Chords ADD: Mary Ellen Carter (Stan Rogers)

Subject: Mary Ellen Carter
From: GUEST,Steven G.
Date: 02 Nov 01 - 05:29 PM

Hello, all

I been recently listening to Stan Rogers - Between the Breaks... Live ! and was listening to the Mary Ellen Carter, and I really like the version that was on the album. A slower pace, but great acoustics with the long neck mandolin include in it.

I was wondering if the chords are the same, but is the capo in the different position in the song?

Thanks again,

Steven G.

Subject: Mary Ellen Carter
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 02 Nov 01 - 05:35 PM

I believe it's the same key and everything... DADGAD, capo'd 5th to put it in the key of G... It is a good version eh... A lot of people ply this song way too fast... It has much more appeal at a moderate pace...

My personal favorite is the live recording at the end of the show "One Warm Line"...

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: Mary Ellen Carter
From: breezy
Date: 02 Nov 01 - 07:39 PM

after artisan's interpretation, I have to admit Stan doesn't capture the emotion quite as well. I have loved Stan and his voice and literacy ever since I discovered him from Eric Bogle doing Lock-keeper. The first song sung by Stan that I heard was '45 years 'at the time my wife walked out with the children after Christmas 1988. I stood in the record shop of Cecil Sharp House and cried. Then I cried for Ariel. Stan has helped me pull through but it was Artisan singing M.E.C. that got to me. If you've heard the last chorus you'll know what I mean. I am very happily remarried with 3 boys, while my daughter of 22 years garduated and is a teacher, and my 18 year old son is 'doing the gap thing' Tell Max.I've got a baritone range and do it in the key of 'A' capo 2nd fret and play 'G' shape starting gently and winding it up before easing off going into the last verse.It's the words that take priority .In fact it is probably best sung unaccompanied.

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: Mary Ellen Carter
From: GUEST,Steven G.
Date: 03 Nov 01 - 07:22 AM

Hello, Breezy

I know, 45 Years is my favorite as well. I first heard it when I first got my first tape of Stan Rogers called "Stan Rogers - Home to Halifax", it was great a song. I tried to sing 45 Years as Stan sung it, but I really don't have a great baritone voice as Stan has. So I wrote to Stan's Best Friend, Paul Mills and he gave a suggestion of singing the song in the key of C, and I figured out that the capo should be on the 2nd fret on the guitar, and it works.

But basically nearly every song from Stan Rogers, I play them with the capo on the 2nd frets higher. He certainly was a amazing songwriter.

Anyway, got to go.

Steven G.

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: Mary Ellen Carter
From: GUEST,Steven G.
Date: 03 Nov 01 - 07:26 AM

Hello, Clinton

Thanks for helping me on learning DADGAD a few months ago. DADGAD is fun. I am having a great time with my 12 string guitar with this tune, and playing the Mary Ellen Carter is pretty neat. If the Mary Ellen Carter is the same key as in the Between the Breaks album, I will try it out.

Anyway, got to go.

Steven G.

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: Mary Ellen Carter
From: breezy
Date: 03 Nov 01 - 12:16 PM

I play it in the key of 'D' but I capo the 7th fret and play 'G' shapes then I can repro the intro and linking phrases using claw-hammer, but I must always make sure I dont set off too fast.I believe I reflect Stan's version. I got it on the album Fogarty's Cove.At last I'm ready for Christmas.

Subject: Mary Ellen Carter
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 03 Nov 01 - 01:34 PM

Didn't The Irish Decendants also record a really good version of MEC?? Or did I dream that?

Subject: Mary Ellen Carter Bass tab????
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 06 Feb 02 - 01:46 PM

Ya I know.. just what the Mudcat needed eh, yet another music thread, and yet another MEC music thread to boot!

Well, tough...

For some reason, my bass player is having a bit of a chore wrapping his head around this one... He asked me last night over cups, if I'd look around on the net, so as part of my rounds I thought I'd ask here... I mean, you people are so friendly and helpfull eh...

Any help? Even just suggestions, if not full blown tab?

Ta eh!

.-)

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Mary Ellen Carter Bass tab????
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 06 Feb 02 - 03:04 PM

No bass help to be had?

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Mary Ellen Carter Bass tab????
From: RichM
Date: 06 Feb 02 - 06:39 PM

I've used tab in guitar-ing, but not for bass. I find that root-fifth of the chord is a good starting pattern for the bassist, in a lot of songs in 4/4..then when he's comfortable with that, start adding bass runs(just like on guitar) between chords.

example: bass tuning is E-A-D-G, low to high:

a G accompaniment in 4/4 time would be, for instance, open G (high string),open D (next string lower), and repeat...till chord changes...

Rich

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Mary Ellen Carter Bass tab????
From: GUEST,Bassman
Date: 07 Feb 02 - 02:05 AM

Man, if he can't figure out a bass pattern on a fairly simple tune like MEC, you should fire him. What key are you playing in, and what is your guitar tuning? Stan did it in DADGAD.

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Mary Ellen Carter Bass tab????
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 07 Feb 02 - 01:45 PM

Well, that's supportive Bassman...

He's a good bass player, or was a few years ago, and he's totally NEW to folk music... When was the last time you picked up an instrument that you haven't played for 8 years and learned a new genre of music eh? He's doing quite well I think... He's shown all kinds of improvement over even say just the last 4 months... Besides if everyone who had trouble with one song every now and again got fired, there'd be no one left to play gigs...

I play MEC DADGAD capoed 5th...

Subject: Origins: Mary Ellen Carter...again
From: saulgoldie
Date: 15 Mar 11 - 09:45 AM

I have been starting to play again. As my fretboard fingers have gotten strong enough, I have finally been able to play this again with the energy it deserves. It is without question one of my "A" songs. Thanks, Stan. RIP.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fT-aEcPgkuA

Saul

Subject: RE: Origins: Mary Ellen Carter...again
From: saulgoldie
Date: 15 Mar 11 - 10:16 AM

Oops! Here is the "blicky":

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fT-aEcPgkuA


Saul

Subject: RE: Origins: Mary Ellen Carter...again
From: Sandy Mc Lean
Date: 15 Mar 11 - 10:27 AM

That clip is from a CBC production done on Stan after his death. If you search the clips on there you will perhaps find the whole show.
Stan was Great!

Subject: RE: Origins: Mary Ellen Carter...again
From: Big Mick
Date: 15 Mar 11 - 10:37 AM

It always stuns me to see him play that guitar. Today that guitar sits in Paul Mills studio in Toronto. Jed and I have played it and I have to tell you, it is a strange feeling to pick up the musical instrument of someone whose music you idolize, and make music on it. Grit Laskin made that guitar, and it plays and sounds better than it looks, and it looks spectacular........

Whenever I play one of Stan's songs, in my mind I imagine Rick Fielding and Stan watching and critiquing........ and Rick carping about me hitting the low E string when I slam a D chord...... LOL. And Paul gets in my case about the same thing.

Saul, I did a concert with Garnet at The Ark in Ann Arbor. It is a hoot to see him so young. Thanks for posting this wonderful video.

All the best,

Mick

Subject: RE: Origins: Mary Ellen Carter...again
From: GUEST,999
Date: 15 Mar 11 - 05:51 PM

Mick, off topic a bit. Have you tried using your chording-hand thumb at the second fret of the bass E string? It gives the third note of the D chord, and gets the seventh outta there.

Subject: RE: Origins: Mary Ellen Carter...again
From: Sandy Mc Lean
Date: 15 Mar 11 - 07:06 PM

The CBC production was called One Warm Line. This link will take you to the first of six parts. Just follow the links to the other five. It has some great scenery footage of the Canso area where Stan's mother's roots lay.

One Warm Line

Subject: RE: Origins: Mary Ellen Carter...again
From: Big Mick
Date: 15 Mar 11 - 07:15 PM

Yep, 999, that is what I have come to be doing. It isn't a problem when I am sitting and doing a concert style performance, but when I am in a pub, and the band is smokin hot, I sometimes get carried away and start flailing. Rick used to climb in my stuff about that......makes me chuckle just thinking about it. The only problem I have with the thumb technique is that my left thumb joint was damaged by a 28 oz. framing hammer years ago when I was still earning a living with my carpenters tools. It makes it hard to bend it, but I manage.

Mick

Subject: RE: Origins: Mary Ellen Carter...again
From: breezy
Date: 16 Mar 11 - 06:57 AM

Then just miss the E string altogether you stubborn s o a whatever or
Drop D and play a G7th shape 2 frets up.

and dont murder the A songs