Almeda Riddle (1898-1986) - recordings

Subject: RE: Almeda Riddle (1898-1986) - recordings
From: GeoffLawes
Date: 28 Nov 19 - 06:10 PM



Almeda Riddle Top Tracks on YouTube
17 Videos

Subject: RE: Almeda Riddle (1898-1986) - recordings
From: GUEST,Tyler
Date: 11 Nov 11 - 10:32 PM

if anyone who reads this themselves knew or met or saw Almeda perform and would like to share anything, that would be awesome ...

-Tyler

Subject: RE: Almeda Riddle (1898-1986) - recordings
From: Arkie
Date: 10 Nov 11 - 11:04 AM

The Ozark Folk Center, mentioned in Thomas list, once had a sizable collection of recorded and printed matter on a wide scope of Ozark related material as well as considerable research done by the Center folklorist who knew Almeda well. That collection was transferred to the Arkansas History Commission and Arkansas State University.

While there are surviving family members, I found the children to unwilling to talk about their mother. An unwillingness to respond to strangers who ask question is not uncommon in the Ozarks. There is a granddaughter who has an interest and pride in her grandmother but it has been several years since I spoke with her and I left all contact information behind when I retired.

Subject: RE: Almeda Riddle (1898-1986) - recordings
From: Thomas Stern
Date: 09 Nov 11 - 09:23 PM

The MINSTREL lp (now CDr) was recorded produced by Jerry Epstein,
who may be a good source for "personal reflections and insights".

Mark Wilson (Rounder) many unreleased recordings

Ozark Folk Center

University of Arkansas Libraries Special Collections

There are surviving family members, and grand-children.

Best wishes, Thomas.

Subject: RE: Almeda Riddle (1898-1986) - recordings
From: GUEST,Tyler
Date: 09 Nov 11 - 11:35 AM

oh, and I know all about the Hunter and Wolf collections, too. ;)

Subject: RE: Almeda Riddle (1898-1986) - recordings
From: GUEST
Date: 09 Nov 11 - 11:33 AM

yes, I've read that book, Thomas. basically I'm doing a long presentation about her life and her music, including singing several of the ballads, with pictures and video and quotations liberally sprinkled throughout... (video-wise, I've only seen her in "Singer and her Songs" and that Newport film she's briefly in)

I can't yet get my hands on several of her out-of-print recordings, but otherwise I've managed to procure a few albums (the Minstrel one, the one with all the hymns, the Southern Journey and Sounds of the South stuff, etc.)...

but most of all, I want personal reflections and insights!!

-Tyler

Subject: RE: Almeda Riddle (1898-1986) - recordings
From: Arkie
Date: 09 Nov 11 - 10:54 AM

Thomas, I assume you have seen George West's film about Almeda. Here is a link to FolkStreams, in case anyone is interested.

Almeda Riddle

Subject: RE: Almeda Riddle (1898-1986) - recordings
From: Thomas Stern
Date: 08 Nov 11 - 08:02 PM

Hello Tyler,
What is your project? Tell us something about yourself.
Are you familiar with the book: ABRAHAMS, Roger: A Singer and Her Songs
George Foss, music editor
Louisiana State University Press, June 1970 (191pp)
I have compiled an extensive RESOURCE document which includes her
recordings.
Contact me via PM.
Best wishes, Thomas.

Subject: RE: Almeda Riddle (1898-1986) - recordings
From: GUEST,Tyler
Date: 08 Nov 11 - 04:02 PM

HELLO! I'm doing a research project about Almeda Riddle. if anyone met her or could possibly share some insights about her life and her music, I'd love to hear 'em. send me an e-mail!!

[e-mail]

thanks,

-Tyler

Subject: RE: Almeda Riddle (1898-1986) - recordings
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 05 Jun 10 - 02:18 PM

A reminder: Granny Riddle's Songs and Ballads (Minstrel JD 203) is still available from CAMSCO Music ($13.98). Still wonderful.

tracklist

Fog Went A Courtin'
Soldier of the Legion
Tom Sherman's Barroom
Poor Wayfaring Stranger
Barbara Allen
Come All You Texas Rangers
The Orphan Girl
Children of The Heavenly King
The Oxford Girl
The Water Is Wide

Subject: RE: Almeda Riddle (1898-1986) - recordings
From: Vic Smith
Date: 05 Jun 10 - 08:05 AM

Some posts above Irene said,
I'm pretty sure she was one of the singers featured in Shirley Collins' illustrated talk "America across the Water"

You are right on that one - the Lomax/Collins recording of her singing Rainbow Midst Life's Willows is in the show though the name of the show is America Over The Water.

Rainbow Midst Life's Willows is a version of the song that Pop Maynard called Locks & Bolts.

Subject: RE: Almeda Riddle (1898-1986) - recordings
From: GUEST,Derek Schofield
Date: 05 Jun 10 - 06:57 AM

The link I posted on 4 June was the Folkstreams one.
Derek

Subject: RE: Almeda Riddle (1898-1986) - recordings
From: Mark Ross
Date: 04 Jun 10 - 11:59 PM

I believe there is some film of her at FOLKSTREAMS. Here's the link;

Almeda Riddle: Now Let's Talk About Singing

Mark Ross

Subject: RE: Almeda Riddle (1898-1986) - recordings
From: GUEST,DWR
Date: 04 Jun 10 - 09:15 PM

June of 1986 is correct.   We have recordings of her performances at the Ozark Folk Center as late as 1984.

Subject: RE: Almeda Riddle (1898-1986) - recordings
From: pdq
Date: 04 Jun 10 - 06:55 PM

Most sources say that Miss Riddle died in 1980, but the thread title suggests 1986.

Subject: RE: Almeda Riddle (1898-1986) - recordings
From: peregrina
Date: 04 Jun 10 - 06:38 PM

Wonderful! Here's the same clip directly from youtube, easier for some browsers:


Almeda Riddle: Now Let's talk about singing

Subject: RE: Almeda Riddle (1898-1986) - recordings
From: GUEST,Derek Schofield
Date: 04 Jun 10 - 06:24 PM

Almeda Riddle is featured in the latest issue of English Dance & Song magazine (EDS), which mentions a film of Mrs Riddle on the internet,
Click here
Derek Schofield
Editor EDS

Subject: RE: Help: The Old Churchyard
From: GUEST,jpendur
Date: 04 Jun 10 - 12:47 PM

Try to find the old vinyl recordings by Almeda (Granny) Riddle. She was a real good singer in the traditional style and her version of this tune is my favorite. I can not say enough about this great lady.
Sincerely, Jennifer

Subject: RE: Almeda Riddle
From: samirich
Date: 11 Mar 06 - 08:49 AM

Arkie:

A video of Almeda would be well worth salvaging if at all possible!
Even if the quality is not as good as it originally was. I have seen som pretty bad 16 mm that are cleaned up to look and sound reasonably well.

Thanks for your input.

Let me know if I can be of help.

Subject: RE: Almeda Riddle
From: Arkie
Date: 10 Mar 06 - 10:56 PM

I believe the person who filmed the video is still living in Little Rock though we have not had any contact for quite a few years. I will try to find him and see if there is a possibility of obtaining copies. I have seen the video but it has been a long time so I remember very little about it.

Subject: RE: Almeda Riddle
From: samirich
Date: 10 Mar 06 - 03:21 PM

I have checked with the Arkansas Humanities council for the video on Almeda Riddle,(which is how she signed her name)and they have informed me that they do not sell anything and that the video is over 20 years old and do not know where the master is. Little Rock is close enough to drive to, I wonder how good the video is? Has anybody seen this video and know what is on it?

Thanks for the great stories and info on one of our local legends.

samirich

Subject: RE: Almeda Riddle
From: Arkie
Date: 08 Mar 06 - 05:44 PM

I received word today that the Folk Center can begin to transfer the recordings and books and we will start with recordings so we should know soon if the Almeda recordings are there.

I was mc one night when Almeda performed at the Folk Center.   Just before going on stage she came up to me and showed me her purse and told me where she was going to leave it with the instructions "if she was to pass out on stage, I was take a nitroglycerine tablet from her purse and place it under her tongue."   Needless to say I did not miss a note, but she charmed the audience as usual.   

On another occasion she introduced the song "Gypsy Davy" by telling her audience that people sometimes complained because the song was so long. She then commented that people should not blame her for the length of the song because she did not write it.

Subject: RE: Almeda Riddle
From: GUEST
Date: 07 Mar 06 - 05:56 PM

Arkie, please keep us informed about the availability of the recordings.

Subject: RE: Almeda Riddle
From: samirich
Date: 07 Mar 06 - 05:04 PM

Thanks again for all of the references! It must have been the song "La la la chickalileelo" that I was confusing with the Pretty little miss.

Subject: RE: Almeda Riddle
From: RangerSteve
Date: 06 Mar 06 - 08:04 PM

I saw her on TV a long time ago. I don't remember the show, but most likely, it was Pete Seeger's Rainbow Quest. I can't think of any other show that would have featured her. If it was RQ, it hasn't been reissued yet, but probably will someday.

Subject: RE: Almeda Riddle
From: kytrad (Jean Ritchie)
Date: 06 Mar 06 - 06:34 PM

Once at the Fox Hollow Festival, we were all standing around on the "upper level," while the program was going on in the hollow of the bowl, below. Utah Phillips tapped Almeda on the arm and said, "Almeda, was that you awhile ago, singing that real, loooonnng ballad? She said, "Why yes, I guess so, Utah. Did you like that one?"
Said Utah, "Almeda, I just wanted to say that was the most BORING thing I ever listened to!" Almeda kicked him in the shins, several times and pretty hard. Singers onstage could hear him howling, and us all laughing.

See? Mudcat threads uncover old memories! Almeda was a grand lady and we all loved her. Especially Utah, who just had to tease everybody. He once introduced me by saying, "And now here's the one and only Jean Ritchie, who's gonna play dull-some-more!

Subject: RE: Almeda Riddle
From: Arkie
Date: 06 Mar 06 - 06:00 PM

I thought I proof read the text in the last post before sending but obviously did not. I would take several lines back if I could, but I, at least, need to make one correction. The name of the writer of "They Sang On" is Charlie Sandage.

Subject: RE: Almeda Riddle
From: Arkie
Date: 06 Mar 06 - 05:56 PM

The Ozark Folk Center may have inherited copies of the Arkansas Traditions LP and cassettes but have not yet received permission from the estate to move the inherited books and recordings as yet.   I know that there were copies in the collection at one time and the person who left the collection to the Folk Center was one of the partners in Arkansas Traditions.   There is some possibility of a CD being produced if arrangements can be made.   I am glad to hear that the Minstral recording is now available as a CD.   Almeda was a wonderful singer and certainly sang with style. Charlie Sandgage a gifted Arkansas historian and song writer immortalized Almeda, Ollie Gilbert, another local singer, and Emma Dusenberry, from south Arkansas in a song entitled "They Sang On" More information here.

They Sang On

Subject: RE: Almeda Riddle
From: Peace
Date: 06 Mar 06 - 05:03 PM

Samirich:

do a google of

almeda grandma riddle

There is a plethora of info to be found with that--if plethora means lots.

Subject: RE: Almeda Riddle
From: GUEST
Date: 06 Mar 06 - 04:14 PM

My apologies to the thread. It was Jean Ritchie that performed the duet with Doc.

Subject: RE: Almeda Riddle
From: Little Robyn
Date: 06 Mar 06 - 01:49 PM

She was "recorded in the field" by Alan Lomax (assisted by Shirley Collins) and the results are on the Southern Folk Heritage Series, especially Vol 5;American Folk Songs For Children. At least 5 tracks on that one.
Robyn

Subject: RE: Almeda Riddle
From: GUEST,Hootenanny
Date: 06 Mar 06 - 10:37 AM

Samirich,
I could be wrong but I think you are confusing Almeeda with Jean Ritchie.

Hoot

Subject: RE: Almeda Riddle
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 06 Mar 06 - 10:28 AM

Minstrel has released a CD of "Granny" Riddle. Just her. Available, of course, from CAMSCO Music ---800/548-FOLK (3655)

Subject: RE: Almeda Riddle
From: Ernest
Date: 06 Mar 06 - 07:26 AM

recently I bought an album called "Songcatcher II" subtitled "The tradition that inspired the movie" that contained a few songs by Almeida Riddle, Doc Watson and other old time musicians. Here in Germany it is dustributed by a company named ZYX, the UK distributor is is ace, US seems to be Vanguard.
Hope this might help a little
Best
Ernest

Subject: RE: Almeda Riddle
From: samirich
Date: 05 Mar 06 - 10:31 PM

I believe it was Almeida that performed a duet with Doc Watson called "My Pretty Little Miss". I wonder if it is on a Doc album or Almeida, I suppose it could be on both. Any of you know?

The song goes

Where are you going my pretty little miss?
Where are you going my daisy?
If I don't get me a young girl soon,
I think that I'll go crazy.

Hi rink tum a dink tum a diddle diddle dum
Hi rink tum a dink tum doo-ooley.
Hi rink tum a dink tum a diddle diddle dum
Hi rink tum a dink tum doo-ooley.

I bet its on the digitrad.

Subject: RE: Almeda Riddle
From: samirich
Date: 05 Mar 06 - 10:06 PM

A virtual wealth of information. Thanks for all of the input.

Subject: RE: Almeeda Riddle
From: johnross
Date: 05 Mar 06 - 07:25 PM

I can't find an online discography, but Granny Riddle probably made at least half a dozen LPs over her own name, and she also appeared on "various artists" collections, including several of the Lomax "Southern Journey" series on Prestige and Atlantic (now reissued by Rounder).

The two on my shelf are:

Vanguard VRS 9158         Songs & Ballads of the Ozarks
Arkansas Traditions 003   How Firm a Foundation

There were two others on Rounder, and one on Minstrel:
Minstrel JD-203       Granny Riddle's Songs & Ballads

And the Arkansas Humanities Council sells a 30-minute video about Almeda Riddle, made in 1984: www.arkhums.org/catalog/video/music

Subject: RE: Almeeda Riddle
From: Peace
Date: 05 Mar 06 - 07:17 PM

Bio here.

Subject: RE: Almeeda Riddle
From: Don Firth
Date: 05 Mar 06 - 07:14 PM

I heard her at the 1964 Berkeley Folk Festival, in workshops and concerts. She was a sweet, wonderful lady, and she had a headful of songs and ballads. She felt most comfortable sitting in a rocking chair while she sang, so for her concerts, someone brought a comfortable rocker on stage for her.   She talked about the songs, told stories, and sang a lot. No accompaniment. Just rocking gently as she sang. Delightful!

Don Firth

Subject: RE: Almeeda Riddle
From: Peace
Date: 05 Mar 06 - 06:59 PM

Almeda Riddle

Born: 1898
Died: 1980
Origin: Arkansas
Occupation: Folksinger

Biography:

Wonderful folksinger Almeda Riddle was born in 1898, near Greer's Ferry, Arkansas. She sang the traditional ballads of her heritage, eventually to crowds of admirers, and excelled as a teacher of shaped note singing. Roger D. Abrahams, noted folklorist, anthropologist, etc., interviewed Granny Riddle and edited a book based on those interviews, A Singer and Her Songs: Almeda Riddle's Book of Ballads.

Subject: RE: Almeeda Riddle
From: GUEST,Dale
Date: 05 Mar 06 - 06:57 PM

Oh, I should have mentioned her recordings by John Quincy Wolf and Max Hunter

John Quincy Wolf Collection at Lyon College, Batesville, AR

Max Hunter Collection at Missouri State University, Springfield, MO

Subject: RE: Almeeda Riddle
From: GUEST,Dale
Date: 05 Mar 06 - 06:40 PM

Your discussion on the spelling was not there when I started mine. ALMEDA is correct.

Subject: RE: Almeeda Riddle
From: GUEST,Dale
Date: 05 Mar 06 - 06:38 PM

Almeda is represented by at least four LPs that I am aware of:
Granny Riddle's Songs and Ballads, Minstrel JD203
Almeda Riddle, Vanguard VRS-9158
Ballads and Hymns From the Ozarks Rounder 0017
More Ballads and Hymns From The Ozarks Rounder 0083

That is not counting being represented on at least seven or eight anthologies that I am aware of.

Now as far as anything on CD except for the anthologies . . . that I just don't know.

Arkie was privileged to know her over the course of many years. I will alert him to this thread. It's likely that he knows of something that I don't.

Subject: RE: Almeeda Riddle
From: Peace
Date: 05 Mar 06 - 06:28 PM

Abrahams, Roger (ed.). A Singer and Her Songs, Almeida Riddle's Book of Ballads. LSU Press 1970. 1st. DJ.

Subject: RE: Almeeda Riddle
From: Peace
Date: 05 Mar 06 - 06:25 PM

"Almeida Riddle", discography

Google the above as is. Two sites to check.

Subject: RE: Almeeda Riddle
From: Surreysinger
Date: 05 Mar 06 - 06:24 PM

Unless I'm much mistaken wasn't she recorded by Alan Lomax at some point? I'm pretty sure she was one of the singers featured in Shirley Collins' illustrated talk "America across the water", although I may very well be confusing that with talks I've been to in the past by Jeff Warner and Jeff Davis!

Subject: RE: Almeeda Riddle
From: Surreysinger
Date: 05 Mar 06 - 06:22 PM

If you find any details of recordings, I'd be quite interested to know as well!

Subject: RE: Almeeda Riddle
From: samirich
Date: 05 Mar 06 - 06:19 PM

You may be right, I will see if it gets any hits.

Subject: RE: Almeeda Riddle
From: Surreysinger
Date: 05 Mar 06 - 06:17 PM

Shouldn't that be Almeida Riddle, rather than Almeeda?

Subject: Almeeda Riddle
From: samirich
Date: 05 Mar 06 - 06:09 PM

I know that Almeeda made at least one album, she may have made several but I am interested in an Anthology of her songs if anyone knows of one, or even another that contains some of her work.

Thanks