Does anyone else play tunes recorded by them, besides me? I listen a bunch and play a good number.
I really enjoy Bob's interpretation on things - and how he plays fiddle.
Which of his tunes do you play?
Edited by - tonyelder on 07/29/2024 18:17:39
A local fiddler came back from a trip south and brought Bryson Higgin's tune to the session. Said he learned it from a guy who learned it from Bryson Higgins himself. (though who knows who accurate that is ???)
Liked it a lot and found the recording by the Fiery Gizzard String Band to use as a template. One of my favorite tunes.
Yeap, that's a good one. ...on my play list too.
I'm trying to drum up interest among the folks I play with. There is a resistance to playing tunes that are radically different that the original versions. I keep saying that we can call it something else - his versions are good tunes on their own.
I enjoy them.
His bio says he is "passionate" about passing on tunes from his local area (southeast Tennessee). And I wondering if these variations that he recorded are actually traditional versions from SE TN.
And now I'm discovering that Bob is / was a member here. I'm not sure how to get his attention, but - "hi Bob, if you get this!" I do appreciate your playing. I would love to find an excuse to visit from SW TN area.
I don't know about other recordings, but a couple tunes I listened to from his homepage here seemed pretty "normal." Since he's a member here, if you want to get his attention you can send him a private messge.
PS - From the liner notes at Bandcamp, the recordings are local tunes, or local versions of tunes, learned mostly from home recordings of older fiddlers. It also seems that Bob is well known and respected by the Tennessee folklore community.
Edited by - DougD on 07/30/2024 09:48:46
quote:
Originally posted by DougDI don't know about other recordings, but a couple tunes I listened to from his homepage here seemed pretty "normal." Since he's a member here, if you want to get his attention you can send him a private messge.
PS - From the liner notes at Bandcamp, the recordings are local tunes, or local versions of tunes, learned mostly from home recordings of older fiddlers. It also seems that Bob is well known and respected by the Tennessee folklore community.
Thanks Doug. Yes, I sent him a PM earlier - hoping to get a response. I'm sure I will.
I asked him about his versions in the PM - whether they were "his" versions or what he considers to be local versions he learned that would be called traditional to folks in SE TN.
But, yes - a number of his recorded tunes are played different that what I would consider common renditions. Check them out at Bandcamp if you are interested.
Listen to Bob's versions of Booth Shot Lincoln, Fire On The Mountain, Redbird, Altamont, and Kitty Puss. Those are definitely different (imo) from the more commonly played variations - enough that some folks may not know what tune you are playing - when you play Bob's version. If you tell them the name - and play it again, some might hear it - others will say they still don't hear it. That has been my experience.
Regardless - to me - they are still worth playing. Call it what you want to - I call it Bob' Townsend's version of ________. But it might be more accurately called by someone else's name - or perhaps just identified a traditional version from a specific area.. I enjoy playing them.
Snake Chapman does the same thing. I have learned some of his versions of tunes that are different that the more common versions of tunes. I like to play them too.
I interested to hear what Bob says.
Tony, I looked at Bandcamp, but didn't listen to anything. Did you read the full liner notes? You have to click "read more" and keep scrolling. There are short bios of his sources, his philosophy of learning from them, and comments and sources for each tune.
quote:
Originally posted by DougDTony, I looked at Bandcamp, but didn't listen to anything. Did you read the full liner notes? You have to click "read more" and keep scrolling. There are short bios of his sources, his philosophy of learning from them, and comments and sources for each tune.
RICH! Thanks Doug.
I think it is safe to say, these were not his own versions, but traditional versions from the region where he lives. Very interesting. I feel more inclined to include them at the jams. They have "historically significance". 
I'm glad he made the recordings and included the notes, Not only do we have the tunes to enjoy, but we can know where they came from. I know I have enjoyed listening and learning .
Thanks again! ...for pointing out what I didn't see. RICH!
One tune from his album that is frequently played at jams I attend in GA and TN is "Newt Payne's tune"
We play it in cross A . I've really enjoyed the liner notes from the album, and playing quite a few of the tunes
quote:
Originally posted by jenniferfiddlerOne tune from his album that is frequently played at jams I attend in GA and TN is "Newt Payne's tune"
We play it in cross A . I've really enjoyed the liner notes from the album, and playing quite a few of the tunes
It's been a while but he was a "presenter" at Breaking Up Winter - long time ago. We were living here back then, but friends told me about it. Our banjo player learned Redbird while he was there.
I'd love to see him come back.
