This transcription is based on a May 1927 performance recorded by Da Costa Woltz’s Southern Broadcasters in Richmond Indiana. The source recording features a square dance call over the tune, making it difficult to hear the melody. Treat this transcription as a reasonable, if inexact, approximation.
Forked Deer
Forked Deer has long been a standard among old-time musicians, but I’ve always been partial to the performance Taylor’s Kentucky Boys recorded in April, 1927 for the Gennett company in Richmond, Indiana. An interesting quirk is a beat that’s borrowed from the end of second repeat of the ‘A’ strain that’s added back to the…
Jesse Polka
This transcription is based on a performance by Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys from April 8th, 1946, recorded for what are commonly referred to as the Tiffany Transcriptions. There are a lot of different versions of Jesse Polka out there. This is a relatively simple interpretation, with just two sections. The marking D.C. al…
B-Flat Rag
This transcription is based on a performance by the Madisonville String Band, recorded at the Gennett studios in Richmond, Indiana, on October 3rd, 1930. It was released on the Gennett-affiliated labels Chamion (#16462 & 45005), Superior (#2756), and also appeared on Decca (#5437). In the recording, the group’s fiddle player takes first section (bars 1-16), and…
And the Cat Came Back
This transcription of And the Cat Came back is based on an August, 1927 performance that Doc Roberts recorded for the Gennett company in Richmond, Indiana. The tune is comprised of a four-bar ‘A’ strain and eight-bar ‘B’ and ‘C’ strains. On the recording, the form is irregular: AA BB CC AA BB CC BB…
Wink the Other Eye
This transcription comes from a performance Hack’s String Band recorded for the Gennett company in Richmond, Indiana, on September 29th, 1929. It was released on the Gennett-affiliated labels Champion and Superior. The Superior release is credited to ‘Cumberland String Band.’
There's More Pretty Girls than One
This transcription is based on a performance by John D. Foster, recorded for the Gennett company on April 11, 1929. It was issued on the Gennett-affiliated label Challenge (#423), credited to ‘Crocker & Cannon.’ This performance is in waltz time. Modern performers often play this in 4/4. Though the lead sheet starts with the chorus,…
Sourwood Mountain
Sourwood Mountain is a widely recorded tune in pre-WW II country music. This transcription is based on a performance by Taylor’s Kentucky Boys, recorded on August 27th, 1927, in Richmond Indiana. The track was released on the Gennett-affiliated labels Silvertone and Supertone. The Supertone release was credited to Hills Virginia Ramblers.
Lauterbach Waltz
This transcription is based on a recording the Kessinger Brothers made in New York City in September, 1930. It was released as Brunswick 567. Any resemblance to ‘Where Oh Where has My Little Dog Gone’ is purely coincidental.
Jenny on the Railroad
This transcription is based on a performance by The Carter Brothers and Son in Memphis, Tennessee, on November 24, 1928. It was originally released as Vocalion 5297. This is a modal tune in G. The mode in question is Dorian.