'Mississippi River of Song' tune?

Subject: 'Mississippi River of Song' tune?
From: smokeyjoe
Date: 28 Apr 03 - 11:53 PM

Does anyone know anything about the banjo piece that closes out this wonderful series? I'm not sure it's at the end of every episode, but it was on at least one while the credits were rolling. I have been led to believe that it's performed by the late great John Hartford, but I'll be damned if I could find the name of it. Thanx in advance!

Subject: RE: 'Mississippi River of Song' tune?
From: Bob Bolton
Date: 29 Apr 03 - 12:39 AM

G'day smokyjoe,

If Art Thieme doesn't notice this thread ... perhaps you should PM him and ask if he knows. It is certainly his territory ... even if he wasn't rapt in the series! (I was given the book by a friend, here in Australia, and I asked Art about the series ... Oh well!)

I know that Art knew and appreciated John Hartford's work - and I hope he listened long enough to notice the tune.

Regards,

Bob Bolton

Subject: RE: 'Mississippi River of Song' tune?
From: Bob Bolton
Date: 30 Apr 03 - 12:08 AM

G'day again smokeyjoe,

I've refreshed the thread to keep it visible ... and I'll PM Art to see if he remembers the tune.

Regards,

Bob Bolton

Subject: RE: 'Mississippi River of Song' tune?
From: GUEST,smokeyjoe
Date: 30 Apr 03 - 10:53 AM

Thanks Bob. Now it's my turn. Maybe if I don't get any response, I'll include Hartford's name in the thread!
Cheers!

Subject: RE: 'Mississippi River of Song' tune?
From: Art Thieme
Date: 01 May 03 - 12:35 AM

Sorry for being preoccupied here.

No, I don't recall the song at all. I don't think I ever heard it.   But my memory is shot these days.

Art

Subject: RE: 'Mississippi River of Song' tune?
From: open mike
Date: 01 May 03 - 02:37 AM

i tried (unsuccessfully) to get the local steam boat owners
association to hire john hartford to entertain at their
gathering in the sacramento delta a couple of years ago in the fall.
they are an interesting collection of folks
and their boats are wonderful--they run on
various fuel--from pine cones, to diesel,
wood, propane, and gas. from small canoes
to large tug boats. They always have a
boat race and picnic in September.
John Hartford made a wonderful video
that shows him piloting a riverboat,
a paddle wheel steamer, on the mississippi river!
He does his magical playing while dancing, too.
sacramento boat pix
more boat pix

Subject: RE: 'Mississippi River of Song' tune?
From: Bob Bolton
Date: 01 May 03 - 11:37 PM

G'day smokeyjoe,

I'm afraid I can't help much more, since Art can't place the tune. I never saw the program, which may never have been shown in Australia (and I don't watch much TV, anyway!). I just happen to have been given the book ... and that's no help for the tunes! Sadly, we can't go back to John Hartford and ask him.

Regards,

Bob Bolton

Subject: RE: 'Mississippi River of Song' tune?
From: Bob Bolton
Date: 03 May 03 - 01:49 AM

G'day again smokeyjoe,

I had a look in the River of Song companion book. In the Discography, before individual listings for all the recordings by the artists in the series, they have an entry for River of Song:

"Tracks from most of the artists included in the River of Song project appear on the companion two-CD set, The Mississippi: River of Song, Smithsonian Folkways 40086, 1998."

If you search the CDs, you may find a track listing including John Hartford ... and that may be the tune you seek.

BTW: There is also a "Lyrics Credits" section ... and, under 'John Hartford' it mentions: "Miss Ferris", Words and music by John Hartford, © 1977 John Hartford Music and "Gentle on My Mind", by John Hartford, © 1967 & 1968 by Ensign Music Corporation. One of these may be the tune you are after.

Regards,

Bob Bolton

Subject: RE: 'Mississippi River of Song' tune?
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 03 May 03 - 03:21 PM

Here's the official description of the The Mississippi River Of Song soundtrack album at Smithsonian Folkways.

But, as usual, Yahoo! Music has a more complete set of sound samples.

Subject: RE: 'Mississippi River of Song' tune?
From: Bob Bolton
Date: 04 May 03 - 09:11 AM

G'day Jim,

Well, Miss Ferris is on the CD ... and I guess that 'smokeyjoe' would certainly recognise Gentle on My Mind ...!

I'm afraid I don't know the song ... but Yahoo's links might solve the problem for 'smokeyjoe.

Regards,

Bob Bolton

Subject: RE: 'Mississippi River of Song' tune?
From: GUEST,smokeyjoe
Date: 04 May 03 - 10:11 AM

hey, thanks for all the help folks! I checked all those song samples on the links provided, but unfortunately, none of them was the tune that I'm looking for. I've got a funny feeling that the song never made it to the soundtrack album. The song is a real pretty solo banjo piece, which I would love to learn. I guess I'll have to buy a copy of the documentary and tape it off the t.v. the old fashioned way......