Author Topic: The Carter Family's Recordings: Playing Positions, Pitch, Vocal Arrangements (Read 6867 times)

Johnm · « **on:** June 04, 2012, 05:07:04 PM »

Hi all,
I recently figured this information out for the Carter Family's recordings from 1927--1941. I've posted the tables in Weeniepedia but wanted to put them up on the forum as well in a series of posts.
All best,
Johnm

PLAYING POSITIONS/PITCH, VOCAL ARRANGEMENTS ON THE CARTER FAMILY?S COMMERCIALLY RELEASED RECORDINGS

Note: Unless otherwise stipulated, you may assume that Maybelle?s and Sara?s guitars were played in standard tuning, though sometimes tuned lower or higher than EADGBE. On pieces where only one guitar plays, Maybelle is the guitarist.

Bristol, Tennessee, 8/1/27

Song title Playing Position Pitch
instrumentation, vocal arrangement

Bury Me Beneath The Willow C position B
guitar/autoharp, trio
Little Log Cabin By The Sea C position B
guitar/autoharp, Sara/A.P.
Poor Orphan Child C position B
guitar/autoharp, Sara/A.P.
The Storms Are On The Ocean C position B
guitar/autoharp, Sara/trio

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Bristol, Tennessee, 8/2/27

Single Girl, Married Girl F position E
guitar/autoharp, Sara (no A.P.)
The Wandering Boy C position B
guitar/autoharp, Sara

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Camden, New Jersey, 5/9/28

Meet Me By The Moonlight Alone Vestapol tuning (R5R35R) E
steel guitar/autoharp, Sara/A.P. lap style slide
Little Darling Pal Of Mine Vestapol E
steel guitar/autoharp, Sara/A.P. lap style slide
Keep On The Sunny Side C position B
guitar/autoharp, Sara/A.P., trio
Anchored In Love C position B
guitar/autoharp, Sara/A.P.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Camden, New Jersey, 5/10/28

John Hardy Was A Desperate Little Man C position B
guitar, Sara
I Ain?t Gonna Work Tomorrow G position E
guitar/autoharp, Sara
Will You Miss Me When I?m Gone G position E
guitar, Sara/A.P.
River of Jordan C position B
guitar/autoharp, trio
Chewing Gum F position E
guitar/autoharp, Sara
Wildwood Flower C position Bflat--
guitar/guitar, Sara
I Have No One To Love Me C position B
guitar/autoharp, trio
Forsaken Love C position B
guitar/autoharp, Sara/A.P.
Sweet Fern Sara, C position Aflat
steel guitar/guitar, Sara Maybelle, Vestapol at Eflat,
played lap-style in
the key of the IV chord, Aflat
My Clinch Mountain Home Sara, C position Aflat
steel guitar/guitar, A.P./Sara Maybelle, Vestapol at Eflat, played in the key of
the IV chord, Aflat
God Gave Noah the Rainbow Sign C position A
guitar/autoharp, trio
I?m Thinking Tonight of my Blue Eyes C position A
guitar/autoharp, Sara/A.P.
Little Moses C position A
guitar/autoharp, Sara/trio
Lulu Walls C position A
guitar/autoharp, trio
Grave on the Green Hillside C position A

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Johnm · « **Reply #1 on:** June 04, 2012, 05:09:18 PM »

Hi all,
Here are their sessions from 1929-1930.
All best,
Johnm

2/15/29

Don?t Forget this Song Sara: C position A flat
steel guitar/guitar, Sara/A.P. Maybelle: Vestapol at E flat A flat
Foggy Mountain Top Sara: C position A flat++
steel guitar/guitar, Sara/A.P. Maybelle: Vestapol at E flat A flat++
Bring Back My Blue-eyed Boy to Me C position A+
guitar/autoharp, Sara/trio
Diamonds in the Rough C position B flat
guitar, Sara/trio
Engine 143 C position A+
guitar/autoharp, Sara

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

11/22/29

Homestead on the Farm C position B flat++
guitar/autoharp, Sara/trio
Cyclone of Rye Cove C position B flat++
guitar/autoharp, trio
Motherless Children C position B flat++
guitar/autoharp, Sara/A.P.

11/24/29
When the Roses Bloom in Dixieland C position B flat+
guitar/autoharp, Sara/trio
No Telephone in Heaven C position B flat+
guitar/autoharp, Sara/trio
Western Hobo Sara: G position F
steel guitar/guitar, Sara/Maybelle Maybelle: Spanish tuning (5R5R35) F
Carter?s Blues Sara: G position G
guitar/guitar, Sara Maybelle: G position G
Wabash Cannonball C position B flat
G guitar/autoharp, Sara

11/25/29

A Distant Land to Roam Sara: G position F-
guitar/guitar, trio Maybelle: G position F-
Jimmy Brown, the Newsboy C position B flat
guitar/autoharp, Sara
Kitty Waltz Sara: C position C--
guitar/guitar, Sara/Maybelle Maybelle: C position C--
Fond Affection Sara: G position F-
steel guitar/guitar Maybelle: Spanish tuning F-

5/24/30

The Cannonball C position C#++
guitar/autoharp, A.P.
Lover?s Farewell C position C#++
guitar/autoharp, A.P./trio
There?s Someone A-Waiting For Me C position C#++
guitar/autoharp, Sara/A.P.
Little Log Hut in the Lane Sara: C position B flat++
guitar/guitar, Sara/trio Maybelle: C position B flat++
When the Springtime Comes Again Spanish tuning C#++
steel guitar/autoharp
48) When the World?s on Fire Spanish tuning C#++
C#++ steel guitar/autoharp, Sara/A.P.
I Have an Aged Mother Spanish tuning C-
steel guitar/autoharp, Sara/trio
Dying Soldier Spanish tuning C-
steel guitar/autoharp, Sara/A.P.
Worried Man Blues C position B flat+
guitar/autoharp, trio

11/24/30

Lonesome Valley C position A+
guitar/autoharp, trio
On The Rock Where Moses Stood C position A+
guitar/autoharp, Sara/trio
Room In Heaven For Me C position A+

11/25/30

55)Lonesome Pine Special Sara, G position F#-
guitar/guitar, trio Maybelle, C position, capo F#-
No More the Moon Shines on Lorena C position A
guitar/autoharp, Sara/trio
On My Way to Canaan?s Land C position A
guitar/autoharp, trio
Where Shall I Be Spanish tuning A
steel guitar/autoharp, trio

59) Sow ?Em on the Mountain Spanish tuning A
steel guitar, autoharp, Sara/A.P.
Darling Nellie Across The Sea C position A
guitar/autoharp, Sara/trio
Birds Were A-Singing of You G position E
guitar, Sara/trio

Johnm · « **Reply #2 on:** June 04, 2012, 05:11:38 PM »

Here are their sessions from 1931-1933.

The 1931 Sessions

Title   Recording Date   Instrumentation   Vocal Arrangement   Playing Position   Key
Weary Prodigal Son   5/25/1931   guitar, guitar      Maybelle, C position, capo, Sara, G position   F++
My Old Cottage Home   5/25/1931   guitar, guitar      Maybelle, C position, capo, Sara, G position   F++
When I'm Home   5/25/1931   guitar, autoharp   Sara/trio   Maybelle, C position   B flat+
Sunshine In The Shadows   5/25/1931   guitar, autoharp   Sara/trio   Maybelle, C position   B flat+
Let The Church Roll On   5/25/1931   guitar, autoharp   Sara/trio   Maybelle, C position   B flat+
Lonesome For You   5/26/1931   guitar   Sara/A.P.   Maybelle, C position   B
Can't Feel At Home   5/26/1931   guitar/autoharp   Sara/A.P., trio   Maybelle, C position   Blat+
Why there's A Tear In My Eye   6/10/1931   guitar/guitar   Jimmie Rodgers/Sara   Maybelle, C position, capo, Sara, G position   F#
The Wonderful City   6/10/1931   guitar/guitar      Maybelle, C position, capo, Sara, G position   F#

NOTE: The Carter Family's sessions in 1930 and 1931 were shorter sessions, but considering how much the Depression had disrupted the recording industry by then, they still recorded a decent number of titles. The 11/25/1930 was notable for being the last session at which Maybelle would play lap-slide guitar. It was also the first session at which Maybelle would use a capo; she was to use the capo more and more as the years went by and Sara began to use one as well, on the later sessions. Use of the capo opened up the Family's instrumental sound quite a lot. By the time of these sessions, the Carter Family had pretty much settled on their repertoire combination--traditional songs along with sentimental "parlor" songs, country gospel songs and hymns and the occasional blues or novelty number.

The 1932 Sessions

Title   Recording Date   Instrumentation   Vocal Arrangement   Playing Position   Key
Mid The Green Fields of Virginia   2/23/1932   guitar, autoharp   trio   C position   A-
Happiest Days of All   2/23/1932   guitar, autoharp   trio   C position   A-
PIcture on the Wall   2/23/1932   guitar, guitar   Sara/trio   Maybelle, C position, capo, Sara, G position   F+
Amber Tresses   2/23/1932   guitar, guitar   Sara/trio   Maybelle, C position, capo, Sara, G position   F+
I Never Loved But One   2/23/1932   guitar, guitar   Sara/trio   Maybelle, C position, capo, Sara, G position   F+
Tell Me That You Love Me   2/23/1932   guitar, guitar   Sara/trio   Maybelle, C position, capo, Sara, G position   G
Where We'll Never Grow Old   2/23/1932   guitar, guitar   trio   Maybelle, C position, capo, Sara, G position   G
We Will March Through the Streets of the City   2/23/1932   guitar, guitar   trio   Maybelle, C position, capo, Sara, G position   F--
Sweet As the Flowers in the Maytime   10/12/1932   guitar, guitar   Sara/trio   Maybelle, C position, capo, Sara, G position   G
Will the Roses Bloom In Heaven   10/12/1932   guitar, guitar   Sara/trio   Maybelle, C position, capo, Sara, G position   G
My Little Home in Tennessee   10/12/1932   guitar, autoharp   Sara/trio   Maybelle, C position   B flat+
Sun of the Soul   10/12/1932   guitar, autoharp   Sara/trio   Maybelle, C position   B flat+
If One Won't, Another One Will   10/12/1932   guitar, guitar   Sara   Maybelle, C position, capo, Sara, G position   G
Broken Hearted Lover   10/12/1932   guitar, autoharp   Sara/trio   Maybelle, C position   B flat+
Two Sweethearts   10/13/1932   guitar, autoharp   Sara/trio   Maybelle, C position   B flat+
Winding Stream   10/13/1932   guitar, guitar   Sara/trio   Maybelle, C position, Sara, C position   B flat
I Wouldn't Mind Dying   10/13/1932   guitar, guitar   A.P./Sara   Maybelle, C position, Sara, C position   B flat
Spirit of Love Watches Over Me   10/13/1932   guitar, guitar   Sara/Maybelle   Maybelle, C position, capo, Sara, G position   G
Church in the Wildwood   10/13/1932   guitar, autoharp   A.P., Sara/trio   Maybelle, C position   B flat

The 1933 Sessions

Title   Recording Date   Instrumentation   Vocal Arrangement   Playing Position   Key
Give Me Roses While I Live    6/17/1933   guitar, guitar   Sara/trio   Maybelle, C position, capo, Sara, G position   F#--
I Never Will Marry   6/17/1933   guitar, guitar   Sara/trio   Maybelle, C position, capo, Sara, G position   F#--
On the Sea of Galilee   6/17/1933   guitar, guitar   Sara/trio   Maybelle, C position, capo, Sara, G position   F#--
Home By the Sea   6/17/1933   guitar, guitar   Sara/trio   Maybelle, C position, capo, Sara, G position   F#--
When the Roses Come Again   6/17/1933   guitar, guitar   Sara/trio   Maybelle, C position, capo, Sara, G position   F#--
I Loved You Better Than You Knew   6/17/1933   guitar, guitar   Sara/trio   Maybelle, C position, capo, Sara, G position   F#--
This Is Like Heaven To Me   6/17/1933   guitar, guitar   Sara/trio   Maybelle, C position, capo, Sara, G position   F#--
See That My Grave Is Kept Green   6/17/1933   guitar, guitar   Sara/trio   Maybelle, C position, capo, Sara, G position   F#--
Over the Garden Wall   6/17/1933   guitar, autoharp   Sara/Maybelle   Maybelle, C position, capo   E flat-
Gold Watch and Chain   6/17/1933   guitar, autoharp   Sara/trio   Maybelle, C position, capo   E flat-
School House On the Hill   6/17/1933   guitar, guitar   Sara/trio   Maybelle, C position, capo, Sara, G position   G
Will My Mother Know Me There   6/17/1933   guitar, guitar   Sara, A.P./trio   Maybelle, C position, capo, Sara, G position   G
Faded Flowers   6/17/1933   guitar, guitar      Maybelle, C position, capo, Sara, G position   G
Poor Little Orphan Boy   6/17/1933   guitar, guitar      Maybelle, C position, capo, Sara, G position   G

Johnm · « **Reply #3 on:** June 04, 2012, 05:13:55 PM »

Here are their sessions from 1934-1935.

Camden, New Jersey, 5/8/34

On A Hill Lone and Gray Sara, G position F
guitar/guitar, Sara/trio Maybelle, C position, capo F
Cowboy Jack Sara, C position Bflat
guitar/guitar, Sara/Maybelle Maybelle, C position Bflat
I?ll Be All Smiles Tonight Sara, C position Bflat
guitar/guitar, Sara/trio Maybelle, C position Bflat
Away Out on the Old Saint Sabboth Maybelle, C position A
guitar/autoharp, Sara/trio
Darling Little Joe Maybelle, C position A
guitar/autoharp, trio
Happy Or Lonesome Maybelle, C position A
guitar/autoharp, Sara/trio
One Little Word Maybelle, C position A
guitar/autoharp, Sara, Maybelle/trio
Darling Daisies Maybelle, C position A
guitar/autoharp, Sara/Maybelle
East Virginia Blues Sara, G position F
guitar/guitar, Sara/Maybelle Maybelle, C position, capo F
Lover?s Return Sara, G position F
guitar/guitar, Sara/trio Maybelle, C position, capo F
It?ll Aggravate Your Soul Sara, G position F
guitar/guitar, A.P. Maybelle, C position, capo F
Hello Central, Give Me Heaven Sara, G position F
guitar/guitar, Sara/Maybelle Maybelle, C position, capo F
I?m Working On A Building Sara, G position F
guitar/guitar, Sara/trio Maybelle, C position, capo F
You?ve Been Fooling Me Baby Sara, G position F
guitar/guitar, Sara/Maybelle Maybelle, C position F

Camden, New Jersey, 12/11/34

Longing For Old Virginia Maybelle, C position Aflat+
guitar/autoharp, Sara/Maybelle
March Winds Gonna Blow My
Blues Away Maybelle, C position Aflat+
guitar/autoharp, Sara/trio
There?ll Be Joy, Joy, Joy Maybelle, C position Aflat+
guitar/autoharp, trio
Home In Tennessee Maybelle, C position Aflat+
guitar/autoharp, trio
Are You Tired of Me, My Darling Maybelle, C position Aflat+
guitar/autoharp, Sara/trio
I Cannot Be Your Sweetheart Maybelle, C position Aflat+
guitar/autoharp, Sara/trio
My Heart?s Tonight In Texas Maybelle, C position Aflat+
guitar/autoharp, Sara/trio
There?s No Hiding Place Down
Here Maybelle, C position Dflat++
guitar/autoharp, Sara/trio
Cowboy?s Wild Song to His Herd Maybelle, C position Dflat++
guitar/autoharp, Sara/Maybelle
Evening Bells Are Ringing Maybelle, C position, capo E+
guitar/guitar, Sara/trio Sara, G position E+
Mountains Of Tennessee Maybelle, C position, capo E+
guitar/guitar, trio Sara, G position E+
I?ll Be Home Someday Maybelle, C position, capo E+
guitar/guitar, trio Sara, G position E+
Faded Coat of Blue Maybelle, C position, capo E+
guitar/guitar, Sara/trio Sara, G position E+

133) Sailor Boy Maybelle, C position, capo E+
guitar/guitar, Sara/Maybelle Sara, G position E+

New York City, 5/5/35

Glory to the Lamb Maybelle, C position Dflat
guitar/autoharp, trio
Behind Those Stone Walls Maybelle, F position Aflat
guitar/autoharp, Sara/trio
Sinking in the Lonesome Sea Maybelle, C position, capo Eflat+
guitar, Sara/trio

New York City, 5/6/35

He Took a White Rose From
Her Hair Maybelle, C position Aflat
guitar/autoharp, Sara/Maybelle/A.P.
Can the Circle Be Unbroken Maybelle, C position Aflat
guitar/autoharp, Sara/trio
Let?s Be Lovers Again Maybelle, C position Aflat
guitar/autoharp, Sara/Maybelle/trio
Your Mother Still Prays
(For You Jack) Maybelle, C position Aflat
guitar/autoharp, Sara/trio
Kissing Is A Crime Maybelle, C position Aflat
guitar/autoharp, Sara/trio

New York City, 5/7/35

Don?t Forget Me, Little Darling Maybelle, C position, capo Eflat+
guitar/guitar, Sara/trio Sara, G position Eflat+
Sad and Lonesome Day Maybelle, C position, capo Eflat+
guitar/guitar, Sara/Maybelle Sara, G position Eflat+
By the Touch of Her Hand Maybelle, C position, capo Eflat+
guitar/guitar, Sara/trio Sara, G position Eflat+
East Virginia Blues, #2 Maybelle, C position, capo Eflat+
guitar/guitar, trio Sara, G position Eflat+

146) My Old Virginia Home Maybelle, C position, capo Eflat+
guitar/guitar, Sara/trio Sara, G position Eflat+
My Virginia Rose Is Blooming Maybelle, F position Aflat
guitar/autoharp, Sara/trio
My Texas Girl Maybelle, C position, capo E+
guitar/guitar, Sara/trio Sara, G position E+
No Other?s Bride I?ll Be Maybelle, C position, capo E+
guitar/guitar, Sara/trio Sara, G position E+
Gathering Flowers From the
Hillside Maybelle, C position, capo E+
guitar/guitar, trio Sara, G position E+
Gospel Ship Maybelle, C position, capo E+
guitar/guitar, trio Sara, G position E+
Little Black Train Maybelle, C position Aflat
guitar/autoharp, trio
New York City, 5/8/35

Keep On The Sunny Side Maybelle, C position Aflat
g/ah, trio
River of Jordan Maybelle, C position Aflat
g/ah, trio
Lonesome Valley Maybelle, C position Aflat
g/ah, trio
God Gave Noah The Rainbow sign Maybelle, C position Aflat
g/ah, trio
Single Girl, Married Girl Maybelle, C position Aflat
g/ah, Sara
The Fate of Dewey Lee Maybelle, C position E
g/g, trio Sara, C position
Wildwood Flower Maybelle, C position E
g/g, trio Sara, C position

New York City, 5/9/35

Sea of Galilee Maybelle, C position D+
g/g, trio Sara, C position
Don?t Forget This Song Maybelle, C position D
g/g, Sara/trio Sara, C position
My Clinch Mountain Home Maybelle, G position A
g/g, Sara/trio Sara, G position
The Storms Are On The Ocean Maybelle, C position D
g/g, Sara/trio Sara, C position
164) Will You Miss Me When I?m Gone Maybelle, G position Bflat
g/g, trio Sara, G position
165) Broken Hearted Lover Maybelle, C position Eflat
g/g, Sara/AP/trio Sara, C position

New York City, 5/10/35

Little Darling, Pal of Mine Maybelle, C position Aflat
A flat g/ah, trio
The Homestead On The Farm Maybelle, C position Aflat
g/ah, Sara/trio
Cannon Ball Blues Maybelle, C position Aflat
g/ah, trio
Meet Me By Moonlight Alone Maybelle, C position Aflat
g/ah, Sara/trio
On The Rock Where Moses Stood Maybelle, C position Aflat
g/ah, Sara/trio
Lulu Walls Maybelle, C position Aflat
g/ah, trio
I?m Thinking Tonight of My Blue Eyes Maybelle, C position Aflat
g/ah, Sara/trio
Worried Man Blues Maybelle, C position Aflat
g/ah, trio

Johnm · « **Reply #4 on:** June 04, 2012, 05:16:46 PM »

Here are their sessions from 1936-1937.

New York City, 6/8/36

My Dixie Darling Maybelle, C position Aflat
g/ah, trio
Give Me Your Love And I?ll Give You Mine Maybelle, C position Aflat
g/ah, Sara/Maybelle/trio
Are You Lonesome Tonight Maybelle, C position Aflat
g/ah, Sara/trio
The Last Move For Me Maybelle, C position Aflat
g/ah, Sara/trio
178) The Wayworn Traveller Maybelle, C position Aflat
g/ah, Sara/trio
179) Just Another Broken Heart Maybelle, C position Aflat
g/ah, Sara/Maybelle/trio
180) When Silver Threads Are Gold Again Maybelle, C position Aflat
g/ah, Sara/Maybelle/trio
181) There?s No One Like Mother To Me Maybelle, C position Aflat
g/ah, Sara/Maybelle/trio
182) In A Little Village Churchyard Maybelle, C position Aflat
g/ah, Sara/trio
Jealous Hearted Me Maybelle, C position Eflat
g/g, Sara/Maybelle Sara, G position
184) My Native Home Maybelle, C position Eflat
g/g, Sara/Maybelle Sara, G position
185) Sweet Heaven In My View Maybelle, C position Eflat
g/g, Sara/Maybelle Sara, G position

New York City, 6/9/36

No Depression (In Heaven) Maybelle, C position Eflat+
g/g, Sara/trio Sara, G position
187) Bonnie Blue Eyes Maybelle, C position Eflat+
g/g, trio Sara, G position
188) My Honey Lou Maybelle, C position Eflat+
g/g, Sara/trio Sara, G position
189) In The Shadow Of The Pines Maybelle, C position Eflat+
g/g, Sara/Maybelle/trio Sara, G position
190) Answer to Weeping Willow Maybelle, C position F
g/g, Sara/Maybelle/trio Sara, G position
191) You?ve Been A Friend To Me Maybelle, C position F
g/g, Sara/trio Sara, G position
Where The Silvery Colorado Wends Its Way Maybelle, C position F
g/g, Sara/trio Sara, G position
Lay My Head Beneath The Rose Maybelle, C position Eflat
g/g, Sara/Maybelle Sara, G position

New York City, 6/10/36

No Depression In Heaven Maybelle, C position Eflat+
g/g, Sara/trio Sara, G position
195) No Native Home Maybelle, C position Eflat+
g/g, Sara/trio Sara, G position
196) Jealous Hearted Me Maybelle, C position Eflat+
g/g, Sara/Maybelle Sara, G position
197) A Distant Land To Roam Maybelle, C position Eflat+
g/g, Sara Sara, G position
198) I?m Working On A Building Maybelle, C position Eflat
g/g, Sara Sara, G position
199) East Virginia Blues #2 Maybelle, C position Eflat
g/g, Sara/Maybelle Sara, G position
My Dixie Darling Maybelle, C position Aflat
g/ah, Sara/Maybelle
201) Keep On The Sunny Side Maybelle, C position Aflat
g/ah, Sara/trio
202) Kissing Is A Crime Maybelle, C position Aflat
g/ah, Sara/trio
203) Single Girl, Married Girl Maybelle, C position Aflat
g/ah, Sara

204) Little Darling, Pal of Mine Maybelle, C position Aflat
g/ah, Sara/Maybelle
205) Lonesome Valley Maybelle, C position Aflat
g/ah, Sara/Maybelle/trio
206) Cannonball Blues Maybelle, C position Aflat
g/ah, Sara
207) Happy Or Lonesome Maybelle, C position Aflat
g/ah, Sara/Maybelle
208) Are You Lonesome Tonight Maybelle, C position Aflat
g/ah, Sara/Maybelle
209) Just Another Broken Heart Maybelle, C position Aflat
g/ah, Sara/Maybelle

New York City, 6/17/37

The Broken Down Tramp Maybelle, F position D
g/ah, trio
211) Lover?s Lane Maybelle, C position A
g/ah, Sara/Maybelle/A. P, last chorus
212) Hold Fast To The Right Maybelle, F position D+
g/ah, Sara/Maybelle/trio
213) Lord, I?m In Your Care Maybelle, C position A--
g/ah, trio
214) Funny when You Feel That Way Maybelle, F position D
g/ah, Sara/Maybelle/trio
215) In The Shadow Of Clinch Mountain Maybelle, F position D
g/ah, Sara/trio
216) Hello Stranger Maybelle, C position A+
g/ah, Sara/Maybelle
217) Never Let The Devil Get The Upper Hand Of You Maybelle, F position D--
g/ah, trio
When The Evening Sun Goes Down Maybelle, C position E-
g/g, Sara/Maybelle, trio Sara, F position
219) Jim Blake?s Message Maybelle, C position E-
g/g, trio Sara, F position
220) Honey In The Rock Maybelle, C position E
g/g, trio Sara, F position
221) Look How This World Has Made A Change Maybelle, C position E
g/g, Sara/trio Sara, F position

New York City, 6/18/37

222) Little Girl That Played Upon My Knee Maybelle, C position F+
g/g, Sara/trio Sara, F position
223) You Better Leave That Liar Alone Maybelle, C position F+
g/g, Sara/trio Sara, F position
224) Farewell Nellie Maybelle, C position F+
g/g, Sara/Maybelle/trio Sara, F position
225) The Only Girl I Ever Cared About Maybelle, C position F
g/g, Sara/trio Sara, F position
226) Goodbye To The Plains Maybelle, C position F
g/g, trio Sara, F position
227) My Home?s Across The Blue Ridge Mountains Maybelle, C position F
g/g, trio Sara, F position
228) Dark Haired True Lover Maybelle, C position F
g/g, Sara/Maybelle/trio Sara, F position
He Never Came Back Maybelle, C position C
g/g, Sara/Maybelle Sara, C position

Johnm · « **Reply #5 on:** June 04, 2012, 05:19:50 PM »

Here are their sessions for 1938, 1940 and 1941. It's amazing when you think that recording right through the Depression, they only had two years, 1933 and 1939 in which they recorded no sessions.

New York City, 6/8/38

Happy In Prison Maybelle, C position Aflat+
g/ah, Sara/trio
231) Waiting In The King?s Highway Maybelle, C position Aflat++
g/ah, Sara/trio
232) St. Regious Girl Maybelle, C position Aflat++
g/ah, Sara/Maybelle
233) Just A Few More Days Maybelle, C position A
g/ah, Sara/trio
234) Bring Back My Boy Maybelle, C position Aflat+
g/ah, trio
235) It Is Better Farther On Maybelle, C position Aflat+
g/ah, Sara/Maybelle/trio
236) Charlie And Nellie Maybelle, C position Aflat+
g/ah, Sara/Maybelle
237) Cuban Soldier Maybelle, C position Aflat+
g/ah, Sara/trio
238) Heart That Has Broken For Me Maybelle, C position A
g/ah, Sara/trio

239) You?re Nothing More To Me Maybelle, C position A
g/ah, Sara/Maybelle
240) Stern Old Bachelor Maybelle, C position Aflat+
g/ah, Sara/Maybelle
241) Little Joe Maybelle, C position Aflat+
g/ah, trio
Reckless Motorman Maybelle, C position F#++
g/g, Sara/Maybelle Sara, F position
243) You Denied Your Love Maybelle, C position F#++
g/g, Sara/Maybelle Sara, F position
Oh Take Me Back Maybelle, E position Eflat++
g/g, Sara/Maybelle Sara, E position
You Are My Flower Maybelle, C position Bflat+
g/g, Sara/Maybelle Sara, G position
Who?s That Knocking At My Window Maybelle, F position Eflat++
g/g, Sara/Maybelle Sara, C position
247) They Call Her Mother Maybelle, C position Bflat++
g/g, Sara/Maybelle Sara, G position
Coal Miner?s Blues Maybelle, G position F--
g/g, Sara/Maybelle Sara, C position
Young Freda Holt Maybelle, C position A
g/ah, Sara/Maybelle

Chicago, 10/3/1940

Little Poplar Log House On The Hill Maybelle, C position Aflat++
g/ah, trio
251) The Dying Mother Maybelle, C position Aflat++
g/ah, Sara/Maybelle/trio
252) Buddies In The Saddle Maybelle, C position Aflat++
g/ah, Sara/Maybelle/trio
253) Heaven?s Radio Maybelle, C position Aflat++
g/ah, trio
254) Beautiful Home Maybelle, C position Aflat++
g/ah, trio
255) There?ll Be No Distinction There Maybelle, C position Aflat++
g/ah, Sara/trio
Give Him One More As He Goes Maybelle, F position F#-
g/g, Sara/Maybelle Sara, F position

257) Lonesome For You Darling Maybelle, F position F#-
g/g, Sara/Maybelle Sara, G position
258) Blackie?s Gunman Maybelle, F position F#-
g/g, Sara/Maybelle Sara, G position

Chicago, 10/4/40

You?ve Got To Righten That Wrong Maybelle, G position F#-
g/g, Sara/trio Sara, C position
Meeting In The Air Maybelle, F position B+
g/g, Sara/Maybelle Sara, C position
My Home Among The Hills Maybelle, C position F#++
g/g, trio Sara, G position
Black Jack David Maybelle, F position F#++
g/g, Sara/Maybelle Sara, G position
263) Look Away From The Cross Maybelle, C position F#++
g/g, trio Sara, G position
We Shall Rise Maybelle, C position A--
g/ah, trio
I Found You Among The Roses Maybelle, F position F#++
g/g, A.P. Sara, F position
Bear Creek Blues Maybelle, G position E--
g/ah, Sara
267) I?ll Never Forsake You Maybelle, C position E--
g/ah, Sara/Maybelle
268) Beautiful Isle Over The Sea Maybelle, C position E--
g/ah, Sara/Maybelle
269) Beautiful Isle Over The Sea Maybelle, C position F#++
g/g, Sara/Maybelle Sara, G position

New York City, 10/14/1941

Why Do You Cry, Little Darlin? Maybelle, F position F#++
g/g, Sara/Maybelle Sara, F position
271) You Tied A Love Knot In My Heart Maybelle, F position F#++
g/g, Sara/Maybelle Sara, C position
Lonesome Homesick Blues Maybelle, E position Eflat-
g/ah, Sara/Maybelle
273) Dark And Stormy Weather Maybelle, C position F-
g/ah, trio
274) In The Valley Of The Shenandoah Maybelle, C position F-
g/ah, trio
275) Girl On The Greenbrier Shore Maybelle, C position F-
g/ah, Sara/Maybelle
276) Something Got A Hold Of Me Maybelle, C position F-
g/ah, A.P.
277) 50 Miles Of Elbow Room Maybelle, C position F-
g/ah, Sara/trio
278) Keep On The Firing Line Maybelle, C position A++
g/ah, Sara/trio
279) Waves On The Sea Maybelle, C position Eflat
g/ah, trio
Rambling Boy Maybelle, F position F#+
g/g, trio Sara, F position
281) You?re Gonna Be Sorry You Let Me Down Maybelle, F position F#+
g/g, Sara/Maybelle/trio Sara, F position

banjochris · « **Reply #6 on:** June 04, 2012, 09:14:23 PM »

This is awesome, John, thanks!

Lastfirstface · « **Reply #7 on:** June 05, 2012, 10:01:16 AM »

This is amazing. Thanks a lot John.

Johnm · « **Reply #8 on:** June 05, 2012, 03:15:02 PM »

Thanks very much, Chris and Lastfirstface, for the good words. For the time being, at least, the tables are a lot cleaner and easy to read as they appear in Weeniepedia, under the Musicianship-Guitar category, than they are in this thread. I do intend to re-format the tables in this thread for greater legibility, and am receiving instruction on how to do that, but I'm currently a bit burned out on formatting, which is not my thing, so I think I'll take a little break before tackling that job. I will be adding more notes to the Weeniepedia page, too, probably before I re-format here.
All best,
Johnm

banjochris · « **Reply #9 on:** June 06, 2012, 11:03:42 AM »

John -- you may know this already, but as far as formatting tables for the web goes, the easiest way to deal with it is to start with an Excel file, save that file as a CSV file (available under "Save As"), open the CSV file in a text editor (like Notepad -- don't use Word), copy the whole thing, and then take it to a site like this one:
http://www.textfixer.com/html/csv-convert-table.php
which will add in all the HTML tags for you.

Chris

uncle bud · « **Reply #10 on:** June 07, 2012, 09:21:07 AM »

Thanks for the tip, Chris. So far we've been using the Concatenate function in Excel, adding an extra column with a formula that concatenates all the content of cells to the left into the html/wiki code required for Weeniepedia. Which can then be copied and pasted in. For tables in forum posts, the angle brackets used in html need to be replaced for the square brackets used in forum BB code. Haven't checked it out in detail yet, but your solution looks like it might eliminate the need to create multiple Excel templates with various numbers of columns and the concatenate formula added in.

How's that for a discussion of the Carter Family?

Seriously, Johnm thanks for all this great information. I keep going back to the Carter Family and "discovering" new tunes I hadn't paid attention to before (I have this same experience with Dave Macon), and this will make me do that even more. It's a lot of work going through that many songs, but I envy you the concentrated listening experience. So much fun to do.

banjochris · « **Reply #11 on:** June 07, 2012, 11:18:58 AM »

Andrew -- I sent you a message so I wouldn't hijack the thread further with exciting coding discussions!

Rivers · « **Reply #12 on:** June 08, 2012, 07:09:26 PM »

Checking out JM's latest update to the excellent Carter Family weeniepedia page:

Quote

As you look at the 1935 sessions, it is interesting to see how many of the songs recorded had been recorded before by the Carter Family, sometimes more than once. I would take this as an indication that the masters on the previously recorded versions had worn out, from having so many discs made from them. Very few Country Blues musicians sold enough records for this to happen; Lemon Jefferson did, for he recorded "Matchbox Blues" three times.

I had a Eureka moment there. I had never considered that.

banjochris · « **Reply #13 on:** June 08, 2012, 08:11:47 PM »

Actually, the reason they re-recorded so many songs in 1935 is that they moved from Victor to ARC when their contract expired. ARC wanted their own versions of their hits. They moved on to Decca from 1936-38, OKeh in 1940 and then back to Victor in '41.

Johnm · « **Reply #14 on:** June 08, 2012, 08:38:07 PM »

Hi all,
Guess I better edit that note. Thanks for the correction, Chris. That's what I get for making an assumption based on too little information.
All best,
Johnm

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Author Topic: The Carter Family's Recordings: Playing Positions, Pitch, Vocal Arrangements (Read 6867 times)

Johnm

The Carter Family's Recordings: Playing Positions, Pitch, Vocal Arrangements

Johnm

Re: The Carter Family's Recordings: Playing Positions, Pitch, Vocal Arrangements

Johnm

Re: The Carter Family's Recordings: Playing Positions, Pitch, Vocal Arrangements

Johnm

Re: The Carter Family's Recordings: Playing Positions, Pitch, Vocal Arrangements

Johnm

Re: The Carter Family's Recordings: Playing Positions, Pitch, Vocal Arrangements

Johnm

Re: The Carter Family's Recordings: Playing Positions, Pitch, Vocal Arrangements

banjochris

Re: The Carter Family's Recordings: Playing Positions, Pitch, Vocal Arrangements

Lastfirstface

Re: The Carter Family's Recordings: Playing Positions, Pitch, Vocal Arrangements

Johnm

Re: The Carter Family's Recordings: Playing Positions, Pitch, Vocal Arrangements

banjochris

Re: The Carter Family's Recordings: Playing Positions, Pitch, Vocal Arrangements

uncle bud

Re: The Carter Family's Recordings: Playing Positions, Pitch, Vocal Arrangements

banjochris

Re: The Carter Family's Recordings: Playing Positions, Pitch, Vocal Arrangements

Rivers

Re: The Carter Family's Recordings: Playing Positions, Pitch, Vocal Arrangements

banjochris

Re: The Carter Family's Recordings: Playing Positions, Pitch, Vocal Arrangements

Johnm

Re: The Carter Family's Recordings: Playing Positions, Pitch, Vocal Arrangements