Banjo, mando, guitar

My band Goosetown Stringband playing Pretty Fair Maid live at a gig in Iowa City. Me on guitar/singing lead; Marc Janssen on mando; Melissa Moreton on washtub; and Brian Gotwals on banjo.

Simple Melody version

My version of Ashoken....inspired by Gary T (mountainokie)

One time through, and once again, I got almost to the end before I remembered I didn't have an ending ...

Playing along with one of flatpickle's practice tracks. Thanks again, Dave. Tom

I don't know what's going on with my recorder. All of a sudden my tracks don't line up. I'm sure it's some setting I've messed around with, so I'll sort it out eventually. I was trying to do another collaboration with one of Dave's Practice tracks. I give up (for now). Anyway, here's the melody track I was trying to add.

An "online collaboration" with (flatpickle) Dave. I asked if I could use one of his practice tracks as a rhythm track. He graciously acquiesced, so here it is. Thanks, Dave, that was fun.

I got this song from Norman Blake, maybe on one of his Blake/Rice albums. Very sad, traditional Civil War song, but one of the most beautiful melodies, in my opinion. Lots of folks have done it, including Dylan, Garcia, Julie Miller, etc. Me on my D35 and singing, though not much true flatpicking in it. Rough recording with a poor computer mic.

An online collaboration including the fine pickin' of Egadz1960 (Ray) & montanaokie (Gary). Thanks again, guys.

Made up fiddle tune. Waltz.

A traditional tune originally from Ireland that was made popular in America during the War of 1812 (reportedly after hearing a British prisoner singing it) and again with Confederate soldiers during the Civil War. My favorite recording of this is probably by flatpicking virtuoso, David Grier, and my version is definitely influenced by his masterful work. I love this song as it makes for an excellent solo guitar piece via liberal use of chords, double stops and crosspicking-style rolls/fills that play around the melody in interesting ways. Definitely a great tune to pick up and add to your playing! I have also added my transcription of the first A and B parts to the Flatpicker Hangout TAB archive for anyone intersested in learning the basic arrangement. Enjoy! --Jamey

Joe Coleman, a shoemaker, was accused of stabbing his wife to death near the town of Slate Fork, Adair County, Kentucky, as recorded in the Burkesville Herald Almanac for 1899. Convicted on circumstantial evidence and the testimony of his sister-in-law who was living with them at the time, Coleman was tried in nearby Cumberland County and sentenced to death. While being driven to the place of execution in a two-wheeled ox cart, Coleman sat on his coffin and played a tune that has come down as "Coleman's March." Coleman protested his innocence to the last. Also attached to the tune is the legend that before Coleman was hanged he offered his fiddle to anyone who could play the tune as well as he, and at least one source identified a Kentucky fiddler named Franz Prewitt as the recipient. Prewitt's descendants remembered him as having been indeed a fine fiddler. The tune dates back to the 18th century British Isles. It is known by various names, one being “Old Hickory” after President Andrew Jackson.

It's been a long time, so I thought I'd slap something together and upload it.

Martin D28 > Sennheiser e865 mic > Presonus Inspire 1394 Audio Interface > Audacity Recording/Editing Software