This was a long time in the making. The photo in the video is of Freil and myself playing, when I was 2 years old... in 1962! The music is from a 1996 family reunion. Freil had already played several songs. It was a recurring theme for him. Every time he went to any church, or anywhere with a piano, people knew him. They'd keep asking him to play, and when he did, it was rarely one song. So many people had favorites that they'd ask for. No matter how long he played, people always wanted more.
We all loved to hear him play, but looking back, it must have been difficult. He never just "went to church." No matter how far afield he went, someone knew him, word spread, and he'd wind up playing for the church that day. I've heard that he went to the library in Nahunta to check out a book and had to sign up. When the librarian asked him for his photo ID, he said "I'm Freil Thrift." She replied "I KNOW who you are, but you still have to have an ID to sign up!!!"
That was Freil. Everybody knew him. So at this particular reunion, he tried to take a break and asked me to play. Someone asked for a duet. Goodbye World Goodbye was my all-time favorite Freil Thrift song, and I'd spent a long time trying to learn it in his style. A really long time...
We sat down, and it was magic. One of the most joyous moments in my life. Everything went perfectly. Every singer, every musician, who ever worked with Freil will tell you he made them sound better. It's the gospel truth. No matter how good they were, Freil knew how to bring out their best, and raise them to a level they couldn't reach alone.
It was the same for me. I've never sounded better, before or after that day. When you're listening to the video, pay attention to the high notes. That's him. I had the mid-range. We never practiced this song, and I know he preferred to play in the key of 'G'. But I'm best in 'C', and pretty weak in other keys. So I played in C, and he matched me on the spot. Without a single missed note, he played in my key, at my pace, and every note he played enhanced my own.
Finding this footage, even an edited copy of a copy, being able to hear us play together after all these years, is beyond amazing. It means more to me than I can express. Like Camelot. For one brief shining moment the world was clear and perfect. Hearing this again brought that moment back for me.
Still searching for the original Hi8 footage, but in the meantime, this will do most excellently. :^)
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