View Full Version : Tim O'Brien's Road Journal
The thread has switched back to talking about Tim, and no longer politics. I've deleted several off-topic posts here and will probably do that again if the (off-topic) flaming etc resurfaces. Remember, we all like mandolins!
mandofiddle
May-17-2004, 4:57pm
He has a Nugget Zouk? I didn't know it was a Nugget. Is that the one that has the guitar shaped body?
Ken Sager
May-17-2004, 5:00pm
Yes, and it is a gorgeous instrument. I've ordered a Bussman guitar shaped octave (who can afford a Nugget these days...) and will be satisfied if it has a third of the tone of Tim's Nugget zouk. Knowing Bill Bussman's work it's a solid bet that it's going to sound terrific, too.
Best,
Ken
jim simpson
May-17-2004, 6:57pm
How many Tim O'Brien/Hot Rize songs can you think of that either you do at jams or hear at jams? I can think of several but I'll let others start the list if interested!
Dagger Gordon
May-18-2004, 12:26am
I'm pleased to see that this thread has moved on to discuss Tim's music. I am a great fan. As it happens, I am a regular reader of his road journal, which is usually exactly that.
I haven't heard his new CBOM, but I think I'm right in saying that the bottom strings are tuned in unison, unlike the Nugget which has octaves (ie like a 12 string guitar). Correct me if I'm wrong on that.
His music is really varied, which is why I like it. Most of his albums have a different theme, such as his Dylan one, Old-timey (Songs from Mountain), Celtic (Crossing / 2 Journeys) etc.
Apart from his playing, he's also a fantastic singer.
mando bandage
May-18-2004, 6:07am
I still like Tim's work with Steve Earle and the Bluegrass Dukes. Rumor has it they're playing Telluride this year. Sigh...
R
french guy
May-18-2004, 8:48am
Here is a picture I've taken during Merlefest 2001, hope you enjoy.
mmukav
May-18-2004, 9:17am
Great pic. It was nice to see him at Merlefest. He played a lot of stuff from 'Traveler'. I really like the bouzouki work on the last song on that CD. It sounds incredible.
Bluegrasstjej
May-18-2004, 11:43am
I was really upset some time ago, when I saw at Tim's website that he was coming to Europe and it was just too soon before so I never got the chance to go. I actually did have the money but not the time. He was in England and Ireland in the beginning of April, or if it was the end of March. Going to London is really cheap and easy from here. Would have been the best treat ever if I had got to go! I hope he comes back soon!
BluegrassPhilfromFrance
May-18-2004, 1:49pm
David,
You are right about the tuning of his 2 bouzoukis.The Nugget is tuned like a 12 strings (gG dD AA EE)while the Giacomel is tuned like a regular octave mandolin (GG DD AA EE). I love his music and the man is a genius !!! #
http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif
duuuude
May-18-2004, 2:06pm
Tim's a hoot, whenever he plays at Strawberry he always seems to end up in Birch Lake sometime during the Sunday morning revival, followed by hundreds of "followers". Very cool, down to earth guy.
http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/cool.gif
delsbrother
May-18-2004, 6:15pm
Very interesting comment about that (IMO beauty-challenged) Giacomel mandola -
The scale length on this one is 20 inches from nut to bridge saddle. While many octave mandolins have a longer scale, which provides for tighter string tension and more volume, this one compensates by having a greater neck angle. The shorter scale also enables me to use mandolin fingering than I can't use on my other bouzouki/octave mandolins.
I guess that makes sense from a geometry point of view.. Any opinions from builders?
Michael Lewis
May-19-2004, 12:21am
The geometry thing sounds right, but the shorter scale does effect the tone. Longer scale tends to favor the overtones and complexity of tone, the shorter scale tends to emphasize the fundamental frequencies. Add to this that each instrument"package" is more or less unique in it's voice. In short, the shorter scales are easier to play but the sound of the longer scales is usually better. I love the sound of Tim's Nugget, and have plans to make some like it. It's basically the body of an early Gibson L5 with 16" lower bout with a 23 1/2" scale.
Mark Normand
May-19-2004, 7:02am
In that pic the fidding feller is Dirk Powell, who lives here in S. La. I've jammed a few times with he and wife Christine, they are very nice folks.
Tim must have ball bearings in his wrist! In my mind he's a picture of perfect form, totally relaxed, very loose wrist, making it look easy.:laugh:
John Rosett
May-19-2004, 9:16am
how many people here have heard tim on the two "ophelia swing band" albums from the 70's? the leader of the band was dan sadowsky (aka pastor mustard). there is some really hot mando and fiddle from tim. sadly, these two albums, as well as tim's first solo album, "guess who's in town" on the bisquit city label, are long out of print, and the tape i had of them seems to be missing.
whoever owns the rights to these, how about reissueing them?
john
Jim Hilburn
May-19-2004, 10:37am
I have a copy of "Swing Tunes of the 30's and 40's. I remember them busking on Pearl St. in Boulder before it was a mall. The first time I heard them was at the first "Beer and Steer", a mountain party for the graduates of the Free School beer-brewing class.
My band played first, and I remember thinking "I wonder if this guy can play as good as me?"
Scott Tichenor
May-19-2004, 11:48am
how many people here have heard tim on the two "ophelia swing band" albums from the 70's? the leader of the band was dan sadowsky (aka pastor mustard). there is some really hot mando and fiddle from tim. sadly, these two albums, as well as tim's first solo album, "guess who's in town" on the bisquit city label, are long out of print, and the tape i had of them seems to be missing.
#whoever owns the rights to these, how about reissueing them?
# # # # # # # # # # # #john
So you're asking us really to see how old we are, right? OK, I fess up that I bought this when it was new along with Tim's Guess Who's In Town before he joined Hot Rize. I got rid of my LP player long ago and the guy that bought the LPs from me taped those two and sent them to me on CD. Great music. I'd like to see those re-issued too but I'd be surprised if the masters are still in existance.
John Rosett
May-19-2004, 5:28pm
scott-
#well, maybe i was, but i first had to admit how old i am.
as for reissuing those albums without the masters, have you ever heard "the humbler" cd by danny gatton and robert gordon? the cd was made from a 20 year old cassette that was recorded off of the board at a live show. it sounds pretty good. i wonder who owns the rights to that stuff. i would buy all three if they reissued them.
# # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # john
John Rosett
May-19-2004, 5:37pm
uh, anybody know how to get in touch with dan?
mandocrustacean
May-31-2004, 12:40pm
I met a picker at a jamboree this weekend and he taught me "walk beside me." i haven't heard much of tim's music but i will be getting Real Time so i can hear how tim does that song. when i do it, it sounds kind of like a punk rock song! the interesting thing is that i ran into that picker at the jamboree and learned that song and it speaks to exactly where i'm at in life right now. things happen for a reason.