Long before CDs and mp3s; in an analog age of vacuum tube amps and turntable needles the size if ten penny spikes, Peter Narvaez and I made music in a rockabilly band called Pete and Jimmy and the Ryhthm Knights. Over the years I’ve wandered in and out of the music scene, but Peter stayed well in and married his love of blues to his second career teaching folklore at Memorial University in St. Johns, Newfoundland. He also became a brilliant finger-style blues guitarist and harp player, and is a fine song-writer.
Immediately following is a song by Peter, the sentiment of which anyone who’s spent spring in the fields and woods of the eastern U.S. will appreciate.
Enjoy both the lyrics and videos of Black Fly Moan and Hoodoo Doctor performed by Peter last month on.Out of the Fog, a St. Johns cable show.
Black Fly Moan
Peter NarvaezWell, down east when you’re plantin’ in the spring
Yeah down east when you’re plantin’ in the spring
Down east when you’re plantin’ your spuds in the spring
Well them black flies start their prancin’ on the wing.They’re gonna swarm like a storm right into your ear
Yeah they’re gonna swarm like a storm into your ear
Yeah they’ll swarm like a storm right into your ear
Tell you stories that you never want to hear(You got the black fly moan)
And always have your citronella there
I said always have your citronella there
Always have your citronella there
Keep them flies from tanglin’ in your hair
///
Hoodoo Doctor
Peter Narvaez
Gotta see the hoodoo doctor, get back on the scene
Gotta see the hoodoo doctor, baby, get back on the scene
Make me up a mojo, get me some self-esteem
The way you say that you adore me, here I am on trial
Yes you say that you adore me, but here I am on trial
Well you act like you abhor me, you claim I’m in denial
Well I took my gin and tonic with a bitter slice of lime
It’s a flavor so harmonic, so euphoric, so devine
I gotta see the hoodoo doctor, get back on the scene
Make me up a mojo, get me some self-esteem
And your shadow keeps a-stalkin’ no matter who I squeeze
Yes, your shadow keeps a-stalkin’ no matter who I squeeze
And the blues they keep a-walking, an aching heart disease
….