Re: Ookpik Waltz- Chris Thile
Originally Posted by
doc holiday
Thank you Ranald. It's not a Thile tune. It's not a Wicklund Tune. It's not even a 'traditional' tune any more than 'Rebecca' is. If you're going to do a transcription, have the courtesy to find out the composer and acknowledge them. Frankie Rogers.
It is "traditional" or "folk" in the sense that's it's been passed around aurally, and, as played, is often well removed from its composer, as the different variations show. But I agree that a tune's writer should get credit, and royalties if the tune is being played commercially. I have no idea whether or not the various musicians recording this song have credited Frankie Rodgers. Often commercial musicians pay their royalties, and credit the composer on the CD, album, or whatever, but do not necessarily mention the composer during performances. I don't think I've heard many musicians tell who wrote "The Tennessee Waltz" or "The Orange Blossom Special," partly because the performers are entertainers, and their audiences aren't necessarily interested. On the other hand, I've seen a great many fiddle tunes labelled "traditional" on albums, when the writers are known. "Big John MacNeil," "Angus Campbell," and "Little Burnt Potato," are three common examples in Canada.
Last edited by Ranald; Oct-01-2021 at 7:36pm.
Robert Johnson's mother, describing blues musicians:
"I never did have no trouble with him until he got big enough to be round with bigger boys and off from home. Then he used to follow all these harp blowers, mandoleen (sic) and guitar players."
Lomax, Alan, The Land where The Blues Began, NY: Pantheon, 1993, p.14.
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