old girl, new girl dear friend of mine, literally coming apart at the seams, on her way to cello hospital in Paisley Lupercalia was a great success this past weekend – it’s safe to say that the little local music festival that filled the streets and packed ten venues in Owen Sound is the first of many – also safe to say that it will grow. Thanks Josh R, your promoter skills are much appreciated. I played twice – three times if you include the 3.5 hour recording session with Tyler Wagler on Sunday morning. The other 2 were 6pm with Willi Henry & Patrick Dorfmann @ The Ginger Press, then at midnight crammed in with Tyler and Joel Morelli. I was not playing my friend, the last cello made by Edouard Bartlett, the one I’ve played every morning these past 2 months – she hates the winter cold/hot/dry of this place, and has come apart on her shoulders. Her voice squeaks where it always sang – so I took her to Sibylle Ruppert, a fine luthier and friend from Paisley, who let me borrow this new girl….: tulip wood back, maple ribs, BC spruce belly, no corners. Tiny, lightweight, little imp of a cello, with a shockingly big voice Definitely female. I've never seen or played a sexier looking cello. I miss my friend – we have grown into each other these past 10 years. It will be a while before she comes back to me here. In the meantime, I play this sleek little otter-girl, and we get to know one another. It’s exciting and sad and weird, and unsettling and challenging all the time. Will I get along with otter-girl? Will she work with me, will her voice grow even bigger and mellower than it already is? Will I find a way to keep her? Are we meant to work together? hmmm. I know I’ll never sell Ed’s cello, though I might rent her to a student I trust. Could I have two? Somebody should do a study on the complex, intense bond between a musician and his instrument.