THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, August 7, 1994 TAG: 9408040261
SECTION: CAROLINA COAST PAGE: 14 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: John Harper
LENGTH: Medium: 77 lines
I'VE BEEN in a Woodstock state of mind lately.
It's hard not to reflect on a time 25 years ago. Magazines, newspapers and TV are focusing on that music festival in upstate New York. Woodstock II starts in a few days. The soundtrack to ``Forrest Gump'' weaves '60s music through the remarkable life of the title character. Let's face it: That music is timeless. So, in this state of mind, it was a pleasant surprise to find something new that caught my ear.
The album is ``Ocracoke Island,'' by Molasses Creek. In a lot of ways the album reflects the '60s. For one thing, the recording is simple. Gary Mitchell's guitar, Kitty Mitchell's bass and David Streicher's fiddle are all clear and precise. The shimmering three-part harmony is right up front.
There's also some ``fun'' stuff on the album featuring the vocals of Gary and David. Listening to Molasses Creek brings to mind a '60s cult favorite, ``It's A Beautiful Day.'' This San Francisco band attained hero status with the hippie anthem, ``White Bird.'' That recording features an ethereal sound of close male/female harmony singing, ``love will set us free'' lyrics and a violin as the lead instrument.
Gary Mitchell's voice is joined by Kitty and David on ``The Waterman.'' And on the track, Streicher plays an almost haunting fiddle. This song has that same mystical sound of ``White Bird.''
The Mitchells and Streicher live on Ocracoke Island. Gary and Kitty moved to the island in 1980 to work as schoolteachers. Streicher moved to Ocracoke last year because he ``always liked the place.''
Gary Mitchell has played professionally since the late '60s. He taught wife Kitty to play bass in 1981. Streicher played violin in the Oklahoma Youth Orchestra before heading east to major in music at Davidson College. It was at Davidson that Streicher discovered ``fiddle'' music.
``There was this player named Jon Singleton who was a legend in the Appalachians and I heard him and immediatley fell in love with that energy,'' remembers Streicher. He listened and learned from other ``old-time'' Appalachian fiddlers such as Bill Hicks.
Gary, Kitty and David started playing together about a year ago. All three players compose. Gary, the most prolific of the three, often composes in the car.
``I keep a tape recorder in the car and sing as I'm driving,'' says Mitchell. ``I notice things more in the car.''
Locale and livelihood play a big part in Molasses Creek's music. Gary writes about watching a sunset on the sound while fishing with some buddies. Kitty and Gary sing about ``Homemade Music'' and the special quality of life in the village of Ocracoke. Other songs celebrate the importance of family and preserving the environment. Not all the songs are so serious. Streicher cuts a mean fiddle on the traditional ``June Apple.''
Molasses Creek plays up and down the Outer Banks. The live show features a wide variety of styles. Kitty says the band listens to everything from Led Zeppelin to Aaron Copland. Another album is in the offing. The Mitchells just added a recording studio to the house.
``It gives us more freedom,'' says Mitchell. ``We don't have to compromise anything.''
In October, Molasses Creek heads to Greensboro for a songwriters' forum and an appearance on ``City Stage'' as part of an annual music festival.
By the way, there really is a ``Molasses Creek'' on Ocracoke. It is one of five creeks between the ferry dock and the village. Streicher sings the untold story of the creek on the album. MEMO: WHERE & WHEN
What: Molasses Creek
Playing:
Today at Jolly Roger on Ocracoke
Wednesday at TimBuck II in Corolla
To listen: Cassette and CD on sale from Ocracoke to Corolla ILLUSTRATION: Photo
Kitty Mitchell, Gary Mitchell, center, and David Streicher make up
Molasses Creek.
by CNB