Leather Britches

**fiddlegit** · Nov-10-2004, 3:58pm

The first rendition of Leather Britches has been uploaded by ADM (Alan Meijer)Thanks Alan, I'm sure that will inspire the rest of us, well done!

<a href="http://f4.grp.yahoofs.com/v1/UIGSQZLp2rmCXCzyE6ImAen8pjLOALgNv78UKQi770_YkNiUj-Xpd6bgQKrEHeZQqZ9PN_v4hVmqilqStdaTi6975G
k5stfP/ADM-leather.mp3" target="_blank">Yahoo group</a>

**Baron Collins-Hill** · Nov-10-2004, 7:16pm

im working on it, i got the first part down afer a bit but stalled on the second part

**Dave Hicks** · Nov-11-2004, 7:14am

Mostly done with my recording - keeping an improvised B part on the rails is a little tricky.

D.H.

**levin4now** · Nov-11-2004, 7:50am

thanks roger. it was simple and it was my first take. but I haven't participated in this group for about 3 months (pre-Tenn Blues), and I missed it. so i wanted to get something down. if i have time, get ambitious, and happen to pull it off, I'll juice it up a bit.

Good luck to all. Can't wait to hear more.....

By the way, when LB won, I was 'thinking' Banjalin, and was pretty excited...great tune that is (aka Busy Fingers)

**sjusk** · Nov-12-2004, 4:54am

Good work Alan.

I always look forward to the first upload, especially if I am not familiar with the tune. They just don´t really come alive in those MIDIs, do they.
Somehow the tune makes sense to me when played on a real mandolin. Or fiddle. Or guitar, xylofon, tuba....you name it.

I hope I can find the time to do this one before Christmas.

Søren

**Dave Hicks** · Nov-12-2004, 6:57am

My upload didn't work - got the "Failed to find the "nothing" line (\n\n)! Premature end of script headers." Is there a fix for that?

So my MP3 is on my music page:

http://users.manchester.edu/Facstaff...musicindex.htm

However, I'm not sure this one will be a good way to learn the melody.

**levin4now** · Nov-12-2004, 7:29am

dave,

i had an error too, so I uploaded it to the Yahoo site (and since there was no folder for it, I just left it 'out in the open', and craig must have moved it...)

ADM

**Dave Hicks** · Nov-12-2004, 7:37am

Just put a copy on the Yahoo site, too.

D.H.

**levin4now** · Nov-12-2004, 7:58am

Great job planetcology (david hicks?). Sounds great. What a sound.

**sjusk** · Nov-12-2004, 8:32am

It´s amazing what you can do with an old folky tune, David!
One thing for sure: You´ve really got your own way of doing things around here.

I like it!

Søren

**fiddlegit** · Nov-12-2004, 10:43am

yeah, I like David's version too, good picking, good music. Though I hardly recognised it as Leather Britches. I'm not saying that's a good thing or a bad thing, just commenting on my inability to recognise a tune when done in an unfamiliar way.

**Dave Hicks** · Nov-12-2004, 1:35pm

I took my version from the Fiddler's Fakebook (but there are many versions of this tune, some of which don't sound too much alike). #My initial statements of the A and B parts are pretty close to the fakebook. #However, I'm using a slow tempo for a fiddle tune, and I'm playing (well, trying to play) swing time rather than straight 8's, so even the parts where I'm trying to be literal are a little tweaky.

The reason I took off in the direction I did with this tune is that the A part reminds me of some of the riff-based swing tunes. #Also, those long stretches on the I chord suit themselves to some chord subs, so the western swing approach seemed to fit that concept. #My improv approach was more chordal than melodic, so the more recognizable parts got left behind fairly quickly.

**JimRichter** · Nov-15-2004, 6:57am

I've been ripped off! Stolen from! David's Leather Britches--as nice as it is--seems to be a bit like my submission for last months' Bill Cheatam. I went ahead and put it in a minor key, but the similarities are there. Please review DawgCheatsam:

http://homepage.mac.com/richter30/iMovieTheater35.html

I demand satisfaction!!!

Jim

**Dave Hicks** · Nov-15-2004, 7:14am

Well, I was definitely satisfied with Bill in a minor key - LOL is a net cliche, but I really was amused (in a very positive way) when I heard your take on ole Bill. #And Leather Britches isn't exactly my first excursion into II/V/I land as far as Mando Project tunes go.

**David Miller** · Nov-15-2004, 4:06pm

Hey all!
Its great to start to hear the fruits of our labors this month. I just added my version to the Yahoo site. It is great fun to hear all the different directions such a tried and true standard can go! I cant wait to hear more.

**levin4now** · Nov-15-2004, 4:50pm

Excellent job david miller. What have you all got in that mix? Do it all yourself? Awesome.

**David Miller** · Nov-15-2004, 4:56pm

Thanks Alan -
My favorite background trick is to record the guitar track twice, playing essentially the same thing, and then pan one hard left and one hard right. For this recording I also did a third guitar, capo'ed up and more rhythmic (the backbeat) and finally did my mando and fiddle. I am glad you enjoyed it!

**sjusk** · Nov-15-2004, 5:28pm

This is just plain beautiful, Mr. Miller!

I love that Irish twist, and I´m going to save your controbution to my harddesk and start STEALING!
Your "setup" is working nicely, and you do a fine job on the guitar(s) too.

I thought I was going to do an Irish version of LB, but I guess you just did the ultimate Irish this month.
(Well, I´ll just steal your version and do a Christmas Carrol next time).

Love it!

Søren

**craig** · Nov-15-2004, 11:51pm

plantecology04,

i've misplaced your mp3 for Leather Britches!! can you e-mail it to me or re-post it at Yahoo! Groups?

sorry . . .

thanks

craig

**sjusk** · Nov-17-2004, 8:24am

sbarnes, what a merry song you make of it! You got that simple (don´t get this wrong) touch of the tune that I like so much. What I mean is that you´re not drowning it in ornamentation. Nice tempo too.
You and the other guys that have been uploading sofar have all helped me like this tune - which I didn´t much at first.

Søren/sjusk

**Mteresko** · Nov-19-2004, 11:22am

I just uploaded my attempt at Leather Britches. A little ragged (it was late last night), but I was encouraged that I could stumble here and there and still stay more or less on track. I am playing my new Wiens F5, far more instrument than I deserve, but an inspiration to keep practicing.

**craig** · Nov-20-2004, 8:44am

collings470,

i just love you rendition of this song. having lived in ireland for 5 years i'm very partial to that irish rhythm. very, very well done! you've inspired me.

craig

**David Miller** · Nov-20-2004, 10:48am

Craig,
Thank you for your kind words! I am glad that one who knows the Emerald Isle recognized my attempt to pay tribute to the rich music of that country. So far (to my sadness) I have only made the trip to Ireland in spirit - but maybe one day......
And believe me.... it is the recordings I have listened to through this site that give me the inspiration to try my own versions of these tunes. Keep up the tremendous work!

**Mteresko** · Nov-27-2004, 2:34pm

Where are all the versions of Leather Britches? With 14 votes I thought there would be more! It still November and not too late.

Ken, I vote for yours as the best so far. Really like your playing.

**Bluegrasstjej** · Nov-27-2004, 5:09pm

There are very few ones, yeah. I have an excuse, I've been away and then I've mostly played Irish tunes on the fiddle (but I promise I'll come up with something eventually).

I really like the tune and before my vacation I started working on it, just that I had this hunger to learn more Irish music when I got home.........

I'll be there. Later..I have a few days left..