1. Drive Time
Written to play with the band on “A Prairie Home Companion.” I was on the way to a session with Mike so we gave it a try. I’m playing my Kevin Ryan guitar which I use throughout the CD. (PD)

2. K.C. Man Blues
Inspired by the playing of Sidney Bechet, this idea has been knocking around in my head for twenty years. I didn’t know how to present it until Mike came along. (PD)

3. Novocaine
This is a very basic ragtime tune, which, according to my memory, was the first tune I ever played with Mike. (PD)

4. Last Train Whistle
This is a little waltz I wrote with a dressed up Jimmie Rogers feel. I ’m playing my 1928 National tri-cone close to the microphone. (MD)

5. Guitar Blues
A Dowling/Donohue arrangement of Eddie Lang and Lonnie Johnson ’s sparkling duet. We play it slightly differently, but with the same tonalities and approach. Unlike Lonnie, Mike keeps to standard tuning with his National El Trovador. (MD)

6. My Honey’s Lovin’ Arms
One of my favorite tunes, it plays nicely with thumb-style treatment and has great changes to blow over. I've always liked the idea of saving a verse till later in the tune and I play it here as a single slide line before Pat takes the tune out. (MD)

7. Creepin’
We wrote this as a tribute to (not to be confused with ripoff of) a Django tune; which one I can’t even remember. I hope we covered our tracks. (PD)

8. Wild Rose
This is a melody I’ve had in my head for years. I showed Pat the chords for it in the studio one day and it became a song on our first take. I've capoed my El Trovador at the fourth fret to enhance a kind of woody sound that ’s not too deep in the register. Pat keeps a low harmony. (MD)

9. Fishin’ in the Wind
I wrote this tune shortly after moving out to Wyoming. I ’m fingerpicking the melody on my Martin M-36 while holding a flat pick. Our guitars have a similar sonority on this track. Pat takes the first solo. (MD)

10. Two of a Kind
Really a piano boogie in the style of Pete Johnson or Memphis Slim. Piano players sure have some good guitar licks! (PD)

11. World of Hurt
This is my nod to Mississippi John Hurt, one of my all- time favorite players and an early source of inspiration for me. I ’m playing my 1937 Style O. (MD)

12. Blues City
This tune was originally meant for electric guitar, horns and a full band, but to my surprise, it works well as a duo arrangement. I noticed when you play with Mike, almost everything works. (PD)

13. Java Buzz
I wrote this tune about ten years ago. It was inspired by the mandolin style of Bill Kleppinger of the 6 &7/8 String Band of New Orleans. Tri-cone used here. (MD)

14. Siboney
During a break in the studio one day Pat suggested I put down a solo tune and this is one I'd been working on. I thank him for graciously encouraging me to include it on this album of guitar duets. I've arranged it for my El Trovador in open G minor with adjustments to play major chords, rather than the other way around. (MD)

15. Gee Whiz (Real Audio)
One day I sat and wondered what Chet Atkins would play if he had to come up with something quick. This is what came out. The late great Mr. Guitar was a hero to us both. (PD)

Back to Top