Before our show at Luther College, we found ourselves sitting on the bank of the murmuring trout stream that flows through Pulpit Rock Campground in Decorah, IA with Shawn Neary (The Wapsipinicon, Cloud Cult). Pete and I were searching out harmonies for a couple of his songs, and playing percussion with the dried cottonwood leaves on the ground, while Shawn strummed the five nylon strings on his weathered guitar. A little ways upstream, a man chopped firewood. The breeze whispered in the limbs of the trees lining the babbling brook.
After a week in the car, this experience was the most pleasant of surprises.
With Shawn’s permission, I am posting a couple recordings I made while we sat by the stream.
Also, here is a picture of a bug that came to its final rest on Shawn’s journal while we sang. “Friends West” is a heavy tune, and I guess it was just too much for the little guy.
–Zach
Aaah, beautiful. Thanks for visiting Grinnell again–we always love to see you fellas.
way different vibe—love it. You guys are great. I’d run like hell for the hills if I weren’t already up in ‘em.