Don’t You Remember the Time is a beautiful waltz in G major that sounds surprisingly modern due to two simple surprises in the chord progression: going from the V7 to the IV chord in bar 5, and doing the same in bar 16. This transcription is based on a performance by Freeny’s Barn Dance Band,…
Johnny Inchin’ Along
Johnny Inching Along is a fairly simple and straightforward AABB fiddle tune in G major, based on two four-bar strains. It was recorded by Fiddlin’ Doc Roberts at a March 15, 1929, session in Richmond, Indiana, and released as Gennett #7049. Roberts uses a variation of the ‘A’ strain repeatedly in his performance. This is…
Buck Creek Gal
Fiddlin’ Doc Roberts recorded Buck Creek Gal at an August 26, 1927, session in Richmond, Indiana. It was released as Champion #155500, credited to the pseudonym Fiddlin’ Jim Burke. The tune is unusual structurally. It can be broken into three primary sections: An eight-bar ‘A’ section in E minor An eight-bar ‘B’ section in G major…
Walking Boss
I made this simple arrangement of Walking Boss years ago for my tunebook, based on recordings by Doc Watson and Clarence Ashley. I’m not aware of any recordings that precede the Clarence Ashley recording (ca 1960). It has since been performed by artists including Jerry Garcia and David Grisman, Mike Seeger, and Meat Puppets.
Run Smoke Run
Fiddlin’ Doc Roberts recorded Run Smoke Run at an August 24th, 1928 session in Richmond, Indiana. The recording was released as Gennett # 6689. The tune is comprised of two short four-bar strains, played AABBB. There is substantial variation between some of the repeats, so they are written in full.
Boatin’ Up Sandy
Al Hopkins and His Buckle Busters recorded Boatin’ Up Sandy in New York City on May 14th, 1927. It was paired with Bug in the Taters, and released as Brunswick #182. The form is a standard AABB fiddle tune with two four-bar strains. The ‘A’ strain has some nice syncopations, including a tie across the bar line…
Bring Me a Bottle
The Leake County Revelers recorded Bring Me a Bottle in New Orleans on December 12th, 1928. It was paired with Molly Put the Kettle On, and released as Columbia 15380-D. The form is a standard AABB fiddle tune, with two eight-bar strains. There are lyrics that aren’t included in this transcription. If anyone wants to take a…
Green Mountain
Earl Johnson recorded Green Mountain at a November 22nd, 1929, session in Atlanta, Georgia. It was paired with Rocky Palace, and released as Victor # V-40304. Green Mountain is Flop-Eared Mule in all but name. His is the only recording listed in Tony Russell’s Country Music Records under that title. The tune is a simple AABB fiddle tune with the A strain in…
Big Sciota mandolin tablature
A gentleman wrote me to ask if I had tablature for the mandolin part I played for Big Sciota on the Morning Glory Waltz LP. I sketched out this chart of the first chorus for him. This portion of the tune can all be played in first position. The second chorus (not notated here) goes…
Waynesburgh
Fiddlin’ Doc Roberts recorded Waynesburgh at an August 26th, 1927, session in Richmond, Indiana. His recording is the only recording of this tune under this title to be released before 1942. It was released as Gennett # 6257, as well as on the Gennett-affiliated labels Champion (# 15549, credited to Fiddlin’ Jim Burke), Silvertone (# 5078…