Album Notes

In their debut recording, Keep Smilin' , Suzanne and Jim present a dozen selections of Old Timey music. From carefully crafted duets to an a cappella song; from powerful clawhammer banjo instrumentals to a 19th century shape note hymn; from light- hearted humor to a murder ballad this CD has something appealing to a wide variety of tastes. One tune even features Suzanne's clogging as rhythm accompaniment.

The performance was recorded head-on with no over dubs and no guest musicians to build up the sound. The music was mixed to blend the voices and the instruments together, re-creating the flavor of recordings from the golden era of Old Time music - the 1920's and 1930's.

Here are two singers and their instruments, clearly having fun and capturing the excitement of a live performance. From the opening instrumental (with a few off mic barn dance calls) to the final hymn, Suzanne and Jim have brought their fresh energy to Old Timey music.

The Musicians...
Suzanne Jaroszynski is rapidly gaining a national reputation as a song stylist. Her rich, powerful voice is equally suited to sentimental ballads and old time gospel shouters. In the year 2000 Suzanne was a first place winner in the vocal competition at the prestigious Mt Airy North Carolina Fiddlers Convention singing her unaccompanied arrangement of Little Carpenter. Her solid rhythm guitar provides a firm foundation for the duo's sound.

For nearly 30 years Jim Hale has been at the forefront of the claw hammer banjo revival. His command of touch, tone, and timing creates a lyrical background for the singing and punches through on instrumental solos.

The Songs...
The Old Time Heel and Toe/ Silver Bell/ Little Carpenter/ Kiss Me Quick/ Little Sadie/Dixie Darlin'/ Going Downtown/ Bonaparte Crossing the Ozarks-Rocky Mt.Goat/
She Tickles Me/ Railroading on the Great Divide/
Last Chance/Twilight is Stealing