The Lindner Brothers: With Friends Like These
Philo Records (Fretless FR151 [vinyl]) 1981
Available (See Ordering Info)
In 1979, Dan and Willy Lindner, members of the Vermont-based bluegrass band Banjo Dan & the Midnite Plowboys, decided to undertake a recording project that would showcase the talents of some wonderful musicians and friends, and would feature songs written for the most part by the Lindner brothers. The result was an album released in 1980, recorded at Vermont's Earth Audio studios (home to the Philo and Fretless labels), titled "The Lindner Brothers - With Friends Like These..." Featured along with Dan and Willy ("Eric" on the song credits) were bassist Sam Blagden, tenor vocalist Mike Ziegler, Dobro player Dan Mahoney, and fiddler Jon Glik. Also featured were singers (and the brothers' wives) Jaye Lindner and Nancy Mosher.
In 2007 Jon Glik became seriously ill. Jon had become an immensely well-respected fiddler based in the Baltimore area, sometimes referred to as "legendary" perhaps in part because he was under-recorded. As Jon's friends rallied to seek out his recordings, Willy asked another friend, Michael Thurston, a broadcaster and sound engineer in Barre, Vermont, to convert the "Friends" LP to compact disc format to send to Jon. But the music, which had been dormant for so long, was so compelling that the Lindners decided to re-release the album so that new listeners could hear and enjoy it, with the proceeds from sales going to Jon's medical fund.
We hope you enjoy this album. We believe it caught a special moment, with superb musicianship and a great band spirit conveyed by all the contributors. We are indebted to these players, not only for bringing their skills to our project, but because, along with music, having "Friends Like These" is what life is all about.
Dan and Willy Lindner
October 2007
Addendum: With contributions from musicians and friends nationwide, Jon Glik was able to receive the medical services he required and is now (in November 2008) recovering and playing music again. At Jon's request, the proceeds from our album sales are no longer going to his medical fund.
| 1. | Oat Mountain |
| 2. | Widow's Walk |
| 3. | Blue Sea Blues |
| 4. | You Better Say Goodbye |
| 5. | Welcome to Mars |
| 6. | The Holy Hills of Heaven |
| 7. | Sweet Loralee |
| 8. | Rumney's Rum |
| 9. | Walk in the Starlight |
| 10. | Rain on Me |
| 11. | Ocracoke |
| 12. | Rack and Ruin |
All songs Pleiades Music/BMI
Dan Lindner - banjo, guitar, tiple, vocals
Willy Lindner - mandolin, guitar, vocals
Friends:
Sam Blagden - bass (tenor vocal on "Rack and Ruin")
Jon Glik - fiddle (lead guitar on "Holy Hills")
Jaye Lindner - vocals
Dan Mahoney - dobro
Nancy Mosher - vocals
Mike Ziegler - vocals
- - -
Engineering - Michael Couture
Photography - Pete Tourin
Design - The Very Graphic! Design Co.
Special Assistance - Pete and Tina Tourin
Special Thanks to Jack Donovan and Tom Beardsley
Recorded at Earth Audio Techniques in North Ferrisburg, Vermont.
Fretless Records is a division of Philo(r) Records, Inc., N. Ferrisburg, VT. All rights reserved.
(c)1981 Philo(r) Records, Inc.