executor - Posted - 12/20/2008:  13:07:18

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Does anyone know of any fiddle players that play old time trance blues type music. I'm not thinking chicago blues (which I absolutely hate). What I'm thinking of is Dock Boggs type mountain music or mississippi hill country blues.

Does anyone know fiddlers who play in these styles?

OTJunky - Posted - 12/20/2008:  15:00:10

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I think you just want to "Google" any of

- "Lonnie Johnson" fiddle

- "Howard Armstrong" fiddle

- "Mississippi Sheiks"

This ought to yield you a set of links that'll keep you busy for a day or two.

This is an area of American old time music that's not been ignored - but that's also not as widely appreciated as it ought to be.

You can get a flavor of it from this link...

juneberry78s.com/erbfiddlers/erbfa.html

that has some Mississippi Sheiks and Macon Ed songs - among others...

--OTJ
"I can barely fiddle on four strings. Why would I want five?"

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Edited by - OTJunky on 12/20/2008 15:04:46

executor - Posted - 12/20/2008:  15:37:29

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Thanks for all these links!

I do know about some of these fiddlers and I like some of their stuff, but this is not quite what I'm looking for. These fiddlers sort of remind me of jug band type music, which is not really what I like. Its possible (and likely, considering my picky tastes) that what I'm looking for doesn't currently exist.

Everybody here probably knows who he his, but the Dock Boggs sound I'm talking about is that haunting, hypnotic feel.

If anybody here has ever heard of R.L. Burnside, his music is the kind of hill country trance blues I'm talking about.

I think it would sound really cool if someone played either of these types of music (which are not mutually exclusive) on fiddle.

Thanks again for all those links,
Brian

bsed - Posted - 12/20/2008:  18:16:29

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That's an intriguing thought. I'd love to hear someone pull it off. I have Burnside's CD (It's Bad, Ya Know)---dynamite stuff.
To be honest I get put into a trance when I play some of those southern fiddle tunes a la Round Peak, I suppose. The notes are spare, the tune is mostly rhythm, the A & B parts are short and they just keep comin' round again & again& again & again.........

Just call me Dwight.

bsed - Posted - 12/20/2008:  18:17:57

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But I got to thinking that maybe it's your opportunity to create your own niche in the world of fiddle music, eh?

Just call me Dwight.

Percy - Posted - 12/20/2008:  18:55:22

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Are you talking about "Hoyt Axton" type blues -- like "Sweet Misery?" I REALLY love to let my electric fiddle go after that one!

janepaints - Posted - 12/20/2008:  19:23:01

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I adore Burnside and similar hill-country blues folks. I mess around with fiddle on that kinda sound, but usually get bored. Part of the problem seems bound up with the nature of fiddle & bow. All the riddmic hammer-ons and pull-offs that help build the interlocking riddums in R.L.'s style doesn't sit well on fiddle. So riff-repetition sounds simply repetitive (rather than groove-within-groove-within-groove hypnotic) Tho maybe that's because I'm not a good-enough fiddler to pull it off.

HOWEVER--I HAVE sometimes used fiddle on that kinda stuff,--but not bowed. Strummed, Held like a mandolin. Fretless 4-string mandolin. It's swell for stuff like 'Jumper On The Line'

executor - Posted - 12/20/2008:  19:43:21

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Yeah I can see how it might be difficult to get that feel with a fiddle.

I'd love to do something like this myself, unfortunately I'm just starting out and I'm still on the basics.

fiddlepogo - Posted - 12/20/2008:  20:17:04

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You hate Chicago Blues???
One man's meat is another man's poison, I guess!

I had a D.L. Burnside album, and gave it to a friend-
too trancy, I guess.
I think a fiddle could contribute to that sound, but you'd need a guitar to lay down
some droney stuff and give you the rhythm.
In effect, I would imagine the fiddle doing something like Burnside's vocal lines, but maybe
just a little more complex.

Coincidentally though, I just had a breakthrough on blues fiddle- I finally figured out how to play a flat 5! I can do that on guitar all day long, but it had eluded me on fiddle.
Now it sounds bluesy- before that, it was only <almost> bluesy.
The hard part though is sliding just right on the flat 5- the flat 5 is where I do a lot of my
bends on guitar, and so I think that's place where there oughta be slides on blues fiddle.
But the bends have to be just to the right pitch to sound right, and so I'd think sliding
to JUST the right place would likewise be the cat's pajamas.

Michael- Old Time 90% of the time!

"It''s hard to take yourself seriously when you''re singing about chickens!"

ezfolk.com/audio/bands/1088
for mp3s, blog, and "Michael''s Old Time Fiddle & Banjo Hour" (hifi & lofi audio streams)

fiddlepogo - Posted - 12/20/2008:  20:30:58

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I had always heard about Papa John Creach playing blues fiddle.
I guess he played with Hot Tuna.

youtube.com/watch?v=ltDMr7IVg9...e=related

I think this is closer to Burnside's
stuff than Chicago Blues- it's got a really swampy feel, and probably could be tweaked
even more in that direction.
In this one the background is more "Chicago", but I can imagine the fiddle licks working
with a modified rhythm to something like E.L. Burnside.

Michael- Old Time 90% of the time!

"It''s hard to take yourself seriously when you''re singing about chickens!"

ezfolk.com/audio/bands/1088
for mp3s, blog, and "Michael''s Old Time Fiddle & Banjo Hour" (hifi & lofi audio streams)

Fidla - Posted - 12/21/2008:  06:57:01

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that's the kind of music I like to play on my Zeta Jazz Fusion :)

______________
Adam R. Sweet
adamrsweet.com

Supertone - Posted - 12/21/2008:  09:46:04

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How about the early solo Fiddlin John Carson stuff. Grayson and Whitter have some pretty lonesome sounding music. Have you checked out Charlie Patton with Son Sims? How about trad Hardanger fiddle?
All of the Dennis McGee duet recordings recordings are powerful! Marcus Martin is mighty!

fiddlenbanjo - Posted - 12/21/2008:  19:43:51

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I think this is Lonnie Chatman of the Mississippi Sheiks. You can hear the fiddle really well on this version.

youtube.com/watch?v=RqeW7-tmVU4

rastewart - Posted - 12/23/2008:  08:15:00

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quote:

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Originally posted by bsed

But I got to thinking that maybe it's your opportunity to create your own niche in the world of fiddle music, eh?

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I think Bruce is pointing you to something you can aspire to, even if you are a beginner and carving out your own style may seem far, far away. I'm kind of in the same boat in that respect, except with a less clearly defined sense of the sound I'm aiming for.

I love your avatar. Once you've seen a possum face up close and personal (by the cats' food dish in the middle of the night, say), your view of the world changes in some subtle but essential way.

~Rich

_____________________________________________

... in savage and impenetrable darkness with chaos and pandemonium before me, and the demon madness of that night-baying viol behind me.--H.P. Lovecraft

Bluetone - Posted - 12/23/2008:  10:28:18

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Hello executor! Blues fiddle's a subject dear to my heart, whether it's mountain blues or african-american or cajun! I know the harmonica replaced the fiddle in blues due to it's durability but I still think the fiddle is the number one natural instrument for getting those half (and at times even less than half) tones that'll blow your toupee into the creek! There've been some good points made so far and let me add my recommendation for 2 CD's that'll give you all you need for years of happy immersion in the real deal:

*Violin, Sing the Blues for Me," Old Hat CD-1002 and
*"Folks, He Sure Do Pull Some Bow" Old Hat CD-1003.

The Mississippi Sheiks are a good source also (my favorite: "Please Baby")
Recordings of early Martin, Bogan and Armstrong as well.

Then for cross-cultural examples: Early Bill Monroe Bluegrass! Have fun and listen with your heart as well as your ears! Bluetone

TS.

Bluetone - Posted - 12/23/2008:  10:40:36

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Addendum to my msg re blues fiddle:

Oops, I forgot to mention Cajun/Creole fiddlers like Leo Soileau (listen to "Easy Rider", a 78 by Leo and Moise Robin -it'll rock your socks off), or recordings by Canray Fontenot (either solo or with Bois Sec Ardoin), or Bebe Carriere (Les Blues a Bebe = my favorite) or the young Cedric Watson, or the Balfa Brothers 1st LP (now on CD - Swallow Records) playing and singing "La Valse de Bambocheur" or "Blues de Cajun."
Google probably has them all!!

Bluetone

TS.

Tennessee Tom - Posted - 12/23/2008:  13:07:42

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quote:

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Originally posted by executor

Does anyone know of any fiddle players that play old time trance blues type music.

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I have no idea, but that's a pretty mean-looking critter in your icon photo.

Cheers,
Tom

fiddlepogo - Posted - 12/23/2008:  14:41:25

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quote:

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Originally posted by Tennessee Tom

quote:

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Originally posted by executor

Does anyone know of any fiddle players that play old time trance blues type music.

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I have no idea, but that's a pretty mean-looking critter in your icon photo.

Cheers,
Tom

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Hard to believe that the cute lil cartoon character in my avatar
is <supposed> to be a possum too, eh?

rastewart-
possum in the catfood dish- LOL!
I know what you're talkin' about!
A 3/4 or side view of those choppers only
makes the critter look even meaner-
makes the ugliest rat look pretty tame in comparison.
But nothing the business end of a broom wouldn't take care of.
And if times were REALLY hard maybe the business end of something else...

Michael- Old Time 90% of the time!

"It''s hard to take yourself seriously when you''re singing about chickens!"

ezfolk.com/audio/bands/1088
for mp3s, blog, and "Michael''s Old Time Fiddle & Banjo Hour" (hifi & lofi audio streams)

Lonesome Fiddler - Posted - 12/23/2008:  18:05:05

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Try Louie Bluie. His Knox County Stomp (at least I think it's his) is pretty much a straight 12 bar blues in G.

Fingers like lightning. They never strike the same place twice.

RobBob - Posted - 12/24/2008:  14:35:14

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There are two CDs from Old Hat, Violin Play Some Blues and He Sure Do Pull Some Bow. Get them and listen to them until they are part of you. Then you will know your target. Blusey fiddlers also include most of the bluegrass greats and Arthur Smith.

Have fun.

RobBob
Music; the best way to count time.
blueridgerounders.com

curlyrayfan - Posted - 12/25/2008:  18:51:02

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Chubby Wise was very bluesy...but bluegrass as well. But still very bluesy for bluegrass, in my opinion.

fiddlenbanjo - Posted - 12/26/2008:  19:26:35

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Listening to Lonnie Chatmon and Papa John "Screech" (don't try this tone at home!) has got me excited about blues fiddle. I've played blues guitar for a lot longer than I've played the fiddle so it isn't such a big step.

Last night I ordered this book on blues fiddlin classics by Craig Duncan. It looked good and has a CD.

elderly.com/books/items/02-95159BCD.htm

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Edited by - fiddlenbanjo on 12/26/2008 19:28:51

Dirtyshirt Jake - Posted - 12/29/2008:  06:17:57

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quote:

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Originally posted by executor

Does anyone know of any fiddle players that play old time trance blues type music. I'm not thinking chicago blues (which I absolutely hate). What I'm thinking of is Dock Boggs type mountain music or mississippi hill country blues.

Does anyone know fiddlers who play in these styles?

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I play like dog doo and I sing even worse, but you can find some more blues-ey stuff at my lil' ol' website:

dirtyshirtjake.com/music.html.

If that don't make you deaf, nothin' will.

Forever Fiddlin'
-Dirtyshirt Jake

Forever Fiddlin''

Dirtyshirt Jake
dirtyshirtjake.com

shadygrove - Posted - 12/31/2008:  00:56:28

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dirtyshirtjake.com/

Maybe not what the OP was after, as that seems closer to Chicago blues than trance, ie more licks than groove, but I like it.

IMHO you play much better than you give yourself credit for Jake. I've heard people play like dog doo... that ain't it.



Jeff

ency - Posted - 12/31/2008:  23:56:11

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Papa John Creach all the way!!

Ency

Fidla - Posted - 01/01/2009:  08:25:11

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Yeah Ency Yeah!

______________
Adam R. Sweet
adamrsweet.com

Jeff Angeley - Posted - 11/17/2009:  19:23:27

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I don't think anyone was quite as obsessed with that mountain minor modal sound as Doc Boggs. There are some great fiddlers who keep things simple and greasy with a blues influence though. Check out Joe Thompson if you haven't already. There aren't so many minor sounding tunes but there is a wonderful lack of notiness (spelling?) and a nice greasy blues touch. You might also like Edward Poullard's Cajun style.

JeffA...
I love green lampshades.