In The Dance Tent

Horse Flies | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 18, 2000)
• Original Release Date: July 12, 2000
• Number of Discs: 1
• ASIN: B00004WCDT
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #239,344 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Pretty Little Girl

2. Emory Bailey

3. Swamp Cat Rag

4. Iko Iko

5. John Brown's Dream

6. Human Fly

7. Late for the Dance

8. Ride Old Buck

9. Leather Britches

10. Jimmy Sutton

Editorial Reviews

In the Dance Tent was recorded live on 07-21-96 at the Finger Lakes Grassroots Festival of Music and Dance in upstate New York. Recorded digitally and direct from the board, the sound is crystal clear yet maddeningly sterile, especially for the amount of energy emitting from the stage -- no fault of the band, as it was unaware the recording even existed. The album is notable for friends and fans as it's the only available live recording of the group with the original lineup intact -- bassist and multi-instrumentalist John Hayward succumbed to cancer the following year -- and aside from a blistering version of "Human Fly," contains previously unreleased songs that have been live staples for years. While not a good place to start for the curious or the casual fan, In the Dance Tent is still a great snapshot of a band in complete control of its genre. TRACK LISTING : 01 Pretty Little Girl *02 Emory Bailey * 03 Swamp Cat Rag * 04 Iko Iko * 05 John Brown's Dream * 06 Human Fly * 07 Late for the Dance * 08 Ride Old Buck * 09 Leather Britches * 10 Jimmy Sutton

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Pure joy!, September 11, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: In The Dance Tent (Audio CD)

I was there. I saw it happen.

This recording is an example of what happens when a bunch of spirited musicians get together and get moved by the spirit of the crowd. These simple fiddle tunes become so much more when the Horse Flies get their hands on them, and the energy of their live performance practically blows sparks out of my stereo speakers. Judy Hyman's dynamic fiddling rightfully takes center stage; Jeff Claus' rhythmic banjo uke strumming and keening vocals add drama and depth. Rich Stearns, the dearly departed John Hayward, and a battery of percussionists hold the whole thing together and propel it to dizzying heights.

This CD is the next best thing to being In the Dance Tent, and that's a beautiful place to be!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great live bluegrass!, September 24, 2009

By 

F. Horne - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: In The Dance Tent (Audio CD)

This is a live performance at the Grassroots Festival in May 1995. The sound is great! With the exception of Human Fly, these are all fiddle and banjo tunes with some great syncopated percussion. Did I mention this is dance music? Cloggers will be on their feet, guaranteed, as the lady said above.

One reviewer noted that this record is unlike the Flies more modern records. It's true--this is their older style bluegrass-on-steroids. It is just drop-dead fabulous. If you like the Horse Flies, you need this CD.

[...]

F. Horne

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Horse Flies - Intoxicating And Unique, February 27, 2007

By 

Carol "semi-retired clogger" (Chincoteague Island, Va) - See all my reviews

This review is from: In The Dance Tent (Audio CD)

It brought back the best memories of many danse tents and the magical evolution of the Horse Flies' music. Listening now makes my old clogger's knees feel young again. Music is hypnotic and exhilerating.