View Full Version : Red Allen and Frank Wakefield
doublestop
Oct-21-2004, 4:31pm
Borrowed this CD from a friend and am trying to play along. The opening song, Lil Maggie is being played in C#. Okay, what I really think happened is they transferred it from tape to CD and the keys do not match. It's probably in D, right? Anyway, this is my first chance to listen to "The Great Frank". What does everyone else think of Frank? He is a little Monroesque, but still has his own style.
mandopete
Oct-21-2004, 4:35pm
One of my all time favorite recordings, great stuff!
SternART
Oct-21-2004, 4:35pm
Goodbye doublestop. Frank is the real deal.........IMO he was really something in those days.........more out there now, less like Bill, more like Frank......but still a unique mandolin voice. He sounds more like he does now than he did before. Hello.
Frankspeakitpretty http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif
danmills
Oct-21-2004, 6:28pm
My bandmates and I are really inspired by all the Red Allen stuff we can find. We started with The Kitchen Tapes, then Folkway Years, now a couple others that collect recordings from Rebel, Melodeon, and County. It's all good.
Oh, and yeah, Frank sure is Frank. I'm still somewhere around 'intermediate' on the mandolin, so I'm soaking up what I can from whoever I can. I don't really want to play just like Frank (then or now), but I like trying to figure out what he's doing. The Kitchen Tapes is a great CD for mandolin study, for lots of reasons. It's great music, and with just Red on guitar & Frank on mando, there are loads of mandolin breaks to listen to.
Dan
Philip Halcomb
Oct-21-2004, 7:59pm
I know Frank pretty well, I actually take lessons from him. He's a great guy and can do things on the mandolin that no one else can do, that I've seen atleast. He's kinda like a time capsul, he's got his own repertoire (actually I remember hearing that he wrote more mandolin instrumentals than any other bluegrass mandolinist, not sure of the fact on that statement though), but also any of the old hard-core Monroe bluegrass tunes; he knows note for note just how they were written, learned from Bill personally. A very unique individual, exceptional human being, teacher and friend.
Philip Halcomb
Oct-21-2004, 8:02pm
By the way doublestop, Frank often times tunes a half-step below standard, I'm note sure if they did that back in those days too... But that would explain the C# for little maggie... Enjoy...
As a matter of fact, Frank is going on tour soon.
Here is the schedule:
http://www.candlewater.com/WakefieldPhotoCollection/
Anyone wanting to attend lessons on the road should
contact me at
FWB@Candlewater.com
Jim Moss
FWB
Scotti Adams
Oct-25-2004, 4:12am
..I hope to see you guys in Dayton at Canal Street Nov.12th.....
Can't contribute much on Red with Frank - But I do know Red Allen worked for a time with the Osborne Brothers. Bluegrass mythology says THAT(!) combination was the foundation of 3-part BG harmonies. Some of that material will "knock your hat in the creek"!!! (IMHO)... I think they recorded for the now defunct MGM label. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
Scotti Adams
Oct-25-2004, 2:50pm
Red told me personally that it was while on a trip thru West Virginia that Bobby, Sonny and Red "discovered" the art of three part harmony with the high lead..I believe the song "Making Plans" was the first song they did like this. Huh Harley?? http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif
ethanopia
Oct-25-2004, 3:31pm
Bummer I have a gig in Columbus on Novemeber 12th so I will mis FWB again. ####. That makes three years in a row...
Scotti.. - Thank you for that anecdote.. - "..and the rest is (Bluegrass)history." That(They)set the bar. And still can - (IMHO)- Regards, Moose. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
I have a great story, but I can't tell it.
It happened when I was at Kenny Baker's one year
and Blaine was there. He went over with Sonny to their
studio for a bit.
j
I can understand the possible reasons. Blaine & Kenny Baker - two GREAT fiddle players - and Sonny always ready to "ignite" something!! e-mail me offline if you would care to. [richardw@UDel.edu] - a.k.a. Moose.. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif
Well, I guess I can tell you this much.
When Blaine came back he told us that in the
Osborne's studio there was a big poster on the
wall with the pictures if The Osborne Brothers
and Red Allen, however, Red's name had an old
tape reel box taped over it. #
I asked Sonny what was up and he told me.
Well...
Ralph Icebag, Over and out.
Well, there could be a number of reasons - all Sonny(isms) - and no doubt hilarious!!! - Thanks for the reply. (IMHO.., the material they recorded with Dale Sledd is/was some of their FINEST work) - http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif