notserp89m - Posted - 07/12/2010:  21:56:54

from what little i know, JBD is mostly a Surry County tune. This is my favorite tune and i TRY to play it with a little mix of Tommy and Fred's style. But what i was wondering if there are any other regions that this tune is prevalent and possible recordings. If any of the members have any recordings those are more than welcome as well.


And if you don't like John Browns Dream... well then your dumb.

ScottK - Posted - 07/12/2010:  22:03:30

Just go to YouTube and type John Brown's Dream in the search box. That'll keep you busy for a while! :-)

Scott

Bill Rogers - Posted - 07/12/2010:  22:26:09

Uh, I first heard it on a Lomax recording of Hobart Smith, who lived quite a good way from Surry County, and that recording antedated the discovery of the Round Peak players by Charles Faurot. Still my favorite version. Hobart Smith's fiddling had a drive and pungency few have achieved.

Edited by - Bill Rogers on 07/12/2010 22:26:34

janolov - Posted - 07/13/2010:  01:01:34

John Browns Dream was also recorded be Da Costa Woltz's Southern Broadcasters (1927-1929) where Ben Jarrell played fiddle.

The tune seems also been named Herv Brown's Dream and Brown's Dream. It is close to Fred C's Purty Little Miss. Dwight Diller calls the tune Jimmie Johnson. Hobart Smith called his version of the tune “Devil’s Dream. I think I also have heard it called Little Rabbit.

Tobias - Posted - 07/13/2010:  01:06:18

Alot of West Virginia fiddlers played a tune called Jimmy Johnson, which is almost identical to John Browns Dream.

You'll find some recordngs at Digital Library of Appalachia (aca-dla.org)

elberto_2001 - Posted - 07/13/2010:  02:47:09

What a great tune this is!

The following is a cut and paste from the Fiddlers Companion ibiblio.org/fiddlers/JOHAN_JOHN.htm


JOHN BROWN'S DREAM. AKA and see “Brownlow’s Dream,” "Brown's Dream," “Brownstream,” “Pretty Little Gal [1],” "Pretty Little Miss [1]," "Herve Brown's Dream," “Johnny Bring the Jug Around the Hill,” "Little Rabbit,” “Red Steer,” “Stillhouse Branch." Old#8209;Time, Breakdown. USA; southwestern Virginia, western North Carolina. A Major. AEae or Standard tuning. AABBCC (Brody): AABBCCDD (Phillips, Songer). A Galax, Virginia, area standard. One of a family of tunes that includes “Brownstream,” “Herv Brown’s Dream,” “Jimmy Johnson Pass That Jug Around the Hill,” “Little Rabbit” “Pretty Little Girl,” “Pretty Little Miss,” “Stillhouse Branch” “Table Mountain Road” and others. The tune family is a common a popular one in the Blue Ridge Mountains, where it probably originated but has since been disseminated. Hobart Smith, of Saltville, Va., also played the tune on the banjo. Tommy Jarrell, of Mt. Airy, North Carolina, suggested that "John Brown's Dream," which he learned from his father, fiddler Ben Jarrell, was derived from "Pretty Little Miss."

***

('B' part vocal) John Brown's dream, the devil is dead.

('C' part vocal) Come on Lula, come on Lula, come on Lula you're hoggin' the bread.

***

John Brown's dream, John Brown's dream, John Brown's dream, the devil is dead.

Come on, Lula, come on Lula, come on Lula, eat your hog and your bread.

( "hog" refers to fatback).

***

Apparently, Walton, West Virginia, fiddler Franklin George is the source for the “Herve (or Harv) Brown’s Dream” title, which he obtained from Jim Farthing, late of S.W. Virginia and West Virginia. There is speculation, though no proof, that the title of the tune was originally “Herve Brown’s Dream,” but the name Herve was supplanted by John because of the notoriety of the famous abolitonist who was hanged at Charles Town, Virginia in 1859 for treason committed in the raid of the U.S. Arsenal at Harper’s Ferry earlier that year. Most commentors agree that the tune has considerable age, and may predate the Harpers Faerry incident in the mid-19th century. Dwight Diller has said that the West Virginia tune “Jimmy Johnson” was the musical precursor to “John Brown’s Dream,” and opined that “Jimmy Johnson” was the far superior melody. Kentucky fiddler Buddy Thomas knew the tune as “Stillhouse Branch.” Kerry Blech has even heard the title “Brown Stream,” a mondegreen of course (for “Brown’s Dream”). Hobart Smith called his version of the tune “Devil’s Dream” on his Rounder recording (Rounder CD 0032). Sources for notated versions: New Lost City Ramblers [Brody]; Kevin Wimmer [Phillips]. Brody (Fiddler’s Fakebook), 1983; pg. 148. Phillips (Traditional American Fiddle Tunes), vol. 1, 1994; pg. 126. Songer (Portland Collection), 1997; pg. 111. County 524, "Da Costa Woltz's Southern Broadcasters: 1927 Recordings" (the fiddler for this band is Ben Jarrell). County 713, Cockerham, Jenkins and Jarrell#8209; "Down to the Cider Mill." County CD2702, Tommy Jarrell & Fred Cockerham - “Tommy and Fred: Best Fiddle-Banjo Duets” (1992). County CO-CD-2711, Kirk Sutphin - "Old Roots and New Branches" (1994). Document DOCD-8023, Da Costa Woltz’s Southern Broadcasters (reissue). Folkways FA 2492, New Lost City Ramblers#8209; "String Band Instrumentals" (1964). Folkways FTS 31041, New Lost City Ramblers#8209; "Across the Great Divide." Kicking Mule 203, Art Rosenbaum#8209; "The Art of the Mountain Banjo." Marimac 9038, Dan Gellert & Brad Leftwich - "A Moment in Time." Roane Records RR-101, “Cedar Point String Band” (Franklin George et al. Appears as “Harv Brown’s Dream”). “Silvertone 5183B (78 RPPM), Da Costa Woltz's Southern Broadcasters (1927). Tennvale 003, Pete Parish#8209; "Clawhammer Banjo." Tradition Records TLP1007, Hobart Smith #8209; "Instrumental Music of the Southern Appalachians" (1956). PearlMae Muisc 004-2, Jim Taylor – “The Civil War Collection” (1996. Learned from Sheila Adams who had it from Tommy Jarrell and Scot Ainsley).

black flag - Posted - 07/13/2010:  06:50:03

To further complicate the matter, bands in the Galax area play "I'm Gonna Marry That Pretty Little Girl" in straight G/A tuning and call it "John Brown's Dream", though it doesn't have the low bass drone of Tommy Jarrell's setting. I point this out only as a matter of passing interest--since it's their tune, as far as I'm concerned they can call it whatever they want.

A couple recent clips of two the very best local bands:
youtube.com/watch?v=OLp7ES4dZR...H_uwq_VZE

youtube.com/watch?v=E-jNFbqnzf...w293k_B6k

Chris

BanjerMaker - Posted - 08/06/2010:  12:51:04

My I further complicate the matter by mentioning a popular Eastern Kentucky tune known as stillhouse branch?


stringband.mossyroof.com/Still...ranch.mp3

there's a good slow version fer lernin'

the main page also has tab stringband.mossyroof.com look in the A tunes section

BanjerMaker - Posted - 08/06/2010:  12:57:19

Chris... I had to watch the slate creek ramblers twice just to see the pretty blonde pick her banjo... I think I'm in love... with her banjo.

whitetop_banjo - Posted - 08/06/2010:  20:20:30

The Sweet Brothers and Ernest Stoneman recorded I'm Going to Marry That Pretty Little Girl on 78 in the 20s, one of my favorite versions, in standard G.The Sweets were from near Damascus, Virginia.
Lawrence Russell, from Smyth County,VA also played the tune, but called it Brown's Dream About a Little Rabbit! So I think it must have been a widespread tune, called different things in different communities. It's one of the best dance tunes there is, I think.

Couchie - Posted - 08/09/2010:  07:19:26

John Browns Dream. After hearing Tommy Jarrell play this tune I knew I'd love this music forever.

Mad Dog - Posted - 08/19/2010:  16:12:50

I have just joined Banjo Hangout and have a question on another topic....My dealings with Melrose Music Supply....First of all , Has anyone heard of, or had dealings with this company???The young man I have dealt with was very helpful...[And I will not say his name]...But once I had sent the check [last may 8th] ,I found it quite difficult to get in touch with him ...I wanted to see how far he had come gathering the Banjo parts I thought I had bought from him....I have not gotten a response as of late...I have no desire for casting any blame, but my emails are ignored as are my many phone messages.... ...The last time I spoke with him, he seemed a little "down",so maybe he is sick or something...The check was for $700, so it would be nice to know if it's "my bad" for having unfair thoughts about the person in question,.....or have I been ..."HAD"... by a sly Kentuckian??????

Mad Dog - Posted - 08/19/2010:  16:12:51

I have just joined Banjo Hangout and have a question on another topic....My dealings with Melrose Music Supply....First of all , Has anyone heard of, or had dealings with this company???The young man I have dealt with was very helpful...[And I will not say his name]...But once I had sent the check [last may 8th] ,I found it quite difficult to get in touch with him ...I wanted to see how far he had come gathering the Banjo parts I thought I had bought from him....I have not gotten a response as of late...I have no desire for casting any blame, but my emails are ignored as are my many phone messages.... ...The last time I spoke with him, he seemed a little "down",so maybe he is sick or something...The check was for $700, so it would be nice to know if it's "my bad" for having unfair thoughts about the person in question,.....or have I been ..."HAD"... by a sly Kentuckian??????

chip arnold - Posted - 08/19/2010:  20:01:59

Banjermaker, that would be Richards daughter on banjo. He and her husband would probably be downright defensive over her .... banjo.

carlb - Posted - 08/20/2010:  06:35:15

quote:

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Originally posted by Tobias

Alot of West Virginia fiddlers played a tune called Jimmy Johnson, which is almost identical to John Browns Dream.

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