Thanks for your comment. It's much appreciated. We had alot of fun doing that show. Don't know why you're the first, but that's a great way to start and, hey, it's cool being the first. Tell your friends--they can be second, third and, well. who knows. Best wishes, The Furry Bros.
Thanks again. These comments are music to our ears. Re: reptilicus's question, Ralph (the banjo man) has been hosting/producing an award-winning cable show called "Horses Sing None of It" for about 20 years. We recorded this performance on the program. Links to the TV series and our album--along with Ralph's other CDs--can be found on his website, which is listed in the text of our profile (but not as a highlighted link). Peace, Alan
Hi Alan Just randomly appeared on youtube Love it. Heard Peter Stampfil play it at a house party three or four years ago in Bedstuy at his daughter's place.
Sure is, but it was originally recorded by Prince Albert Hunt's Texas Ramblers in 1927, using an irregular metrical structure. It's on TH-cam (audio only) under the original title,"Blues in a Bottle" (put the title in quotes).
Here's Ralph's answer to akaGumboStu's questions: It's a plastic maple syrup jug. Stoneware's too heavy for a neckbrace. I cut a small slit with a utility knife through the finger-hold of the jug, just wide enough to slip over the metal of the neckbrace and it just happens to hold in the right position.
No disagreement. That's why I referred you to the original (especially given your screen name). There's also an "influential" version on the first Holy Modal Rounders album--influential to me at least, because that's where I learned it.
Cool. That goes into my promo: "Al has been described as a fuckin wildman on guitar." Thanks. That's kinda how I see myself. Ever see the Betty Boop cartoon, "The Old Man on the Mountain," with Cab Calloway? Well, you just gotta hi-de-hi!!
The Rounders released their version in '64 and the Kweskin JB issued theirs in '66, crediting it to Stampfel and Weber, so, in answer to your question, I would say the Rounders. The Rounders used irregular metrical patterns in their arrangement (though a little less inconsistent from verse to verse than Hunt's original [ which was a kind of "free form" old time music]), while Kweskin, the Lovin' Spoonful and ours used a standard 12-bar form. Lightnin' Hopkins also recorded a 12-bar rendition with a similar melody, but completely different verses, in '61, which I assume was known to the Kweskin band members (especially Geoff Muldaur). Mance Lipsomb recorded it several times, too, as a 12-bar blues (with no IV chord when playing solo), but I don't know the dates (it had to be 1960 or later). And a 12-bar version was issued by Jimmie Revard and his band (western swing style) in 1936. These are all on youtube.
1canyonguy Cool. Must have been a lot of fun and a great learning experience. You know, of course, that I say "irregular" in a positive, descriptive way. I guess "asymmetric accents" would have been a better term. I've always loved tunes that have added or subtracted beats in some measures. We used to call them "bent" tunes. It adds a whole other rhythmic dimension. Very common in much of the world's music -- Eastern Europe, Africa, India, the blues -- Lead Belly's earliest recordings are full of "irregular" measures. ☺
Hey axeman (which I hope refers to a guitar), it took me a while to figure that one out. Then, as I sat down to my plate of beans, I realized the reference and burst out laughing. Funny! (Apparently Axeman has deleted his original post. I don't recall what it was specifically, but can imagine the gist of it based on my snarkish response. 😊)
Thanks Podfour --- Sorry but I have to say the original is best --- Wow that souds good. I think you guys are having fun and the Ramblers were seriously blue -- you can feel their pain I guess lol. Great to see people redoing classics though -- Don't be insulted as I know I would rather hear someone from 1800's or early 1900's wail away on a traditional song here in Maritimes Canada but the modern performer is welcomed by all means.
You guys are great! I thoroughly enjoyed this.
"a wonderful contribution to the world!"
Cool. Thanks much. That's why we do this, and there's no more we would ask.
Thanks much. Peace and music, Alan.
Thanks for your comment. It's much appreciated. We had alot of fun doing that show. Don't know why you're the first, but that's a great way to start and, hey, it's cool being the first. Tell your friends--they can be second, third and, well. who knows. Best wishes, The Furry Bros.
The answer my friend was blowing in the wind !
Thanks for posting this, best version since Prince Alberts Hunt's original. :-)
Thanks again. These comments are music to our ears. Re: reptilicus's question, Ralph (the banjo man) has been hosting/producing an award-winning cable show called "Horses Sing None of It" for about 20 years. We recorded this performance on the program. Links to the TV series and our album--along with Ralph's other CDs--can be found on his website, which is listed in the text of our profile (but not as a highlighted link). Peace, Alan
Thanks. Much appreciated.
Hi Alan
Just randomly appeared on youtube
Love it. Heard Peter Stampfil play it at a house party three or four years ago in Bedstuy at his daughter's place.
Thanks, Jon. Great to hear from you. I'll be playing some Rounders material in my next WBAI Folk Radio show on 3/9 @ 10 PM.
Thanks. I'm forwarding your questions to Ralph, and we'll get you answers. Always obliging,
Al
Sure is, but it was originally recorded by Prince Albert Hunt's Texas Ramblers in 1927, using an irregular metrical structure. It's on TH-cam (audio only) under the original title,"Blues in a Bottle" (put the title in quotes).
Prince Albert was shot to death outside of a Dallas bar in March of 1931. He was 31. Sad.
LOL! That was fun!
(Even tho' I was looking for a cover of the exquisite Lightnin Hopkins number!)
Here's Ralph's answer to akaGumboStu's questions:
It's a plastic maple syrup jug. Stoneware's too heavy for a neckbrace. I cut a small slit with a utility knife through the finger-hold of the jug, just wide enough to slip over the metal of the neckbrace and it just happens to hold in the right position.
No disagreement. That's why I referred you to the original (especially given your screen name). There's also an "influential" version on the first Holy Modal Rounders album--influential to me at least, because that's where I learned it.
Cool. That goes into my promo: "Al has been described as a fuckin wildman on guitar." Thanks. That's kinda how I see myself. Ever see the Betty Boop cartoon, "The Old Man on the Mountain," with Cab Calloway? Well, you just gotta hi-de-hi!!
Yeah, no doubt, and will do. Are you guys a cable access show?
Were the Rounders the first to bring this one back or was it Jim Kweskin?
The Rounders released their version in '64 and the Kweskin JB issued theirs in '66, crediting it to Stampfel and Weber, so, in answer to your question, I would say the Rounders. The Rounders used irregular metrical patterns in their arrangement (though a little less inconsistent from verse to verse than Hunt's original [ which was a kind of "free form" old time music]), while Kweskin, the Lovin' Spoonful and ours used a standard 12-bar form. Lightnin' Hopkins also recorded a 12-bar rendition with a similar melody, but completely different verses, in '61, which I assume was known to the Kweskin band members (especially Geoff Muldaur). Mance Lipsomb recorded it several times, too, as a 12-bar blues (with no IV chord when playing solo), but I don't know the dates (it had to be 1960 or later). And a 12-bar version was issued by Jimmie Revard and his band (western swing style) in 1936. These are all on youtube.
Thats what I figured. I was Petes student & although he might have been irregular he never taught me the "irregular metrical patterns" Thanks
1canyonguy Cool. Must have been a lot of fun and a great learning experience. You know, of course, that I say "irregular" in a positive, descriptive way. I guess "asymmetric accents" would have been a better term. I've always loved tunes that have added or subtracted beats in some measures. We used to call them "bent" tunes. It adds a whole other rhythmic dimension. Very common in much of the world's music -- Eastern Europe, Africa, India, the blues -- Lead Belly's earliest recordings are full of "irregular" measures. ☺
Is this the same tune that Lovin Spoonful did on their first album?
Hey axeman (which I hope refers to a guitar), it took me a while to figure that one out. Then, as I sat down to my plate of beans, I realized the reference and burst out laughing. Funny!
(Apparently Axeman has deleted his original post. I don't recall what it was specifically, but can imagine the gist of it based on my snarkish response. 😊)
Thanks Podfour --- Sorry but I have to say the original is best --- Wow that souds good. I think you guys are having fun and the Ramblers were seriously blue -- you can feel their pain I guess lol. Great to see people redoing classics though -- Don't be insulted as I know I would rather hear someone from 1800's or early 1900's wail away on a traditional song here in Maritimes Canada but the modern performer is welcomed by all means.
That was more then great. Why am I the first to comment?!