View Full Version : Kentucky Mandolin
A Monroe masterpiece, for sure. Years ago, I heard a band do a simple thing with it, never heard it done again. What they did was on the B part, the first time around, the guitar and banjo played G MAJOR, then back to G minor for the rest of the way. Nice little variation.
Not sure if ol' Bill would have ever done it that way, but somehow, I think he would have approved.
peterbc
May-16-2004, 9:31pm
Was the mandolin still playing in G minor for that mountain modal (or whatever the real term is) sound? I'll have to try that next time I play it. But they did keep the A part minor, then switched the B part to major, then did the rest minor? Who was this?
It was a local band in New Jersey, forget the name. The mandolin played a G major also, bass just thumped G to D, 1-5. This was on the first half of the B part. Just gave a nice tension to the sound, the tune remained primarily in minor.
Scotti Adams
May-17-2004, 4:53am
..why thats not Knetucky Mandolin Alan...thats the ever so popular New Joesy Turn Around......I thought you would know that http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif
Now before you go blasting the Garden State, remember that Tex Logan, a big time Bluegrass Boy is from dem der hills, as is the Dawg, and that there are a ton of fine pickers who call NJ home. Besides, parts of it are below the Mason-Dixon line http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif
Scotti Adams
May-17-2004, 5:09am
..not blastin the Garden State..Ive even played there before...as well as Conn. beautiful part of the country...I remember a band by the name of Country Ham from up around that way.....and dont forget to tune up your first G string to Bflat to play that 'turnaround song.... http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif and your so right Ky Mando os a masterpiece as is Crossin the Cumberland....Ive got the latter on a Butch Robbins Lp with Bush playin it....still sends chills up and down my spine..I learned both of these tunes from Dorsey Harvey....
Yeah, I remember Country Ham. Also, Bob Harris is/was a fine guitar picker from up there, did a guitar record many years ago which was super fine. Had one of the best versions of New Camptown Races on it I've ever heard, the head was played twin mandolin style by Barry Mitterhoff and Vic D'Amico, also had a guy Steve Lutke on banjer, this guy was something.
Scotti Adams
May-17-2004, 6:08am
..you got it..you da man Alan...
GTison
May-17-2004, 8:48am
"Not sure if ol' Bill would have ever done it that way, but somehow, I think he would have approved. Back to top"
I've got a live tape of Monroe playing at least the "A" part in the major chord. Maybe both I can't exactly remember but the way he played it live was always so different than the way he recorded it. He played around with it alot it seems.
I'd like to hear that, bowfinger. Care to trade for a live bus thing of Monroe showing Richard Greene tunes, 1966?
Scotti Adams
May-17-2004, 3:32pm
Alan...you never seem to amaze me...
Scotti, you either meant "cease"...or dem's fightin' words http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
Seriously, if you want a copy of that bus tape, my man, just holler.
Scotti Adams
May-17-2004, 5:18pm
..I should have said...you always seem to amaze me.....I couldnt ask for anything else from you....you have already sent me some priceless stuff.....and I deeply appreciate it....Hearing Keith sing "Sweet Baby James" just makes me wanna cry...
evanreilly
May-17-2004, 5:32pm
That bus tape.....
He plays 'The Dead March' too fast!!!!
Peter Hackman
May-20-2004, 5:49am
"Not sure if ol' Bill would have ever done it that way, but somehow, I think he would have approved. Back to top"
I've got a live tape of Monroe playing at least the "A" part in the major chord. Maybe both I can't exactly remember but the way he played it live was always so different than the way he recorded it. He played around with it alot it seems.
I haven't kept that record, but as I recall, on Baker's
album of Monroe tunes, there is an odd twist
to Monroe's solo.
I believe Monroe plays a D major chord, where you would expect d minor, in the 3rd part of Jerusalem Ridge.
And by the way, isn't there an E major chord against
the e minor in the banjo in Flatt and Scruggs'
original recording of Foggy Mt. Breakdown?
I can't resist relating an anecdote from my friend
Thomas Haglund who toured and recorded a bit with
Jimmy Martin in the late 70's. The band was
recording a fiddle tune in D major,
Lost Indian, and after a run-through Thomas
told his boss, "Jimmy, I believe there should be a b minor
chord in the second bar". To which Martin retorted:
"Oh, I don't use them fancy chords".
I believe Monroe plays a D major chord, where you would expect d minor, in the 3rd part of Jerusalem Ridge.
Peter, I often wondered where that move came from, I've heard Rice do it that way, thought it was from the space grass crowd, but it's from Mr. Bill, I'll be durned. Btw, I like it.
Scotti Adams
May-20-2004, 7:42am
...maybe the D major part was just a simple mistake on Mr Bills part and its carried on "Down through the years"....
GTison
May-28-2004, 6:48am
I sat down and tried to play KY. Mando. yesterday. I fell in love with it all over again. I usually play it like the recorded version. But that live version has a magic to it also. True Bill Monroe. Sometimes simple sounding yet unusual rythms and flirting, playing with the old melody.
ALAN your tape copy is on the way. Seems like Monroe plays the major notes but I'm not sure if the band does too. It's beautiful.