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Thread: Bill Monroe

  1. #1
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    I would like to know the (first?) recording date of "I Am a Pilgrim" from some of those of you who have large Monroe collections. I don't have a recording of it (I've been seriously influenced by a 1962 Clarence White version) , but would guess it was sometime around 1945-1950?
    Thanks.

    rasa

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    I have a recording of "I AM A PILGRIM" from 1958 when Ed Mayfield was in the band.

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    Thank you LGS - keep 'em coming folks. I have found an interesting history of this song back to at least 1862 #("Hymns for the Camp")#and it's later jubilee quartet and gospel renditions of the 20'and 30's. When M. Travis published it in 1947 (with thanks to the Rager bros.) it was a common tune 'everybody' knew and played.

    rasa




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    wood butcher Spruce's Avatar
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    There's a great version of the tune on a live CD of the only time Merle Travis and Doc Watson played together onstage from Winfield '76...

    Unreleased, very unfortunately...

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    Registered User evanreilly's Avatar
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    Monroe recorded this gospel number on March 20th, 1958.
    Personnel were:
    Monroe: mandolin & lead
    Edd Mayfield: guitar & tenor
    Culley Holt: bass & bass
    Kenny Baker: baritone

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    Ah!! - Ya' beat me to it Evan!!## - hee.. hee..

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    Registered User Tom C's Avatar
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    There is a Monroe discography out there someplace. It shows the dates tunes were recorded. It's pretty cool to see the Old Ebenizer and Old Dangerfield were recorded the same day -Not suprised though in that they are pretty similar. My friend has it so I do not know exactly what it is called.

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    "Bill Monroe and his Blue Grass Boys: an illustrated discography", ...edited by Neil V. Rosenberg, c.1974, The Country Music Foundation Press. Note the c1974 ; To my knowledge there has not been an updated edition since then for this very definitive discography. In addition, I believe it is "out of print". Excellent book!! - Maybe some of the Bear Family sets have the later dates, personnel, etc..!?? - Hope this helps.

  9. #9
    wood butcher Spruce's Avatar
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    " It's pretty cool to see the Old Ebenizer and Old Dangerfield were recorded the same day -Not suprised though in that they are pretty similar."

    It's my understanding, based upon a post on these pages by Larry Sledge, who was involved in the sessions, that all of "Master of Bluegrass" (with the exception of the "Last Days" overdubs) was recorded on the same day...

    Does the discography back this up?

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    Can't help ya' there Spruce, 'cause the Monroe Discography by Rosenberg was published 1974. Obviously, before the two numbers in question were recorded. Got the book in hand - The're not listed in the INDEX. I would certainly say - from observation - everything(!) else up to '74 is methodically quoted therein. Good luck with your search...(I'd like to know...myself!!)

  11. #11
    Registered User evanreilly's Avatar
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    Rumor has it that Neil Rosenberg is working on an updated/revised edition of his great Discography. The Bear Family box set books, to which Rosenberg contributed, are equally detailed in their data about Monroe's recordings.
    I am not sure where the equivalent comprehensive data is to be found for the 'MAster of Bluegrass' sessions.

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    Evan : Thanks for THAT info.! - If(!)/when it is published I'll be sure WE buy it!! -I'll even mark the order to my "PERSONAL" attention...(just one of my big "perks"...ya' know..hee.. hee)-

  13. #13
    Registered User evanreilly's Avatar
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    I think it is a big "When" it will be published; the rumor has been circulating a while.
    Of course, all the data that the Bear box sets contain are certainly a good start on the revised Discography.
    Truth be told, I had a photocopy of the original for years; finally bought the original on Ebay & it wasn't too expensive. A good friend and great bluegrass personality told me about & said if I wanted it, he wouldn't bid against me!

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    Quote Originally Posted by (evanreilly @ Oct. 23 2004, 09:13)
    Monroe recorded this gospel number on March 20th, 1958.
    Personnel were:
    Monroe: mandolin & lead
    Edd Mayfield: guitar & tenor
    Culley Holt: bass & bass
    Kenny Baker: baritone
    Highly recommended - for once Monroe has a genuine bass singer
    to do the "Oh. Lordy, it's not"; also some of his best singing, plus mandolin solos that echo some of his vocal inflections.

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    So.., Mr. Hackman, is your review a "two-thumbs-up"..!!?? - (Hey Evan, re: Ed Mayfield ; I recall reading one of your posts concerning Bill's "thoughts" on this Bluegrass Boy. Thanks for the "heads-up").

  16. #16
    Registered User evanreilly's Avatar
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    I think the best single "session" Monroe had was October 28th, 1951. Bill & the BGB only recorded two songs, Christmas Time's A-Coming and The First Whippoorwill, but I think the Monroe lead/tenor with Edd Mayfield was the best!!
    Also on that session are the only two recordings that James Gar Bowers made while playing banjo with Monroe. #
    Owen Bradley played vibes on the first number as well.

  17. #17
    Formerly F5JOURNL Darryl Wolfe's Avatar
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    Mayfield played a pretty mean, but simple guitar too. Alot more than just the big G-Run....some of the best rhythm and lead guitar ever recorded with Monroe
    Darryl G. Wolfe, The F5 Journal
    www.f5journal.com

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    Darryl: a well-deserved "honorable mention" - those in-the-know....,know. Thanks.

  19. #19
    Registered User evanreilly's Avatar
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    I think the real reason Monroe admired Edd Mayfield so much was that Mayfield handled horses better than Bill; Mayfield was a real Texas cowboy.

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    Registered Mandolin User mandopete's Avatar
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    Not to hijack this thread or anything - but there was a thread previously about how much Monroe cared for Edd Mayfield when Edd took sick. #It was a very moving discussion of how Monroe wanted Edd to have air conditioning in his room as he lay sick, very interesting stuff.



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  21. #21
    Registered Mandolin User mandopete's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by (evanreilly @ Oct. 26 2004, 08:21)
    Owen Bradley played vibes on the first number as well.
    Wow - there's one for the bluegrass purists!
    2015 Chevy Silverado
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  22. #22
    Formerly F5JOURNL Darryl Wolfe's Avatar
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    thanks Moose....Rowan held his own too
    Darryl G. Wolfe, The F5 Journal
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