A music thread (imagine that!)

Subject: A music thread (imagine that!)
From: saulgoldie
Date: 15 Jan 03 - 01:06 PM

Need the group's help on this. I am looking for a recording of "Waltzing With Bears". I hear in my head a woman singing, but I can't remember who. (I heard it on the radio some time ago.) Any suggestions on a good version and where it is available? Thanks.

Saul

Subject: RE: A music thread (imagine that!)
From: GUEST,ClaireBear
Date: 15 Jan 03 - 01:16 PM

That would be Holly Tannen, I imagine. I haven't checked this data, but I know she used to sing the song a lot.

I remember hearing "Waltzing with Bears" for the first time at a Lark in AM camp back in 1981 (!) -- it was sung by a lumberjack fresh from Oregon, and as I recall Holly Tannen was there at that workshop, hearing it for the first time as well.

I had a special interest, since I was a part-time professional dancing bear at the time (Have Bear-Suit; Will Travel). But she got there first, and one dulcimer-accompanied female singing "Waltzing with Bears" is probably sufficient . . .

Ah, memories.

Claire

Subject: RE: A music thread (imagine that!)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 15 Jan 03 - 01:20 PM

Hi, Saul - I don't know what album it was on originally, but you'll hear Ann Mayo Muir singing "Waltzing With Bears" on Volume 2 of Bok, Muir, & Trickett's "First Fifteen Years." It's available from Mudcat's favorite record company, Folk-Legacy Records, 800-836-0901. Mudcat's other favorite record company, CAMSCO, can get it, too - but they get it from Folk-Legacy.
Is that diplomatic enough, Camsco Dick and Folklegacy Sandy?
Volume 1 is a good one, too.

-Joe Offer-

Priscilla Herdman (click) also has a nice recording of the song, and even Tommy Makem has recorded it. Click for lyrics in the Digital Tradition.

Subject: RE: A music thread (imagine that!)
From: GUEST,ClaireBear
Date: 15 Jan 03 - 01:52 PM

Sorry, maybe it wasn't Holly . . .

Here are some other options from "The Saturday Light Brigade" Web site (Blick!):

The version of "Waltzing With Bears" we usually play on the radio is sung by Nan Hoffman. It appears on her Rise Like a Star album. The album is not available in local stores, but is available by writing to Nan at 9736 Transit Rd., East Amherst, NY 14051 or by calling 716/689-7252.

Other versions are on these albums:

-- Rosalie Sorrels, What Does It Mean To Love?, Green Linnet 2113 (1994)
-- Gordon Bok, Ann Mayo Muir, and Ed Trickett, First Fifteen Years, Vol. 2, Folk Legacy 1004 (1994)
-- Kevin Roth, Daddysongs, Sony Kids Music 48889 (1992)
-- Tommy Makem, Rolling Home, Shanachie 52021 (1990)
-- Priscilla Herdman, Star Dreamer: Nightsongs & Lullabies, Alcazam! 1001 (1988)
-- Willie Clancy, The Minstrel from Clare, Green Linnett 3091 (1967)

Claire

Subject: RE: A music thread (imagine that!)
From: C-flat
Date: 15 Jan 03 - 02:05 PM

See, that's the trouble with these music threads! When you get there, they've already been answered and there's nothing left to do but shoot the breeze and turn it into another one of those meandering BS threads that seem to be everywhere at the moment!

Subject: RE: A music thread (imagine that!)
From: Amos
Date: 15 Jan 03 - 04:33 PM

Didn't Anne Murray record WWB as well?

A

Subject: RE: A music thread (imagine that!)
From: JedMarum
Date: 15 Jan 03 - 04:58 PM

I did a quick search of the FolkDJ database to see who has it on their playlists - and there seems to be quite a number DJs playing the song. You can look at the list of posts here. Looks like some of the artists above listed have been getting some radio airtime with the song. The DJ comments may be of interest to you.

Subject: RE: A music thread (imagine that!)
From: Mary in Kentucky
Date: 15 Jan 03 - 05:02 PM

I agree with C-flat.

Amos, didn't Anne sing "Teddy Bear's Picnic"?... not to be confused with WWB.

Subject: RE: A music thread (imagine that!)
From: Cluin
Date: 15 Jan 03 - 08:04 PM

Yes, Anne Murray recorded "Teddy Bear's Picnic".

I never heard that she did "Waltzing with Bears." But Evans & Doherty recorded it too, probably learning it from Tommy Makem's kick at the (bear)cat.

Were not the words written by Dr. Seuss?

Subject: RE: A music thread (imagine that!)
From: rangeroger
Date: 15 Jan 03 - 08:31 PM

Maybe JenEllen can make a recording of Angus singing WWB.

rr

Subject: RE: A music thread (imagine that!)
From: Kudzuman
Date: 15 Jan 03 - 08:39 PM

My wife and I perform that song a good bit. It's a crowd pleaser. I too heard that it was written by Dr. Seuss.

Kman

Subject: RE: A music thread (imagine that!)
From: Cluin
Date: 15 Jan 03 - 11:19 PM

Ah yes, so it says in the DT link Joe Offer provided above.