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Tune Req: No Preacher Blues (Davey Graham)

17 Apr 00 - 01:24 PM (#213175)
Subject: Help: Davey Graham 'No Preacher Blues'
From: Grab

I've just got a Davey Graham CD - superb, stunning and the rest. So now I'm going to spoil it by trying to learn some of the songs...

Does anyone know the guitar part to 'No Preacher Blues'? Words aren't a problem (he's a pretty good blues singer) and the chords are work-out-able, but the guitar part's a bit beyond my tabbing capabilities. Does anyone even know what tuning he used for it? I can pick up the main notes of the tune, but getting the rest of it (which is the bit that makes it special) is out of my range.

I've had a search around, but no joy so far. Plenty of versions of Anji, but no other DG songs. Can anyone help, please? There must be some talented people out there with musical ears...

Grab.


17 Apr 00 - 03:03 PM (#213230)
Subject: RE: Help: Davey Graham 'No Preacher Blues'
From: GUEST,art

I don't know for sure,but davey graham was one of the first to use DADGAD tuning. I heard a story about him being secretive about which tuning he used and then another guitarist found out the tuning, and was subsequently known as "the thief of dadgad" ho ho ho


18 Apr 00 - 06:17 AM (#213548)
Subject: RE: Help: Davey Graham 'No Preacher Blues'
From: Grab

Ouch!

That's the problem though, Art. I mean, if you don't even know what to tune your strings to, you're starting with a serious handicap. I know DG liked DADGAD tuning, but he's also rumoured to have tried all sorts of other stuff. I just hope it's not too peculiar, like the strange tunings he must have needed for his sitar-y pieces.

Grab.


19 Apr 00 - 02:44 AM (#214182)
Subject: RE: Help: Davey Graham 'No Preacher Blues'
From: Rick Fielding

I Think he's still around. Anyone know him well enough to ask? Folkies are VERRY accessible.

Rick


19 Apr 00 - 03:56 AM (#214196)
Subject: RE: Help: Davey Graham 'No Preacher Blues'
From: GUEST,art

i think the "thief " originally was bert jansch but not too sure. davey is (ithink)still about living somewhere near brighton. anyone from brighton uk about. grab- i'm about 25 miles from you, in suffolk uk

cheers bill


19 Apr 00 - 08:36 AM (#214236)
Subject: RE: Help: Davey Graham 'No Preacher Blues'
From: Grab

Does DG still perform at all? Does he even still play? (I know there's some top musicians get bored and give up - can't see it myself, but then I'll never be that good)

Art, were you at Bert Jansch's gig in Cambridge a month or so back? Between songs he had a bit of a natter, and said that DG was his first guitar teacher, and kind of his hero when he was a kid. So I guess that's how come BJ does some of DG's songs.

I'm over in Suffolk occasionally - I'm a hang-glider pilot and I fly there (the Suffolk Coastal Floaters HG club). Our main site is near the village of Mendlesham, to the south of Diss.

Grab.


20 Apr 00 - 06:22 AM (#214917)
Subject: RE: Help: Davey Graham 'No Preacher Blues'
From: GUEST,art

dear grab

i really must sign up to mudcat soon, i'm just lazy i guess,

no didn't make the BJ gig, i heard about it and if i had a magic carpet i would have been there.

my official designation is "carer" and can't leave home for too long without making sure there is someone here to be with my wife.

plus i'm one of those weirdo's who's never in his 50 years owned a car,and public transport in suffolk is challenging.

i do tho' have a letter from BJ written in about '65 it says "dear brian i am terribly sorry i could not make it on monday. i ran out of money and couldn't find anyone to borrow from,and i'm afraid i was in no condition to hitchhike,and there was also the problem of finding a guitar.hoping this did not inconvenience you too much yours sincerely BJ"

DG still plays an occassional club i believe folk roots may help there?

yours

bill