Play dulcimer with me?

Subject: RE: Play dulcimer with me?
From: Walking Eagle
Date: 03 Oct 01 - 04:32 PM

We're honored, Ms Ritchie. I hope to see you ( and maybe play for real with you ) somwhere this side of heaven! Meanwhile, our little Saturday night gig will have to do.

Subject: RE: Play dulcimer with me?
From: Banjer
Date: 02 Oct 01 - 07:21 PM

All of us are certainly honored to be able to know you , Jean, and to have been able to play along with you from many different corners of the world. You have in no small way been an inspiratiion to us all and have touched our lives in ways that you may never know! Thanks for being here and allowing us to share your company.

Subject: RE: Play dulcimer with me?
From: kytrad (Jean Ritchie)
Date: 02 Oct 01 - 07:09 PM

Mary- I'm SO unhappy not to have met you...let's try again soon. Meanwhile, thanks for the good words. And Frailin Gill, it gives me goosebumps to think of you all in Dublin strumming and singing with us- and Spaw, imagine your talking about us with your audience and making your music with everybody!

Walking Eagle, hope you're feeling better now, and thanks for playing faithfully even if you were "poorly." Banjer, Ma-K, Annimaterra (can't remember everybody!)- such faithful friends...I am deeply honored by you all.

Subject: RE: Play dulcimer with me?
From: Frailin Gill
Date: 02 Oct 01 - 05:39 PM

I have been away in Dublin for the weekend and only just got back, to find out how it all went. I had plenty of Irish musicians around me to keep me awake till the desired hour of the early morning and they all knew at least the tune and chorus of Amazing Grace, so there was a good crowd joining you from across the Atlantic.

Subject: RE: Play dulcimer with me?
From: Mary in Kentucky
Date: 02 Oct 01 - 08:42 AM

Hello again Jean. No, I didn't get to talk to you. I probably should have gone to your seminar instead of taking the riverboat ride! I had never been to that part of Frankfort before, and since I arrived late, I wanted to see the palisades on the river (I have a Paul Sawyier water color of the Kentucky River). It was a disappointment, one of those things you're glad you did once but will never do again! I passed you in the golf cart on your way to the stage, but too late to even holler! BTW, I really enjoyed the performers before you, especially the gospel group who sang a capella, "Oh Mary Don't You Weep."

Thanks for the name of the second song; I'll look it up too. I've enjoyed refreshing my memory on the others.

Subject: RE: Play dulcimer with me?
From: catspaw49
Date: 01 Oct 01 - 10:07 PM

Thanks Jean........Post whatever you like, just know how much we all care for you here and how much you have brought to us. I had such a good time the other night....telling the story of Jean Ritchie and the dulcimer and my little audience sang pretty well, a kind of neat moment knowing what was going on 250 miles away. So now I thank you again for yet another special moment.

Spaw

Subject: RE: Play dulcimer with me?
From: kytrad (Jean Ritchie)
Date: 01 Oct 01 - 09:51 PM

Greetings everyone- well, I seem to be #100, so here endeth this thread? What fun it has been; you are all so wonderful. I'm not a gushy person but there are times... Mary- are you the one who said, "I'm Mary!" and I hugged your neck? There were several Marys there that night- one who said we were cousins, and helped me with autographing, and another one that helped make the dulcimer Kentucky's official instrument...which one were you? It's always so flustering after I come offstage.

And of course I TOLD many, many folks, beforehand, about all of you in different state and countries who'd be playing with us, and then in my intro, what with having the players in the audience hold up their instruments, etc., just forgot to tell that story...Forgive me- but you'll know that when the song began, I could hear all the distant music from around the world, joining in, and how this world needs it! Thanks to all of you; your support is precious to me.

Mary, the Child ballad was,"Lovin Henry." "Young Hunting" is the Child title.

The heart-jumping was making me breathless, so I don't think I sang very well, but my friends accepted it with good grace. I'm afraid I lost my low notes on "Flowers of Joy," and that's because it has such a range I have to start it almost too low, as at 78 my range is closing down a bit...excuses! excuses! It's on the CD, "None But One," but I'll gladly give words to "Flowers of Joy" to any who'd like them. Or come to New Harmony, IN for the dulcimer gathering (Nov. 17-18 as I remember- check it on webpage), and I promise to be in better voice, and I'm hoping to have son Jon with me to do harmony; he's wonderful!

Love and blessings to all of you- it has been a grand friendly visit! Jean P.S. When I find it, can also complete the song list if there's any interest. J

Subject: RE: Play dulcimer with me?
From: Walking Eagle
Date: 01 Oct 01 - 10:18 AM

Mary,

Thanks for the report. This is bringing tears to my eyes. So much lovely and heartfelt simplicity in these times of uncertainty.

Thanks, W.E.

Subject: RE: Play dulcimer with me?
From: Ma-K
Date: 01 Oct 01 - 10:12 AM

I played too. We were at a Boy Scout camp out. They watched the clock so I would be on time....Mary

Subject: RE: Play dulcimer with me?
From: Mary in Kentucky
Date: 30 Sep 01 - 04:04 PM

Hi Walking Eagle. I tried to remember all the songs, but my list is probably not very good. Maybe Jean will stop by the next time she's near a computer and give us the definitive list.

The Cuckoo - reminded me a little of Come All Ye Fair and Tender Ladies, you know, the false hearted lover, etc.

A Child Ballad, something about Henry, the lass lets him die. I can't find this one.

Going to Boston - DT version

Flowers of Joy

Black Waters
also in the DT, Black Waters

Then there were some "play party" songs. One about "put the kettle on" (not Polly) and two about kissing, one for little girls and one for big girls!

One little girl in the audience was thrilled when Jean sang her request for a going to sleep song.

Then of course Amazing Grace. Probably 20-30 of us (I was on your far left, Jean) accompanied her. The last verse was a capella...gorgeous.

Subject: RE: Play dulcimer with me?
From: Walking Eagle
Date: 30 Sep 01 - 01:15 PM

My story is, I was feeling poorly on Saturday so I sat down in my comfy chair. As you can guess, I nodded off. I awoke just at 7:30 and grabbed the nearest dulcimer ( not too hard in my house, tiny ) and started playing. It wasn't in G, but I played anyhow.

How about a complete rundown of the ceremony?

Subject: RE: Play dulcimer with me?
From: catspaw49
Date: 29 Sep 01 - 10:29 PM

.............oy.....................

That was low Mary........I'll get you for that one. Well, maybe not.......At least you didn't start another thread!!!(:<))

Spaw

Subject: RE: Play dulcimer with me?
From: Mary in Kentucky
Date: 29 Sep 01 - 10:16 PM

I thought of you too Spaw. I saw where Songcatcher was on the marquee at one of the movie theaters in Frankfort! hehe

Subject: RE: Play dulcimer with me?
From: catspaw49
Date: 29 Sep 01 - 09:30 PM

Mary, I was just thinking of you....even looked at your Mudcat pix and wondered whether you made it or not. I am so happy that you did for all of us. Only 2 ovations? Probably deserved 3! Glad you were there!!

Spaw

Subject: RE: Play dulcimer with me?
From: Mary in Kentucky
Date: 29 Sep 01 - 09:19 PM

I just got home from Frankfort...Jean was wonderful...two standing ovations!

Jean, do you know how much you are loved?

Subject: RE: Play dulcimer with me?
From: catspaw49
Date: 29 Sep 01 - 08:55 PM

Well Banj, that sounds great! I probably was a bit off on the timing of playing as the break came a bit early....But the story of Jean and the Appalachian Dulcimer went well (probably better that my rustyass playing) and we had about fifty folks from here singing Amazing Grace right along. I lined a couple of verses and the whole thing went pretty well.

Thanks again to you Jean for bringing so much of the mountains to so many.

Spaw

Subject: RE: Play dulcimer with me?
From: Banjer
Date: 29 Sep 01 - 07:46 PM

Pulled it off nicely, we did. It sounded great! I even snuck in a version of John Prine's 'Paradise', 'Sloop John B, (get a nice calypso rhythm with a quick back stroke), 'Sweet Bye And Bye' and 'Homestead And A Farm' (aka: 'I Wonder How The Old Folks Are At Home') also got some play time. What an evening!! Earlier this evening, 6:30 t0 7:00 PM I had the great fortune to tune in to the Cumberland Highlanders Show on the Outdoor Channel and watch part one of the dedication of the refurbished Monroe homestead. The first time in 75 years that the old home heard Uncle Penn's fiddle. They played 'Soldiers Joy'. It's funny what can bring tears to the eye!!

Subject: RE: Play dulcimer with me?
From: Banjer
Date: 29 Sep 01 - 07:24 PM

She should be about halfway through her set. In about ten minutes I figure we will play 'Amazing Grace'. Just finished with 'What A Friend We Have In Jesus' Oh, how I would love to be there......

Subject: RE: Play dulcimer with me?
From: catspaw49
Date: 29 Sep 01 - 05:46 PM

I'm leaving now for the Presbyterian church and I'll be clock watching! With any luck, that ought to hit about right.

Jean, I know that we'll all be with you tonight.

Spaw

Subject: RE: Play dulcimer with me?
From: Banjer
Date: 29 Sep 01 - 04:43 AM

......TODAY'S THE DAY!!!!!!

Thanks 'Spaw, I'll go look at the Niles info in a bit.

Subject: RE: Play dulcimer with me?
From: catspaw49
Date: 28 Sep 01 - 10:07 PM

Jean, you take care of yourself and I'll have the arrhytmias for both of us......okay? Seriously, do what your doctor says!!!

I'll be here playing along although I was hoping to be in Frankfort. Just not a happening thing though......Kids are WAY too active in soccer and scouts and all that stuff this year. Oddly enough though, I'm playing as an intermission of sorts during a program at the Presbyterian Church here tomorrow night for our little village's Oktoberfest. I'm supposed to fill in about 20 minutes or so and most will be on Hammered, but at 7 (when I should be acting as "filler") I'll pick up my App and play Amazing grace with all of you. The story alone of why I am doing that will kill 5 minutes!!!

BANJ......We've run a couple of threads about Niles here and I guess you missed them, but one dealing with his authenticity is HERE. There are a couple of others as well, but that one contains one of Art's best lines: "JJN's voice always reminded me of a banshee in heat---or the sounds that filled the night when the orphanage burned down."

Spaw

Subject: RE: Play dulcimer with me?
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 28 Sep 01 - 08:03 PM

Take care of yourself, dear Jean! We want you and your beating heart back with us after this wonderful-sounding weekend!

Subject: RE: Play dulcimer with me?
From: Walking Eagle
Date: 28 Sep 01 - 05:59 PM

Tomorrow night! Tomorrow night! I can't wait!

Subject: RE: Play dulcimer with me?
From: Banjer
Date: 27 Sep 01 - 08:09 PM

Wow, if Mr. Niles (Jack) was still with us I bet he could tell some interesting stories. Imagine, he saw his first dulcimer at the Ritchie homestead!! He passed it on to many others I'm sure. The more I hear and read, the more I KNOW I am much richer for having made Jean's acquantaince. I wish taht some day we could all sit around and listen to some of the stories she could tell. Ah, one can but dream!!

Subject: RE: Play dulcimer with me?
From: kytrad (Jean Ritchie)
Date: 27 Sep 01 - 05:15 PM

Mr. Pen, was that you blowing your horn? I do wish I had time to see the JJ Niles site, but this time I've got only the short weekend. Someday soon! And yes, Banjer, I knew Mr. Niles very well (intimates called him Jack), and his wife Rena- both gone now. Niles and I shared many a stage and singing party together. We met when I was nine or so; he came to our home in Viper, Kentucky, bringing Doris Ullman, photographer...that's another story. Anyway, he saw his first dulcimer in our house at that time.

Had a little scare today- my Dr. almost forbade me to go to KY tomorrow (a bit of arhythmia- I've had it on and off for years, and don't worry much about it). He put me on coumadin and digoxyn and looked very fierce, but I have talked him out of the ban... Crossed fingers & prayers, please- and LOTS of playing and singing! Jean

Forgot to sat that there's some sort of seminar (highfallutin name for some folks sittin around talkin and swappin tunes) at 3 PM. The other "sitters" I know of besides me are Eddie Pennington, Sam Bush and Clyde Davanport. Drop in if you get there early, and ask me a question, for goodness sake, to untie my tongue! J.

Subject: RE: Play dulcimer with me?
From: Banjer
Date: 26 Sep 01 - 08:08 PM

Interesting site...I would bet that Jean knows of him. I can't get the music to play but the reading is inteersting.

This evening plus three days to go!!

Subject: John Jacob Niles
From: GUEST,JohnJacobNiles.com
Date: 26 Sep 01 - 07:27 PM

The Dulcimer, Kentucky history and John Jacob Niles are inseparable! We'd like to invite you to visit the John Jacob Niles Web site:

http://JohnJacobNiles.com

Thank you!

Subject: RE: Play dulcimer with me?
From: Mary in Kentucky
Date: 26 Sep 01 - 06:03 PM

2001 Kentucky Folklife Festival: An Overview

Anybody else going? I will probably be there! The weather forecast is gorgeous for next Saturday!

Subject: RE: Play dulcimer with me?
From: Walking Eagle
Date: 26 Sep 01 - 05:27 PM

Counting today, four more days! I like Jackaro as well.

Subject: RE: Play dulcimer with me?
From: Banjer
Date: 25 Sep 01 - 06:54 PM

OK Jean, I understand the concept of not editing a playlist before a program. It seems more spontaneous and I guess in many cases works better if one just plays what comes to mind. I will do likewise here at this end. (All except for Amazing Grace around 7:30) I'm sure that 'Flowers Of Joy' will work well, no matter how you do it. Sure wish I could be there!!

Subject: RE: Play dulcimer with me?
From: kytrad (Jean Ritchie)
Date: 25 Sep 01 - 05:03 PM

Banjer, you asked what I'd be singing at the festival...well you know, I hardly ever decide until a very short time before I start singing- but I guess I'll be sure to do a ballad, maybe "Jackaro," as that has a happy ending, and I'm weary of sad endings these days. And a playparty, perhaps, "March Down to Old Tennessee." And I think that my "in memorium" song for our recent tragedy will be "Flowers of Joy." I do that without accompaniment, usually as a duet with son Jon, but he won't be with me this time, so a solo, with my old voice. Hope for me that it comes out all right!

I don't know what the other songs might be...thanks for your interest. Love to all, Jean

Subject: RE: Play dulcimer with me?
From: Walking Eagle
Date: 25 Sep 01 - 12:16 PM

Up,up,up!

Subject: RE: Play dulcimer with me?
From: Banjer
Date: 25 Sep 01 - 12:13 AM

Five days....

Subject: RE: Play dulcimer with me?
From: Walking Eagle
Date: 24 Sep 01 - 10:43 AM

What Sharon and Banjer said **Amen**!

Subject: RE: Play dulcimer with me?
From: Banjer
Date: 23 Sep 01 - 06:52 PM

Thank sfor sharing that with us Sharon. Does anyone else have any stories about Jean's influence on their music? She and I have never met but I feel that I have known her for a long time. She answered some e-mails that I sent to her at another website and just her friendly encouragement was an uplifting experience for me. Thanks, Jean, for being there for all of us.

Subject: RE: Play dulcimer with me?
From: Pinetop Slim
Date: 23 Sep 01 - 06:46 PM

Six days.

Subject: RE: Play dulcimer with me?
From: Sharon
Date: 23 Sep 01 - 03:39 PM

Just happened on this thread and was so impressed to see Jean R.'s posting. When I was a young Girl Scout, back in the 50's, our scout troop helped pass out programs at a program at the IMA Auditorium in Flint, MI. The performer was a beautiful young lady who played an instrument I had never before heard of..... a dulcimer. I loved the music, her songs, and her sweet presentation of all of it. I placed the newspaper picture and article in my scrapbook.... which I still have. Never did I dream that I too would one day play a dulcimer, and attend dulcimer festivals, even play in a music session at such a festival, with Jean, which I have done. Our lives certainly travel in wonderful circles, at times, don't they.

Jean, if you're reading this, thank you, from just one of the people your life has touched with music. Your love of the music of the people has spread into lives of others, who continue to spread it.

Sharon, in Indiana

Subject: RE: Play dulcimer with me?
From: Sharon
Date: 23 Sep 01 - 03:32 PM

Subject: RE: Play dulcimer with me?
From: Mary in Kentucky
Date: 23 Sep 01 - 01:15 PM

Jean, I just spoke with a freelance photographer for the AP and The Courier Journal. She'll see what she can do for coverage of the event.

Subject: RE: Play dulcimer with me?
From: Mary in Kentucky
Date: 23 Sep 01 - 11:28 AM

Still practicing Amazing Grace here!

Subject: RE: Play dulcimer with me?
From: Banjer
Date: 23 Sep 01 - 05:49 AM

Seven days, counting today! Must practice some of the songs I want to play. Foster's 'Hard Times' is another one I like to play on the dulcimer. Jean, what are some of the songs you will be doing?

Subject: RE: Play dulcimer with me?
From: Banjer
Date: 21 Sep 01 - 08:52 PM

May start working on some of our patriotic songs as well. 'America, (Oh Beautiful) would sound right nice on a dulcimer. I can play it fairly well on the banjo and will try to learn it on the dulcimer before our 'opening night'! Walking Eagle, those are some good suggestions you have there. Also add to the suggest pile a lot of Steven Foster's works. Camptown Races and My Old Kentucky Home lend themselves nicely.

Subject: RE: Play dulcimer with me?
From: Walking Eagle
Date: 21 Sep 01 - 06:21 PM

Thank you Jean,

I believe I've heard him sing something about tyrants hearing the death bells knelling, or some such a thing, in some new versions of the song.

Anyway, the song is most appropriate for these tragic days.

Thanks again, I'll be in KY in spirit.

Subject: RE: Play dulcimer with me?
From: kytrad (Jean Ritchie)
Date: 21 Sep 01 - 05:14 PM

That little song Pete (and many others) sings...
My life goes on in endless song
Above earth's lamentation;
I hear the real, though far-off hymn
That hails the new creation.
No storm can shake my inmost calm,
While to that rock I'm clinging
It sounds an echo in my soul
How can I keep from singing?

What though thunder o'er me rolls?
I feel the life it liveth-
What though the storm around me folds,
Songs in the night it giveth!
Above the tumult and the strife
I hear it's music ringing!
Since love is Lord of heaven and earth-
How can I keep from singing?

Subject: RE: Play dulcimer with me?
From: GUEST,Walking Eagle
Date: 21 Sep 01 - 12:30 PM

I'll Fly Away, Down in the Valley to Pray, and Bright Morning Stars come to mind for gospel. Pete Seegers' song about why he keeps singing, I've forgotten the title, comes to mind for the folk singers. For some humor, Alice's Restaurant.

Subject: RE: Play dulcimer with me?
From: Banjer
Date: 20 Sep 01 - 06:20 PM

Alright, a play list. We will of course start with Amazing Grace. I will probably follow that with some gospel numbers such as What A Friend We Have In Jesus, Jesus Bless The Little Children, Church In The Wildwood, Old Coubtry Church, and who knows from there! Any other suggestions, additions, or comments? Anybody?

Subject: RE: Play dulcimer with me?
From: Walking Eagle
Date: 20 Sep 01 - 05:27 PM

ten days to go.

I'm sure that 'catters could come up with some different words for the song. I'm not familiar with that one. A play list sounds good.

W.E.

Subject: RE: Play dulcimer with me?
From: Banjer
Date: 20 Sep 01 - 06:52 AM

Walking Eagle, you are doing a fine job, but I will jump in and help. I had been considering recording myself on banjo and acompanying the recording with the dulcimer. I'll have to experiment and see how that works.
The thought also occured to me that those of us not able to attend the event with Jean could put together a playlist and carry on a bit after we paly Amazing Grace.
I agree with you that given the events of recent past, a betetr choice of songs could not have been made.
I have been playing with the idea of a rewrite of the Civil War song, Battle Cry Of Freedom.

Yes, we'll rally round the flag boys,
We'll rally once again,
Shouting the battle cry of freedom,
We will rally from the hillside,
We'll gather from the plain,
Shouting the battle cry of freedom
Our country together,
We'll show the world
Our glorious banner shall never be furled
Yes, we'll rally round the flag boys,
We'll rally once again,
Shouting the Battle Cry of Freedom!

Any thoughts as to where to go from there?

Subject: RE: Play dulcimer with me?
From: kytrad (Jean Ritchie)
Date: 19 Sep 01 - 04:17 PM

By all means, Frailin Gill, play banjo, bongo- anything ya got now! If we get some guitars, fiddles, mandolins, basses- we'll have a whole string band (string orchestra?)! I'll be listening to you... Jean

Subject: RE: Play dulcimer with me?
From: Walking Eagle
Date: 19 Sep 01 - 03:19 PM

Banjer, I need a little help keepin' this here thread alive!

Nice to meetcha Frailin Gill!