Flying Shoes Radio Hour

Episode 2 - Wild Asparagus

Episode Summary

This episode features Wild Asparagus, an influential dance band based in Western Massachusetts. Since 1984, the band has shared their music with generations of dancers across North America and around the world, and the band incorporates harmonies, counter-melodies, some pretty unique riffs, and even bringing in tunes from outside the typical contra dance tradition. Enjoy this effusive conversation and music, buoyed by shared memories and the adrenaline of the packed hall in Belfast, Maine the night before. It’s an absolute pleasure to share this podcast version of that recording now, in 2025, which is shortly after the band celebrated its 40th anniversary of their original Wild Asparagus trio, and also the 30th year since Becky joined the band.

Episode Notes

Full Episode Transcript

Links:

• Wild Asparagus (Ann Percival, Becky Tracy, David Cantieni, George Marshall) ~ wildasparagus.com/
• George’s dance programs in St. Croix ~ tropicaldancevacation.com
• Ann’s projects as a visual artist ~ annpercival.com/
• Becky’s other projects, including with her husband Keith Murphy ~ blackislemusic.com/ and facebook.com/beckytracykeithmurphy/
• Hear more from the members of Wild Asparagus in another CDSS podcast, Contra Pulse, including these episodes:
  • David Cantieni: episode-7-david-cantieni-part-1/ and episode-8-david-cantieni-part-2/
  • Becky Tracy: episode-39-becky-tracy/
  • George Marshall: episode-13-george-marshall/

During our conversation, the members of Wild Asparagus refer to other artists, including these: 

• Swallowtail, the influential Pioneer Valley MA contra dance band (George Marshall, David Cantieni, Timm Triplett, Ron Grosslein, and Tim Van Egmond)
• John Skelton, a woodwind player in the House Band
• “Jamesie” Brewster, a legendary Caribbean musician. Learn more about Jamesie in this St Croix Source article; in this film about his role in “Scratch” and Quelbe music of St Croix and the US Virgin Islands jamesieproject.com/; and in the Columbia College Archives.

Tunes:

1. Ross’s Reel # 4 / Frenchie’s (both trad)
2. Dick Gossip (trad)
3. Stonetown (John Skelton)
4. Song for Gale (Larry Kaplan; sung by Cindy Kallet and others)

Break

1. Recreational Doctor (Keith Murphy)
2. The Lazy B (David Cantieni)
3. Speed the Plow (trad) / Enjoy Yourself (Carl Sigman & Herb Magidson) from the Wild Asparagus album, “Live at the Guiding Star Grange”, © 2009