By JON POTTER
BRATTLEBORO -- Bob Childs should just move to Brattleboro.
Sure, the violins he makes are treasured by musicians from all over.
But the concerts and recordings put out by Childsplay, the community of fiddlers who play his instruments, have Brattleboro written all over them.
Take, for example, Childsplay’s most recent CD, "Waiting for the Dream." Among the 22 musicians who grace this lovely collection of 13 songs are local performers Sam Amidon, Mary Lea, Naomi Morse, Lissa Schneckenburger and Keith Murphy. One of the songs on the CD is titled "Frost Place," which was written by Shannon Heaton for Corey DiMario and Lissa Schneckenburger’s wedding. Another tune is titled "SamSam Amidon," written by you-know-who. There’s an arrangement by Keith Murphy on the CD, too. It also features Shannon Heaton and vocalist Aoife O’Donovan of Crooked Still, who are local favorites.
Take, also, for example, tonight’s Childsplay concert at the Latchis Theatre, which opens up the group’s December East Coast tour. The 7:30 p.m. show will feature many of the local musicians on the CD, with singer Mollie O’Brien, a frequent guest on "A Prairie Home Companion." They’ll play songs by Schneckenburger and Murphy, among others.
So, Bob, what do you say? Why don’t you just move to Brattleboro and be near so many of your Childsplay mates?
"My wife is from Vermont, and she’s asked me many times to come back," said Childs in a recent phone interview during a quick break in rehearsal.
For now, Childs will stay in Boston, where his workspace is, but Brattleboro has a special place in his heart.
"It’s a community. It’s a real community, and our music is very community-based," said Childs.
The musicians in Childsplay are a tight-knit community, too, only they don’t happen to share the same zip code. What they do share is a love of the instruments Childs makes.
The idea of musicians coming together to show their appreciation for Childs’ work began 26 years ago. Childs remembers getting a call at his studio in Philadelphia asking if he would join in an upcoming gig in Washington. Almost as an afterthought, the caller said, "Oh by the way, the name of the band is Childsplay because it’s in your honor."
That jaw-dropping moment has been followed by many over the years. No matter how many times they play, Childs still marvels at this community built around his work.
"There’s definitely a couple of times in every show when I just close my eyes and listen. I don’t play, I just listen," said Childs.
What is it about Childs’ instruments that is so special? Time and again, musicians cite the timbre -- a rich, deep, dark resonant sound that Childs decsribes as "chocolatey."
He’s modest when he talks about his work.
"I look at it like any artist. I don’t think my violins are better than anybody’s, but they are my violins," he said. "I think they tend to be darker-sounding. Some violins are like trumpets. These are violins that draw the audience to the band."
Coming from different styles and traditions, the musicians of Childsplay meld everything from sprightly reels to poignant airs, from stony lonesome ballads to roots-infused rockabilly, pulling from genres that range from Ireland to Appalachia, Scotland to Cape Breton.
Tickets for tonight’s 7:30 p.m. show at the Latchis are $22 and $17. For information, call 802-254-6300. Visit www.rockpaperscissors.biz/go/childsplay.
