maryzcox - Posted - 02/15/2012:  12:34:51

Hello Banjoists,

Going to put this up a little early--because I will be out of town on the 17th.  Which is also why, I taped a quick and easy banjo version of it already to have it up in time. :)

Shenandoah is thought to be the oldest truly American folk tune. There are many older folk tunes--but--they crossed the ocean from the old world and Shenandoah originated in early America. :)

I've always loved this tune, but have never recorded it--although nearly everyone in the universe has--from Paul Roberson and Pete Seeger to Bob Dylan--even Tony Rice recorded a lovely acoustic guitar version. :)

My current favorite versions are the old Statler Brother version and Suzy Bogguss's version in American Folk Song.

Shenandoah has been through many changes and variations over hundreds of years--and the words change--depending on what genre sings or plays it.

Here is what Wikipedia has to say about it :

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oh_Shenandoah

Here's the informal youtube I put up playing a quick, by ear, version on my John Hartford banjo.

youtu.be/FcqEYqsNiL4

Here's a Youtube of a banjoist (they don't give his name) giving a tutorial of playing it on the banjo) Each time around he speeds it up till he is finally playing it fast enough for really peppy dancers at an old time dance. :)

youtu.be/vzSQTVgA7Ik

Here's Tony Trischka playing it bluegrass style on a cello banjo :)

youtu.be/w6_kURqf-wg

And here's a mystery one--not sure of the country of origin--it looks like spanish in the text? But the banjoists seem to be Asian, and there is a big Dixie flag in the background and the banjo style is an interesting fusion.

youtu.be/ri5OCHTq-o4

I'm sure that folks following TOTW will be able to post many other interesting and diverse versions. :)

I took the simplest words in to my vocal teacher for my lesson today and will probably be working on it with her for the rest of the month. She is from a rock background and had never heard it before--but her first comment was "what a beautiful song--lets work on that one! "

Hope you enjoy this tune as much as I have researching it and beginning to play it. :)

Best wishes,

Mary Z Cox

maryzcox.com

Edited by - Lynne on 02/15/2012 17:11:12

bodhi47 - Posted - 02/15/2012:  14:37:24

Richard Peek is the unnamed banjo instructor.

hektic - Posted - 02/15/2012:  17:14:59

Thanks for posting, great song!

Here's one of my favorite versions of this song by "Trampled by Turtles"

youtube.com/watch?v=4odYfA3k1k0

Its not very old timey, but pretty sweet non-the-less, great instrumentals.

Edited by - hektic on 02/15/2012 17:17:17

mulepacker - Posted - 02/15/2012:  17:48:46

Yea...awesome song...but by Golly those Trampled Turtles...well blew me away. wow

banjoy - Posted - 02/16/2012:  04:31:21

Bumping the topic.

Marc Nerenberg - Posted - 02/16/2012:  09:21:59

Gotta agree with the thumbs up to the "Trampled by Turtles" version. Never heard of them before - there's always something to learn about here on the Hangout.

Terrific choice of song, Mary.

Edited by - Marc Nerenberg on 02/16/2012 09:24:29

Bisbonian - Posted - 02/16/2012:  18:21:54

I agree...both with the choice, and the Trampled version.  Sounds completely different than what I was expecting.  Very easy on the ears.

hektic - Posted - 02/17/2012:  15:11:18

I'm trying to figure out my own version based on the TBT song this is the "chords" i've found online. They dont seem right.

          G               C       G
Oh, Shenandoah, I long to hear you
      C                G
Look away, you rollin' river
          C    D  G                (HOLD G)  G  G/B (WALK DOWN)  
Oh, Shenandoah, I long to hear you
      Em                G
Look away. We're bound away
           C          G
Across the wide Missouri

The way I'm hearing it is:

I, IV repeted , then I,V, IV holding the V longer

then the Em, then I, V, I (no IV)

I'm still pretty much a beginner, but i'd like to think my ear is getting a bit better, please point out any errors, thanks!

Edited by - hektic on 02/17/2012 15:15:53

hektic - Posted - 02/17/2012:  15:30:00

dang them 15 min edits, I mean

I, IV repeated , then I,V, I holding the V longer

then the Em, then I, V, I (no IV)

Bob Cox - Posted - 02/19/2012:  17:14:50

quote:

---

Originally posted by maryzcox

 

Hello Banjoists,

Going to put this up a little early--because I will be out of town on the 17th.  Which is also why, I taped a quick and easy banjo version of it already to have it up in time. :)

Shenandoah is thought to be the oldest truly American folk tune. There are many older folk tunes--but--they crossed the ocean from the old world and Shenandoah originated in early America. :)

I've always loved this tune, but have never recorded it--although nearly everyone in the universe has--from Paul Roberson and Pete Seeger to Bob Dylan--even Tony Rice recorded a lovely acoustic guitar version. :)

My current favorite versions are the old Statler Brother version and Suzy Bogguss's version in American Folk Song.

Shenandoah has been through many changes and variations over hundreds of years--and the words change--depending on what genre sings or plays it.

Here is what Wikipedia has to say about it :

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oh_Shenandoah

Here's the informal youtube I put up playing a quick, by ear, version on my John Hartford banjo.

youtu.be/FcqEYqsNiL4

Here's a Youtube of a banjoist (they don't give his name) giving a tutorial of playing it on the banjo) Each time around he speeds it up till he is finally playing it fast enough for really peppy dancers at an old time dance. :)

youtu.be/vzSQTVgA7Ik

Here's Tony Trischka playing it bluegrass style on a cello banjo :)

youtu.be/w6_kURqf-wg

And here's a mystery one--not sure of the country of origin--it looks like spanish in the text? But the banjoists seem to be Asian, and there is a big Dixie flag in the background and the banjo style is an interesting fusion.

youtu.be/ri5OCHTq-o4

I'm sure that folks following TOTW will be able to post many other interesting and diverse versions. :)

I took the simplest words in to my vocal teacher for my lesson today and will probably be working on it with her for the rest of the month. She is from a rock background and had never heard it before--but her first comment was "what a beautiful song--lets work on that one! "

Hope you enjoy this tune as much as I have researching it and beginning to play it. :)

Best wishes,

Mary Z Cox

maryzcox.com

 

 

---

Bob Cox - Posted - 02/19/2012:  17:18:17

quote:

---

This post started in part because we were shocked that our vocal teacher, with a degree in voice from a major music school, had never heard of the song! So Mary posted it on several forums to make sure it was not disappearing from our collective memory.

Hello Banjoists,

Going to put this up a little early--because I will be out of town on the 17th.  Which is also why, I taped a quick and easy banjo version of it already to have it up in time. :)

Shenandoah is thought to be the oldest truly American folk tune. There are many older folk tunes--but--they crossed the ocean from the old world and Shenandoah originated in early America. :)

I've always loved this tune, but have never recorded it--although nearly everyone in the universe has--from Paul Roberson and Pete Seeger to Bob Dylan--even Tony Rice recorded a lovely acoustic guitar version. :)

My current favorite versions are the old Statler Brother version and Suzy Bogguss's version in American Folk Song.

Shenandoah has been through many changes and variations over hundreds of years--and the words change--depending on what genre sings or plays it.

Here is what Wikipedia has to say about it :

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oh_Shenandoah

Here's the informal youtube I put up playing a quick, by ear, version on my John Hartford banjo.

youtu.be/FcqEYqsNiL4

Here's a Youtube of a banjoist (they don't give his name) giving a tutorial of playing it on the banjo) Each time around he speeds it up till he is finally playing it fast enough for really peppy dancers at an old time dance. :)

youtu.be/vzSQTVgA7Ik

Here's Tony Trischka playing it bluegrass style on a cello banjo :)

youtu.be/w6_kURqf-wg

And here's a mystery one--not sure of the country of origin--it looks like spanish in the text? But the banjoists seem to be Asian, and there is a big Dixie flag in the background and the banjo style is an interesting fusion.

youtu.be/ri5OCHTq-o4

I'm sure that folks following TOTW will be able to post many other interesting and diverse versions. :)

I took the simplest words in to my vocal teacher for my lesson today and will probably be working on it with her for the rest of the month. She is from a rock background and had never heard it before--but her first comment was "what a beautiful song--lets work on that one! "

Hope you enjoy this tune as much as I have researching it and beginning to play it. :)

Best wishes,

Mary Z Cox

maryzcox.com

 

 

---

JanetB - Posted - 03/10/2012:  18:02:42

Thanks again, Mary, for posting this.  It's been a favorite since I learned it in childhood from my folk guitar teacher.  I finally got around to recording it, though I linked it to another song that came to mind.  I know it's no longer a current TOTW, but oh well......

Shenendoah/Bury Me Not on the Lone Prairie