"Rag Mama"

 This song has been floating around in the Floodisphere for nearly 50 years. Nowadays, it’s not often on the set list at the band’s shows, but it almost always comes back at Flood reunion, and we had a wonderful reunion last week. Michelle Hoge, “the chick singer,” drove in from Cincinnati. Bub — Dave Ball — was up from Florida. Old friends like Jim Rumbaugh, Karen Combs and Doug Imbrogno came by. And everybody was singing and playing along with this one from last week’s rehearsal.

"Just Because"

 This wonderfully zany old tune from the late Roarin’ Twenties is a song in search of a comedy routine — and in this track from last week’s rehearsal, we certainly try to do our part. Right from the start, Danny Cox adds guitar accents that would be at home in a Spike Jones arrangement, then Jack Nuckols switches from his usual cool brushes and snare to those funky old wooden spoons, and suddenly the joint is jumpin’.

"Yellow Dog Blues"

Playing this century-old tune from W.C. Handy became the late Doug Chaffin’s favorite way to end of a picking session. And we’re continuing our old buddy’s tradition, as demonstrated in this track from last week’s rehearsal. This one’s for you, Mister Chaffin! It’s that one about the dog…

"Moonglow"

 Rehearsals are not parties. They can be fun and satisfying, but the bottom line is that rehearsals are work sessions. The Flood is always trying to learn new songs — or give a new spin to an old one — and because that’s where the songs are worked out, some rehearsals are more fun than others.  So we usually try to end the evening on a high note. At one such rehearsal recently, Charlie asked if anybody had a tune they wanted to end with. “How about something we know!” said Danny Cox with a chuckle and a grin. In a minute we’d rolled into the 1930s standard “Moonglow” and it turned out to be our favorite moment of the whole night. Give it a listen.