I first heard this on Vol 1 of Billy Mathews' 500 fiddle tune project a few years ago, and liked it right away. But I put off giving it a try until about a week before last, partially because I had heard him wrong on the cd and thought it was in G, rather than D. For some reason I revisited it, and gave it a try.  I enjoyed it, but didn't spend much time.

I also wondered where Billy had got it. I thought that the Fiddlers Companion didn't have a listing, but I must have just done something wrong because I find it now. Anyway, when searching YouTube, I got either an English Jig by that name (a nice version by two accordions at the the Hong Kong Folk Society, which sure looks like  a fun group) and a slightly bawdy song. Neither of those sounded anything like what Mathews was playing, as far as I could tell.

Then last week the folks at slippery-hill.com announced that they had put up recordings of all the tunes in Vol 1 of The Old-Time Fiddler's Repertory by R.P. Christeson and in looking that over, number 86 is Oyster Girl played by Bob Walters. Walters plays in his wonderful notey Missouri hornpipe style, but I have to say that I enjoy the danceable qualtiy of Billy's version.

So, last night I had the house to myself and got my mp3 player out to listen again to Billy's version. And here are what I worked out on banjo and fiddle. I actually recorded as video, but the program that I use is having problems so I just extracted the audio. Maybe after an update I'll put up the video versions.

Oyster Girl

Oyster Girl (fiddle effort)

Nice playing there Erich! Billy says he got it from the R.P. Christeson book. and your so thorough, you already where on the trail!

Thanks Christine. Are you in Mountain View? If so, wish I was there, eat some good bacon for me. Say hi to Billy.

The thing that was crashing my video editor got fixed with an update (joys of open source programs) so here is the video.

VIDEO: Oyster Girl (click to view)

Edited by - vrteach on 02/01/2012 13:46:14

terrific video, Erich.

that's a great tune, one of many on my "tunes from Billy Matthews that I'll learn someday" list.  

You've put together a really nice banjo arrangement here, and nail it on the video.  You look comfy in front of the camera.  That must be nice!

Hey look at you... nice video! I start my descent tomorrow and won't check back in till late Tuesday. A bit nervous, but I have a great plan of banjo action, so I know it will turn out great for everyone. Really nice of "The Banjo Babes" to invite me down there to do this workshop, good excuse to visit this beautiful land of music. Keep those tunes coming!

Thanks. And although nobody would ask for it, here is my first fiddle video.

I think fiddlers look just as goofy as banjoists.

VIDEO: Oyster Girl-fiddle (click to view)

quote:

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Originally posted by vrteach
I think fiddlers look just as goofy as banjoists.

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OK, but banjoists have the advantage that they cover their bellys. Still, I like my new green Lands End shirt!

"banjoists have the advantage that they cover their bellys"

And with the open back you can tuck your belly inside the back of the pot and if you don't stand up you look pretty good!

Where did Oyster Girl come from?  It's an unusual title, but a catchy tune.

Good question. The Fiddler's Companion suggests that the version from Bob Walters (on which mine is based, and might be the only source) could be derived from the English 6/8 morris dancing tune by the same name. But--I can't hear it. It's distantly derived, if at all.

Bob Walters lived in northeastern Nebraska, almost Missouri, and my fiddler friend says that Walters and fiddlers of his area and generation listened to a particularly strong radio station from Canada--and picked up some of their tunes and style from fiddlers from that source.

Edited by - vrteach on 02/09/2012 20:46:00