Laurence Diehl - Posted - 07/19/2026:  09:39:50

This tune might be well known to many, but it was a new one on me until I came across a sweet version by Nick Hornbuckle and Annie Staninec (fiddle). They play it in A, but I have no idea what tuning he was using so I set it in D, which changed the feel of the tune considerably.



Played here on my modified C/D ODE with a woody tone ring.

Edited by - Laurence Diehl on 07/19/2026 09:41:02

VIDEO: Pretty Little Indian
(click to view)

 

JanetB - Posted - 07/19/2026:  15:02:42

That's beautiful!  Nick and Annie are always inspirational. The version I learned from was a Virginian fiddler named Albert Hash. Then there's a Wade Jarvis recording on Slippery Hill credited to Curly Ray Cline as composer.  Art Stamper fiddled it, too.  Really, it wants to be a Tune of the Week on the old-time forum.  Glad you shared it here.

Paul Roberts - Posted - 07/19/2026:  23:14:19

Mesmerizing, even after the fourth listen.

Laurence Diehl - Posted - 07/20/2026:  09:19:58

quote:

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Originally posted by JanetB

That's beautiful!  Nick and Annie are always inspirational. The version I learned from was a Virginian fiddler named Albert Hash. Then there's a Wade Jarvis recording on Slippery Hill credited to Curly Ray Cline as composer.  Art Stamper fiddled it, too.  Really, it wants to be a Tune of the Week on the old-time forum.  Glad you shared it here.

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Thanks Janet. It does appear to be a West Virginia tune but its provenance is quite obscure. I'm also surprised that it hasn't been a TOTW, it seems a natural. I don't think I can take it on but I might throw my hat in the ring at some future date! Appreciate the suggestion. 

Laurence Diehl - Posted - 07/20/2026:  09:22:00

quote:

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Originally posted by Paul Roberts

Mesmerizing, even after the fourth listen.

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Thanks Paul, I always appreciate your thoughtful and supportive comments. 

Tractor1 - Posted - 07/20/2026:  09:28:57

This was a regular for Curly Ray with Ralph blasting away on his arch top--I think he tried to make indian sounds --in that one spot-- like byron berline did on lost indian-
wonderful job btw

Laurence Diehl - Posted - 07/20/2026:  09:49:08

quote:

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Originally posted by Tractor1

This was a regular for Curly Ray with Ralph blasting away on his arch top--I think he tried to make indian sounds --in that one spot-- like byron berline did on lost indian-

wonderful job btw

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Thanks!

I saw them perform at McClure in '76 and Curly Ray does that little dance while he's playing - I thought he was going to burst a blood vessel! Not Ralph, he didn't move much. 

I also heard Mike Seeger do that whooping thing on Lost Indian. That might have upset real Indians on cultural appropriation grounds, but I never saw one at a bluegrass festival so maybe it's okay. 

Tractor1 - Posted - 07/20/2026:  10:49:49

Actually Couchie that used to be on here--is native american /canadian and played this for me at cliff top --so ''poetic license '' kicks in ha ha

I attended the stanley festival about then --a couple of years 

Edited by - Tractor1 on 07/20/2026 10:55:23

banjopaolo - Posted - 07/20/2026:  23:44:45

Very nice arrangement Laurence!