Riley Puckett?

Subject: RE: Riley Puckett Guitar technique
From: GUEST,Fred Reif
Date: 20 Jun 10 - 06:07 PM

In the early 1970s I rediscovered Fred Stanley, who was a guitarist/vocalist back in the late 1920s and 30s. He made one record for Columbia: "The Tie That Binds"/"Cottage By the Sea" In the early 1930s he did a brief tour with them and had this to say in one of my interviews with him. "Back then we had no microphones or loudspeakers, so you had to pick loud so they could hear you. I used a thumb pick, but now, I don't use any picks. I never saw anyone pick a guitar like Riley Puckett. He used a steel pick on his forefinger of the right hand and got the bass run with his middle finger."

Subject: RE: Riley Puckett?
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 16 Sep 09 - 09:07 PM

Well, aside from the Skillet Licker recordings (all available on CD), there are four Riley Puckett CDs--2 on Old Homestead and 2 on BACM. Interested partues can check out tracklists at camscomusic.com

Subject: RE: Riley Puckett?
From: Janie
Date: 16 Sep 09 - 08:01 PM

Your ancestor's music is quite well known, even seminal, among old-time music aficianados.

As Bill D says, tell more. Anything you have to share about him will be greatly appreciated!

Subject: RE: Riley Puckett?
From: Bill D
Date: 16 Sep 09 - 07:26 PM

Tell us more...
Why be surprised, when Riley was such a fixture in old-time music? We know 'bout that stuff.

Subject: RE: Riley Puckett?
From: GUEST,jbp
Date: 16 Sep 09 - 07:04 PM

hey everybody I was pretty surprised to see so many people talking about riley when he happens to be my ancestor!!!

Subject: RE: Riley Puckett?
From: wysiwyg
Date: 05 Sep 04 - 01:45 PM

That Davecoje was a card! A lot of my favorite people are in this thread. I had just joined Mudcat so THIS is a slice of MY "good old days."

Recently added to Recordlady soundfiles, in request page 11 or 12, is "Tribute to Riley Puckett the Great Hillbilly King," by Uncle Rufus Brewster.

~S~

Subject: RE: Riley Puckett?
From: Art Thieme
Date: 29 Feb 00 - 04:54 PM

Whoops!! Sandy, I've had both cornflakes AND a peanut butter sandwich today. Then I took a cholesterol pill. No sugar though. I put Nutrasweet on both. (I'm not kidding.)

Art

Subject: RE: Riley Puckett?
From: Sandy Paton
Date: 28 Feb 00 - 04:42 PM

Yup, Art, that was 1959. Were we ever that young? Hell, lad, how did we ever get to be this old? With me, it must have been Caroline's tender loving care. Had I been left to my earlier (BC) diet of cornflakes and peanut-butter sandwiches, I have been long gone by now.

Sandy

Subject: RE: Riley Puckett?
From: Amos
Date: 28 Feb 00 - 03:19 PM

Art, Rick, Jonathon, Sandy and all:

Thanks for a heartfelt and rich account. Another gem, despite the occasional scratch, in Mudcat annals. I, for one, am always wonderful glad to see you all post here and I hope you keep doing it often...curmudgeons or no...because many of us are much the richer for it. And that ain't no lie.

Thanks,

A

Subject: RE: Riley Puckett?
From: Art Thieme
Date: 28 Feb 00 - 11:44 AM

Say, GUEST, Go over to the Chicago club thread I started last night.

Art

Subject: RE: Riley Puckett?
From: GUEST,Art's guest
Date: 28 Feb 00 - 02:15 AM

Ah, Art, yes...

John Benishek sang (or was it told) Thirsty Joe's Revenge, and 12 Gates to the City, at No Exit and I was hooked. A crush, the music, the whole thing. Followed him to the Barbarossa and eventually met the rest. So bizarre that Anne Hills was there just being kinda nobody, just discovering that she and Cindy could sing together!!! Jim and Vivian Craig... Jim's wonderful voice and Vivian's "Wild Women"... I taped them once at No Exit, she had a cold and was embarrassed about her "bad voice"-- and when the tape finally wore out it was still the best stuff I had. And now I sing some of these people's stuff??? Too weird!!!

Hey, what if I start playing the saw???? Obvioulsy these were evil influences on a young impressionable...

Subject: RE: Riley Puckett?
From: Art Thieme
Date: 28 Feb 00 - 12:49 AM

Guest,

MARTY PIEFFER used to do "Madeira" all the time. He was pretty diabolical when he sang that one. A great bar entertainer. Moved west--New Mexico I think. Now works in the nuclear industry and still sings for his family. Does a bang-up job on Stan Rogers' song "The Idiot"---about a city guy who moves to the desert and works in a smokestack industry (like Marty did) but still, as a result, has his self respect and a family. I'd give anything to sit and sip Scotch and hear Marty at the Barbarossa again. Cindy Mangsen and Jim Craig too. It was a wonder of a time. Just a fantastic era---and by that I mean it was on a rather high fantasy level. I, too, am amazed we survived those years. Many didn't. But we sure made some fine music. A few still do.

Sandy,

I used to hang out at the Gate. Yes, it was more a listening room than any of the others. But so were Troubles and Holsteins I was under aged and sipped those dollar cokes at the Gate of Horn. The first time I ever heard you was at a Sunday afternoon Gate "HOOT" right after you'd returned from your England, Scotland trip where you recorded the Jeanie Robertson songs now on the great new trad collection on Folk Legacy. I remember you did a plug for your first LP on Elektra. I ordered it that summer in Evansville, Indiana and I still have it. No matter what you say, it's a fine one; a great bunch of songs. That was '59---right?

Were we ever that young????

Art Thieme

Subject: RE: Riley Puckett?
From: GUEST
Date: 27 Feb 00 - 04:34 PM

Art,

I dunno who I am either, but if I figure it out I'll let you know!

I did help my bartender friends close up and sweep the Barbarossa many a cold night, and then catch the old Sheridan bus back up to Rogers Park. But it was after the glory days, when the place was in its last year or so. It was a riot seeing the folkies encounter the hookers who'd come in to use the phone. I don't think I ever met Davecoje there; wait a minute! Perhaps that is the code name for the young lady at the Barbarossa, who soon spent a stint at the inpatient mental health facility on the northside (name!???), who next became my rommate, and who then tried to kill me one night! Ah, to once again be as young and stupid as many we know now!!!

WHO was it that did "Have Some Madeira M'Dear" till we were all sick of it? He was a dead ringer for the man I got pregnant by that same year, altho NOT the same guy-- mine, if anything, was more arrogant! I do have a funny story about this guy, but it didn't happen at a folk club. I'll try to "folk up" the tale enough to put in your new thread.

Subject: RE: Riley Puckett?
From: Sandy Paton
Date: 27 Feb 00 - 02:07 PM

Art, m'lad:

The new Gate of Horn may not have been a true "listening room," but the old Gate of Horn, where I played several extended engagements back in the dark ages, really was. I can clearly remember Alan Ribback inviting a noisy table (during one of Martha Schlamme's sets, for example) to move into the bar area (a separate room). Politely, but firmly accomplished. Martha ordinarily drew a very respectful audience, although the bar didn't do nearly as much business as it did when I played there with Odetta. Martha's crowd just wasn't made up of drinkers.

Sandy

Subject: RE: Riley Puckett?
From: Arnie Naiman
Date: 27 Feb 00 - 01:38 PM

You gotta get OLHE 4174, Old Time Greats, Vol. 2! It's worth it just to hear Riley do "Way out There", but the other songs are real good too!

Subject: RE: Riley Puckett?
From: Art Thieme
Date: 27 Feb 00 - 01:18 PM

Jeez, What I meant to say is that those clubs mentioned weren't listening rooms compared to concert venues--where silence was expected. ESPECIALLY late at night---when the bar clubs were possibly the most fun...

You got any favorite tales----no, I think I'll start a new thread!!

Art

Subject: RE: Riley Puckett?
From: Art Thieme
Date: 27 Feb 00 - 01:01 PM

Anonymous GUEST,

If you hung at the Barbarossa in those days, you just might know the guy too. And I suspect you've just given him the hint to judge the source, as we must strive to judge everyone these days, by what drug they might be imbibing. The Barbarossa, Holstein's, Somebody Else's Troubles, Sylvesters, The Earl, Orphans, The Yellow Unicorn, Bulls, The Quiet Knight, The Saddle Club, The Momartre, even the Gate Of Horn---few, if any, of the many bar folk clubs in Chicago then were listening rooms. We put up with that late night crowd in order to pay the rent. Even participated in it myself. The scene was mesmerizing and Beat and quite excitingly noir. The ladies were wonderful. (That should lead the list even if it is sexist.) Now I understand that intollerant post. Thank you. Just was a gut reaction on my part to the gut reaction--however blurry--on their part. I'm sorry!

So who the hell are you?

Art

Subject: RE: Riley Puckett?
From: fox4zero
Date: 27 Feb 00 - 12:54 PM

2 comments concerning a comment and a question. First, to Rick F.: I thought that the US gave up all territorial claims to the PHILLISTINES about 50 years ago. Second, to Guest copperman: I'm sure that RP was buried in the GROUND (sorry I couldn't resist...I have had the Catskill Syndrome from birth.

Also. having nothing to do with the original thread (which doesn't seem to overly concern many of the contributors) there is great AM station in the mid-Hudson region WHVW 950 AM (Fishkill/Poughkeepsie) that plays a lot of blues, old timey,1940's Hillbilly and Western Swing.

As far as Davecoe's attack: I've observed in my seventy years that those people who are most secure about themselves tend to be the most gentle in their dealings with other people. It's the small Yorkie yapping at the stoical Bull Mastif. Hope I haven't offended any Yorkshiremen. Love to MOST Parish

Subject: RE: Riley Puckett?
From: GUEST,Jonathon Bloke
Date: 27 Feb 00 - 12:00 PM

Bite me

Subject: RE: Riley Puckett?
From: GUEST
Date: 27 Feb 00 - 12:56 AM

Art, there was also much good in this discussion. Some people had simply been drinking, all evening, before posting, and acting like it. No weirder, nor more acidic, than the usual closing crowd at the Barbarossa, anyhow. This isn't heaven, just another pit stop for humans, perhaps you could help your friend see it that way. It isn't necessary to be mean to someone who did not heckle you personally, just to make your point.

Subject: RE: Riley Puckett?
From: Art Thieme
Date: 26 Feb 00 - 05:27 PM

Folks. The fellow who starte this thread is a good friend. He had a simple question to ask. I just got a call where, among other things, he was pretty discommoded by the acidic and venomous spewings here encased. He rarely adds to threads. I can't, for the life of me, see why he'd ever want to again.

Davekotex, take a flying leap.

Art Thieme

Subject: RE: Riley Puckett?
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 26 Feb 00 - 05:23 PM

Rick- You could always incorporate as a not-for-profit folksinger.

Subject: RE: Riley Puckett?
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 26 Feb 00 - 04:04 PM

'Course I haven't made a profit in 31 years so you can post mine and still not lose your "amateur status"!

Still Rick

Subject: RE: Riley Puckett?
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 26 Feb 00 - 04:03 PM

Hi Dick Greenhaus. You can post Riley Puckett (or Delmores, Frank Hutchison, Alfred Karnes,Sandy Paton or Dick Justice) all day long and I'll know your motives are pure. But just try Ani DiFranco, John Prine, or James Taylor, and we'll know you're tryin' to make a profit (and not the "Frank" kind) and that wouldn't be the "folky" thing to do!!

Rick

Subject: RE: Riley Puckett?
From: wysiwyg
Date: 26 Feb 00 - 11:02 AM

Helpful!!! Plus now I know what my fave performers were listening to way back then!

Subject: RE: Riley Puckett?
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 26 Feb 00 - 11:00 AM

Hey Folks- please let me know if postings like this are offensive (commercial) or helpful.

Camsco has (in stock): Puckett, Riley

OLHE 4174, Old Time Greats, Vol. 2, $12.98

The Cat Came Back ~ Short Life of Trouble ~ Broken Engagement ~ The Wednesday Night Waltz ~ Renfro Valley Home ~ I Only Want a Buddy ~ Roll Back The Carpet ~ Way Out There ~ Back on the Texas Plains ~ Tie Me to Your Apron Stings ~ The Preacher and the Bear ~ Though You're Not Satisfied with Me ~ Put On An Old Pair Of Shoes ~ Don't Let Your Deal Go Down ~ The Boston Burglar ~ Lost Love ~ There's An Old Spinning Wheel ~ Hoplight Ladies ~ Kimball House ~ Careless Love ~ What's The Reason ~ Blue Ridge Mountain Blues ~ Ol' Faithful

as well as a few Skillet Lickers CDs; we can get you, at a competitive price, any other CD that's in print from ANYWHERE or ANYBODY. We'd like to be your airline.

Subject: RE: Riley Puckett?
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 26 Feb 00 - 12:50 AM

Subject: RE: Riley Puckett?
From: Stewie
Date: 25 Feb 00 - 06:35 PM

Arnie,

There was also a Bear Family release BFX 15280 'Red Sails in the Sunset'. This focused on Puckett's swansong for Bluebird and sampled 4 Atlanta sessions between August 1939 and October 1941. On the sleeve notes, Tony Russell gives a quote from Riley's widow about his eclectic tastes:

[He listened to] anything and everything ... The radio was the first thing that went on in the morning. He could sit and listen to a song ... one time and just pick it up.

--Stewie.

Subject: RE: Riley Puckett?
From: Stewie
Date: 25 Feb 00 - 06:18 PM

During his lifetime, Riley was more popular for his singing than for his guitar playing. In an interview in the 1970s, McMichen said, in respect of Skillet Licket records, that if Riley didn't sing in them, they did not sell.

--Stewie.

Subject: RE: Riley Puckett?
From: Arnie Naiman
Date: 25 Feb 00 - 06:06 PM

I have 2 lp's of Riley on Old Homestead Records -Vol 1 & 2. Also one on County #411 "Waitin' for the Evening Mail" - with a picture of Riley sitting and fingerpicking a guitar and Gid Tanner playing fiddle. These recordings of mostly solo pieces (and entirely different from The Skillet Licker recordings), are filled with great singing, incredible yodeling, and solid guitar playing.

Subject: RE: Riley Puckett?
From: JedMarum
Date: 25 Feb 00 - 02:23 PM

a natty dresser - Is that good? I would like to give a listen to some of the music ... sounds like I'd enjoy it.

And drop the Liam? Hmm, well I'm workin' on that. I've conversed around enough here to want to change slowly, but if some of those beautiful Mudcatters will follow me home, perhaps I'd better do it sooner rather then later!

Subject: RE: Riley Puckett?
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 25 Feb 00 - 11:41 AM

Hi Liam/Jed. Hey, why don't ya drop the "Liam"? We know who you are now, and only the most beautiful Mudcatters are likely to follow you home!!

Yeah, give Riley Puckett a listen to. He was tremendously influential and no...he isn't exclusively "party music". When he played with Gid Tanner, the music was wild old country hoe-down, but on his own he played some great ballads, rags, sentimental songs and did lots of Jimmie Rodgers covers.

He fit into an interesting category. Every label had artists who could recreate a "hit" of the day. For example if Jimmie Rodgers released a song (which would automatically become a "hit") every other label would release either the same song or a very similar one, using their own artists, in order to grab a share of the sales. Very similar to the covers by Pat Boone, Chubby Checker, Cliff Richard, etc. of R and B songs.

Riley and Gene Autry were prime "cover artists" in the thirties.(as was Blind Willie McTell) Gene hit it big with "I'm back in the Saddle Again" and became a star. Riley never had that big breakthrough and died in obscurity in the forties.

Other than his playing style, his contemporaries didn't have a lot to say about his personality, other than that he was seen as a moody person, and sometimes bad tempered...oh, Alton and Rabon Delmore (my alltime favourite musicians) reported that he was a "natty dresser"!

Rick

Subject: RE: Riley Puckett?
From: JedMarum
Date: 25 Feb 00 - 12:18 AM

I can't say why I tuned into this thread, or why I read through it, since I don't know anything about Mr Puckett, but it has been an interesting thread none-the-less.

Maybe I read through the pathos and the passion because I use my nails when I play. I do not regularly 'flat pick' much with my nails, except occasionally on Bass, but I do use my nails for finger picking (with a thumb pick) and exclusively on the banjo (no thumb pick).

I have also found nails useful at cracking a string (forward), flat pick style, while you are finger picking. It makes a sharp percussive "flat picked" sound in the midst of an otherwise finger picked pattern (does that make sense?). I use it for accent on bass runs, and sometimes for a snap of two or three note chords. I also know that I can use the nail of my index, held as if it were a flat pick, to sound just like a flat pick. I have been accused of using a flat pick on new guitars in the store while doing this ... I know it can be done.

So now that this discussion has caught my attention, maybe I need go and listen to Riley's music - party music, I gather?

Subject: RE: Riley Puckett?
From: M. Ted (inactive)
Date: 24 Feb 00 - 11:07 PM

Oddly enough, I have run into a number of funk guitar players who use the index finger in a similar fashion--call me crazy(it won't be the first time) but when I first heard the Skillet Lickers recordings, it struck me that they had a very funky sound--anyway, Riley Puckett's playing still sounds fresh--

Subject: RE: Riley Puckett?
From: catspaw49
Date: 24 Feb 00 - 09:14 PM

Again, I would echo myself......When I ran various searches I found 9 different listings including the two above. If Elderly has them (and they do) then I'm equally sure that Dick can get them. He does list the one compilation now.

And Troll....I wasn't setting you up for a joke, just trying to remind about the Mudcat support idea!!!(:<))

Spaw

Subject: RE: Riley Puckett?
From: wysiwyg
Date: 24 Feb 00 - 08:59 PM

Not having heard these personally, except maybe on old LP's borrowed 20 years ago from my local library and long since returned, I don';t know ifthese are on or off target. But these were recommended by Davecoje: in the correspondence I had with him lat night.

Here are two CD's which pretty much sum up Puckett's sound, sense of humor, and association with the Skillet Lickers:

A CORN LICKER STILL IN GEORGIA
Gid Tanner and his Skillet Lickers
VRCD303 - Voyager Recordings, Seattle,WA

THE SKILLET LICKERS
Old-Time Fiddle Tunes and Songs From North Georgia
COUNTY CD - 3509 - County Records, Floyd, VA

Suggest you e-mail Davecoje at his given address if details are wanted.

Subject: RE: Riley Puckett?
From: Sandy Paton
Date: 24 Feb 00 - 08:46 PM

If a recording is available at all, anywhere, Dick will make the effort to locate it and supply it through the Mudcat shop or direct from Camsco, as Kat points out. Give him a chance to help the Mudcat! Ask him first!

Sandy

Subject: RE: Riley Puckett?
From: katlaughing
Date: 24 Feb 00 - 07:10 PM

You guys should check with Dick Greenhaus, of the DigiTrad and Camsco Records. He says he can get just about anything and if you buy from him, like Spaw said, part of it goes to the Mducat. You can send him a personal message here at the Mudcat or, go to the Quick Links and Contact Us.

all the best, kat

Subject: RE: Riley Puckett?
From: Troll
Date: 24 Feb 00 - 07:00 PM

Much thanks Stewie. Riley was a major influence on me.

troll

Subject: RE: Riley Puckett?
From: Stewie
Date: 24 Feb 00 - 06:56 PM

Troll, all the LPs would be well out of print. The only Puckett to make it to CD is a 24 track selection on Old Homestead: 'Riley Puckett: Old Time Greats Vol 2' Old Homestead 4174. I have been trying to get it in import shops in Australia, but no one can supply and it appears Old Homestead doesn't answer emails, from foreign countries at least. I notice that Roots and Rhythm has it available, and I will order it from them. From the partial track listing there, it looks to be an expansion of the Old Homestead vinyl albums devoted to Puckett.

--Stewie.

Subject: RE: Riley Puckett?
From: Troll
Date: 24 Feb 00 - 11:37 AM

You're being nice. You're building up to something,right?

troll "BSG"

Subject: RE: Riley Puckett?
From: catspaw49
Date: 24 Feb 00 - 11:34 AM

BTW....the one available thru the 'Cat I assume comes from Camsco, but if I'm wrong, I should also have pointed out that Dick at Camsco does have the album and you can get a track listing on his site Camsco Music--www.camsco.com.......Should also note that ordering thru Camsco or Mudcat benefits the 'Cat financially as well. Sorry.

Spaw

Subject: RE: Riley Puckett?
From: catspaw49
Date: 24 Feb 00 - 11:25 AM

So do two halve make a whole?....or in my case an arsewhole?

Spaw

Subject: RE: Riley Puckett?
From: Troll
Date: 24 Feb 00 - 11:23 AM

Thankee Spaw. I take back half of what I said about you.

Love to Cleigh,

troll

Subject: RE: Riley Puckett?
From: catspaw49
Date: 24 Feb 00 - 11:19 AM

Hey Troll.....One Riley album is available thru Mudcat (go to Sh0p and Auction) and several are available including the S-L at Elderly www.elderly.com...Go to the CD section and do a name search in the block at the bottom of the page.

Spaw

Subject: RE: Riley Puckett?
From: Troll
Date: 24 Feb 00 - 10:53 AM

When I started playing old-time, Riley puckett was my role model for guitar accompaniment. I DID try to make the runs relate to what the fiddles were doing, but I stood in awe of his playing. I still do. He was highly inventive.

Arnie or anyone. Are those solo recordings available today? I'd sure like to buy them.

troll

Subject: RE: Riley Puckett?
From: GUEST,Pete Peterson (w)
Date: 24 Feb 00 - 10:31 AM

Having heard about Riley Puckett from the NLCR for about five years, it was a real eye-opener to hear some tapes of old 78s back in 1966 or so and hear Fuzzy Rag ("now pay close attention to these runs." nobody ELSE was doing that in 1927. I was able (as I've said before) to approximate the notes by using thumb and index finger alternating fast, instead of a flatpick, but always had the feeling I wasn't doing just what Riley was doing. Thanks again Rick.

Subject: RE: Riley Puckett?
From: wysiwyg
Date: 24 Feb 00 - 01:44 AM

RF in Duckboots,

The gent survived my gentle ministrations with a very large two by four last night, in good form, and I am sure will be a delight to engage with if he returns.

Subject: RE: Riley Puckett?
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 24 Feb 00 - 01:17 AM

Dammit, if Duckboots is gonna be posting on the cat she could at least re-set my cookie! That last was me of course, cause, tolerant woman that she is..I don't think she's a Riley Puckett fan!

Rick

Subject: RE: Riley Puckett?
From: Duckboots
Date: 24 Feb 00 - 01:13 AM

Thanks Kat. Don't mind havin' a little fun with the gent though. Ten to one he can take it.

Great point Troll! Most of the artists we like on records did TONS of other stuff that we don't know about. I would never have believed that Django Reinhart was a finger picker if I hadn't heard that one rare recording of him doing some great pseudo-classical stuff. Same with Lonnie Johnson as a violinist and pianist, or Merle Haggard as hot fiddler and rock lead guitarist. How about the contemporaries of Robert Johnson who said that he played lots of pop songs, could blow a mean harmonica, and dance the jive!

Hey! It's nice to have so many people in a "Riley Puckett" thread!

Rick