Greeting from Africa - Bluegrass/country advice needed

timspong · April 28th, 2005, 08:35 AM

I just moved to Nigeria (1 month ago) and so far I only have my tele (no amp) as none of the rest of my gear has arrived yet. There are another 7 instruments and 4 amps somewhere in the world belonging to me :(

The only reason I still have my tele is that I took the neck off and stuck it in my "carry on" luggage.

Anyhow, I am unlikely to be playing in a band for a while and wanted some advice on solo/duet kind of tunes. I am quite versed in the usual rock orientated materal but am looking for more folk/bluegrass/country orientated material.

So far all I have is:

Man of constant sorry (from brother where art though) and the cuckoo song (from cold mountain).

Any suggestions in the same vein as above? I don't really have access to books or CD's over here yet (working on it though)

thanks

Bob Mc · April 28th, 2005, 11:34 AM

timspong
I have been using BG/old timey stuff to improve my picking; after 20 someything years of blues playing, I realized I slurred virtually every note!
Without access to CDs, the titles may be useless, but here's what I've been working on:
Solders Joy (in E, great on solo guitar)
Wildwood Flower (C and G)
Shady Grove (Dm)
Big River Blues (E)

When you do have access to some recordings, I'd recommend Jerry Garcia Band Almost Acoustic Live CD, I'm no Dead fan by any means, but this is a cool CD usually found cheap. Tune selection is great, and one or two passses and you'll be playing every song. And, there are a couple of recording glitches where the soloist is lost in the mix; perfect for playing along to!

lenny · April 28th, 2005, 11:35 AM

that tune from "brother where art thou" is allison krauss and union station, with Dan Tyminski (their rhythm guitarist/vocalist) singing. they have a bunch of tunes that he sings, and they tend to be different from the ballad'y "pop/grass" that she sings frequently(i love those too)
anyway, if you're using itunes or similar, here are some more that he sings,and some that she sings, that have a traditional blugrass type sound
Dan singing
"the boy who wouldnt hoe corn"
"momma cried"
"bright sunny south"
"pastures of plenty"
"rain please go away"

allison sings bluegrass
"my poor old heart"
"take me for longing"

no singing
"choctaw hayride"
"unionhouse branch"

that should keep you busy for a bit, enjoy :)

jhundt · April 28th, 2005, 12:20 PM

I don't recall seeing any other members from Africa. How did you end up in Nigeria? Is it cool?

Robin Nahum · April 28th, 2005, 08:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by timspong

Anyhow, I am unlikely to be playing in a band for a while and wanted some advice on solo/duet kind of tunes. I am quite versed in the usual rock orientated materal but am looking for more folk/bluegrass/country orientated material.

So far all I have is:

Man of constant sorry (from brother where art though) and the cuckoo song (from cold mountain).

Any suggestions in the same vein as above? I don't really have access to books or CD's over here yet (working on it though)

If you PM me your email address, I can send you some page scans from a bluegrass primer to get you started.

But if you're in Nigeria rather than Louisville, why wouldn't you get into the local music - there's the roots stuff and there's also the rockier "high life" style.

Here's a Google Search to get you started:

http://www.google.com.au/search?hl=e...e+Search&meta=

jpkusa · April 28th, 2005, 11:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robin Nahum

But if you're in Nigeria rather than Louisville, why wouldn't you get into the local music - there's the roots stuff and there's also the rockier "high life" style.

I agree! Get out there and immerse yourself. It's a rare opportunity that most people won't ever have. Tell us all about it! You could really have some adventures, man. Good luck!

timspong · April 29th, 2005, 03:53 AM

Thanks for the replies.

I am planning on getting involved with all kinds of music over here and am actually trying to work out the logistics of seting up a recording studio.

Anyhow I ended up here because someone sent me an email from Nigeria saying that the cousin of the president needed to use my bank account to store 5 million dollars. So I sold everything and came over, I haven't mannaged to get hold of the guy yet though.

....Just Kidding!

My wife is over here with the Red Cross. She is also Nigerian so we will probably stay over here once the project is over.

cheers

Paul in Colorado · April 29th, 2005, 01:08 PM

You just had me rolling with laughter of the President's brother's bank account thing...

Welcome to the TDPRI and if you can get a hold of any of Clarence White's acoustic work it'll change your life.

Good luck with your adventures and keep us posted.

Robin Nahum · May 23rd, 2005, 12:59 AM

I sent him some material and followup email and PM but no reply.

teleduster · May 23rd, 2005, 11:43 AM

...of acoustic instrumentals. If you have access to a cassette player, I'll go out to my son's house this weekend, get the CD, burn you a cassette, and mail it to you.
To me, Clarence posesses unequaled taste, tone and timing, and you might like it, too.
The amazing thing is, I think the recording was made when he was just a teenager!

teleduster · May 23rd, 2005, 12:55 PM

I should have read ALL the posts.

April 28th, 2005, 08:35 AM	#1 (permalink)
timspong Tele-Meister Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Lagos, Nigeria Posts: 100	Greeting from Africa - Bluegrass/country advice needed I just moved to Nigeria (1 month ago) and so far I only have my tele (no amp) as none of the rest of my gear has arrived yet. There are another 7 instruments and 4 amps somewhere in the world belonging to me :( The only reason I still have my tele is that I took the neck off and stuck it in my "carry on" luggage. Anyhow, I am unlikely to be playing in a band for a while and wanted some advice on solo/duet kind of tunes. I am quite versed in the usual rock orientated materal but am looking for more folk/bluegrass/country orientated material. So far all I have is: Man of constant sorry (from brother where art though) and the cuckoo song (from cold mountain). Any suggestions in the same vein as above? I don't really have access to books or CD's over here yet (working on it though) thanks

April 28th, 2005, 11:34 AM	#2 (permalink)
Bob Mc Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Mo'town NJ Posts: 1,619	A few tunes timspong I have been using BG/old timey stuff to improve my picking; after 20 someything years of blues playing, I realized I slurred virtually every note! Without access to CDs, the titles may be useless, but here's what I've been working on: Solders Joy (in E, great on solo guitar) Wildwood Flower (C and G) Shady Grove (Dm) Big River Blues (E) When you do have access to some recordings, I'd recommend Jerry Garcia Band Almost Acoustic Live CD, I'm no Dead fan by any means, but this is a cool CD usually found cheap. Tune selection is great, and one or two passses and you'll be playing every song. And, there are a couple of recording glitches where the soloist is lost in the mix; perfect for playing along to! __________________ All of us contain Music & Truth, but most of us can't get it out. Mark Twain

April 28th, 2005, 12:20 PM	#4 (permalink)
jhundt Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Netherlands Age: 54 Posts: 3,012 9 Photos	Are you the only TDPRIer in Africa? I don't recall seeing any other members from Africa. How did you end up in Nigeria? Is it cool?

May 23rd, 2005, 12:59 AM	#9 (permalink)
Robin Nahum Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Sydney, Australia Age: 57 Posts: 1,712 13 Photos	Has anybody heard from Tim? I sent him some material and followup email and PM but no reply. __________________ RN

May 23rd, 2005, 11:43 AM	#10 (permalink)
teleduster Tele-Meister Join Date: May 2005 Location: wilmington, nc, usa Posts: 192	I have a CD of Clarence White playing 33 snippets.. ...of acoustic instrumentals. If you have access to a cassette player, I'll go out to my son's house this weekend, get the CD, burn you a cassette, and mail it to you. To me, Clarence posesses unequaled taste, tone and timing, and you might like it, too. The amazing thing is, I think the recording was made when he was just a teenager! __________________ Dusty Rhodes

April 28th, 2005, 11:35 AM	#3 (permalink)
lenny Banned Friend of Leo's Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: New Haven, CT. USA Posts: 3,219	that tune from "brother where art thou" is allison krauss and union station, with Dan Tyminski (their rhythm guitarist/vocalist) singing. they have a bunch of tunes that he sings, and they tend to be different from the ballad'y "pop/grass" that she sings frequently(i love those too) anyway, if you're using itunes or similar, here are some more that he sings,and some that she sings, that have a traditional blugrass type sound Dan singing "the boy who wouldnt hoe corn" "momma cried" "bright sunny south" "pastures of plenty" "rain please go away" allison sings bluegrass "my poor old heart" "take me for longing" no singing "choctaw hayride" "unionhouse branch" that should keep you busy for a bit, enjoy :)

April 29th, 2005, 03:53 AM	#7 (permalink)
timspong Tele-Meister Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Lagos, Nigeria Posts: 100	Thanks for the replies. I am planning on getting involved with all kinds of music over here and am actually trying to work out the logistics of seting up a recording studio. Anyhow I ended up here because someone sent me an email from Nigeria saying that the cousin of the president needed to use my bank account to store 5 million dollars. So I sold everything and came over, I haven't mannaged to get hold of the guy yet though. ....Just Kidding! My wife is over here with the Red Cross. She is also Nigerian so we will probably stay over here once the project is over. cheers

April 29th, 2005, 01:08 PM	#8 (permalink)
Paul in Colorado Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Fort Collins, CO Age: 55 Posts: 4,341 3 Photos	You just had me rolling with laughter of the President's brother's bank account thing... Welcome to the TDPRI and if you can get a hold of any of Clarence White's acoustic work it'll change your life. Good luck with your adventures and keep us posted.

May 23rd, 2005, 12:55 PM	#11 (permalink)
teleduster Tele-Meister Join Date: May 2005 Location: wilmington, nc, usa Posts: 192	Whoops. I should have read ALL the posts. __________________ Dusty Rhodes