And, anyhow, when I think of a southern town that has closed down because the mill has pulled out I much prefer to hear it sang about by a big-city, classically-trained, high-dollar vocalist than by some backyard band that probably can't even read music. Forget it sounding REAL, I like it to sound sophisticated! (AGAIN PLEASE NOTE MY MAJOR SARCASM).
I am so happy to discover this song on TH-cam. My father had all of the Ramblers albums when I was growing up, and I especially loved this version of Aragon Mill. The vocals are truly haunting and perfectly suited for the subject matter. I am a first/second grade teacher and my students frequently request this song during our morning singing time.
3 generations of my family worked there, for 25 years+. My.great granddad Joseph Phillips and his 2 sons Walter and Henry were 25+ yr employees. Touching song and pictures. thanks a million.
The song was written by Si Kahn, in the Guthrie Strummer tradition. You are correct in your assertion that pianos are not in a standard string band instrument, however they are used in roots or traditional music of many varieties. This band played at Janette Carter's funeral. You may have heard of her... or maybe not. I took offense at DebraDownSth's assertion that it was "worse than cats fighting. horrific singer... grating." and I still do. Most people seem to be less rude. I can do rude too
I gotcha BB....please note that I was making that statement with MAJOR SARCASM! I was basically being a smart-ass in response to those folks who commented that the song sounded like "cats fighting".
@DebraDownSth I see you do not like string band music. Personally I think the vocal has more soul and characterizes the lyric than any version I have heard. I wonder how Lady Gaga would interoperate the song. You are a fan of pop music, I prefer roots music.
God bless you folks. This is my most favorite song from one of my most favorite groups, The Red Clay Ramblers. And the video is perfect! Thanks for putting this together for us to enjoy, David. Love to all.
I think singing voices is just a matter of preference for most, I didn't find the voice here horrific, he may not be the best singer, but I believe he did convey the lyrics in a meaningful way and with some heart and soul. Just my two cents!
Last January the 110 year old paper mill in my town shut down for good. Once the largest paper mill in the world. Almost every old family in town has had someone work there, including my grandfather, father and cousin. And thousands more families over the years that moved away as it got smaller. It had a long slow death. The song tugged at my heart strings a little 😢🥲. It certainly is the end of an era.
Wonderful to hear the RCRs live - thanks! Here's a lovely version in the Irish Celtic tradition, sung by Andy Irvine (who learned it from Si Kahn) and Planxty, from their album Words and Music. It's preceded by an instrumental tune of Andy's, called Accidentals (in 7/8, for those interested). Enjoy … th-cam.com/video/8bypYcBGV-M/w-d-xo.html
I agree DebraDownSth. (PLEASE NOTE MY MAJOR SARCASM) This song would be so much better if it had a high-dollar vocalist singing it.........maybe even a Pavarotti-esque opera singer. That way every syllable would be pronounced properly and the pitch would be absolutely perfect. If this song was only being performed with enunciation instead of all that inflection it would be a classic for sure.
I bought many of the Red Clay Ramblers early albums back in the mid-late 19070s, even met a couple of the band members (a friend was a cousin), but never got to see these guys live. What a regret. Nice to have this music on youtube.
String Band??? Oh yeah, every string band I've ever heard features a piano! Lets not get so hoity toity about what is or is not authentic. You like it. Fine. But that doesn't make it roots music. I trust you know the difference between Lady Gaga and Hazel Dickens...or maybe not.
And, anyhow, when I think of a southern town that has closed down because the mill has pulled out I much prefer to hear it sang about by a big-city, classically-trained, high-dollar vocalist than by some backyard band that probably can't even read music. Forget it sounding REAL, I like it to sound sophisticated! (AGAIN PLEASE NOTE MY MAJOR SARCASM).
I am so happy to discover this song on TH-cam. My father had all of the Ramblers albums when I was growing up, and I especially loved this version of Aragon Mill. The vocals are truly haunting and perfectly suited for the subject matter. I am a first/second grade teacher and my students frequently request this song during our morning singing time.
3 generations of my family worked there, for 25 years+. My.great granddad Joseph Phillips and his 2 sons Walter and Henry were 25+ yr employees. Touching song and pictures. thanks a million.
Hazel Dickens has a good version, I'm guessing it wouldn't pass Debra-muster either tho. Whatever crumbles your cornbread.
The song was written by Si Kahn, in the Guthrie Strummer tradition. You are correct in your assertion that pianos are not in a standard string band instrument, however they are used in roots or traditional music of many varieties.
This band played at Janette Carter's funeral. You may have heard of her... or maybe not.
I took offense at DebraDownSth's assertion that it was "worse than cats fighting. horrific singer... grating." and I still do.
Most people seem to be less rude. I can do rude too
I gotcha BB....please note that I was making that statement with MAJOR SARCASM! I was basically being a smart-ass in response to those folks who commented that the song sounded like "cats fighting".
@DebraDownSth
I see you do not like string band music. Personally I think the vocal has more soul and characterizes the lyric than any version I have heard. I wonder how Lady Gaga would interoperate the song. You are a fan of pop music, I prefer roots music.
First heard this a few years ago .. Yours is the best version in my opinion. ♬‧*˚✧♬‧*˚. very soulful.
Please tell everyone who is playing on this. This is the Red Clay Ramblers, right? Forgive me. It's very very wonderful.
God bless you folks. This is my most favorite song from one of my most favorite groups, The Red Clay Ramblers. And the video is perfect! Thanks for putting this together for us to enjoy, David. Love to all.
Beautiful rendition and for me the best one I've heard because it sounds like these lads worked there
I think singing voices is just a matter of preference for most, I didn't find the voice here horrific, he may not be the best singer, but I believe he did convey the lyrics in a meaningful way and with some heart and soul.
Just my two cents!
Its hard to beat Si Kahn, the writer of the song, doing it solo (its on TH-cam) . Simple and direct..
lol, cool, cool, respect. check out the krugers brothers willow garden cover w/ maynard holbrook kinda similar, pretty good
Sighhhh......on EI again
this is no backyard band, bub
Last January the 110 year old paper mill in my town shut down for good. Once the largest paper mill in the world. Almost every old family in town has had someone work there, including my grandfather, father and cousin. And thousands more families over the years that moved away as it got smaller. It had a long slow death. The song tugged at my heart strings a little 😢🥲. It certainly is the end of an era.
U can't beat hazel dickens. She sends me 🐶☘️woof
Paddy McDaid I love Hazel Dickens!
Wonderful to hear the RCRs live - thanks! Here's a lovely version in the Irish Celtic tradition, sung by Andy Irvine (who learned it from Si Kahn) and Planxty, from their album Words and Music. It's preceded by an instrumental tune of Andy's, called Accidentals (in 7/8, for those interested). Enjoy …
th-cam.com/video/8bypYcBGV-M/w-d-xo.html
I agree DebraDownSth. (PLEASE NOTE MY MAJOR SARCASM) This song would be so much better if it had a high-dollar vocalist singing it.........maybe even a Pavarotti-esque opera singer. That way every syllable would be pronounced properly and the pitch would be absolutely perfect. If this song was only being performed with enunciation instead of all that inflection it would be a classic for sure.
Its good but I prefer si kahn's verson. I live 2 mi from the mill and visit sometimes.
I bought many of the Red Clay Ramblers early albums back in the mid-late 19070s, even met a couple of the band members (a friend was a cousin), but never got to see these guys live. What a regret. Nice to have this music on youtube.
I Love it, think it is the best version I ever heard,but I am guessing I am a wee bit biased ,having been raised on Red Clay Ramblers music.
Great song and version.I'm from the south where the textile industry once thrived.The mills are basically all gone now.
That song was made for the singers voice just magic.
good one..... NOT
What a stunningly beautiful performance, so appropriate to the song.
Stunningly beautiful performance. So true in spirit to the song.
Thank you for posting. I believe the photo at 2:13 is very possibly of the band on stage of the Downhome Kitchen and Music Hall, Johnson City, TN.
Definitely Down Home.
Yep, saw the RCR's many times on that stage.
Well put, daeusto.
nice
Love this version.
CVheck out a bluegrass band Mama Corns version.It on youtube somewhere
String Band??? Oh yeah, every string band I've ever heard features a piano! Lets not get so hoity toity about what is or is not authentic. You like it. Fine. But that doesn't make it roots music. I trust you know the difference between Lady Gaga and Hazel Dickens...or maybe not.
nothing nice about this awful noise - spoiling a good song.