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schlange - Posted - 01/23/2014: 15:06:51
This week's tune is "Eight More Miles to Louisville," a vocal number written by the great Louis "Grandpa" Jones. This is a love song to be sure--first about the author's love for Lousiville, KY, but also about his love for his girl who lives there. (Oddly enough, as far as I can tell, Grandpa Jones never lived in Louisville. Maybe he considered it his hometown because his first name was Louis?)
This tune was first released as a single in 1946, just one year before he released his version of last week's TOTW (Mountain Dew). All the versions I found from Grandpa Jones didn't have him on the banjo--he seemed to prefer guitar for this tune.
Lyrics:
I've traveled o'er this country wide seeking fortune fair
Up and down the two coast lines I've traveled everywhere
From Portland East to Portland West back along the line
I'm going now to the place that's best that old hometown of mine
Eight more miles and Louisville will come into my view
Eight more miles on this old road and I'll never more be blue
I knew some day that I'd come back I knew it from the start
Eight more miles to Louisville the hometown of my heart
There's bound to be a gal somewhere that you like best of all
Mine lives down in Louisville she's long and she is tall
But she's the kind that you can't find a traveling through the land
I'm on my way this very day to win her heart and hand
Now I can picture in my mind a place we'll call our home
A humble little hut for two we'll never want to roam
The place that's right for that love sight is in those bluegrass hills
Where gently flows the Ohio by a place called Louisville
Learn the Tune
MBCrawford - Posted - 01/23/2014: 15:11:43
Here is a little audio file I did about a year ago. I have always liked this tune.
schlange - Posted - 01/23/2014: 15:25:47
quote:
Originally posted by MBCrawford
Here is a little audio file I did about a year ago. I have always liked this tune.
Very nice! I didn't find this one in my MP3 archive search because you used a number for the "Eight". Ha!
HSmith - Posted - 01/24/2014: 01:01:14
Hi
Ben Eldridge plays a sensational version of "Eight More Miles To Louisville" on one of Mike Auldridge's dobro albums. I bought the vinyl version many years ago and learnt this tune but never tabbed it. I believe the album has been re-released on CD as a double album (25 tracks) comprising "Dobro" and "Blues and Bluegrass".. Highly recommended!
Harry
stanrabb - Posted - 01/24/2014: 08:10:41
Is there a way to download backing tracks to home computer?
thebanjobert - Posted - 01/25/2014: 14:43:14
Excellent choice. Good song.
thebanjobert - Posted - 01/25/2014: 14:49:01
quote:
Originally posted by stanrabb
Is there a way to download backing tracks to home computer?
Yes. Click on the MP3 and the audio player will pop up. On the player, there is a Download option. Right click on that and, when the window pops up, choose 'Save Target As', then choose the location on your computer you want to save it to, and then click on 'Save'.
scrimple101 - Posted - 01/25/2014: 22:34:43
Really enjoying the tunes. Are we allowed to make requests for TOTW? Because if we are can I request John Henry and Nine Pound Hammer. Regards, Rob Lane
g3zdm - Posted - 01/26/2014: 08:05:44
quote:
Originally posted by stickfigurine
Don't forget that this is a two-fer! I prefer these lyrics myself:
youtube.com/watch?v=Dl96vNqNjlg
I've played and sung that one a few times (the Scotsman) ; I never even considered its similarity to 8 More miles to Louisville (or at least the verse melody) before. Thanks for drawing that to my attention.
Chris Muriel, Manchester , UK
MadMatt - Posted - 01/26/2014: 09:00:12
just bought this, where is it located? I figured it would show up in my Hangout video catalog but didnt.
MadMatt - Posted - 01/26/2014: 09:13:57
found it
tomberghan - Posted - 01/27/2014: 12:06:49
Thanks Eric for linking to my version which features the excellent guitar picking of Laurence Diehl: Eight More Miles
I just wanted to point out one thing for all the guys who want to sing the song while they play . . . if you have a baritone range voice like I do (like a lot of guys do), then the key of G will be too high for you. Note that I played my version in the key of C. (All of he versions above are in the key of G.) When I recorded this version I tuned my banjo in "Old C" gCGbD. I like it there but when performing on stage it was always a pain to have to retune the 4th string down to C.
So, these days I play it in the key of D, spiked at 7. (played out of standard G tuning gDGBD). You might give that try. I find it pretty easy, and take note that for the most part I just play all of the chord shapes on just the top 3 three strings. Now as to which inversion I play at any given moment, it is a simple rule, I just put the melody note at the top of each chord and that dictates which inversion to play. OK, that's the trick! I hope that helps some of you. Best Wishes, Tom
schlange - Posted - 01/28/2014: 09:27:20
Just worked through Casey's video this morning--for the first time, I was able to get through the whole song in one sitting (and memorize it). Not sure if that's because it's an easy song, or because I'm getting better! (Probably the first one.) Fun song to play, though--fun melody.
Jonbon - Posted - 01/29/2014: 10:54:36
Great tune. This has really helped my playing. Had a breakthrough moment
Walker - Posted - 01/29/2014: 19:06:37
Here's a nice video of Sam Bush with Scott Vestal on banjo. I have seen Scott do an awesome break on this tune, but couldn't find the video. This does have some nice stuff.
youtube.com/watch?v=p23ApDSTfio
