Belhaj & McIntyre by Belhaj & McIntyre
Erik McIntyre (acoustic guitar)
Alex Belhaj (acoustic guitar, voice)
Tracks 1, 2, 4 & 8 recorded 9/29/2022 at Hylaphonic Sound
Tracks 3, 5, 6 & 7 recorded 12/4/2023 at Hylaphonic Sound
Bogalusa Strut (1929, Sam Morgan) – this is a good jam tune, a fun two part New Orleans tune from cornetist and bandleader Sam Morgan. We’ve often opened our sets with this tune, it’s playful and fun and welcomes the audience to have a good time. We encourage everyone to check out Sam Morgan’s Jazz Band 1927 recordings on Columbia records, which document one of the hottest New Orleans based territory bands of the early 20th century.
Careless Love (traditional) – I’ve always loved this song, particularly recordings by Leadbelly, Bessie Smith, Kid Ory’s Creole Jazz Band, Snooks Eaglin and Dr. John. Erik plays some beautiful slide guitar on this one.
Chez Jacquet (Gin Gin) (1939, Django Reinhardt) – a delightful waltz which was (as far as we know) composed by the great Romani-Belgian guitarist Django Reinhardt.
Feeling My Way (1932, Carl Kress/Eddie Lang) – for this classic guitar duet by Eddie Lang and Carl Kress, we stick closely to the original arrangement adapting it for two guitars in standard tuning. Carl Kress used an all fifth’s tuning system similar to tenor banjo, which he applied to six string guitar (Bb - F - C - G - D - A) (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carl_Kress)
I Get The Blues When It Rains (1928, Music by Harry Stoddard, Lyrics by Marcy Klauber) – I’ve always enjoyed this sweet and melancholic song. Here Erik and I made our own version which draws inspiration from Snooks Eaglin’s approach but with melody and chord changes a little closer to the sheet music. Erik plays some nice slide guitar on this one too.
Picking The Guitar (1923, Nick Lucas) – we had some fun reimagining and playing with this classic guitar solo by Nick Lucas.
Somebody Stole My Gal (1918, words and music by Leo Wood) – a surprisingly uptempo and happy sounding song considering the content of the lyrics! We jam out on this one, enjoying some time where we let go of the quarter note rhythm playing.
Was It A Dream? (1928, words and music by Sam Coslow, Larry Spier, Addy Britt) – A favorite guitar duet of ours, Erik brought this one to the group. We’ve often closed our sets with this piece. We recommend you check out Lillie Delk Christian’s recording with Louis Armstrong and company from 1928.
Tracklist
| 1. | Bogalusa Strut | 3:44 |
| 2. | Careless Love | 4:34 |
| 3. | Chez Jacquet (Gin Gin) | 3:01 |
| 4. | Feeling My Way | 3:12 |
| 5. | I Get the Blues When it Rains | 3:36 |
| 6. | Picking the Guitar | 3:30 |
| 7. | Somebody Stole My Gal | 4:42 |
| 8. | Was it a Dream? | 3:26 |
Credits
Erik McIntyre (acoustic guitar)
Alex Belhaj (acoustic guitar, voice)
Tracks 1, 2, 4 & 8 recorded 9/29/2022 at Hylaphonic Sound
Tracks 3, 5, 6 & 7 recorded 12/4/2023 at Hylaphonic Sound
Adam Bradley Schreiber (recording engineer)
Hylaphonic Sound
www.instagram.com/adambradleyschreiber
adambschreiber.bandcamp.com/album/stridulation
David Roof -- Rooftop Recording (mixing/mastering)
www.rooftoprecording.net
www.instagram.com/rooftoprecording/
Artwork -- Erik McIntyre
erikmcintyre.com
Many thanks as well to all the musician ancestors, fans, friends, family fellow musicians and mentors who support and inspire us on our path.
License
All rights reserved.
Belhaj & McIntyre play intimate acoustic music on vintage guitars with swinging rhythm, sweet and haunting melodies, and an interweaving of joy and sorrow through improvisational conversations inspired by Blues, Jazz, and a plethora of early 20th century recordings. Their music is dynamic and never the same twice. Gentle voices searching for home.