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mojo_monk - Posted - 12/03/2015: 21:33:08
This week's post is that ever-relevant, much recorded song Wild Bill Jones. How has this not been done for TOTW yet!?!?
On to the write up...
Wild Bill Jones was first recorded by Eva Davis (greatest version?) back in 1924 and since then has become one of the most popular songs in the Bluegrass and traditional Old Time repertoire. The earliest occurrence of the song is way back in 1916 at which time it was collected by Cecil Sharp from a woman named Miss Viney Norton (Big Laurel, NC). Other than that absolutely nothing is known about the origins of the lyrics and it appears to be one of those strange songs that just...is.
From what I can tell, the prevailing version among pickers these days is based on the version played by Wade Mainer's Mountaineers and the Stanley Brothers. While great indeed, I much prefer the versions done by folks like:
Granville Bowlin
Frank Proffitt
Virgil Anderson
Clyde Troxell
Dock Boggs
Lily Mae Ledford
Fred Cockerham (banjo) (fiddle)
The tab for this post is based loosely on the playing of Dock Boggs, and is in the two finger thumb-lead style. Although Dock played it three-finger in open G tuning (gDGBD) I pick it out of fDGCD. If you've never played 2 finger thumb lead, give it a go. The mp3 is really slow for learning purposes. Watch the syncopation in the B part.
Either way, hopefully the above examples provide enough inspirational fodder for you folks to put something together; clawhammer or otherwise.
-Sean
Edited by - mojo_monk on 12/03/2015 21:37:44
banjukebox - Posted - 12/03/2015: 22:38:27
Great post, Sean. and thanks for all the links to the versions above. After listening to the examples you posted, my favorite is still a more contemporary version.
Here's a link:
youtube.com/watch?v=GZCuPVwhLM0
UncleClawhammer - Posted - 12/03/2015: 23:11:57
One of my favorites, and I play distinctly different versions. The first time I ever heard the song was from Lonesome Will Mullins at a bluegrass festival in Summersville, WV, but later I learned the Dock Boggs version, the only one I have a recording of. One of my favorites!
The recording is old, so please be kind.
RG - Posted - 12/03/2015: 23:59:43
Love playing this tune similar to Clyde Troxell, 2 finger index lead in fBbFBbD...awesome banjer tune/song!
Don Huber - Posted - 12/04/2015: 00:56:49
This song has always been fascinating to me in how it has been presented variously as minor, modal, major, and bluesey. I've always liked Mr. Bowlin's version and Uncle Clawhammer's performance is stunning.
five - Posted - 12/04/2015: 03:28:57
Don't know if I can link someones elses video but have a listen to our very own LNP's version. Done most correctly! Still my favorite.
stevel - Posted - 12/04/2015: 05:31:44
quote:
Originally posted by UncleClawhammer
One of my favorites, and I play distinctly different versions. The first time I ever heard the song was from Lonesome Will Mullins at a bluegrass festival in Summersville, WV, but later I learned the Dock Boggs version, the only one I have a recording of. One of my favorites!
The recording is old, so please be kind.
very dock boggs-esque. great job matthew!
BobTheGambler - Posted - 12/04/2015: 05:44:40
I also have recordings of this song by Retta Spradlin and Banjo Bill Cornett but neither seem to be on youtube.
vrteach - Posted - 12/04/2015: 07:53:53
It's a fun song, and one of the few that I do in 2-finger-thumb-lead. Back in 2006 I did a recording with a too-quiet vocal. Never moved it to BHO, so here it is off my site.
vrteach.org/content/wild-bill-jones
blockader - Posted - 12/04/2015: 08:13:32
Also one of my favorite songs, good pick! I love the diversity of versions, both old and new. Heres mine from about 4 years ago:
UncleClawhammer - Posted - 12/04/2015: 09:33:37
Here is Lonesome Will Mullins doing it, minus his guitar. Will is also a good clawhammer banjo player. The first time I heard the song I didn't understand the words and thought it was "pass around the LONELY bottle."
Anytime I sing this song for my roommates, one always comments on the line, "I destroyed that poor boy's soul." "He had a revolver that could destroy not only the body but the soul? Woah."
The song is usually done out of regular G or sawmill tuning, but it also fits well in open D. I think that's the way Mike Seeger played it on one of his solo albums. The version of the song in the New Lost City Ramblers songbook is a composite from a version by Mainer's Mountaineers and the version sung by the Stanley Bros. on their Songs They Like the Best album.
LNP - Posted - 12/04/2015: 10:36:19
Here is a couple of my versions one is two finger thumb lead and the second one is three finger without picks. The two finger version is on my homebuilt fretless and the other is on fretless Buckbee.Thanks to hangout member "five" for mentioning my version. I would like to add that Sean's website "thumb lead banjer" is a great place to go to learn two finger banjo. Larry
Edited by - LNP on 12/04/2015 10:38:09
mworden - Posted - 12/04/2015: 10:44:48
The Macrae Sisters do a really nice upbeat version on their album Old Sledge. youtube.com/watch?v=RPoiXZqQaU4
A really excellent old-timey 2-finger (I think) banjo version was recorded by Kentucky player Dora Mae Wagers. It's on the album "Old Time Kentucky Banjo" but you can hear it on Anna Roberts-Gevalt's page here as the first sound file: annarobertsgevalt.com/Tags/Dora_Mae_Wagers
mojo_monk - Posted - 12/04/2015: 12:00:41
Lots of great links and picking, folks. I've always been amazed that a song cataloged with such a WIDE variety of interpretation has no real trace of origin. The lyrics are really powerful - even when read - and lay out a scenario that could happen on the streets of any major city, just as much as they could've on some dirt road in the 1800s. This isn't another chicken song or "period piece" - it's timeless. I reckon that adds to the appeal. Here'r the lyrics for those who've never read them. Stanley Brothers version:
As I went down for to take a little walk
I came upon that Wild Bill Jones
He was a walking and a talking by my true lover's side
And I bid him to leave her alone
He said my age is twenty-one
Too old to be controlled
I pulled my revolver from my side
And I destroyed that poor boy's soul
He reeled and he staggered, and he fell to the ground
And then he gave one dying moan
He wrapped his arms around my little girl's neck
Saying honey won't you take me home
So put them handcuffs on me boys
And lead me to that freight car gate
I have no friends or relations there
No-one for to go my bail
So pass around that old long necked bottle
And we'll all go on a spree
For today was the last of that Wild Bill Jones
And tomorrow will be the last of me
They sent me to prison for twenty long years
This poor boy longs to be free
But Wild Bill Jones and that long-necked bottle
Have been the ruin of me
Pretty intense.
-Sean
PS. Thanks to LNP for the plug for my much neglected website, Thumb-Lead Banjer. One of these days I'll get my act together and start posting again...
zac987 - Posted - 12/04/2015: 13:24:13
Here's my take. Sourced mostly from mojo monk, Dock Boggs, and the way my brain bastardizes tunes. I love this salad bowl banjo.
Edited by - zac987 on 12/04/2015 13:24:41
UncleClawhammer - Posted - 12/04/2015: 13:31:47
Great job, Zac. You don't sing?
ramblin - Posted - 12/04/2015: 14:42:38
That sounds great, Zac! I totally agree with Matthew - it begs for a voice.
Love yours, both Matthew and Larry - lovely playing!
I'm crazy about Granville Bowlin's - I even got a comment from his granddaughter... how cool is that?
youtu.be/LjNDSzFfMfo
banjo bill-e - Posted - 12/04/2015: 16:58:36
I really enjoyed every single version posted!
Don Huber - Posted - 12/04/2015: 22:22:28
I like songs that are about making bad choices.
Paul R - Posted - 12/05/2015: 00:05:51
I first heard it (if memory serves) on one of the Highwoods albums (sadly, gone in our move from Toronto) - my introduction to OT.
Pharis and Jason Romero have a YouTube video (actually, three). youtube.com/watch?v=GZCuPVwhLM0
Thanks for this thread, Sean.
Edited to add: Found this comment from Pharis: Whoa, thanks again for all the kind comments! Yes, the guitar is in standard tuning, capoed at the 4th fret so I'm playing in the key of B, out of the G root position. The banjo is in an open B tuning, because Jason loves to sing that song in the key of B and wanted to find a low tuning that worked in that key. The banjo is tuned to f# B F# B D#.
Edited by - Paul R on 12/05/2015 00:18:34
Couchie - Posted - 12/05/2015: 05:55:57
Although I've played this tune countless times, I don't think I've ever recorded it. Lilly Mae Ledford is my inspiration for this tune. I'll never get her version out of my head. It's what old time music is all about imho.
Don.
JanetB - Posted - 12/05/2015: 09:31:35
This is a TOTW that touches many pickers -- good choice, Sean, with so many good examples. I liked your Dock Boggs' tab and playing, and transferred much of it to clawhammer while listening to the Dock Boggs recording.
zac987 - Posted - 12/05/2015: 13:31:38
quote:
Originally posted by UncleClawhammer
Great job, Zac. You don't sing?
Not well! I'm working on it, haha.
mpianalto - Posted - 12/05/2015: 16:28:15
Here's George Gibson doing it in G: youtu.be/Mug2h-vKjTo. I'm a big fan of the bends he does on this one. But I'm also intrigued to try it in fDGCD, so that I have another tune to play in that tuning!
Don Huber - Posted - 12/06/2015: 18:43:39
"...a scenario that could take place on the streets of any major city..." - Sean
The summer before last, my little string band was booked in to play at the farmers market of a certain suburb in STL County that is now a household name. However, one fine morning, two weeks prior to our booking date, a modern Wild Bill Jones made some very "bad decisions".
The song Stagger Lee also, allegedly, originated from a true incident in STL. Perhaps the violent city 50 miles to the east of where I reside will, some day, provide us with a modern soul-destroying folk song. I sure hope the melody is as good and banjo-friendly as Wild Bill Jones.
Joe Newberry - Posted - 12/07/2015: 17:00:40
Here is a version of Wild Bill Jones by my old band Big Medicine (Kenny Jackson, Jim Collier, LaNelle Davis, and myself - and later with Bobb Head).
banjo bill-e - Posted - 12/07/2015: 17:09:42
That one smokes, Joe!
Mark Johnson - Posted - 12/08/2015: 07:19:09
I'm blown away by the simple fact that, after 7 years, there are still songs like this that haven't been done as a TOTW. It is such a standard/classic tune, done so many times, and we hadn't gotten around to chatting about it? Amazing.
Lots of great version here, both old and new. In addition to being amazed that such an obvious tune hadn't been TOTW'ed yet, I'm equally blown away by all the unique approaches and amazing talent of the Hangout folks. You guys are awesome.
I'll be spending tonight working on Clyde Troxell's version. So lovely.
OldPappy - Posted - 12/08/2015: 10:19:00
I have always liked this one, and there are several really good examples posted above.
Hard to pick a favorite, but that "Big Medicine" version I just listened to is right up there at the top of the list.
Dwight Diller's version, which Lew Stern posted, was the first version of this song I ever heard, and it is one of the best too.
Are any of the recordings made by "Big Medicine" still available?
RG - Posted - 12/08/2015: 11:02:15
A longtime favorite, here's a quick recording of how I like to play it using Clyde Troxel's tuning of fBbFBbD...Mr. Troxell plays it in index lead, but I've adapted it to thumb lead...do check out Mr. Troxel's version as well as Virgil Anderson's...really amazing stuff!
