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Get
out the moonshine and jam on the songs of Alphadog Haynes Brooke.
The New Mongrels features an eclectic gathering of musicians such
as Indigo Girls, Michelle Malone, Big Fish Ensemble, Gherkin and
Gerard McHugh.
 They're
based in Seattle. And Los Angeles. And Atlanta. Their founding
member died of old age in 1929. What gives with this band?
I'm
Haynes Brooke, sometimes known as the founder of the New Mongrels.
Except I'm not so much the "founder" as the "finder"
of the Mongrels.
It all started with my great-great grandfather Henry. Deaf in
one ear, shell-shocked, a 17 year old veteran of the Civil War,
Henry had founded the Smythe County Mongrels' Society back in
1866. He stated that the Mongrels' purpose was "the joyful
promotion of song and rhythmic utterance." Apparently, the
group met to drink hard cider and sing the entire book of Psalms
to improvised melodies. Dogs and instruments were welcome. Great-great
grandpa rocked.
In
the mid 1990's I brought the group back to life as the New Mongrels
using the original charter of 1866, which has created an ongoing
organizational nightmare, but much great music. Members of the
current Mongrels include Indigo Girls, Gherkin,
Michelle Malone, De De Vogt, Cowboy Envy,
Big Fish Ensemble, Gerard McHugh, Caroline Aiken,
and the now-legendary Dudley Manlove Quartet.
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New
Mongrels - Not Dead (Yet)
"The vocals on Not Dead (Yet) are downright
gorgeous, with Brooke singing on every track with stellar
support. There are shades of Uncle Tupelo's uncluttered
instrumentation and Michelle Shocked's detailed type of
storytelling. But, The New Mongrels really deserve their
own category; this is a slice of Americana at its tastiest."
-- Main Line Welcomat
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