Pig In A Pen

I haven’t played in a full-tilt bluegrass ensemble in years – this was a real hoot. Pig In A Pen is a traditional song, first recorded in 1937 by Fiddlin' Arthur Smith in Charlotte, NC. Our arrangement, based on the Old & In The Way version, brings in two of my favorite collaborators: Gabe Terracciano, fiddle player extraordinaire, and William Carrigan, an extremely versatile acoustic and electric bassist. Both guys have recorded and gigged with us off and on for a few years, appearing in YouTube videos, livestreams, on albums; pretty much anything that needs their magic touch. Of course, TOF-related work is just a small sliver of what these gentlemen do on the NYC music scene; I’ve left some links below to their websites if you’d like to see what else they’re up to.

The OG Old & In The Way album was recorded simply, so we did the same: one stereo mic to stand around, plus one mono spot mic on the bass…mixed in Pro Tools, then bounced to Josh's 1/4” Teac A-3300SX tape machine for some analog mastering magic.

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Stereo mic: Vanguard V44S
Bass mic: Warm Audio WA-47
Camera: Canon SL2 w/ 24mm f/2.8 lens

[mediamannaman]

YEEeeee I got a cramp in my leg from tapping my toe!

[mdk]

Props to the bass line, as well. You’re not unnoticed, sir! Excellent stuff, fellas!

[child_of_gaia]

Boy that fiddler can play you all smashed it out the park .... again.

[TexDrinkwater]

Plaid. Plaid. Plaid. Pink Floyd. 🤣 Love it!

[zollyclaman]

love watching Josh's face during this. He's thinking like: "this sounds so darn good". Josh - we all agree.

[justinm]

“Young and in the Way”!
What a breath of fresh air!!

[elvispresleysongssunginmyc]

That’s some good pickin’ and fiddlin’ right there!

[jeffgaumond]

Old and In the Way, one of the best and shortest lived bluegrass band ever. Perhaps the first super star bluegrass band (after Bill Monroe's, of course).
Jerry Garcia got his start on the jug band circuit, he was a damned good banjo player.
You guys did them justice.

[kmilton]

Just great bluegrass, hats off to this band. Loved the violin. Worth a million views if only people knew about it.

[Skywinterfree]

Yeah boys you got, two swigs of VA shine for you 🥳🇱🇷👣

[UncleFranke]

Pure musical talent lives on! You guys have restored my faith in the younger generation. This is some of THE BEST picking and singing that I’ve ever heard. Thank you for sharing your talent.

[jwollheim]

This is the best cover of this song I’ve heard. Old & in the Way are the best, Jerry and Vasser are for sure tapping their feet to this

[bonniefoote]

Glad someone shared Gabes last name..couldn’t spell it! Seen that fiddle player on here long ago

[jackvegas]

Great bluegrass piece with "happy" banjo work from Josh! Very glad to see Gabe Terracciano in the mix. An absolutely GREAT fiddler! Introduced to his work following Avalon Jazz Band. Can't get enough.

[ronaldszudy]

You boys blew that New York roof off with this authentic Bluegrass! Authentic, real energy and joyful. Rare and needed qualities for these times. Thank you.

[tagnut]

Vassar and Jerry would be so proud! This wasn't a home was a grand slam!!

[martinvisor]

Oh Yea! This Texas Boy loves it! Good to see and hear Gabe along with all of you! Brilliant fellows!

[rbrb]

The High Notes from everybody and everything soared out
To The Stratosphere ! ! !

[NiallMor]

Oh my goodness, that was great. I believe the way I discovered Carson and Josh was when they teamed up with Reina del Cid for a version of "Dooley" way back when. This is "back to the roots" for you guys.

[AndreLeonovitch]

You lads just don't do that near often enough for as good at it as you are.