most popular dulcimer album

Subject: most popular dulcimer album
From: GUEST,drone string
Date: 01 Mar 02 - 03:02 PM

The most popular dulcimer album of all time is Joni Mitchell's "Blue."

I know that Jean Ritchie has many friends and fans at Mudcat, and her playing is second to none, but more people have heard the dulcimer on this Joni Mitchell album than on all of Jean's albums out together.

Subject: RE: most popular dulcimer album
From: CarolC
Date: 01 Mar 02 - 04:53 PM

This is really terrible, but I don't remember the dulcimer on that album, and I love that album. Is it on all of the tracks?

Subject: RE: most popular dulcimer album
From: GUEST,Dale
Date: 01 Mar 02 - 05:23 PM

When I read your title, I thought you were looking for nominations. I see you weren't, but if you had been . . . Well now, THAT'S easy. Bonnie Russell ~~ Old Time Dulcimer Sounds from the Mountains, County 734, now available on CD at good "record" stores everywhere ~~ just as magical now as when she recorded it.

Subject: RE: most popular dulcimer album
From: GUEST
Date: 01 Mar 02 - 06:09 PM

Interesting assertion. Does it follow that "Lady Jane," with Brian Jones on dulcimer, is the most popular dulcimer song (it's on the Rolling Stones "Flowers" and several compilations)? And that Cindi Lauper, who has sold a whole bunch of records and uses the d. as her primary instrument, is the most popular dulcimer player?

Subject: RE: most popular dulcimer album
From: harpgirl
Date: 01 Mar 02 - 06:16 PM

I think "Blue" might be the most widely heard album with dulcimer on it. Most popular dulcimer album might be better chosen according to sales of dulcimer albums.

Subject: RE: most popular dulcimer album
From: Art Thieme
Date: 01 Mar 02 - 06:48 PM

JEAN RITCHIE---Singing The Traditional Songs Of Her Kentucky Mountain Family

This is a 10-inch 33 and a third speed Long Play album. Elektra Records -- EKLP-2 (1952)

Art Thieme

Subject: RE: most popular dulcimer album
From: CarolC
Date: 01 Mar 02 - 07:17 PM

Is this discussion about all kinds of dulcimers, just mountain dulcimers, or just hammered dulcimers?

Subject: RE: most popular dulcimer album
From: Manitas_at_home
Date: 01 Mar 02 - 08:50 PM

How about "Times & Tradition for Dulcimers" featuring various type of dulcimer and psalteries by Andrew Cronshaw and two others whose names escape me?

Of course the dulcimer track most people will be aware of (at least in the UK) is the theme tune for "The Third Man" by Anton Karas.

Subject: RE: most popular dulcimer album
From: Jerry Dingleman: The Boy Wonder(inactve)
Date: 01 Mar 02 - 09:19 PM

Manitas,

"The Third Man Theme" was played on a zither, not a dulcimer.

As for whether or not more people heard the dulcimer on Joni Mitchell's album than on someone elese's -- it doesn't matter.

Jerry

Subject: RE: most popular dulcimer album
From: Manitas_at_home
Date: 01 Mar 02 - 09:39 PM

And what is your definition of a dulcimer? Is it hammered like a cymbalom or plucked like an Appalachian dulcimer? Or is that a psaltery? Or a crowd? The instrument seems to remain much the same whether it is is plucked or picked - only the name changes (or doesn't).

I was using a generic term when I called Anton Karas' instrument a dulcimer.

Subject: RE: most popular dulcimer album
From: harpgirl
Date: 02 Mar 02 - 01:54 AM

I'm very fond of Kevin Roth's first album. I also like Richard Farina's playing...

Subject: RE: most popular dulcimer album
From:
Date: 02 Mar 02 - 10:09 AM

Hello from Ireland My favourite dulcimer album is John Molineux's Douce Amere.Believe it or not we do listen to and play the mountain dulcimer here in Ireland.I might be the only one here but you have to start somewhere. Yours truly Val Hughes.

Subject: RE: most popular dulcimer album
From: Jerry Dingleman: The Boy Wonder(inactve)
Date: 02 Mar 02 - 11:31 AM

Manitas,

If you click here you'll see a picture of Karas playing his zither. It does not look or sound like any dulcimer, mountain or hammered, that I have ever seen or heard. Nor is it played like either variety of dulcimer.

Jerry

Subject: RE: most popular dulcimer album
From: selby
Date: 02 Mar 02 - 01:42 PM

Hammered Dulcimers must lead you into East Anglia with the likes (I'm having a Golden Moment and the names have gone from me head )Reg Reid Walter Bulwer to name but nearly 2 Keith

Subject: RE: most popular dulcimer album
From: Art Thieme
Date: 02 Mar 02 - 06:06 PM

I do enjoy the CDs put out by Mike Anderson of Jacksonville, Illinois. They contain all dulcimer instrumentals with sounds of nature behind it all. Running brooks, howling wolves, frogs chirping. I'm glad to say Mike left off all the jokes he has so brzenly purloined from me over the years ;-)

Art Thieme

Subject: RE: most popular dulcimer album
From: hobbitwoman
Date: 02 Mar 02 - 07:42 PM

Anyone ever listen to Joemy Wilson? She plays hammered dulcimer. I have a cd of hers called Celtic Treasures that I like very much.

Annie

Subject: RE: most popular dulcimer album
From: GUEST,Dale
Date: 02 Mar 02 - 08:45 PM

Mike Anderson? purloined? Aw, Nooo! Next you'll be telling me he learned to play the nose flute from you!

Seriously, I like his stuff, too. Haven't seen him for a while now. He doesn't seem to get to Arkansas much, and I don't seem to get anywhere else, so there you are.

I have already given my dulcimer preference for Bonnie Russell, but if it's hammer dulcimer we are talking about, then I cast my vote for Alisa Jones and Joe Jewell, one formerly of Mountain View, AR, and the other currently.

(The Bonnie Russell link is to CDNow where you'll find the best sound samples, but the highest prices I have seen ~~ shop around ~~ ask Dick!)

Subject: RE: most popular dulcimer album
From: Bobert
Date: 02 Mar 02 - 09:32 PM

"Masters of the Mountain Dulcimer" (Susan Trump Music) is a nice collection of insrtumentals by 19 different players. The instrumentation is varied from one performer to the next. Jean Ritchie, Lorraine Hammond, Susan Trump, etc. etc. play on this CD. Overall, a real nice collection.

Subject: RE: most popular dulcimer album
From: GUEST,zac
Date: 03 Mar 02 - 11:31 AM

I have several unopened dulcimer and/or hammer dulcimer albums I have had since the early to mid 80's that I would be willing to give away: (1)The Hammer Dulcimer played by Chet Parker(folkways 2381) (1) the hammered dulcimer Bill Spence w/Fennings Allstar String Band (1)Saturday Night in the Provences(Fennig's All-Star String Band with Toby Fink, Piano player)(1) The Hammer dulcimer Strikes Again ( Bill Spence W/Fennig's All-Stars) (1) A two album Dulcimer Instruction album by Kevin Roth"New ways of Playing the Mountain Dulcimer"(folkways CRB20)(1) "Keep on the sunny Side" by Jean and Lee Schilling. I think I have some other albums-- somewhere-- and as I find them, I'll let you know. I would ask that if any of you can use them, let me know--I would hope you would be willing to pay the postage. Also, I have registered here before (ZAC)-- I usually don't have too much to say-- but lately, I have become a "non member" again-- I don't know whether or not I pissed somebody off and they"deleated"me or what happened-- Zac

Subject: RE: most popular dulcimer album
From: GUEST,Steve
Date: 03 Mar 02 - 07:08 PM

Zac, I'm also a guest; been awhile since last here.

Thanks for the offer of the music. I would be interested in the "New Ways To Play the Mountain Dulcimer"by Kevin Roth.

I've just put together a walnut Mt. Dulcimer from a kit from Stewert Macdonald Co. Would love to here some new ideas.

You can e-mail me at : [e-mail]

I only have one Dulcimer album: Appalachian Dulcimer Music by Edsel Martin, Produced/Guitar: Billy Edd Wheeler from Southern Highland Handcraft Guild Edsel is also a builder.

Subject: RE: most popular dulcimer album
From: Bobert
Date: 03 Mar 02 - 10:27 PM

Yo, Zac, why don't ya' donate your CD's to Mudcat and they can be auctioned off to held pay for the cat litter.

Subject: RE: most popular dulcimer album
From: GUEST,Arkie
Date: 04 Mar 02 - 01:11 AM

Since the mountain dulcimer is usually classified as a fretted zither is supposedly does belong to the same family of instruments as was used in the Third Man Theme although they bear little similarity in appearance or sound.

As for nominations for mountain dulcimer favorites, I'll second Dale's suggestion of Bonnie Russell and throw out another by someone who was influenced by Bonnie's playing as well as the playing of Jean Simmons Jennings of Mtn. View, AR - David Schnauffer's Dulcimer Deluxe which features a mind blowing version of Fisher's Hornpipe. I also like the playing of Jean Jennings and her daugher Pam Kirby as well as Neal Hellman and a fellow from West Virginia named Alan Freeman. Also Rob Brereton and Tull Glazener and I could go on and on.

Subject: RE: most popular dulcimer album
From:
Date: 04 Mar 02 - 07:50 AM

they are not cd's they are albums-- I'm sending one to steve, but if no one wants any of the others, I'll donate them-- let me know how--

Subject: RE: most popular dulcimer album
From: greg stephens
Date: 04 Mar 02 - 08:01 AM

Billy Cooper was the hammer dulcimer player(with Walter Bulwer et al) on the "English Country Music" album. don't know about "most popular", but that must be the most influential dulcimer record in England.

Subject: RE: most popular dulcimer album
From: manitas_at_work
Date: 04 Mar 02 - 08:07 AM

There was also an album of pipes and duclcimer. The dulcimer player was John Rea I think.

Subject: RE: most popular dulcimer album
From: greg stephens
Date: 04 Mar 02 - 08:07 AM

The most famous player is undoubtedly Coleridge's "damsel with a dulcimer" but as she was around in Kublai Khan's time she probably never recorded.

Subject: RE: most popular dulcimer album
From: IanC
Date: 04 Mar 02 - 08:14 AM

Does nobody else remember Holly Tannen?

She was well loved in England during the '70s and i have a couple of her albums. Lovely.

Cheers
Ian

Subject: RE: most popular dulcimer album
From: Bobert
Date: 04 Mar 02 - 10:29 AM

Can anyone help Zac with info on how to donate his dulcimer albums to Mudcat for auctionin?

Subject: RE: most popular dulcimer album
From: GUEST,Claymore
Date: 04 Mar 02 - 05:10 PM

Two of the best musicians on either hammered or mountain dulcimer are local Shepherdstown favorites, Sam Rizzeta (founder of the original group Trapazoid) and Madeline (Maddie) McNeil. Sam was a protogee of Russell Fluharty, whose name should mean all to those who know hammered dulcimer, and after building them for many years, he now consults with Dusty Strings. Both have put out many records and CD's, many now on Sam's own label.

We have two Hammered Dulcimer festivals in Shepherdstown, with the Spring Festival on for March 29th-31st. Maddie is scheduled to play at the Concert on Sat. We normally have 200 players taking classes in the Spring and 300 at the Fall festival. The town is full of them, with jams on every street corner. Locals who play other instruments, like fiddle and banjo, are in quite demand at each. Due to the weather, the Spring classes will be held at Clifftop House in Harpers Ferry overlooking the confluence of the Shennandoah and Potomac Rivers.

As for the best Hammered Dulcimer recording - period, my vote would go with two other musicians, Steve Schnider and Paul Orrts for "Momentum", a mixture of everything from samba to strathspey. Since it's got everything, I use it to run sound checks when I do HD concerts.

Subject: RE: most popular dulcimer album
From: Bobert
Date: 04 Mar 02 - 06:39 PM

Guest, Claymore: Ahhh, that's either Cliffside or Hilltop House in Harpers Ferry.

Subject: RE: most popular dulcimer album
From: Matthew Edwards
Date: 04 Mar 02 - 07:39 PM

selby I think you will find it was Billy Bennington playing hammered dulcimer on the East Anglian English Cooutry Music records you were thinking of. Topic did release an LP of his music, and also of John Rea. I'll look up the references if you are interested, but I have got both the Lp's somewhere if you want to know more.

Subject: RE: most popular dulcimer album
From: GUEST
Date: 04 Mar 02 - 08:19 PM

Hey string drone! How did you determine the most popular dulcimer recording?

I have lots of mountain and hammered dulcimer recordings, by Jean Ritchie, Trapezoid, Jerry Reed Smith, and several others.

My favourite dulcimer LP is (lap) 'Dulcimer Old Time and Traditional Music', Troubador TR-2, with dulcimer by Ralph Lee Smith and vocals by Mary Louise Howell, with a lot of rather rare Southern Mountain gems of songs, and going all the way to 'The Bailiff's Daughter of Islington' and 2 other Child ballads.

Subject: RE: most popular dulcimer album
From: Art Thieme
Date: 04 Mar 02 - 10:47 PM

Jean,

Did you ever in your life think this is what would come of the humble instrument you brought to New York? I suspect you are as amazed as anyone.

Love,

Art Thieme

Subject: RE: most popular dulcimer album
From: Matthew Edwards
Date: 05 Mar 02 - 11:50 AM

greg stephens: Yes, it was Billy Cooper playing hammered dulcimer with Walter and Daisy Bulwer, along with Reg Hall, Mervyn Plunkett, and Russell Wortley on the Topic LP English Country Music 12T296. Topic have reissued this as a CD with additional tracks including Scan Tester on concertina (English Country Music TSCD607).

More recordings of Billy Cooper, playing solo can be heard on yet another Topic LP Boscastle Breakdown: Sothern English Country Music 12T240.

Billy Bennington, who learned to play the dulcimer from Billy Cooper, appears on another old Topic LP English Country Music from East Anglia 12TS229.

John Rea recorded one LP for Topic with Sean McAloon on pipes Drops of Brandy 12TS287, as well as a solo LP Irish Music on the Hammer Dulcimer 12TS373.

These are all excellent recordings, and I'd agree with greg that English Country Music has been one of the most important and influential recordings.The initial record, released privately in 1965 was restricted to 99 copies (for sales tax reasons), but it was widely known among folk musicians. When Topic rereleased it in 1976 it helped lots of people to develop new ways of playing English dance music.

Subject: RE: most popular dulcimer album
From: greg stephens
Date: 05 Mar 02 - 12:01 PM

Comparison of the original English Country Music LP with the CD reissue is very interesting when you hear the additional tracks.They originally recorded Billy Cooper playing "Wheels" on the hammer dulcimer, but didn't issue it at the time because of fairly hardline interpretation of what might constitute "folk music" at the time: and 50's cha-cha didn't fit. We've become a little more all-embracing recently (good thing or not? Discuss) so we can hear this little gem on the CD! Which is what I'm doing right now.

Subject: RE: most popular dulcimer album
From: RolyH
Date: 05 Mar 02 - 02:34 PM

One of my favourites is 'Nonesuch for Dulcimer'by Roger Nicholson (LER 3034)sadly recorded on the Tailer label so the masters are probably rotting somewhere.

Subject: RE: most popular dulcimer album
From: GUEST,Dulcimer Daft
Date: 05 Mar 02 - 04:14 PM

Strange that the name Paul vanArsdale has not been mentioned on this thread. Surely one of the greatest HD players ever. This should get a vote from Sandy Paton, who I beleive turned out an album by Paul. DD.

Subject: RE: most popular dulcimer album
From: GUEST
Date: 05 Mar 02 - 07:46 PM

I don't know if "Nonesuch for Dulcimer" is still about, but "The Exultation of Dulcimer," featuring Nicholson, Lorraine Hammond and Jean Ritchie, has been re-released on CD and is available at Jean Ritchie's Folklife store. Exult

Subject: RE: most popular dulcimer album
From:
Date: 08 Mar 02 - 03:45 PM

hELLO AGAIN Have to agree with Ian Holly Tannen is one FINE PLAYER.

Subject: RE: most popular dulcimer album
From: katlaughing
Date: 21 Feb 03 - 12:21 PM

Don't know how I missed this one.

Art, thanks again for sending me Mike Anderson's Baker's Dozen. I am enjying it all over again for the umpteenth time. I love his arrangements!

For those who may want to sample them, please visit this web page: dulcimer guy samples.

Thanks, again, Art!

kat

Subject: RE: most popular dulcimer album
From: Lin in Kansas
Date: 21 Feb 03 - 04:39 PM

Heidi Muller has some fine mountain dulcimer recordings out. She has a beautiful voice and some interesting arrangements, as well as some very good original compositions.

Lin

Subject: RE: most popular dulcimer album
From: kytrad (Jean Ritchie)
Date: 21 Feb 03 - 07:43 PM

Art- Thanks for your championing- but don't feel bad for me...I never claimed to be "the best" at anything, least of all dulcimer playing. Actually, I have rather spent my life encouraging folks to play, just to play, to listen to that first tune picked out badly- it gave so many people such a thrill! And you would never believe how many years it took, of urging everyone to play (they all thought it was hard to do!)to get them started.

I'm just a little sad that many folks can measure enjoyment of music ONLY in terms of a contest. I know, better than anyone, that there are today thousands of "better" dulcimer players than I; I don't think that any get more joy from it than I, and that's enough for me.
My playing, simple as it is, is what my songs ask for. I'm not interested in winning anything.    Love and joy,    Jean

Subject: RE: most popular dulcimer album
From: katlaughing
Date: 21 Feb 03 - 10:35 PM

Jean, you don't know how much your words mean to me. As a beginner of two years, I have stayed with the simpler playing of tunes as it is what appeals to me and what feels *right* for me. I listen to the fancier stuff and think someday I'll learn how, but when I sit down to play, it is the less full, the purer, if you will, tones that I prefer. I don't think I'll ever sound anywhere near as good as you do, though.

You are superb and I don't know if I'll ever get the point where I play the chords while singing melody instead of playing melody along with singing. Since I grew up playing piano and violin, chords on strings have never been something natural for me, so...:-)

Thanks so much for sharing,

kat

Subject: RE: most popular dulcimer album
From: GUEST,Sandy Paton
Date: 22 Feb 03 - 04:26 AM

There is now a second volume of Susan Trump's "Masters of the Mountain Dulcimer" available. Folk-Legacy carries it, for those of you who might be interested. We have her first one, too.

And, yes, I made a recording of the traditional master of the hammered dulcimer, Paul Van Arsdale, from Tonawanda, New York, over there near Buffalo. In fact, I've just made it available on compact disc for the first time. The CD is so new it isn't even listed on my web site yet!

    Sandy

Subject: RE: most popular dulcimer album
From: Peg
Date: 22 Feb 03 - 11:44 AM

I read this entire thread and STILL no one has indicated which song/songs on the Joni Mitchell album "Blue" contain dulcimer...I am pretty familiar with this album and can't recall any song that has a dulcimer figuring prominently...

Guest drone string, could you answer this please?

Subject: RE: most popular dulcimer album
From: GUEST,amergin
Date: 22 Feb 03 - 01:00 PM

the most lovely dulcimer music i know is when i make it myself...it is not because it sounds anything special...but more that I feel the magic in my fingers as I strum each note....

Subject: RE: most popular dulcimer album
From: Mudlark
Date: 22 Feb 03 - 05:16 PM

Lots of good mountain dulcimer players mentioned...I'd like to add to the list Janita Baker, who also puts out excellent instruction/CD sets (www.bluelioninstruments.com), also Margaret MacArthur, who merges her singing with her playing so beautifully (Mudcat Plum CD).

Subject: RE: most popular dulcimer album
From: GUEST,Sandy Paton
Date: 22 Feb 03 - 05:24 PM

If listing fine dulcimer players is the point of this (I thought it had to do with wide commercial distribution - quantity, rather than quality) then we must mention Lorraine Lee Hammond again and add the names of Leo Kretzner and Ron Ewing. Howie Mitchell would also be included, if he were still actively making music in venues other than his own living room. But maybe that's where much of the loveliest dulcimer playing takes place.
    Sandy

Subject: RE: most popular dulcimer album
From: katlaughing
Date: 22 Feb 03 - 05:31 PM

Ron Ewing, Sandy? Hmmmmm...wonder if we're related. My grandma was a Ewing.:-)

Amergin, I know what you mean...it feels so good just to sit down and let it flow, doesn't it? I'm so glad you went ahead and got one.

kat

Subject: RE: most popular dulcimer album
From: GUEST
Date: 23 Feb 03 - 12:00 AM

Featured at the 300 year aniversery of Williamsberg you will find that Timothy Seaman's work is rich, detailed and creative.

http://www.timothyseaman.com/

It doesn't surprise me KatLaughing that you have a propensity for the simpler playing of tunes as it is what appeals to you....self-discipline usually comes from a lifetime of good habits not wishes.

Are you going to plant that garden this year????

Subject: RE: most popular dulcimer album
From: katlaughing
Date: 23 Feb 03 - 01:43 AM

It's all about priorities, gargoyle. Piano and violin all of my life, no wishes, just good discipline and parents and teachers who gave a damn.

Perhaps you could exercise some "self-discipline" yourself. It's a pretty sad person who gets so much pleasure out of denigrating others.

Now, frell off!

Subject: RE: most popular dulcimer album
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 23 Feb 03 - 03:23 AM

Jean, for what it's worth, your approach is exactly what lured me to the dulcimer. I don't play well because I haven't taken the time to practice a lot, but what I do play, I learned from one of your books and on a dulcimer my father had at his house. After he died, I claimed it, and I have it here now along with your book, because I want my children to be able to pluck out tunes if they wish. My primary instrument has always been the piano, but until recently, they haven't been terribly portable.

Maggie Dwyer (John Dwyer was on your mailing list until his death in late 1997)

Subject: RE: most popular dulcimer album
From: kytrad (Jean Ritchie)
Date: 23 Feb 03 - 06:11 PM

Maggie- tried to write a pm but System doesn't seem to have your 'Cat name... sorry that John is gone; my mail list will miss him. Love and blessings,    Jean (Everyone else- please excuse the thread drift).

Subject: RE: most popular dulcimer album
From: Gypsy
Date: 23 Feb 03 - 10:06 PM

Zac, would be happy to donate in your name to Mudcat for the Bill Spence/Fennigs Allstars CD's. 3 guesses what dulcimer i play? Oh yeah, my vote would still go for Glenn Morgan...........awesome hammer dulcimer player! please pm me sometime.