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I picked up the mandolin a couple of years ago, but recently started learning to play lead licks. No better way to learn lead than playing old fiddle tunes. No one really knows where this melody comes from, though most think it's Scottish or Irish. It arrived in the new world via Canada and made it's way south. I'm playing all the instruments. Hope you like it.

http://soundclick.com/share.cfm?id=10953391

Ha, ha -- good for you (no sense on waiting for me to do anything). As you know, I love this tune and the mando sounds really good here -- and the guitar, too!. Once 50/90 is over, I try and get to my version.

Loved it.

Kevin

Actually Kevin, your interest in the song inspired me to learn the mandolin lead part. I just took it from there and went all out, plus I had to get a song on the boards before people start to think that I'm not really a musician, just a shout box troll.

Ben, nice job! I really enjoyed this, reminds me of something that buck owens and roy clark would have done on hehaw. I can pound out power chords but to actually play like this, I WISH!

Todd

Thanks Old Dude.

I love to listen to all your songs ben, but this is I have to admit the favorite of yours now...maybe it's the Irish in me,but I simply love this one..thanks for giving it to us...glyn

Ben:
Just listened this morning.
Sounded fine.

Sounds nice. Hard hard are you panning the instruments? I could have used more panning for separation.

Good work.

Zeek

Mandolins can be a pain in the ass to play but when music like this is created it's well worth the trouble of learning. Zeek is spot on with the panning as there seems to be so odd phasing going on but it did not stop me from really enjoying this little tune.
Nice one Ben

Thanks Todd, it helps to know the song well and I've been playing it on guitar for at least 25 years. I really think that I did a so-so job if you compare it with some of the versions on YouTube.

You're welcome Miss Sweeney you Irish tart.

Thanks as always Lee.

Thanks Zeek. The lead guitar is panned about 45 degrees to the right and the mandolin is 45 degrees to the left. I normally pan the lead instruments at 90 degrees but I had a problem with the bottom end of the guitar booming and sounding garbled. I play through a mike and tried different positions until I found one with less clutter, but couldn't match the volume from the mandolin track. Sliding up the guitar volume only made it worse so I compressed it. I tried panning at 90 degrees, but that diminished the guitar volume, so I left it as is. I've never had this problem before, but I think that it's probably in the way that I play the melody of this particular song on guitar. I hold my hand in a C position and pick the melody on the bottom five strings. With all that picking going on with my hand in a static position the lower strings make a boom instead of a sharp clear sound.

Thanks Andy, most people think that their fingers are too big to play mandolin, but Bill Monroe (probably the most famous mandolin player in the US) was a big guy. Over time you can adapt to the tiny fretboard. My only problem is moving from the mandolin to the guitar in one sitting. You have to readjust.

lol Love it

glynda joy sweeney

Thoroughly enjoyable, Ben.

I shouldn't be knocked out by your playing after having heard so many of your songs. But I still am.

Scott

Hi Ben,

I closed my eyes & let the music take me to a very nice place.
Well done.

Calvin

http://www.soundclick.com/bands/0/calvinstewart

Thanks Scott and Calvin. Glad you liked it.

First and last bump. Thanks for listening.

Awesome playing. I love it when musicians chime in with their techie talk regarding an arrangement.

Ben--

I really enjoyed this performance--for some reason, I've never heard that song until now--I searched YOUTUBE--HEY, Hundreds of performances--HERE'S ONE YOU MAY ENJOY YOURSELF--A YOUNG LADY ON THE FRONT PORCH PLAYING THE ACOUSTIC: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VhOqUboShqk&feature=related

HEY..HEY..THANKS FOR THE SONG--

Mackie

Thanks for listening Trish.

Mackie, I knew someone would throw in a ringer. After watching that, I'm burning my guitar. Thanks, Ben (former guitar picker).

Really awesome!!!

--Jen

Cool Ben, this sounds like it was loads of fun. I wish mandolins had BIGGER necks lol. Nice work!

Ben ,
I really enjoyed the performance .

Keep up the good work !!!

All the best
Jan

Glad you liked it Jen.

Thanks Mike, not much room for eight strings and four fat fingers on that tiny neck. After playing guitar for 32 years, it takes some getting used to. The same goes for a twelve string guitar. I can't get used to the fat neck.

Thanks for listening Jan.

Happy, snappy
Lots of fun
Here's some cookies
For a job well done!!

Best,
Lynn

Thanks Lynn.

You know I love it and I love to hear you live as well, sounds great and fun my friend!!!

Tammy

Thanks Tamiami. Pronouced (Tam'ee am'ee). Glad to see you back.