The Gilded Bats: The Gilded Bats

Sing Out! The Folk Song Magazine, Spring, 2008 by Tom Druckenmiller

THE GILDED BATS

The Gilded Bats

Mud Dauber 0001

The Gilded Bats are an old-time quartet from Iowa. Their self-titled CD is a joyous collection of classic old-time songs and tunes. The band is comprised of: Norbert Sarsfield, fiddle; Andrew Epstein, banjo; Bill Bryant, guitar and Chris Clark, washtub bass. All four members sing, and Andrew adds jaw harp to the proceedings.

The liner notes to this CD are scant but informative. The band makes no mystery of where they learned the 15 selections here, and they supply both the classic source as well as a more contemporary link to the various tunes.

The CD opens with "Hail Against the Barn Door" from the playing of Lure Harkinbury through the fine young contemporary fiddler Jimmy Triplett. As I sit here watching the snow ricochet off of my back porch I realize that this tune perfectly portrays the percussive repetition of the storm outside. Tommy Jarrell and Matokie Slaughter as well as The Rockinghams are the source of "Baby-O." The vocals have just the perfect amount of verve so right for this music.

Later we are treated to another tune from the playing of Jimmy Triplett, "Sally Coming Thru the Rye" with Ward Jarvis as the classic source. Fiddler Norbert Sarsfield really has the tune's wild and wooly nature captured and the rest of the band supply a strong foundation for this classic melody. "Give the Fiddler a Dram" is oft heard but the Gilded Bats chose the Holy Modal Rounders version as their framework, hilarious lyrics and all. The CD closes with "Sally in the Garden" from the playing of Lee Triplett. This spooky tune is a fine workout for Norbert and banjoist Andrew Epstein and its fade out leads the listener to a hidden track, but don't fret, I won't betray the surprise.

The Gilded Bats bear witness to the fact that old-time music is alive and well in the upper Midwest. Great job!--TD