Mtngoat - Posted - 03/04/2022:  04:17:40

Saddle Old Kate - TOTW 03/04/2022

I’ve chosen Saddle Old Kate for this installment of TOTW.   The Traditional Tune Archive notes “The title appears in a list of traditional Ozark Mountain fiddle tunes compiled by Vance Randolph in 1954 and the melody seems to have had wide currency in the region.”  You can read the full entry here: tunearch.org/wiki/Annotation:S..._Old_Kate

The tune’s current popularity can probably be traced to Rounder’s 1996 release of recordings from Missouri Fiddler Lonnie Robertson.  A short biography of Mr. Robertson (1908 – 1981) can be found on page 113 of the Mel Bay publication Ozarks Fiddle Music by Beisswenger & McCann here: static1.squarespace.com/static...zarks.pdf

The tune is well represented on the internet with several performances featuring banjo.    

Here’s Mr. Robertson’s source recording:  slippery-hill.com/content/saddle-old-kate

I was introduced to the tune when I came across this video of Cathy Barton and Dave Para performing a Bob Holt version here:  youtube.com/watch?v=IHN44gDUuto

Here’s a string band version: youtube.com/watch?v=pi89yOp7UjA

Here’s a banjo solo: youtube.com/watch?v=LXeYPrYUSo0

Here’s a fiddle/banjo duet:  youtube.com/watch?v=EHQPG7nV_uk

Here’s a second fiddle/banjo duet: youtube.com/watch?v=SLTKmPBOhi0

Here’s a third fiddle/banjo duet:  youtube.com/watch?v=_MpqO_36EcU

And here’s yet another fiddle/banjo duet: oldtownschool.org/fiddle/fun/s...e9796.mp3

A clawhammer tab can be found at Tater Joe’s here:  taterjoes.com/Warehouse/Banjo/...dKate.pdf

Here is a Wikipedia article on the history, design, and use of saddles by different cultures around the world: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saddle .  The subject is more complex than I would have ever imagined.

Readers are encouraged to post observations, opinions, performances, and tabs contributing to this thread.

cmic - Posted - 03/04/2022:  07:57:08

Very Nice tune. I can't stop my foot from stomping 8-) ...

RG - Posted - 03/04/2022:  11:28:30

This is such a GREAT tune! Have played this for years, perfect TOTW!

JanetB - Posted - 03/04/2022:  12:47:31

Nice presentation, Mtngoat.  I really enjoyed seeing Ben on that solo fretless video, who I haven't seen on BHO for a long while.  Playing Saddle Old Kate slow is appropriate for the title, but my Old Kate felt frisky once she was saddled and kind of took off!

VIDEO: Saddle Old Kate (TOTW)
(click to view)

Saddle Old Kate (CH) tab

R.D. Lunceford - Posted - 03/04/2022:  13:23:08

Brings back memories.

I used to play it with Bob Holt at the McClurg music parties way back when.

Mtngoat - Posted - 03/05/2022:  06:02:35

cmic and RG: Glad you like the selection. Positive feedback is always appreciated.

R.D.: I always enjoy your stories perpetuating the memory of Ozark musicians and OT culture.

Janet: Thanks for the performance and tab. Old Kate is unsafe at any speed but I like to ride at dance tempo.