JanetB - Posted - 07/09/2015:  21:20:25

It's nice to get another version -- a slower, emotive Little Lisa Jane from Baltimore.  You're the first to share a #3, with lyrics similarly heard in Stringbean's performance.  Here Liza Jane is happy with her beau, compared to Leadbelly's description of her running off with a Mr. Brown.   

All in all, as this week's Tune of the Week is ending, I'm amazed and grateful at the response in this thread and at the depth of musicality in "The Liza Jane Chronicles" (credit to oldwoodchuck).  Banjo Hangout is a fun place to hang out.  Thanks everybody!

Paul Meredith - Posted - 07/19/2015:  13:04:04

Great pick Janet, you've put together a wonderful compilation of the various Liza tunes!  Here is another version of #9, I first learned it bluegrass style from a Don Reno recording.  Until a couple years ago, I knew of only this tune and the song Charlie Poole recorded.  A jam session at the 2013 Centralia Campout set me straight, and now I know there are even more versions.

Goodbye Liza Jane

darylcrisp - Posted - 07/19/2015:  15:49:48

this is great Janet-thanks so much for doing all this and posting!

d

JanetB - Posted - 07/19/2015:  18:02:50

Thanks for adding another fine and unique minstrel banjo version of #9 Goodbye Liza Jane, Paul.  Your ending certainly has a gentle flair.

It's my pleasure to do a TOTW, Daryl.  It's like going on a treasure hunt with unexpected and glorious finds!  You might consider trying one.

BTuno - Posted - 07/23/2015:  20:39:23

Great post Janet, what an effort!   Nice to see / hear each version. 

blockader - Posted - 09/09/2015:  08:12:59

Heres my band playing this tune at a show recently. My fiddle version is based mainly on J.P. Fraley.

VIDEO: Little Liza Jane (click to view)

OldPappy - Posted - 09/09/2015:  10:00:47

I like the Carter Brother's version Carlb posted. It is different, and really interesting. It is sort of like Liza Jane met up with the Sandy Boys.

The tune has a special place in my heart, as it was the very first tune I ever learned on a banjo, and remains the tune I usually play first when I pick one up.

When I first went up for a Dwight Diller banjo camp, I discovered that the version I played, was very close to the one Diller plays.

Up until that point I thought of it as a "simple tune", and never realized just how much depth a tune like that could have until Dwight (on Fiddle) played it with his son Caleb playing the banjo. They had that family harmony thing going on, and it was such a pretty rendition of the tune it brought tears to my eyes. I said it was the wind brought them there.

mtmncobb - Posted - 09/09/2015:  10:29:46

Very nice!

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Originally posted by blockader

 

Heres my band playing this tune at a show recently. My fiddle version is based mainly on J.P. Fraley.

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BobTheGambler - Posted - 09/09/2015:  11:41:03

Going a little further afield:

Jay K - Posted - 09/09/2015:  15:12:18

Thanks for such a detailed write up, fascinating. And glad to have s tune of the week I can already play and build on!