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Brian Miller revives music of the northern lumber camps

Darin Back

Minnesota musician Brian Miller's most recent CD, The Falling of the Pine, is his second album of songs that were sung in the lumber camps across the northern states in the 19th and early 20th centuries. 

He talks to Cara Lieurance about the character and variety of the songs, and about his collaboration with musician Randy Gosa, who adds mandolin, banjo, guitar, harmonium and backing vocals to the mix. Some of the songs came from Michigan, including "Jails of Buffalo," which was sung by Johnny Green for Alan Lomax in 1938 on Beaver Island.

Brian Miller and Randy Gosa will perform songs of the north woods, with historical pictures projected on a backdrop, in the Richland Community Hall on Sunday, October 20th at 3 pm. Tickets $10 at the door; children under 12 free.

Cara Lieurance is the local host of NPR's All Things Considered on 1021 WMUK and covers local arts & culture on Let's Hear It on 89.9 Classical WMUK weekday mornings at 10 - 11 am.
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