handsup8 - Posted - 02/19/2009:  21:13:01

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“John Lover’s Gone” was one of the first clawhammer songs I learned, and I played it a lot early on, often in a trance-like fashion that imperiled my marriage. Then for some reason the tune wandered away from my little herd and got lost. I did not play it for a good long time until a new job with a long commute led me to dig out my cassette tapes again, and I put in the great Wade Ward recording, "Uncle Wade - A Memorial to Wade Ward: Old Time Virginia Banjo Picker, 1892-1971." Wade Ward and a fiddler unknown to me since all I have is the blank cassette (his nephew, Fields Ward?) play a great version of the tune, and I resolved to retrieve it. I later heard Ward’s solo version on Volume 1 of the County “Clawhammer” trilogy.

Working on it by ear, and finding tab in John Burke’s book and Dan Levenson’s “Festival Tunes” book, I got it back to the following version (played on a fretless Eric Prust tackhead banjo):

http://www.banjohangout.org/myhango...usicid=11340

One of the things I like about the Wade Ward version on "Uncle Wade" is that he doesn’t play the tune the same way throughout. On the “Clawhammer” version, the “A” section is 8 measures long, as is the “B” section, and the structure is A-B throughout without repeats. (Levenson’s and Burke’s tab versions are similar to this arrangement.) In the “Uncle Wade” version, he starts by playing only the first 6 measures of the “A” section, jumping somewhat abruptly into the “B” section, of which he then plays the full 8 measures. After doing this a few times, he changes it up and plays all 8 bars of the “A” section, followed by a “B” section which he elongates to 12 measures. I like that shape and variation within the tune, so I’ve tried to keep it in my version.

I have found three other BHO versions of “John Lover’s Gone.” My current fave is a gourd version by “Bassman,” or Christopher Ptasnik: http://www.banjohangout.org/myhango...?musicid=373

Next there is a fine version by Eric Prust, the maker of the banjo I play the tune on above: http://www.banjohangout.org/myhango...usicid=10659

Finally, “Speed the Plow,” or David Sorensen, plays the tune as part of a medley with “Polly Put the Kettle On:” http://www.banjohangout.org/myhango...usicid=10539

Beyond the BHO jukebox, Dwight Diller has recorded “John Lover’s” on one of his earlier cd’s, “Hold On.” Dan Levenson plays the tune on his “Traveling Home” CD. Jeannie Murphy and Scott Marckx do a banjo/fiddle version, medleyed with “Going Across the Sea” on their CD entitled “The Time’s Been Sweet.” If you have other versions on record/cd, I’d love to know about them.

As mentioned, Burke and Levenson have tabs available in their books, and there is evidence that a tab was published in the Banjo Newsletter back in the day (1982). Bart Veermann has also tabbed out a version with several variations: http://www.haruteq.com/johnlovr.pdf

I also have written a tab for it, but it’s a pretty simple tab I have used mainly to teach from. If anyone wants it, I can scan it and add it to these.

Hope you enjoy the tune, and cheers, Ted.


Handsup8

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Edited by - handsup8 on 02/19/2009 21:16:09

rteale - Posted - 02/19/2009:  22:33:46

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quote:

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Originally posted by handsup8


Working on it by ear, and finding tab in John Burke’s book and Dan Levenson’s “Festival Tunes” book, I got it back to the following version (played on a fretless Eric Prust tackhead banjo):

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I just love this on the Tackhead. I think of all the banjos I've heard recently the Tackhead is my favourite, and you play it very well. I wish I could get one from Eric but the postage to Australia would be too much. Ah well.

Ray

BrendanD - Posted - 02/20/2009:  03:48:58

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quote:

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Originally posted by handsup8

...
I did not play it for a good long time until a new job with a long commute led me to dig out my cassette tapes again, and I put in the great Wade Ward recording, "Uncle Wade - A Memorial to Wade Ward: Old Time Virginia Banjo Picker, 1892-1971." Wade Ward and a fiddler unknown to me since all I have is the blank cassette (his nephew, Fields Ward?) play a great version of the tune, and I resolved to retrieve it.

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I just dug out my old vinyl copy of that album (Folkways 2380, which should still be available on CD format from Smithsonian Folkways.) The fiddler, as I had remembered, is Glen Smith. (Not the Glen Smith from West Virginia, though he was also originally from the Galax/Independence, VA area.) Great stuff, and the whole album is a treasure!

quote:

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If you have other versions on record/cd, I’d love to know about them.

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Emmett Lundy recorded a version of the tune, entitled "Poor Little Johnny's Gone to the War" for Alan and/or Elizabeth Lomax in (I think) about 1939. Many other musicians in the southwestern Virginia area (e.g., Norman Edmonds and J.P. Nestor, Taylor Kimble, Kahle Brewer, Babe Spangler) played versions of the tune, with many variants on the name:

John Lover's Gone
John Lover
Johnny Lover
John My Lover
John the Lover
John's Lover is Gone
Johnny Lover's Gone
Johnny Has Gone to War
Poor Johnny's Gone To War
Poor Johnny's Gone to the War
Poor Little Johnny's Gone to the War
Poor Little Johnny Has Gone to the War


Brendan

"Many thing un-understandable a chicken-hearted seems slim usually."
- from a Japanese shopping bag (printed in English)

handsup8 - Posted - 02/20/2009:  06:25:21

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Thanks Ray, I appreciate the feedback on my version and I also love the sound of the Tackhead.

Brendan, I appreciate learning who the fiddler was on that. Does he do all the fiddling on that record? I agree, it is a gem. Fine tunes and also great conversation with Mr. Ward's niece which are interwoven with the tunes.

I suppose I should have mentioned that it is played out of the "Double C/D" tuning. On the Tackhead I have lowered it a step and one half to "Double A."

Handsup8

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Edited by - handsup8 on 02/20/2009 07:58:46

slabounty - Posted - 02/20/2009:  07:37:25

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Handsup8, Thanks for all of the information. I for one would love it if you'd scan your simple version (about the best I can hope to play) and put it up for us.


Scott LaBounty
Orange, CA

slabounty - Posted - 02/20/2009:  07:44:08

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I should have listened to your tackhead version before commenting. That's really nice. Great work there.


Scott LaBounty
Orange, CA

J-Walk - Posted - 02/20/2009:  07:54:01

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Good Tune, Ted. You asked for other recordings...

The Hollow Rock String Band recorded it as "Johnny Lover's Gone." Also, the Iron Mountain String Band, on their "Walkin' in the Parlor" CD.

There's also a solo banjo recording version by Justin Broadbent, available here.

handsup8 - Posted - 02/20/2009:  07:57:53

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Thanks for those other versions, J-Walk, I'll look for them. Cheers,

Handsup8

BrendanD - Posted - 02/20/2009:  12:13:42

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quote:

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Originally posted by handsup8

Brendan, I appreciate learning who the fiddler was on that. Does he do all the fiddling on that record?

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No, Wade fiddles some on the record, too. One of my favorite pieces on the record is Wade's beautiful fiddling of "Lone Prairie".

You can download a .PDF file of a scan of the cover and the complete notes at:
http://media.smithsonianfolkways.or.../FW02380.pdf

Also, you can listen to samples from the record and buy the recording as either individual tracks or a complete downlod ($9.99), or buy it as a custom CD ($16.98) or cassette tape ($7.98) at:
http://www.smithsonianfolkways.org/...x?itemid=224

Brendan

"Many thing un-understandable a chicken-hearted seems slim usually."
- from a Japanese shopping bag (printed in English)

handsup8 - Posted - 02/20/2009:  12:20:17

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THANKS Brendan. Having those notes is wonderful, and helps me squeeze even more juice out of this great record! Ted

Handsup8

Paul Roberts - Posted - 02/20/2009:  15:52:33

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Ted, as your rendition drifted out to me while I was on my front porch I was getting the sense that this tune goes way back to Renaissance times or before, like a Morris Dance or something.

cheers,
PauL

http://banjocrazy.com Banjo Stories, Gold Tones and More
http://elationarts.org Adam Hurt concert April 20th
http://speaktopaul.com/ Consultations with a Compassionate Listener

Bill - Posted - 02/20/2009:  16:25:09

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For what it's worth. Here's a version I caught from Dave Bing last summer.

http://home.comcast.net/~ny3m//musi...versGone.mp3

Similar to Dan Levenson's

Bill

handsup8 - Posted - 02/21/2009:  06:40:09

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Hey BIll, thanks for sharing that version. I particularly like the slight shifts in tempo which make its loping feel jump and shimmer. Nice.

Paul, I don't know much about the tunes which are part of the Morris Dance tradition and have roots that deep. I'll have to check that out with my friend RD Eno who is a Morris Dancer, button accordionist, banjoman and (not very active) BHO-er from up here in VT.

Thanks, Ted

Handsup8

handsup8 - Posted - 02/21/2009:  10:12:08

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Scott, I'm going to try to scan that tab and post it for you today. I am NOT a tech guy so we'll see what I manage. Ted

Handsup8

drybones - Posted - 02/22/2009:  05:37:30

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I've enjoyed some of the great versions of this song posted here. Also, the variations on the song title add to my understanding.
I posted a version of this on youtube last week, as chance would have it. Please check it out, if you get a chance.
drybones
near Saratoga Springs, NY

handsup8 - Posted - 02/22/2009:  06:02:17

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Here is a link to Drybones' version. Well done! An actual lefty or a trick of the camera? Ted

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cLZa8WJnMXA

Handsup8

handsup8 - Posted - 02/22/2009:  08:05:50

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John Lover's Gone tab

Scott had asked for a tab, so I put one up on my "Photos" of the homepage. I (and my high tech wife) could not figure out how to actually post a picture so you have to follow the above link. Ted

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Edited by - handsup8 on 02/22/2009 08:30:10

John D - Posted - 02/22/2009:  10:06:45

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Here's another version of J.L.G.:

http://www.banjohangout.org/myhango...usicid=12030

John D

slabounty - Posted - 02/22/2009:  10:44:56

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Handsup8, Thanks, I took a quick look and it looks like it's within my reach. I'll have to download and give it a shot.

Thanks again!


Scott LaBounty
Orange, CA

handsup8 - Posted - 02/22/2009:  11:20:08

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You're welcome, Scott. I hope it's legible!

John D., that's a great version. I particularly like your "low end" on the "B" section. You integrate the beginnings of a nice walk-up a la Spotted Pony in a very cool way. I might have to "folk process" that into my version! Thanks for recording and sharing with this thread. Ted

Handsup8

vrteach - Posted - 02/23/2009:  07:13:44

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Nice job on the tune, one of those well known ones that I've not played. Great background info, too.

Erich -- There''s always room for cello..

http://vrteach.org/banjo/
http://prairiegrapevine.org/
U of Illinois-Springfield Old Time Music

slabounty - Posted - 02/23/2009:  08:45:32

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Handsup8, I just printed it out and will give 'er a shot tonight. It turned out fine as far as readability goes.


Scott LaBounty
Orange, CA

banjo_brad - Posted - 02/23/2009:  12:12:42

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That's one I need to learn.

Here's a banjo version by my brother, from Wade Ward:

http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/1040/#

Aughhh! This takes you to his page, click on the "songs" tab and it's the third one down. Daniel played in "The Round Town Boys" with the Bluesteins during the 70's.


Brad
------------------
www.PricklyPearMusic.net
http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/5/ My ezFolk page
http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/3371/ Tucson Old Time Music Circle page on ezFolk
http://www.totmc.org Tucson Old Time Music Circle Homepage

tom clunie - Posted - 02/23/2009:  12:48:28

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Enjoyable presentations! I liked the tone of the banjo by Drybones - anyone know what type of banjo that was? Cheers! TC

handsup8 - Posted - 02/23/2009:  12:55:11

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Banjo Brad, I love your brother's version. In fact, he uses the "Uncle Wade" abbreviated "A" section I discussed above all the way throughout the tune. I use both the "crooked" A and the "straight" A in my version. Thanks for sharing this with the thread.

Hard to tell about Drybones's banjo, although I'd hazard that it looks like a Bart Reiter standard from the headstock. Drybones, you out there? Ted

Handsup8

handsup8 - Posted - 02/23/2009:  12:56:30

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Actually, I just went to "Drybones" homepage and he does list a Reiter special as his five-string banjo. T

Handsup8

tom clunie - Posted - 02/23/2009:  19:02:34

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Reiter. Interesting. I thought it was a Reiter (Star). I have always found the Reiters too bright and tinny. One more time I eat my words. Set up. Set up. Set up. Thanks.TC

Bart Veerman - Posted - 02/25/2009:  07:28:53

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quote:

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Originally posted by handsup8

Bart Veerman has also tabbed out a version with several variations: http://www.haruteq.com/johnlovr.pdf

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I "constructed" this tab so it can be played as written: play part A & repeat, plus part B and repeat (A A B B). The funky thing here is that instead of repeating both parts:
pick an A part, any A part, pick ANOTHER A part, any A part.
pick a B part, any B part, and pick ANOTHER B part, any B part.

It took a bit of doing to put the tab together like this but all possible "A A B B" combinations make for a lot of fun without sounding the same all the time. It'll also give you an idea of other approaches to take within the same tune.

Wade Ward playing a different number of bars for each part, he does that in other tunes as well, used to drive me nuts. I'm sure he didn't do that on purpose - my guess is his counting skills simply weren't anywheres near his superb playing skills

Bart Veerman, Bridge Maker
"may your moments of need be met by moments of compassion"
free clawhammer and three finger tabs
royalty free original banjo tunes

handsup8 - Posted - 02/25/2009:  07:59:15

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Hi Bart, thanks for your contribution to this thread and tips for best ways to use your fine "construction." Your tab is a fine model for ways to incorporate variations into old-time tunes.

I agree that Wade Ward is pretty "flexible" in his counting, as were many of the old-time players, especially when playing solo. However, the version on "Uncle Wade" is pretty structured in terms of the variation I described in the original post. This suggests to me that it was a more worked out arrangement rather than mis-counting or just improv.

However, this opens another question (for another post perhaps?): how often do variations in structure occur on the fly in banjo-fiddle tunes, and how do the players seem to do it so seamlessly? Is the banjo player always a bit behind the fiddler and prepared to follow his/her lead at the juncture point when "sections" are coming to a close? I have heard that this is part of the "etiquette" of old-time banjo-fiddle duets: the fiddler leads and can change the structure to suit their whim and the banjo player best be ready to hear that change and follow suit on the fly! Ted

Handsup8

derwood400 - Posted - 02/25/2009:  17:17:29

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This tune has been hiding in my Old-Time Festival Tunes book since I got it about a year ago, but I had never really discovered it. Thanks for bringing it to the tuna da week! It has now become one of those tunes that I just have to play every time I sit with the 'jo. I made a recording of it partly because I like playing it so much now, and also because I wanted to hear how my recently acquired Enoch Tradesman sounds on a recording. I really like this tune of the week thing that you guys have going on. It has intrduced me to quite a few songs that are now part of my "must-learn" and "must-play" lists.

Once again, thanks, and kind regards
Darren

derwood400 - Posted - 02/25/2009:  17:19:19

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This tune has been hiding in my Old-Time Festival Tunes book since I got it about a year ago, but I had never really discovered it. Thanks for bringing it to the tuna da week! It has now become one of those tunes that I just have to play every time I sit with the 'jo. I made a recording of it partly because I like playing it so much now, and also because I wanted to hear how my recently acquired Enoch Tradesman sounds on a recording. I really like this tune of the week thing that you guys have going on. It has intrduced me to quite a few songs that are now part of my "must-learn" and "must-play" lists.

Once again, thanks, and kind regards
Darren

oops, don't know why it posted twice

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Edited by - derwood400 on 02/25/2009 17:20:35