I can’t think of any tune with more distinct versions/variations. Do any such come to anyone else’s mind?
Nick Hornbuckle is a master at variations of tunes,, versions I’ve never heard before.
quote:
Originally posted by Bill RogersI can’t think of any tune with more distinct versions/variations. Do any such come to anyone else’s mind?
I could think of a number, including Sally Ann, Yew Piney Mountain, Forky Deer, Hogeyed Man, where we are not talking about separate tunes with the same name, but tunes that are clearly the same melodically, but have tremendous variation. Cumberland Gap is clearly among the latter; I play four versions of that one myself. Another one like that to my ear is Bonaparte's Retreat. I first learned what I call the Nashville version, which was heavily influenced by the hit vocal by Kay Starr in the early 50s. You will recognize this one because it includes the "Little Egypt" part. One of the very best of that version was played by fiddlin' Chubby Wise. One of the earliest recordings of the tune was by fiddler A.A. Gray, for Okeh Records in 1924. His is a really stripped down version. Perhaps the most famous version was recorded by William Stepp for the Library of Congress in 1937; this was the version used by Aaron Copland in his 1942 ballet Rodeo. Benny Thomasson played a interesting variation in his wonderful Texas style. Tommy Jarrell played a great version also, in his Round Peak style of fiddling. My favorite version, though is the one played by Henry Reed, here by Alan jabbour, and here by Henry Reed himself, recorded by Jabbour in 1966. Whatever version the fiddler is playing, I believe they are all in DDAD tuning. I'm sure there are more out there than I have included here.
Altogether, I play three of the versions of Bonaparte's retreat, the Nashville version, the Stepp version, and the Reed version. I'll probably stop there.
Edited by - Don Borchelt on 01/09/2023 18:15:07
Here’s Nick playing “Cumberland Gap” that he says he learned from Lee Sexton’s playing.
youtu.be/Ue_7s_6ZfWw
I think I misunderstood Bill's purpose here. I deeply apologize. Please delete my post.
Edited by - Don Borchelt on 01/09/2023 21:08:34
Well, for what it's worth, when I lived in Andersonville, TN I was very close to the actual Cumberland Gap this tune was written about. I used to drive through it (nice paved road now bypasses the old Gap) on my way to Kentucky.
I either feel old now, and have touched a part of history, which makes me feel older now... I'm just glad I didn't live near the Hotel California...
quote:Originally posted by banjoyWell, for what it's worth, when I lived in Andersonville, TN I was very close to the actual Cumberland Gap this tune was written about. I used to drive through it (nice paved road now bypasses the old Gap) on my way to Kentucky.
I either feel old now, and have touched a part of history, which makes me feel older now... I'm just glad I didn't live near the Hotel California...
I live near Cumberland Gap as well. I live on US 58 East in a small town called Big Stone Gap, VA!
We have never had a song written of this small town, but a Book and A Movie Call-Big Stone Gap- inspired and written by a girl who grew up here! Also, we have the John Fox JR and June Tolliver House and the celebrated Outdoor Drama play each year of their lives and times all those years ago when coal was first discovered here.
Personally speaking, I would prefer the tune (Scruggs or Crowe style) Cumberland Gap. It is a very clean and beautiful little town!
I feel more people have heard of Cumberland Gap than Big Stone Gap though!
Here it is on google maps. I'm guessing Earl must have driven through there enough, he just named a tune after it. Kinda like how Bela names tunes, "See Rock City" ... "Sunset Road" ... etc after road signs he's seen while hitting the road ...
google.com/maps/place/Cumberla...3.6685252
I've driven through Big Stone Gap, VA plenty of times in decades past when I lived in East TN. It is a nice little town.
In November, 1984, I wrote some tabs for Cumberland Gap for the Banjo NewsLetter. Here, also is the sound file for Kyle Creed playing the tune in the special tuning (given in my tab article).
https://www.slippery-hill.com/content/old-time-cumberland-gap
quote:
Originally posted by harmieI live near Cumberland Gap as well. I live on US 58 East in a small town called Big Stone Gap, VA!
We have never had a song written of this small town, but a Book and A Movie Call-Big Stone Gap- inspired and written by a girl who grew up here! Also, we have the John Fox JR and June Tolliver House and the celebrated Outdoor Drama play each year of their lives and times all those years ago when coal was first discovered here.
Personally speaking, I would prefer the tune (Scruggs or Crowe style) Cumberland Gap. It is a very clean and beautiful little town!
I feel more people have heard of Cumberland Gap than Big Stone Gap though!
Big Stone Gap, VA, is mentioned in the Stanley Brothers' 1959 recording of "Train 45", IIRC.
Uh oh, @banjoy you got me feeling really old. I actually stayed in a hotel called Hotel California back in 79 I think.
quote:
Originally posted by chuckv97Here’s Nick playing “Cumberland Gap” that he says he learned from Lee Sexton’s playing.
youtu.be/Ue_7s_6ZfWw
Chuck ...... love that version!
I agree that Cumberland Gap is a great tune, and occurs in a lot of different versions and variations. It is played both by Bluegrassers and Old-Timers. It is played both in G and D (and E). And it is played in a lot of different tunings: standards G, double D, gEADE, gDGDE, f#BEAD/aBEAD, and others. There are also both 2 part versions and 3-part versions.
quote:
Originally posted by WobbaUh oh, @banjoy you got me feeling really old. I actually stayed in a hotel called Hotel California back in 79 I think.
The one that's in Santa Monica? I stayed at that one a couple of decades ago. Nothing like the impression the song gives, and definitely no resemblance to the place pictured on the Eagles' album cover, which I think is actually called the Beverly Hills Hotel.
quote:
Originally posted by banjoyHere it is on google maps. I'm guessing Earl must have driven through there enough, he just named a tune after it. Kinda like how Bela names tunes, "See Rock City" ... "Sunset Road" ... etc after road signs he's seen while hitting the road ...
google.com/maps/place/Cumberla...3.6685252
I've driven through Big Stone Gap, VA plenty of times in decades past when I lived in East TN. It is a nice little town.
Unfortunately, it wasn't Earl who named or wrote the tune, though he did make it much more popular.
its the opening song in the movie The Gentlemen by Guy Ritchie
look it up on you tube david rawlings best version
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