ADD: When I Can't Play (Joan MacIsaac)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: When I Can't Play (Joan MacIsaac)
From: GUEST,Stanistreet
Date: 22 Nov 08 - 05:58 PM

That was my cousin, well 2nd cousin... AMAZING singer/song-writer

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: When I Can't Play (Joan MacIsaac)
From: Waddon Pete
Date: 10 May 08 - 04:56 PM

Just to let you know that Q was as good as his word!

Thanks Q

Best wishes,

Peter

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: When I Can't Play (Joan MacIsaac)
From: Waddon Pete
Date: 05 Apr 08 - 09:09 AM

Thanks Q

Much obliged!

Best wishes,

Peter

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: When I Can't Play (Joan MacIsaac)
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 03 Apr 08 - 04:49 PM

I will make a cd from the LP, Wintersong, by Joan MacIsaac, and send it to Peter.
The album, recorded in 1982, is copyright Mad Mansion Music, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada; World Records WRC1-2236

The words posted by fulurum are correct. On the album sleeve, Joan MacIsaac wrote this introduction:

"Awhile ago, while on my way to Peace River, Alberta, I met a gas station attendant who told me that at one time he had been quite a good guitar player. However, fate had intervened and he developed a serious form of arthritis which primarily affected his hands and eventually he was forced ti give up the guitar. This man made a deep impression on me, for, despite his pain he was still thankful for being able to listen to and appreciate music."

The band for the album is unnamed, but seems to have been a group that called itself the "Gorilla Band." On the album, players were
Joan MacIsaac - vocals, high string & acoustic guitar
Lyall Steel- electric and 12-string guitar
Christopher Lewis- 5 string banjo
Allan Davison- base.


There are several good lyrics on the album; I think "The Harvest Excursion" is the only one that was picked up by other Canadian Groups.

Subject: RE: TUNE REQ -need help 2 songs -When I Can't Play
From: Waddon Pete
Date: 30 Jan 08 - 03:08 PM

Thanks Jeri,

Yes...but these are now unobtainable!

Best wishes,

Peter

Subject: RE: TUNE REQ -need help 2 songs -When I Can't Play
From: Jeri
Date: 30 Jan 08 - 01:58 PM

Did you read Jim Dixon's post? Two recordings listed.

Subject: RE: TUNE REQ -need help 2 songs -When I Can't Play
From: Waddon Pete
Date: 30 Jan 08 - 01:40 PM

Your're a star!

Subject: RE: TUNE REQ -need help 2 songs -When I Can't Play
From: Peace
Date: 30 Jan 08 - 01:39 PM

Thanks, Peter. I will look.

Subject: RE: TUNE REQ -need help 2 songs -When I Can't Play
From: Waddon Pete
Date: 30 Jan 08 - 01:38 PM

Hello Peace,

It would be good to have the tune to "When I can't play" and source as in...is it in a book, or on a CD that is still available...not sauce as in 'sweet and sour' or 'that's enough of your...'

Best wishes,

Peter

Subject: RE: TUNE REQ -need help 2 songs -When I Can't Play
From: Peace
Date: 30 Jan 08 - 12:38 PM

Source for what tune? And what do you mean by source, Pete?

Subject: RE: TUNE REQ -need help 2 songs -When I Can't Play
From: Waddon Pete
Date: 30 Jan 08 - 12:12 PM

Let's give this another run around the block!

Best wishes,

Peter

Subject: RE: need help 2 songs
From: Waddon Pete
Date: 29 Jan 08 - 09:28 AM

Hello,

I know this is a old thread....but has anyone got any source for the tune?

Best wishes,

Peter

Subject: RE: need help 2 songs
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 11 Dec 00 - 06:03 PM

The song referred to above is actually called "When I Can't Play." It was written by Joan MacIsaac (note correct spelling). It was recorded by Joan MacIsaac on "Wintersong" (World Music 2236), 1982; and by Kevin Woodward on "Free."

Better late than never (I hope).

Subject: RE: need help 2 songs
From: Bill in Alabama
Date: 24 Jan 00 - 07:47 AM

fulurum-- That's the kind of material I'm looking for! I should like very much to have a tape with that on it. I can't do what Aine wants, but I may have some friends here at the university who can show me how.

Subject: RE: need help 2 songs
From: fulurum
Date: 23 Jan 00 - 05:42 PM

Sorry sang as loud as i could. you didn't by chance get up to take a leak or something and miss it did ya?

Subject: RE: need help 2 songs
From: Áine
Date: 23 Jan 00 - 04:21 PM

Thanks for the offer, fulurum! I did stay up all night last night with my ear to the monitor, like you said, but nothing came through. However, my complexion is oh so clear today! . . . so, I broke down and sent you my address to your email. Thanks in advance, Áine

Subject: RE: need help 2 songs
From: fulurum
Date: 23 Jan 00 - 03:01 PM

Vermont? I'm a New Yorker. But its close enough.

Subject: RE: need help 2 songs
From: Susan A-R
Date: 23 Jan 00 - 02:23 PM

What is it about us Vermotners Fulurum? But then, you could just amble over to Montpelier and sing it to me, or sing real loud, and I might hear it.

Susan A-R

Subject: RE: need help 2 songs
From: fulurum
Date: 23 Jan 00 - 02:11 PM

if anyone can do what Aine needs done, let me know and i'll send you a tape.

Subject: RE: need help 2 songs
From: fulurum
Date: 22 Jan 00 - 04:57 PM

i'm not that technical, i'm on web tv. but if you put your ear real close to your monitor, i'll sing it really loud so you can hear it. i did get it off the radio one night. e mail me your address and i'll send you a copy. [e-mail]

Subject: RE: need help 2 songs
From: Áine
Date: 22 Jan 00 - 12:02 PM

Dear fulurum,

I was the one that refreshed this thread, mainly because I wanted to know about this song. Thanks so much for posting the lyrics! Is there any way you could make a .WAV or .MP3 file of this so I could hear it?

-- Áine

Subject: RE: need help 2 songs
From: fulurum
Date: 21 Jan 00 - 08:25 PM

ok have you learn it yet. i'm having technical difficulties here. i've had to reset my cookie about four times in the last hour, and i keep getting a message that mudcat site can't be found. its also not registering in the forum that my message was received. This way you can see that i'm not stoopid, just inept. sorry about this. fulurum

Subject: Lyr Add: WHEN I CAN'T PLAY (Joan MacIsaac)^^
From: fulurum
Date: 21 Jan 00 - 08:17 PM

Joan MacIsaac OK I've been holding out on you. I found these lyrics after that thread had disappeared. Don't know why it came back. The song is called "When I Can't Play." Don't know who wrote it, but it was performed by a lady named Joan MacIsaac. Wanna hear it, goes like this.

WHEN I CAN'T PLAY

CHORUS: When I can't play, I'll sing.
When I can't sing, I'll whistle.
And when the day comes I can't whistle no more,
I'll sit myself down and I'll listen.
Oh, oh, when I can't play, I'll sing.
When I can't sing, I'll whistle.
And when the day comes I can't whistle no more,
I'll sit myself down and I'll listen.

He picked up the picture and smiled when he said,
"I was a handsome devil back then,
But it's been so long, just so many years,
That I can't remember when.

When I was a young lad so dashing and proud,
I used to play this here guitar.
All the pretty young girls would gather 'round me
As I sang about love and the stars.

But life has a way of changing things,
And it's done its cruel number on me.
But though my hands are crippled with age,
I live by this philosophy:

Chorus: When I can't play...

Well, I haven't seen him for a number of years,
But it always comes into my mind,
When I struggle and think that I'll give up the ghost,
The few words that he left behind:

Chorus: When I can't sing... (twice)

Subject: RE: need help 2 songs
From: GUEST,emily rain at the U Dub
Date: 21 Jan 00 - 06:45 PM

oh, wow, i want that second one. i hope someone can come up with it.

Subject: RE: need help 2 songs
From: fulurum
Date: 21 Jan 00 - 06:13 PM

sophocleese no sleep for you unless you come up with it. unless your really realy tired then i guess it would be ok to sleep. never mind the fact that i have been searching and searching for the song.its ok just go to sleep. any help would be greatlt appreciated. thanks

Subject: RE: need help 2 songs
From: sophocleese
Date: 21 Jan 00 - 04:37 PM

fulurum, AAARGH!! that first one is on teh tip of my tongue and I can't get it!! I was hoping to sleep tonight too. I'll rack my brains and hope to come up with something.

Sophocleese

Subject: need help 2 songs
From: fulurum
Date: 23 Dec 99 - 10:22 PM

can anyone identify these two songs, and possibly tell me who sings them 1. he's flying in a small cafe tonight the feelings always right everythings ok he's just a song away.

2. when i can't play i'll sing when i can't sing i'll whistle and when the day comes i can't whistle no more i'll sit myself down and i'll listen.

thanks