SUPERCIRCUITMAN

 

In the 1970's,

a friend of Ross Campbell's

operated David's Dulcimer Works

in Alberta and gifted Ross

with an Appalachian lap dulcimer,

of the kind made famous

by Joni Mitchell.

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(In fact, Joni once used Ross's dulcimer for a concert in Saskatoon when all her equipment was sidelined by

a paralyzing prairie blizzard.)

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A traditional Appalachian dulcimer can play in only a very few keys, so Ross took his gift back to David to get a fourth string and 3 new frets added so that he can play it in minor keys

and use extended jazz chords on it.

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That instrument, one of Ross's favourites, forms the musical foundation for this song.

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Ross added  several Violin & Viola parts to flesh out the orchestration in verses two & three.

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Instead of a sweet little violin solo,

Ross decided to add

an edgy viola solo instead. 

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Ross also performs on Guitar,

and is provided with a

subtle & effective

Bottom End by

Dale Ladouceur on Bass &

Bill Hobson on Drums,

both of Edmonton's

Crowtown Productions,

where the song was produced.

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