Just Us Folk

In a Peanuts comic strip from 1960, Linus Van Pelt says to Charlie Brown, “The way I see it, as soon as a baby is born, he should be issued a banjo!”

“I think that’s a bit of a controversial comment,” says Sam Allison aka Lotus Wight. “But the banjo has always grabbed me. I really started playing it seriously around the turn of the millennium.”

Last fall, Sam released his first solo album under his own name, Original Works for Voice and Banjo-Volume One. His previous solo album, Ode To The Banjo, was under the moniker of Lotus Wight, a stage name he’s used for many years as part of the old-time music act Sheesham, Lotus and Son. Before that, Sam was a member of the square dance band Flapjack, which is where he first met Teilhard Frost (aka Sheesham Crowe).

“It was through sheer osmosis that I came to the banjo,” he said. “There’s a lot of bass players who also play the banjo and I’m one of them.”

Sam sees a kinship between bass players and banjo players. Back in the last century, it was the job of the bass or banjo player to supply the comedic elements to an old-time, country or bluegrass band.

“I think the banjo, being the bagpipes of the string world, it’s often the butt of jokes,” he said. “But banjo has always attracted me with that half-barbaric twang it possesses. Maybe I possess a half-barbaric twang and perhaps we’re kindred spirits in that way.”

Sam’s interest in early 20th century music can be traced back to when he was a youngster and seeing Leon Redbone on Saturday Night Live. Redbone continued to be an influence on Sam for many years.

Whereas the Sheesham, Lotus and Son recordings explored traditional old-time material, Sam’s Original Works for Voice and Banjo-Volume One album is just that: ten compositions released under his own name.

“You know I’ve gone through a lot of identity changes in my life, voluntary and otherwise, and this album kind of reflects that,” he said.

The album runs the gamut from old-time sounding tunes like “Little Hat Jones” to very personal, contemporary songs like “Fathers Three.” The focus to more singer-songwriter material is based on Sam’s realization it had to be done to sustain a lasting career.

“I’ve written songs all along but now I’m actually sort of comfortable to release them,” he said. “I’ve played with a lot of songwriters and they’ve all influenced me. So now I’m ready to release my own work into the world.”

As a bass player Sam Allison is fairly busy, occasionally sitting in with the Lonesome Ace Stringband, playing with David Newland for his live presentations, and with Jenny Whiteley. He also produced her 2016 album, The Original Jenny Whiteley.  Sam was also part of the Adeline recording which included John Showman, Chris Coole, Adrian Gross and Mark Kilianski.

“I love to play the bass and backing up other people, holding it down in the low end,” he said.

Most of the songs on Original Works for Voice and Banjo-Volume One were written on the banjo or guitar but some were written without any instrument around.

“I find it helpful to get off the instrument to write,” Sam said. “Sometimes the instrument can distract you.”

For most of his career as an old-time musician Sam hasn’t paid much attention to contemporary music. Lately though he’s been hearing more current music, thanks to his 14-year old daughter who’s into Ed Sheeran and the like.

“I’m interested in lyrics and songwriting so I’ve actually come around to pop writing,” he said.

He also listens to a lot of West African music, which he finds inspiring.

“West African folk music pulls at my heartstrings as does uilleann pipes,” Sam said. “I could listen to pipes forever and ever. I just love their sound.”

Besides Sam’s recorded and live performances, he’s been busy providing music for a number of films and animated shorts since 2000, including the TV series “The SuperPopular Show”. He’s also the in-house composer for Seneca College’s animation program.

With an interest in so many types of music, the possibilities are wide open for future music from Sam.

“I feel like I’ve barely scraped the surface of what I could be doing,” he said. “I would love to be playing in a big West African combo if I could.”

For more on Sam Allison aka Lotus Wight and Original Works for Voice and Banjo-Volume One, go to https://lotuswight.com or https://www.samallisonmusic.com.