JanetB - Posted - 09/05/2017:  11:11:10

Here are two Garry Harrison original fiddle tunes.  

Since first hearing his tune Red Prairie Dawn (banjohangout.org/topic/333748), and after hearing J-Walk's very cool video of Ol' Bob (youtube.com/watch?v=GLxqYlQQjnE), and also reading what was written about the real Ol' Bob, I determined to learn it.  Garry Harrison had been just a name to me, the compiler of Dear Old Illinois, someone whose name I equated with a degree of awe.  Now I'm getting a bit more familiar with his music and finally received his book that had been out of print for several years.

The second tune, Over the Flat Lands, attracted me when I listened to Garry's CD of mostly original tunes, entitled Red Prairie Dawn.  His brother, Steve, wrote about the two tunes:  "We shared a good chuckle about his 'Over the Flat Lands' tune and how it seemed to capture the swaying clop of a team of oxen pulling a wagon across the prairie... eh...some years back. Some tunes project nicely with fertile imaginations. Same with 'Ol' Bob'. The tune paints a very true picture of Uncle Bob, a tall, lanky good-natured fellow with an ever-present smile moving along at a casual, tall-lanky mosey, replete with a friendly wave and nod. "

So here are two from Garry Harrison:  Ol' Bob and Over the Flat Lands.

VIDEO: Ol' Bob
(click to view)

VIDEO: Over the Flat Lands
(click to view)

Ol' Bob (CH) tab, double C tuning

Ol' Bob (CH) tab

Over the Flat Lands (CH) tab

 

WayneConrad - Posted - 09/06/2017:  06:53:22

Very nice.  I especially like the way you play Ol' Bob.  What is that sweet banjo you're playing?

JanetB - Posted - 09/06/2017:  14:47:36

Thanks, Wayne.  I'm playing a short-scale Doc's Banjo.  It's a stout little banjo tuned to regular tuning due to its medium minstrel nylgut tunes which Doc Patrick Huff used.  Check out his website.  docsbanjos.com/. This banjo was named "Adah" by his daughter and it's been in my hands constantly since I got it around Father's Day at a music festival in Grass Valley.

chuckv97 - Posted - 09/06/2017:  16:49:49

Very nice tunes, Janet, and well played as usual. That banjo sounds great. What do you use to record your tunes?

JanetB - Posted - 09/06/2017:  22:59:24

Thanks, Chuck.  I'm enjoying that banjo very much.  I'm using a plastic Alaska pick because my nail broke. I record videos with Photo Booth software on my Mac computer using a Blue Yeti microphone (the built-in mic has terrible sound).  I can't adjust the color to my knowledge, but I can trim the video. The built-in mic has terrible sound.  Do you miss the watery sound of my Del laptop recordings?!

chuckv97 - Posted - 09/07/2017:  07:37:00

Hah,,,...no, this sounds super

stratovarious520 - Posted - 09/07/2017:  20:43:36

Masterful and elegant as always my friend.  So glad I finally got to hear these...my internet has been acting up.

JanetB - Posted - 09/07/2017:  20:53:02

Thanks, Greg.  Nice to see you active here and so encouraging to many.  Computers -- what a major part of our lives.  Via Facebook I heard from Garry Harrison's own brother, Steve, who was an Indian Creek Delta Boy.  How amazing is that!  Without internet access it's like having a blackout in a storm.  Banjo Hangout has linked players from all around the world and I hope our virtual world remains safe and sound.  

Paul Roberts - Posted - 09/09/2017:  16:11:19

Especially enjoyed Ol' Bob, a nice lyrical piece.