TexWilliams - Posted - 08/12/2013:  14:15:13

What is your favorite type of song/instrumental to play? My favorite is gospel songs. They seem to have a lot of soul in them.

jfrebel - Posted - 08/14/2013:  23:23:52

That's pretty hard for me to choose. I guess if I picked a favorite it would be songs in minor keys that play slow, soft and spooky. stuff like Jean Ritchie, "the L and N don't stop here anymore" or or Doc Watson "Omie Wise" or Pete Seeger "Which Side are you on"?

delboy - Posted - 08/15/2013:  00:03:31

Story/character songs for me. I mean I like a good instrumental, of course, but a good story song probably edges it.

Jim Yates - Posted - 08/15/2013:  12:15:18

I love to play waltz tunes.  Midnight On The Water, Margaret's Waltz and some of my own tunes.  I also like to sing waltz songs.  Tennessee Waltz and Kentucky Waltz, The F.F.V., Down By The Willow Garden and many more obscure songs.

Jim Yates - Posted - 08/21/2013:  13:48:13

quote:

---

Originally posted by delboy

 

Story/character songs for me. I mean I like a good instrumental, of course, but a good story song probably edges it.

---

Story songs appeal to me too.  Monongahela Sal, Live Free Or Die, Streets Of Baltimore, High Heels In The Rain, non-PC murder ballads like Little Sadie or Miss Otis Regrets...

Edited by - Jim Yates on 08/21/2013 13:49:48

Jim Yates - Posted - 08/21/2013:  13:58:16

quote:

---

Originally posted by jfrebel

 

That's pretty hard for me to choose. I guess if I picked a favorite it would be songs in minor keys that play slow, soft and spooky. stuff like Jean Ritchie, "the L and N don't stop here anymore" or or Doc Watson "Omie Wise" or Pete Seeger "Which Side are you on"?

---

While Doc did sing Omie Wise, I'm pretty sure it's a traditional song.  Pete sang Which Side Are You On ?, but it was written in the early thirties by Florence Reece.  I believe that The L & N ... is a Jean Ritchie song ... and a good one at that.

tonyelder - Posted - 08/21/2013:  15:08:25

I guess the one song I've kept on my solo set list the longest (since the 70's) - and still enjoy listening to is The Ballad Of Spider John by Willis Alan Ramsey. And there are 4 other gems from that album that I real like to play.



Does Willis Alan Ramsey qualify as a "type of song"?

...but I don't think I really have a "favorite". Right now I am eat up with old time fiddle tunes and songs. I love playing bluegrass , and there is so much other really good stuff out there. I guess my favorite is what ever I'm playing at the moment.

 

Edited by - tonyelder on 08/21/2013 15:14:40

Jim Yates - Posted - 08/21/2013:  17:49:16

Tony, Is that song about Spider John Koerner of Blues, Rags & Hollers and Lots More Blues, Rags & Hollers fame?  I loved those records when I was in high school and I loved the sound of Spider John's seven string guitar with the G string doubled an octave higher.  I'll bet that's where Roger McGuinn got the idea.

jfrebel - Posted - 08/21/2013:  18:29:15

quote:

---

Originally posted by Jim Yates

 

quote:

---

Originally posted by jfrebel

 

That's pretty hard for me to choose. I guess if I picked a favorite it would be songs in minor keys that play slow, soft and spooky. stuff like Jean Ritchie, "the L and N don't stop here anymore" or or Doc Watson "Omie Wise" or Pete Seeger "Which Side are you on"?

---

While Doc did sing Omie Wise, I'm pretty sure it's a traditional song.  Pete sang Which Side Are You On ?, but it was written in the early thirties by Florence Reece.  I believe that The L & N ... is a Jean Ritchie song ... and a good one at that.

 

---

oh I know that Pete and Doc didn't write those songs, but their version is what I liked. I've heard Florence sing her song and didn't like it at all. Then I came across Pete's version and did. Omie Wise I first heard from Doc and still think his version is the best I've ever heard.  Yeah Jean did write the L&N and her voice is like no other. I love it! glad you like it too. :)

Tom Smith - Posted - 08/22/2013:  02:59:43

quote:

---

Originally posted by Jim Yates

 

quote:

---

Originally posted by delboy

 

Story/character songs for me. I mean I like a good instrumental, of course, but a good story song probably edges it.

---

Story songs appeal to me too.  Monongahela Sal, Live Free Or Die, Streets Of Baltimore, High Heels In The Rain, non-PC murder ballads like Little Sadie or Miss Otis Regrets...

---

Jimmy Driftwood had some good "story" songs. It's my understanding he was an Arkansas school teacher who would write songs to inspire his students to learn. The Battle of New Orleans is probably the best known. Right now I'm working on "Get Along Little Yearlings"  I’m still looking for a video version of this one performed by Leroy Troy, but in the meantime, I found this good vocal and guitar version by Josh Oliver

youtube.com/watch?v=jpHxmuwgXDc

Jim Yates - Posted - 08/22/2013:  04:39:49

Tennessee Stud is another great Jimmy Driftwood song.

imapicker2 - Posted - 08/22/2013:  19:19:19

How about Jimmy's "You Got To Quit Kicking My Dog Around?"

Edited by - imapicker2 on 08/22/2013 19:20:49

twayneking - Posted - 12/10/2013:  02:01:57

I'm a Christmas music junkie. I love the ancient folk / Celtic songs especially.

kcjc69 - Posted - 12/12/2013:  17:51:25

Not sure I have a favorite... just depends on the time and place. But if I had to pick only one it would be Country Gospel.

wannabedoc - Posted - 01/23/2014:  19:20:03

I'm partial to gospel tunes, myself.

blueridge - Posted - 01/24/2014:  06:51:33

I don't know about a song or type of song. For me its more about styles and certain chord progressions.

For example I like almost anything done in Carter Style.

Mike