Napoleon and The Durham Rangers

Subject: RE: Napoleon and The Durham Rangers
From: bubblyrat
Date: 31 Jan 14 - 10:20 AM

No , Mavis is singer Judith Durham's middle name (she was born Judith Mavis Cock ; one of those names just HAD to go !).

Subject: RE: Napoleon and The Durham Rangers
From: The Sandman
Date: 30 Jan 14 - 01:06 PM

I have never heard it called mavis fvourite, i always thought a mavis was a thrush.

Subject: RE: Napoleon and The Durham Rangers
From: GUEST,jim bainbridge
Date: 30 Jan 14 - 05:42 AM

What about that good old American tune- 'Napoleon crossing the Rocky Mountains'? a PhD (with a Geography module) for the Newcastle Folk Degree?).

I see Leadfingers tells us that Mavis' favourite is the 'Belfast Hornpipe' although in my day in Northumberland it was always a favourite of one Millicent..glad they both like it!

On that principle about tune titles, always remember that Kerry/Cork polkas invariably take the name of the last person you heard playing them.

Subject: RE: Napoleon and The Durham Rangers
From: Leadfingers
Date: 29 Jan 14 - 08:12 AM

So many tunes have different names attached - Check out 'The Belfast Hornpipe' , 'The Sheep's Hornpipe' and Mavis's Favourite' - Northern Irish , Southern Irish and Northumbrian in order .
Apart from 'Devil among the Tailors' and 'Devils Delight' !

Subject: RE: Napoleon and The Durham Rangers
From: bubblyrat
Date: 29 Jan 14 - 07:31 AM

For "croosings " read "crossings" !

Subject: RE: Napoleon and The Durham Rangers
From: bubblyrat
Date: 29 Jan 14 - 07:28 AM

Great stuff ! But I preferred the Watson Family playing it ! I could just imagine Ira Bernstein flat-footing to it. The version I referred to in my original post was played by an English band,who may well have got their "croosings" and their "retreats" mixed up , and then compounded the issue by playing another tune ( John Henry ? ) - anyway, I love the tune ,whatever it may be called ,and will ask for it next time I am lucky enough to be able to accompany any "Old Time" musicians !

Subject: RE: Napoleon and The Durham Rangers
From: Lighter
Date: 28 Jan 14 - 05:54 PM

Who mentioned a cigar?

We're scientists here. But you are right.

The real question is whether this version of "Bonaparte's Retreat" (or something close to it) was the origin of the John Henry tune.

The recording wasn't made till 1929, but that doesn't mean much. And whoever taught the tune to the Skillet Lickers may have got the title wrong.

We probably can't know, but it's a nifty connection.

Subject: RE: Napoleon and The Durham Rangers
From: GUEST,saddo
Date: 28 Jan 14 - 01:21 PM

John Henry!
Do I get the cigar?

Subject: RE: Napoleon and The Durham Rangers
From: Lighter
Date: 28 Jan 14 - 12:54 PM

If you think that's something, name *this* tune:

http://www.ask.com/youtube?q=youtube+%22bonaparte%27s+retreat%22+skillet&v=q_vAbEYpQAk&qsrc=472

Subject: Napoleon and The Durham Rangers
From: bubblyrat
Date: 28 Jan 14 - 12:07 PM

I went on "Youtube" today, to check if I was playing "Napoleon Crossing The Rhine " correctly , when I discovered several people playing "BONAPARTE Crossing The Rhine " .....a totally different (but very nice !) tune. After listening for a bit ,off I went to have a go on the guitar ,and after two or three attempts ,I realised that, with a different time-signature , it was VERY similar to a tune I already play , that is "The Durham Rangers " . I wonder if anybody else has noticed this similarity ?? Or am I nuts ?? (Yes , I know !!)