I was his personal friend won more than one contest with this song for the waltz. I drank with him at 10. He He he drank and I watched for his wife. I played in her band later down the rode. Thanks Frank and Sherly Love ya
Thankyou for giving credit to Frankie as he truly is the originator of this haunting tune. I have played it so many times in my own way on the piano. A wonderful piece!!!!!!!
Great to hear Frankie's original concept. Quite subtle, with an unaccustomed brisk danceability, some grit, and a beautiful tone. This is the kind of very special, even precious, tune that will open out to each individual artist and reveal their soul. Obviously it's important to hear the original and the spirit it was composed in, so great thanks to BPMonkman for providing that service to the fiddle community.
Had the pleasure of playing a few times with Frankie in his later years. Absolutely one of the best fiddlers around. Rest in peace old friend. Barry, 5 on a string group
So fun to hear this by the composer! I've heard this waltz in so many different arrangements, I thought it might be in the public domain, since it's undergone changes in the way a song passed on by ear does . But I learned Frankie Rodgers copyrighted it in 1965. Such a great, upbeat song, with great harmonies!
I met Frankie a few times and even took a lesson from him when he was in his 80s. He could play rings around almost anybody. He learned many of his fiddling tricks by imitating his brothers pedal steel licks. He could play triple stops with moving harmonies. It was astounding.
@@Lysurgical I really doubt that. The modern version was around before it was collected into The Waltz Book, which was published in 1992. When Thile was 11.
I got to know Frankie in his later years, and had the pleasure of playing on stage with him many times, including this great tune that he wrote, ookpik watlz. . A gigantic talent and the nicest man. Thank you for sharing this on you tube. He has the best tone of any fiddler. If anyone has any of Frankie's vinyl records, I am looking to buy them. There should be 11 different albums from the 60's
Marty - I am trying to find Frankie or his heirs, to get copyright clearance for Ookpik. It's being tough! Can you help? Contact g a r r y at g w z z . c o m. Thanks!
@@garryw3367 sorry I just saw this now! I really don't but you should contact Joe Weed (on facebook), as he is making a film about this song, and about Frankie. He will know.
Lovely! Another great fiddler who was gone before I was clued into his wonderful work. This waltz takes on a whole new meaning when you hear the composer play it probably as with he first created the melody. Its inspiring.
@@martincpeterson Good! I've been playing a "processed among New England contra dance music players" style for many years. I am go glad to have heard this original. Thank you, Frankie, where ever you are - I hope you're smiling down!
after learning other versions, I found this one. love it so much better. my little grandson loves it too. hid his head when I started B part. fun version.
Actually, Frankie Rodgers composed it. Because Canadians waltz faster than most Americans, Canadian fiddlers play waltzes more briskly. James "Texas Shorty" Chancellor popularized this tune in the U.S. as "Canadian Waltz." Southern fiddlers subsequently slowed it down to fit their dance tempos. If you prefer slower & sad, check out TH-cam videos by Daniel Carwile or The Doc Wallace Trio. Having performed "Ookpik" 30+ years around the world, I'll say it's a PHENOMENAL WALTZ at any tempo!
Good to hear it from the composer. A lot people end the first part on an E note and Em chord, but I learned this tune as a kid in the 70's and back then they ended the first part on a G note and G chord. I've always played it that way. After hearing the composer play it I know that's the correct way.
Of course there is! If you're the composer and other people change it, your way is correct. What constitutes acceptable change in tunes by known composers subsequently becoming 'traditional' standards is perhaps debatable, but the original has to remain the reference.
@graywolflmr Yes, Frankie R ends the first part on G, but here he ends his performance with the first part, the last note being E and the chord definitely being E minor. A nice surprise. So if people are doing it all the time, it's a case of the variation becoming the tune, as often happens. Always a pity, I think - nicer to keep variations as variations.
Hank Rogers on acoustic guitar. I had most of Frankie's LPs in 60s. Sure wish that I would have kept some of them. Great fiddle tune. Played the right way. mosrite60
I knew nothing about Frankie Rodgers until I got interested in this tune, having heard only the much ornamented slower version. Based on David Wallace's remarks I speculate that the additional notes are there to make slow tempos possible; one might run out of bow playing Frankie's original tune! This recording demonstrates that a tune can be great without being complicated, if composed by a musician with impeccable taste.
From 1965 ... A rare opportunity to hear a tune as the writer intended it to sound. Drag out your instrument (whatever it is) and run through a "G" scale as it's playing. You'll surprise yourself.
Can anyone tell me where to find this version of the song? I've looked all over the Internet and in several stores and I can't find this version except for on this video.
It's supposed to be what the composer intended, and you're listening to the composer! To me, something's lost by slowing it down, in much the same way as I don't care for the popular slow version of Les Poules Huppées (Crested Hens).
This is one of the best tunes for fiddle ever. I like the way it was originally written the best, but I also think it's okay if a player wants to make it their own as long as they play it well! Wish I could play it. . . . .
I was his personal friend won more than one contest with this song for the waltz.
I drank with him at 10. He He he drank and I watched for his wife.
I played in her band later down the rode.
Thanks Frank and Sherly
Love ya
Thankyou for giving credit to Frankie as he truly is the originator of this haunting tune.
I have played it so many times in my own way on the piano.
A wonderful piece!!!!!!!
Great to hear Frankie's original concept. Quite subtle, with an unaccustomed brisk danceability, some grit, and a beautiful tone. This is the kind of very special, even precious, tune that will open out to each individual artist and reveal their soul. Obviously it's important to hear the original and the spirit it was composed in, so great thanks to BPMonkman for providing that service to the fiddle community.
Had the pleasure of playing a few times with Frankie in his later years. Absolutely one of the best fiddlers around. Rest in peace old friend. Barry, 5 on a string group
I just love this fiddle tune, (Ookpik waltz.
I try to play it the same way as Frankie, but can never play it as good.
Thanks for posting it for us.
So fun to hear this by the composer! I've heard this waltz in so many different arrangements, I thought it might be in the public domain, since it's undergone changes in the way a song passed on by ear does . But I learned Frankie Rodgers copyrighted it in 1965. Such a great, upbeat song, with great harmonies!
not pd
Merci de Ns partager un moment si bien interprété !!!! Super !
Still the BEST! No one can duplicate it. Just wish he had written more like this. . . . . . .
I met Frankie a few times and even took a lesson from him when he was in his 80s. He could play rings around almost anybody. He learned many of his fiddling tricks by imitating his brothers pedal steel licks. He could play triple stops with moving harmonies. It was astounding.
We love Frankie. A great player and wonderful person. Is Frankie still alive?
Al Bergstein
No, sadly: he passed away Sept. 9th, 2009.
www.zisman.ca/westernswing/Remembering/Remembering%20Frankie%20Rodgers.html
@@AlBergstein He passed in 2009.
❤wonderful!❤
I wish more people played it this way, everyone else does such a sad sappy weird version. This is awesome. Thanks!
You have Thile to thank for that lol I agree this is the shit
@@Lysurgical I really doubt that. The modern version was around before it was collected into The Waltz Book, which was published in 1992. When Thile was 11.
@@Miglow Are you not familiar with the concept of popularizing?
Beautiful! Nice to hear the original version with a much quicker tempo than most versions that I hear these days.
a beautiful, haunting waltz. Love it
I got to know Frankie in his later years, and had the pleasure of playing on stage with him many times, including this great tune that he wrote, ookpik watlz. . A gigantic talent and the nicest man. Thank you for sharing this on you tube. He has the best tone of any fiddler. If anyone has any of Frankie's vinyl records, I am looking to buy them. There should be 11 different albums from the 60's
Marty - I am trying to find Frankie or his heirs, to get copyright clearance for Ookpik. It's being tough! Can you help? Contact g a r r y at g w z z . c o m. Thanks!
@@garryw3367 sorry I just saw this now! I really don't but you should contact Joe Weed (on facebook), as he is making a film about this song, and about Frankie. He will know.
Many thanks. I don't know Joe, but it turns out we have multiple mutual friends. Woohoo! I'll give him a ring.
Lovely! Another great fiddler who was gone before I was clued into his wonderful work. This waltz takes on a whole new meaning when you hear the composer play it probably as with he first created the melody. Its inspiring.
Boy they have messed this one up-glad to hear the real thing
Word. Few even get close. Learning this original version. Deleted the sheet music I'd found online 'cause it was so far off as to be useless..
@@TheJanglecrow I was lucky enough to play with Frankie in his later years. He encouraged us to play it his way lol
@@martincpeterson Good! I've been playing a "processed among New England contra dance music players" style for many years. I am go glad to have heard this original. Thank you, Frankie, where ever you are - I hope you're smiling down!
after learning other versions, I found this one. love it so much better. my little grandson loves it too. hid his head when I started B part. fun version.
I had the pleasure of working with Frank.He was a gentle soul, a consummate professional and a brilliant player.
Actually, Frankie Rodgers composed it. Because Canadians waltz faster than most Americans, Canadian fiddlers play waltzes more briskly. James "Texas Shorty" Chancellor popularized this tune in the U.S. as "Canadian Waltz." Southern fiddlers subsequently slowed it down to fit their dance tempos. If you prefer slower & sad, check out TH-cam videos by Daniel Carwile or The Doc Wallace Trio. Having performed "Ookpik" 30+ years around the world, I'll say it's a PHENOMENAL WALTZ at any tempo!
Good to hear it from the composer. A lot people end the first part on an E note and Em chord, but I learned this tune as a kid in the 70's and back then they ended the first part on a G note and G chord. I've always played it that way. After hearing the composer play it I know that's the correct way.
No such thing as a correct way! ;)
True. Let me rephrase that. Now, after hearing the composer play it, I know how it was written.
Of course there is! If you're the composer and other people change it, your way is correct. What constitutes acceptable change in tunes by known composers subsequently becoming 'traditional' standards is perhaps debatable, but the original has to remain the reference.
@@MrHistorymakers I played in a band with Frankie for awhile. He showed me the "correct way" lol
@graywolflmr Yes, Frankie R ends the first part on G, but here he ends his performance with the first part, the last note being E and the chord definitely being E minor. A nice surprise. So if people are doing it all the time, it's a case of the variation becoming the tune, as often happens. Always a pity, I think - nicer to keep variations as variations.
This is fantastic...I must say - between this, Wade Hemsworth and Scrubbaloe Caine, I gotta check out this Canadian stuff more closely.
Hank Rogers on acoustic guitar. I had most of Frankie's LPs in 60s. Sure wish that I would have kept some of them. Great fiddle tune. Played the right way. mosrite60
So beautiful!
Lovely in its inception and all of its interpretations, also.
I knew nothing about Frankie Rodgers until I got interested in this tune, having heard only the much ornamented slower version. Based on David Wallace's remarks I speculate that the additional notes are there to make slow tempos possible; one might run out of bow playing Frankie's original tune! This recording demonstrates that a tune can be great without being complicated, if composed by a musician with impeccable taste.
this is stuck in my head everyday of my life
A great waltz. Thanks.
Aye, it is good to hear the unadulterated. Thanks to the person or persons posting. It's a gem.
Wonderful tune by a wonderful player!
This is my favorite fiddle tune.
Thank you for posting my favorite fiddle tune. But I admit I had never heard it done by it's composer.
Like others I have head many versions of this waltz and this is my favourite...(A Canadian boy)...
From 1965 ... A rare opportunity to hear a tune as the writer intended it to sound. Drag out your instrument (whatever it is) and run through a "G" scale as it's playing. You'll surprise yourself.
another great post.
This version of his song is in Gordon Stobbe's Fiddle Book #3.
sounds like his brother Hank on guitar backup
Cant remember where or when I heard this which is sad....must have been NPR because no other radio station plays this type of tune.
love this! thanks for posting it....
Lovely.
this song is very different from a lot of songs i have heard before
Frankie Rodgers wrote the tune in this tempo. It gives it a nice "Indian" aboriginal feel . To slow it down would be a diservice to its origins.
scrimshank1 as Frankie would say, have you ever seen an ookpik? Cute little fellow 🎻
Uh ... Frankie Rodgers is the guy who composed the tune .... don't let that stop you from criticizing his rendition, though!
haha yup
I believe my post was a 'reply' to another post, but somehow got separated from it, in that inimitable youtube way ... !@@martincpeterson
Can anyone tell me where to find this version of the song? I've looked all over the Internet and in several stores and I can't find this version except for on this video.
It's on the album "Maple Sugar" (Point Records) 1965
Wow, is this different from the way everyone else plays it! I obviously need to relearn it.
Why is it so hard to get a sound recording of this?
Who the Hell gave this a thumbs-down??
this is supposed to be a sad song, not so lively.
It's supposed to be what the composer intended, and you're listening to the composer! To me, something's lost by slowing it down, in much the same way as I don't care for the popular slow version of Les Poules Huppées (Crested Hens).
This is one of the best tunes for fiddle ever. I like the way it was originally written the best, but I also think it's okay if a player wants to make it their own as long as they play it well!
Wish I could play it. . . . .
ever seen an ookpik?