30 Dec 09 - 12:57 AM (#2799024) Subject: On Top of Old Smokey From: JedMarum I've always loved this old song ... recorded it this week for a "demo" project I have in the works and decided to put the track up on Youtube, along with recent photos. Please take a look/listen here, if you have a mind to. Thanks! |
30 Dec 09 - 01:00 AM (#2799025) Subject: RE: On Top of Old Smokey From: GUEST,999 That is one of my all-time favourite songs, Jed. I have no sound on this computer, but I wll listen to it tomorrow at the library. |
30 Dec 09 - 07:24 AM (#2799168) Subject: RE: On Top of Old Smokey From: Dave Roberts Jed, I love this. What an excellent version. Your voice is very reminiscent of Burl Ives. And that is meant as a very very big compliment. |
30 Dec 09 - 08:29 AM (#2799198) Subject: RE: On Top of Old Smokey From: Charley Noble Jed- Nicely sung, recorded, and the still images work well with the singing. Charley Noble |
30 Dec 09 - 11:27 AM (#2799324) Subject: RE: On Top of Old Smokey From: kendall This is one of the first songs I ever learned, but there are more lyrics in the version I learned. ..it's raining it's hailing and the moon gives no light my horses can't travel this dark road tonight. So hitch up your horses and feed them some hay I'm headed for Georgia and I'll be on my way. My horses aint hungry and they wont eat no hay So fare thee well darling I'll be on my way. I'll climb to Old Smokey that mountain so high Where the wild birds and Turtle Doves can hear my sad cry. Does anyone else know this version? |
30 Dec 09 - 11:30 AM (#2799328) Subject: RE: On Top of Old Smokey From: kendall Then, of course, there is the parody: On top of old Smokey all covered with snow I found my true lover face down in the snow Her face was all bloody and covered with flies And there were two sockets where they plucked out her eyes. Now who could have done this? this dastardly deed, It was Roger, the codger, that dirty half breed. |
30 Dec 09 - 11:37 AM (#2799334) Subject: RE: On Top of Old Smokey From: olddude Very nice job Jed, nice indeed Dan |
30 Dec 09 - 11:40 AM (#2799337) Subject: RE: On Top of Old Smokey From: fretless And then there's Roscoe Holcomb's high lonesome version. |
30 Dec 09 - 11:49 AM (#2799340) Subject: RE: On Top of Old Smokey From: kendall My God! he sounds like a hog caught in a barbed wire fence! |
30 Dec 09 - 11:51 AM (#2799343) Subject: RE: On Top of Old Smokey From: GUEST,TJ in San Diego After the Weavers popularized "Old Smoky," I heard many ribald versions in my misspent youth. This isn't one of them... On top of Old Baldy, All covered with grass, I saw my true lover, And her beautiful ass. It wasn't a pink one, Assume though you may; But a furry and black one, A-munchin' on hay. |
30 Dec 09 - 02:18 PM (#2799454) Subject: RE: On Top of Old Smokey From: fretless Back in the 1950s the version popular in Brooklyn was: On top of old Smokey, where nobody goes I saw Betty Grable without any clothes. Clearly a remnant from WWII. |
30 Dec 09 - 06:19 PM (#2799628) Subject: RE: On Top of Old Smokey From: Joe_F Another one in the juvenile department is "On Top of Spaghetti" (in the DT). |
30 Dec 09 - 06:23 PM (#2799634) Subject: RE: On Top of Old Smokey From: Smokey. ..... and some have greatness thrust upon them.. |
30 Dec 09 - 07:25 PM (#2799689) Subject: RE: On Top of Old Smokey From: Stringsinger I know a different tune than the popular one. Somewhat the same lyrics with a collated text as most of these versions are. Don't forget "Little Mohee". |
30 Dec 09 - 10:12 PM (#2799764) Subject: RE: On Top of Old Smokey From: GUEST,999 Beautiful. |
30 Dec 09 - 10:40 PM (#2799775) Subject: RE: On Top of Old Smokey From: Maryrrf This is another one of those 'old chestnuts' that needed to be 'dusted off' and performed again. It got sung around so many campfires, elementary school classrooms, etc. and so many parodies developed around it that it lost its appeal, but it's a beautiful song with a great melody. I heard Hank William's version not too long ago and he really brought back its original poignancy. I'm glad Jed recorded it. |
01 Jan 10 - 12:17 PM (#2800820) Subject: RE: On Top of Old Smokey From: GUEST,Jed Marum Thanks for looking and for the comments. This old song is just fun to sing and to hear ... |
01 Jan 10 - 12:39 PM (#2800838) Subject: RE: On Top of Old Smokey From: The Sandman I hope you will not mind criticism.you have a very good voice,your diction is excellent and you are a very accomplished musician. the main problem[and this only my opinion],is that you are singing the song too rhythmically,instead of the accompaniment following the voice,it sounds like you are being forced to the follow the instruments,as if you were in a strait jacket. my approach would have been to take the song slower and freer ,I see it is a sad song.,it is[imo] too waltz like. I hope I have not offended you,I really think the song would be better,if it was more slower and more free , you have a wonderful voice and are a good instrumentalist. |
01 Jan 10 - 12:46 PM (#2800840) Subject: RE: On Top of Old Smokey From: The Sandman hank williams http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PGTCZJ-RBPw |
01 Jan 10 - 12:51 PM (#2800844) Subject: RE: On Top of Old Smokey From: The Sandman here is an eccentric version http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DmsCHL5Llf8 |
01 Jan 10 - 01:01 PM (#2800849) Subject: RE: On Top of Old Smokey From: The Sandman this guy is in the same league as Hank.Jed you are good too,but just showing different ways to do it,hope they interest you. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QzoA4AaZi44 |
01 Jan 10 - 01:11 PM (#2800857) Subject: RE: On Top of Old Smokey From: GUEST,Jed Marum Some sing it as a sad song. I see it as a bit of fun. It is not a serious message. It is a tongue in cheek message; light hearted, humorous. As if the singer were saying, "Let's all have a sing, on this old song, and we'll get a giggle out the message." As for rhythm; I can see the dancers twirling in the same humor as my singing - and of course to the same constant rhythm. I purposely sang to an exact rhythm. When I hear those old complaints, "women lie so easy" or "there's not one girl in a hundred that a poor boy can trust." I take them as if they were spoken with a wink of an eye. They are overstatements, meant to make us smile or even giggle. People say these things and occasionally mean them - but usually it is a joke or at worst a momentary gripe. |
01 Jan 10 - 01:12 PM (#2800859) Subject: RE: On Top of Old Smokey From: The Sandman I just listened to that Morris guy again , wow ,a really fine singer. |
01 Jan 10 - 01:35 PM (#2800869) Subject: RE: On Top of Old Smokey From: kendall It's all a matter of taste. There is no best version of any song. I never was much of a Hank Williams fan, and I didn't care for his version of On Top of Old Smokey. However, I am a Jed Marum fan. |
01 Jan 10 - 02:01 PM (#2800882) Subject: RE: On Top of Old Smokey From: Maryrrf Dick, thanks for posting the link to the Morris Brothers. You are right, it is on par with or even better than the Hank Williams version, which I love. Everyone's 'take' on the song is different, and valid, but I see "Old Smokey" as a sad and poignant song. Unfortunately the upbeat, fun, version to me conjures up all the parodies such as "On Top of Spaghetti", which is why I prefer the slower tempo, mournful renditions, which I believe are more in keeping with the lyrics and spirit of the original. Nothing wrong with Jed's interpretation - different strokes for different folks. |
01 Jan 10 - 02:15 PM (#2800890) Subject: RE: On Top of Old Smokey From: The Sandman did I say there was a best version? no I did not. I cant say I have listened to MUCH Hank Williams,but his version,and the Morris brothers, really illustrate[and this is only a personal opinion how a singer can get inside a song. Jed, says he sees it as a bit of fun ,ok,that comes across. that is not how I see the song .I dont particularly like Holcombs version either,although I normally like his stuff. to me the song is a sad song,whichis why I prefer,the other two versions,both of which are sung with genuine feeling. he asked for an opinion,I gave my opinion.I praised his voice his musical accomplishment, his diction.ok. I am sorry , but I prefer the other two versions,I have explained why, no offence intended, but if you ask for an opinion, you have to be prepared for constructive criticism. |
01 Jan 10 - 02:28 PM (#2800902) Subject: RE: On Top of Old Smokey From: Goose Gander Thanks for posting the Morris Brothers, I would love to see and hear more of this footage. Here's another version from Hank live on the radio - I think I like this version better than his MGM recording. Plus you get the biscuit commercial. |
01 Jan 10 - 04:06 PM (#2800961) Subject: RE: On Top of Old Smokey From: kendall No need to get all snippy Mate, one opinion is as good and no better than any other. |
01 Jan 10 - 05:10 PM (#2800998) Subject: RE: On Top of Old Smokey From: GUEST,Jed Marum Nothing touchy about the comments ... I took 'em at face value ... I love the song ... and I hope that comes through, but I do see it as light hearted - so that is how I sing it. Thanks y'll for the comments - and the links to other versions! |
01 Jan 10 - 07:43 PM (#2801107) Subject: RE: On Top of Old Smokey From: GUEST ... thanks Kendall. I'm a Kendall Morse fan too! |
01 Jan 10 - 09:16 PM (#2801157) Subject: RE: On Top of Old Smokey From: kendall Who dat? |
02 Jan 10 - 09:52 AM (#2801438) Subject: RE: On Top of Old Smokey From: The Sandman kendall, mate. ,snippy? |
02 Jan 10 - 10:35 AM (#2801473) Subject: RE: On Top of Old Smokey From: kendall Aye. It sounded like you thought I was being disrespectful of your preference in music. |
30 Jun 18 - 10:38 AM (#3934359) Subject: RE: On Top of Old Smokey From: GUEST,Arglebargle IV Along came Gene Autry A-clippty clop He gave her five dollars To lay on her top. |
02 Jul 18 - 08:00 PM (#3934886) Subject: RE: On Top of Old Smokey From: GUEST,Paul Hazell The song "Bandera Waltz" uses the same or similar melody but is a totally different song. Versions of Bandera Waltz go back many years but Slim Whitman enjoyed some success with it in the 50s and redid it in 1967. Australia's Wayne Horsburgh also did a fine version. |
02 Jul 18 - 09:01 PM (#3934888) Subject: RE: On Top of Old Smokey From: GUEST And then there's the Allan Sherman version: On top of old Smokey All covered with hair Of course I'm referring (reFURing?) To Smokey The Bear. |
03 Jul 18 - 03:05 AM (#3934904) Subject: RE: On Top of Old Smokey From: GUEST,Gerry Oops, last guest was me. |