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Info on Roly Salley/Killing the Blues

16 Apr 02 - 08:37 PM (#691637)
Subject: Info on Roly Salley
From: Bullfrog Jones

The beloved and I have just started doing a version of Roly Salley's 'Killing The Blues'. I've got it by John Prine and Shawn Colvin, but I've never heard this or anything else by Roly Salley himself.An internet search turns up very little except that he's a bass player. Anyone know anything else about him?

17 Apr 02 - 07:37 AM (#691945)
Subject: RE: Info on Roly Salley
From: rich-joy

My partner has just fallen in love with this song ("Killing the Blues"), via Chris Smither, and is learning it. A friend played Roly's version to me only yesterday -I have to admit that I'd rather listen to Chris's version of it ANYday, rather than Roly's own!!! But I guess that's just personal preference stuff ...
Wasn't he a member of "Great Speckled Bird" and "Woodstock Mountains" (and more) ...
Cheers! R-J

17 Apr 02 - 08:47 AM (#691985)
Subject: RE: Info on Roly Salley
From: Mike Regenstreif

Roly Salley was part of the Mudacres/Woodstock Mountains crowd, a group of revolving musicians organized by Happy & Artie Traum, who did four LPs on Rounder in the 1970s.

Roly sang "Killing the Blues" on the LP called "Woodstock Mountains: More Music from Mudacres." Selected cuts from all four LPs, including "Killing the Blues" are compiled on the CD "Woodstock Mountains: Music from Mudacres" on Rounder.

Mike Regenstreif

17 Apr 02 - 08:50 AM (#691990)
Subject: RE: Info on Roly Salley
From: Mike Regenstreif

I meant to add that Roly's regular gig these days is playing bass with Chris Isaak.

He is also a good artist. Look at the portraits of all the early blues singers that are included in the CD booklet to Maria Muldaur's "Richland Woman Blues." They were all done by Roly.

Mike Regenstreif

17 Apr 02 - 11:30 AM (#692147)
Subject: RE: Info on Roly Salley
From: van lingle

As Mike pointed out he plays bass with Chris Issak and appears on Issak's TV show which I believe is on Showtime and occasionally VH1.

17 Apr 02 - 12:17 PM (#692206)
Subject: RE: Info on Roly Salley
From: Pete Jennings

I was lucky enough to be the resident at a folk club in Birmingham (England) the night that Happy Traum and Roly Salley played there in April 1984. Happy played guitar and banjo while Roly played guitar. Both sang, with Roly doing harmonies, but I don't recall him playing bass on that occasion.

The club had a great night and I bought a Happy Traum Band LP, Friends and Neighbours, which they both signed, and which I still have.

Pete

18 Apr 02 - 04:33 AM (#692652)
Subject: RE: Info on Roly Salley
From: Bullfrog Jones

Thanks, guys -- I knew you'd know!

BJ

02 Nov 15 - 03:24 AM (#3748065)
Subject: RE: Info on Roly Salley/Killing the Blues
From: Joe Offer

And for the record, here are the lyrics:

Thread #13224   Message #107759
Posted By: Res
23-Aug-99 - 03:23 PM
Thread Name: Lyr Req: Mornin' Blues (I woke up early with
Subject: Lyr Add: KILLING THE BLUES (Roly Salley)

KILLING THE BLUES - Roly Salley

Leaves were falling, just like embers, colors red and gold
They set us on fire burning just like moonbeams in our eyes

Chorus:
Somebody said they saw me
Swinging the world by the tail
Bouncing over a white cloud
Killing the blues
Now I am guilty of something
I hope you never do
Because there is nothing any sadder
Than losing yourself in love.

Chorus:
And then you've asked me just to leave you
To set out on my own and get what I needed
You want me to find what I've already had.

Chorus: X2

The chord progression is: E Esus4 E Esus4 E E7 Asus2, E E sus4 B7 E A

Sorry about the formatting.

Try here: Http://www.jg.org/folk/info/artists.html

Probably easier to read than above. Just scroll down to Shawn Colvin #1 Killing The Blues.

Hope this helps. Res

02 Nov 15 - 03:43 AM (#3748066)
Subject: RE: Info on Roly Salley/Killing the Blues
From: GUEST,Raggytash

Two great versions can be found on you tube, the first by Sean Keane the second by Alison Krauss and Robert Plant. I've just learnt this song to add to my repertoire. The original by Rowland Salley can be found on his website.

02 Nov 15 - 02:23 PM (#3748159)
Subject: RE: Info on Roly Salley/Killing the Blues
From: breezy

2nd v

Now I'm guilty ,
Of something,
I hope you never do
Because there is nothing
Any sadder
Than losing yourself in love



let this song come as a warning to all men !!!!!!

02 Nov 15 - 03:19 PM (#3748177)
Subject: RE: Info on Roly Salley/Killing the Blues
From: Capo da Monty

Just my very humble opinion but Jack Hudson's version takes some beating.
One of those musical gems that very few people will have heard but I am one of the very privileged few!

CdM