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Post new topic Ashokan Farewell
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Author Topic:  Ashokan Farewell
Archie Nicol R.I.P.


From:
Ayrshire, Scotland
Post  Posted 31 Jul 2005 4:20 pm    
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I have been listening to Jay and Mollies' live version tonight.
It does not need steel guitar, no matter how nice the many wonderful covers have been.
My Opinion. Arch.
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Larry Bell


From:
Englewood, Florida
Post  Posted 31 Jul 2005 4:40 pm    
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How many covers HAVE there been?
When I put it on my latest CD, less than two years ago, there were NO covers on steel guitar that I was aware of. As mine was being released I was told Lloyd Green had it on an upcoming CD. I know Chuck Lettes sent me his version, but I don't believe it's on a CD.

How many versions are there?

If anyone's interested, here's mine

Give her a listen, Arch. You might like it.

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Larry Bell - email: larry@larrybell.org - gigs - Home Page
2003 Fessenden S/D-12 8x8, 1969 Emmons S/D-12 6x6, 1984 Sho-Bud S/D-12 7x6, 1971 Dobro, Standel and Peavey Amps


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Tom Jordan


From:
Wichita, KS
Post  Posted 31 Jul 2005 5:25 pm    
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Larry,

That is a beautiful piece of work...you ought to be real proud of it. I'm not familiar with the song--where are its origins? Now that I have heard it, I would seem odd the hear it without steel. I'll have to check-out your web site for your stuff now.

Thanks!

Tom Jordan
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Larry Bell


From:
Englewood, Florida
Post  Posted 31 Jul 2005 6:07 pm    
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Thanks Tom
Not to hijack Archie's post but this site has everything you ever wanted to know about the song: http://www.jayandmolly.com/ashokanfarewell.shtml

It was the main theme from the Ken Burns documentary "The Civil War" a few years back. It is not a period piece, but was written by Jay Ungar in the style of the American Civil War period. Fiddle and mandolins on my version are by the excellent Michigan fiddler, Jimmy Phillips.

And, if anyone wonders, YES, I did pay the mechanical license fee for 500 copies. Jay got the money he deserves for writing this wonderful song.
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Larry Bell - email: larry@larrybell.org - gigs - Home Page
2003 Fessenden S/D-12 8x8, 1969 Emmons S/D-12 6x6, 1984 Sho-Bud S/D-12 7x6, 1971 Dobro, Standel and Peavey Amps

[This message was edited by Larry Bell on 31 July 2005 at 07:11 PM.]

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Dave Baldwin

 

From:
Saskatchewan, Canada
Post  Posted 31 Jul 2005 6:51 pm    
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well done it allmost makes you cry
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Bill McCloskey

 

Post  Posted 31 Jul 2005 7:54 pm    
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Jay Unger runs a festival called the Ashokan Fiddle and Dance camp every year. In fact it just ended, friends of mine just got back. It was written as a piece for everyone to play on the last night of the festival. It was also used for the PBS series which is where most people know it from.
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Eric West


From:
Portland, Oregon, USA, R.I.P.
Post  Posted 31 Jul 2005 8:39 pm    
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Larry.

That caught my ear some time ago, and I haven't listened to the latest one as I will tomorrow, but if it's the one you posted with your new guitar some time ago, it convinced me of your fantastic tone center.

Very good, and I thank you if my reminder hastened you to post it.

Yes indeed it is on Lloyd's "Revisited" album. I'd rather listen toLloyd's and Larry's versions any day. I think I've heard as many fiddles as it would take to make me die satisfied with the number.

Probably no song needs steel guitar, but god willing, most of them will get it..



EJL



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Charlie McDonald


From:
out of the blue
Post  Posted 1 Aug 2005 4:05 am    
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Dave, I hope it's Larry's version you've heard, and I hesitate to call it Larry's version. I'm listening to it again, and here's why I like it.

It's good song to begin with. It has that unexpected change to the b7, which takes me back to an earlier time right off. The band has just started up, people are standing around the dance hall, listening to the wonderful acoustic thing going on.
Then the steel comes in, and I see the people beginning to waltz around the room.
The steel fades away, leaving the original instrumentation; the image changes again.

To me, the steel enhances the tune, takes it to another time; doesn't dominate the song, but complements it.
There may be many tunes that wouldn't be enhanced by pedal steel. An accapella rendition is always wonderful, but sometimes you can't help wondering 'what would it be like...? Sometimes you have to try it, and this one has a great result.
The song is the thing.
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Don McClellan

 

From:
California/Thailand
Post  Posted 1 Aug 2005 4:11 am    
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Sweet playing Larry.
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Howard Tate


From:
Leesville, Louisiana, USA, R.I.P.
Post  Posted 1 Aug 2005 5:06 am    
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The steel sounds so good on there, which guitar did you use? Of course, you always sound so good, I love your playing.

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Howard, 'Les Paul Recording, Zum S12U, Vegas 400, Boss ME-5, Boss DM-3, DD-3, Sierra Session D-10
http://www.Charmedmusic.com

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Larry Bell


From:
Englewood, Florida
Post  Posted 1 Aug 2005 5:42 am    
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It was the Emmons, Howard. No amp, no speakers. Emmons to Black Box to Hilton Pedal to Boss GT-6 to the board.

Thanks for the nice comments from you and from all. And, again, sorry I hijacked your thread, Arch.

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Larry Bell - email: larry@larrybell.org - gigs - Home Page
2003 Fessenden S/D-12 8x8, 1969 Emmons S/D-12 6x6, 1984 Sho-Bud S/D-12 7x6, 1971 Dobro, Standel and Peavey Amps


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erik

 

Post  Posted 2 Aug 2005 3:41 am    
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Nice work, interesting contrast between raw acoustic rhythm and electric guitar. Great tone on that Emmons.

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-johnson


[This message was edited by erik on 02 August 2005 at 04:43 AM.]

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Mike Fereday

 

From:
Newbury, Berkshire, England
Post  Posted 4 Aug 2005 12:24 am    
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Larry

I have on CDs the three versions you mention - yours, Lloyd's and Chuck's (Chuck's version is on his CD Swing Thang). I have not come across any other.

Mike
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richard burton


From:
Britain
Post  Posted 4 Aug 2005 9:43 am    
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Larry,
Have you still got the version that you did solely on steel?
I used to have it, but lost it when my computer crashed a while ago.
Any chance that you could put it up again?
There was some very intricate picking/lever action that I was trying to get my head around when the thing crashed.
Cheers, R B
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Larry Bell


From:
Englewood, Florida
Post  Posted 4 Aug 2005 11:22 am    
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For you, Sir Richard, and for my good friend Eric, I have added the 'Forum version' -- with only steel as a melody instrument -- to my website.

It's on My 'Tunes' Page on my website

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Larry Bell - email: larry@larrybell.org - gigs - Home Page
2003 Fessenden S/D-12 8x8, 1969 Emmons S/D-12 6x6, 1984 Sho-Bud S/D-12 7x6, 1971 Dobro, Standel and Peavey Amps


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Steve Frost

 

From:
Scarborough,Maine
Post  Posted 4 Aug 2005 5:58 pm    
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Really nice, Larry! It's my favorite tune to play on the mandolin.For my money,I believe that I prefer the solo Forum version. Thanks!
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richard burton


From:
Britain
Post  Posted 4 Aug 2005 11:22 pm    
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Many thanks Larry
You are a gentleman and a scholar, if you were British you would have been Knighted by now for your services to all things Pedal Steel
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Bill Llewellyn


From:
San Jose, CA
Post  Posted 5 Aug 2005 8:07 pm    
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I haven't heard Larry's rendition yet. I'm downloading it as I type (via modem--this may take years). I know I love Lloyd Green's rendition.

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Bill, steelin' since '99 | Steel page | MSA U12 | My music | Steelers' birthdays | Over 50?
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David L. Donald


From:
Koh Samui Island, Thailand
Post  Posted 5 Aug 2005 8:27 pm    
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Did a version last year with a singer, but after hearing Lloyd's...
well... no steel on that one,
though I did think about a C6 part, but never got to it.
Lovely song one way or another.
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