banjukebox - Posted - 02/24/2017:  00:30:11

Time for a new Waltz!

This week’s tune is the Madison County Waltz written by Erynn Marshall . She has been very gracious in allowing me to present this great tune. She also was kind enough to provide some background information.

Erynn Marshall is an old-time fiddler who resides in Galax, Virginia. She has played for over 30 years, performed and taught at many music camps & other venues in the US, Canada and England. She won 1st place in fiddle at "Clifftop." She has recorded 6 CDs: Sweet Memories Never Leave (with Carl Jones), Tune Tramp, Calico, Meet Me in the Music, Shout Monah (Haints) and Greasy Creek.   

You can listen to the tune here:  youtube.com/watch?v=MvcwoZmcqgI

Here's the background:

“I wrote Madison County Waltz for all the friends I made during the spring I spent in Madison County, Kentucky after I was awarded an  Appalachian Fellowship Award to research eastern Kentucky fiddle music in Berea College's sound archives in 2006. I was there for three months and the locals were so warm and kind I felt really welcomed into the fold. This tune is a little thank you to all of them with a little wistfulness thrown in for my departure. I still enjoy every trip back to Kentucky and I often teach fiddle at the Cowan Creek Mountain Music School near Whitesburg, Kentucky. I recorded Madison County Waltz on an album of mostly Kentucky tunes called Meet Me In The Music with banjoist Chris Coole. Another good friend and pickin' buddy, Arnie Naiman from Ontario, played guitar on Madison County Waltz. The album is available from dittyville.com “     

I wanted the tab to give an accurate banjo interpretation of the fiddle notes and was happy to get feedback from Erynn and Carl. Carl essentially reconstructed the  B part for me.

Here's the final result: (with this side-note from Erynn:

"Technically speaking Madison County has an AABB structure. The B part is just very short. It does repeat with 1st and 2nd endings. No matter though. I don't mind if you list it that way as it will sound the same.")

banjohangout.org/tab/browse.as...p;v=22395

For you fiddle players, Here's a link to the sheet music:

mne.psu.edu/lamancusa/tunes/ma...ounty.pdf

You can also find links to an MP3 and Video for Banjo below

Madison County Waltz (Erynn Marshall)

Madison County Waltz

VIDEO: MADISON COUNTY WALTZ (click to view)

dbrooks - Posted - 02/24/2017:  03:49:46

Thank you for this choice. I am a huge fan of Erynn Marshall and love playing waltzes on the banjo. It will be a fun weekend.

David

Winged Words - Posted - 02/24/2017:  09:10:12

I didn't know Erynn Marshall (I lead a sheltered life) until I watched Craig Evans' interview with her recently on Vol 5 of his "Conversations" dvd series. I'd ordered a couple of her CDs before the interview had finished, so this TOTW is very welcome. Thanks Pat (and Erynn and Craig.)

hweinberg - Posted - 02/24/2017:  13:45:18

A lovely waltz and +1 for Craig's interview with Erynn and Carl,

JanetB - Posted - 02/25/2017:  11:30:34

Your recording and tab are outstandingly pleasing, Pat.  

I second the kudos for frailin' Craig Evan's interviews of Erynn and Carl on his newest DVD.  That's a way to get to know them a little bit, as I've listened to their music a lot.  Erynn's book, Music in the Air Somewhere, is an enlightening collection of her experiences and interviews of West Virginia music and musicians, complete with a CD. She's a gem in our old-time circle!

To challenge myself I attempted a 2-finger arrangement on cello banjo.  The tuning is comparable to a double C and comes out in the same key as yours and Erynn's.

Edited by - JanetB on 02/25/2017 11:43:52

Madison County Waltz (CB) (TOTW)

Madison County Waltz (2-finger) tab