluegrass and old-time music, we've been surprised at how accessible the major musicians in the field make themselves, and we try not to pass up a chance to benefit from it. As we were increasingly drawn to the sound of traditional Appalachian music, particularly the singing, we were fortunate to end up at the Augusta Heritage Center in Elkins, West Virginia, at the same time that two masters of the music, Ginny Hawker and Tracy Schwarz, were teaching classes there.
We took their classes, got to know them a bit, and then arranged to take private lessons at their home. We've been there twice, staying in their guest house, eating their home cooking (including some awe-inspiring chicken gumbo), learning what makes Appalachian music so distinctive, and performing it under their supervision. They're just as warm and welcoming as the cover of this CD suggests. We can't repay them for the help they've given us, except to sing their praises to others, as we?re doing here.
Ginny Hawker is from West Virginia and grew up steeped in the music of that region, particularly the unaccompanied singing that is found in the Primitive Baptist Church. Tracy Scwarz is from New England but relocated to Appalachia as soon as he could, first through his music and later through marriage to Ginny. For the past fifteen years they have performed Appalachian music together, and with each recording they make the listener's journey into the music deeper and richer, more engaging and more rewarding.
On their latest CD they are at the top of their form. Tracy's voice has begun to take on the raspy, ancient quality that Ralph Stanley has cultivated; you'll hear his solo singing featured on "Soldier?s Farewell" and "Dying Ranger." Ginny's low alto singing is striking, clear and powerful and not to be denied; she performs the Primitive Baptist hymn "Salem's Bright King," five minutes of unaccompanied singing that is over much too soon. But most of all they love to harmonize, and these songs cover a broad range of harmony styles, from the sweetness of "Katie Dear" to the raw power of "Poor Drunkard's Dream." There are some good gospel songs, and some early bluegrass too. We think Draw Closer is a terrific introduction to the Appalachian sound.
Here is a review of the CD that appeared in Sing Out! magazine:
Listening to a Ginny and Tracy recording is like looking at an old picture book: some pages have familiar scenes and others have images that are totally new. Draw Closer contains 14 different pictures from the musical life of Ginny Hawker and Tracy Schwarz. The recording opens with a lovely rendition of "Katie Dear" from the playing and singing of the Blue Sky Boys. "Those Blue Eyes" from Julia Mainer follows. Any collection of music featuring Tracy and Ginny always includes some mountain blues. Tracy has based his guitar and vocal style on Roscoe Holcomb's high lonesome sound. "Soldier's Farewell" features Tracy's modal styled tune set to words from an anonymous source from Tennessee. "Poor Drunkard's Dream" from Wade Mainer features Ginny's ethereal and spooky harmony. Gospel tunes are also a great part of Ginny and Tracy's music. "My Closest Neighbor" is a complex duet from the singing of Whitey and Hogan from North Carolina. "Climbing Up the Golden Stairs" from Kate Peters Sturgill has a wonderfully infectious chorus. "Salem's Bright King" is a primitive Baptist hymn that Ginny collected from Hazel Stover of Clay, West Virginia and continues her dedication to the music introduced to her by her father.
Draw Closer was recorded in one January day by Dirk Powell in Louisiana and features Tracy's son Peter on bass, the vocals of Karl Sickenberger and the marvelous mandolin, guitar and fiddle of Ron Stewart. Ron's contributions cannot be over-stated, as his playing is simple and always supports the mood of the piece.
If you love great singing and enjoy listening to the old music you probably have a few recordings from Ginny and Tracy in your collection. There's always room for another great one.
Related recordings
...their music called to mind the purity of early country music, before commercialization set in.—Chicago Tribune, 1991
...their harmonies are hair-raising, representative of the finest Appalachian traditional music.—Freight & Salvage Coffeehouse, 1994
...If you listen to Tracy Schwarz and Ginny Hawker, you'd think you were listening to a pristine copy of the Smithsonian's field recordings made in the early 20th century.—Monterey Country Herald, 1996
This is the heart and soul of traditional southern music done by musicians who live it.—Old Songs Festival 1995
Sung in the traditional way, their songs are filled with that lonesome feeling.—Glenville, WV Democrat
...unrestrained power and passion...will make you shiver on a bright sunny day!—SEBA Breakdown, 1998
...the versatile voice of Ginny Hawker with its low, sultry tones...sounds like a honky-tonk torch singer on the slow-dance numbers...gets lowdown and gutsy on the gospel...has mastered the art of the baritone part...the secret to bluegrass singing.—Bluegrass Unlimited, 1999
Schwarz is no crooner, but his rough-edged, plaintive voice is very effective on these songs...—Bluegrass Unlimited, 1991
If you get chills from powerful, emotional music, wear a sweater when you listen to Ginny Hawker...—Goldenseal, 1994
...we would laugh and sing along in an affected twangy style, poking fun...Now I'll be an advocate and defender of the people who make this music. I respect them.—Augusta student
...when I hear you sing those old songs, I feel as if I am right there, back in time. What a gift.—Swannanoa student
Nothing excessive in the arrangements or instrumentation, just solid singing and playing on an outstanding collection.—Sing Out! 2001
...There are undercurrents here, that cannot be taught in any music school or by any teacher; it simply must be felt.—Tricopolis 2000
...Schwarz has a reedy mountain voice similar in timbre to Ralph Stanley's and Hawker, a deep nicely controlled vibrato that can also be deeply beautiful and often as clear as a stream.—Rambles 2000
The songs, the singing and the playing are all so great. It's all very satisfying, inspiring and nurturing.—Tom Rozum, 2002
Tracy's singing reminded me of one of those old Baptist preachers lining out a hymn....Ginny sings it with real fire - it hit me right below the cigarettes.—Kellie Allen, Lehigh Valley Folk Music Society, 2002
