Great High Wind (That Blew the Low Post Down)

Subject: Great High Wind That Blew
From: GUEST,Arkie
Date: 19 Apr 01 - 11:38 AM

We had a big blow last Saturday night that uprooted trees and snapped big branches, which led to a discussion of fiddle tunes about the wind, which led to remembering a tune The Great High Wind That Blew the Lowpost Down. I heard the Beers Family perform it at the Washington Folklore Society Getaway and at the Florida Folk Festival many years ago. The Folk Index lists the tune as having been recorded by The Beers, Bruce Hutton, Booger Hole Revival, Eric & Marth Nagle, Metamora, and Guy Carawan. All the recordings were from the 70's. Does anyone know if any of these recordings are still in print?

Subject: RE: Great High Wind That Blew
From: IanC
Date: 19 Apr 01 - 11:44 AM

The Dave Brothers apparently still play it

Dave Bros

Cheers!
Ian

Subject: RE: Great High Wind That Blew
From: GUEST,Bruce O.
Date: 19 Apr 01 - 12:37 PM

Wow, if I had known that the Beers family was to be there I wouldn't have missed that FSGW Getaway. At any rae "The great high wind that blew the low post down" is on the Beers family's LP, 'Dumbarton Drums', side 1, #5, Columbia (stereo) CS 9472, and mono CL 2672. Ever notice how much better their "Dumbarton Drums" is than the original? {for the original tune for it see the Scots tunes and Scots tunes in manuscripts files on my website)

Subject: RE: Great High Wind That Blew
From: Bedubya
Date: 19 Apr 01 - 01:23 PM

Wow! from me too!

I learned "The Great High Wind" off of the Booger Hole Revival album in about 1980. The band was travelling through Jacksonville, Florida when their VW bus broke down. They happened to wind up in my friend Glen's VW garage for repairs. When they found that Glen played in a bluegrass band, the Booger Hole folks gave him a copy of their album. He hated it! Not hardcore 'grass enough. He gave it to me and I fell in love with it. Learned half the songs on it. The way they mixed Celtic, swing, and bluegrass made a permanent impression. I would list that album as among the five most influential in my on musical development. Whatever happened to them? I heard that they changed their name, but that was years ago too.

Bruce

Subject: RE: Great High Wind That Blew
From: GUEST,Arkie
Date: 19 Apr 01 - 11:53 PM

Bruce, that FSGW was about 30 years ago and the only one I ever attended. It was memorable with the Beers, the Patons, Sara Grey, Lorraine Lee, and countless others.

Guess I need to watch ebay to see if one the lps shows up.

Subject: RE: Great High Wind That Blew
From: GUEST,Bruce O.
Date: 20 Apr 01 - 12:13 AM

Sandy's message about 5 minutes ago at another website said he's packing for NEFTA tonight. For me it's beddy time. G'Night all.

Subject: RE: Great High Wind That Blew
From:
Date: 20 Apr 01 - 12:16 AM

Great Tune, but I don't know it's true origin, as if it really matters!

I first heard the tune at the West Va Folk Festival in the late 60's early 70's by Bob Beers...he used to come down for the West Va Folk Festival at Glennville W Va.... which is still going on every year....great festival and contest with a big street square dance on Sat night!

I would imagine the The Booger Hole Revival got it from that festival, as every musician in West Va was there!

Bill Martin with the Red Mountain White Trash does a great version, though not recorded yet...our group the Ga Mudcats are threatning to record it soon.

Subject: RE: Great High Wind That Blew
From: GUEST,Arkie
Date: 20 Apr 01 - 01:37 PM

Bearpaw, if you make good on that threat, let me know. Thanks to all. I checked the Dave Bros. site, and found a nice list of fiddle tunes, but no music for "Great High Wind", although its listed in their current tune list. I did not find mention of a recording. Did I miss something?