woodshed willie

I got to thinking about what the most covered songs are. I went to my collection and the most covered track is 'Orange Blossom Special" (OBS) by the following:
- Fiddlin' Arthur Smith
- Pixie Jenkins
- Muleskinner (Clarence White, Peter Rowan, Bill Keith, David Grisman, Richard Greene)
- Bullamakanka
- Chris Duffy
- Flatt and Scruggs
- The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
- Charlie Daniels
- Roadapple
- Johnny Cash ( the only one with lyrics)

I still think Fiddlin' Arthur Smith's is the best, it is played at a less frenetic pace and really captures the atmosphere of a steam train. Most of the others seem to be vehicles to demonstrate how fast they can play. Four Australian versions.

Any advance on OBS in the country genre.

What is the most covered song of all time? I've heard that Lennon/McCartney's 'Yesterday' was at one stage.

I woke up this morning, the unfair dismissal law was gone
I woke up this morning, the unfair dismissal law was gone
If you're boss is a bastard, you'll be all alone

Better join the union, that's all I gotta say
You'd better join the union that's all I want to say
Cause what Bob Hawke gave us, John Howard's taken away

Hey Mr Howard, this might be the beginning of the end
Hey Mr PM, this might be the start of the end
Cause without this protection I'll look to the union to defend

In the tradition of failed efforts at cross genre songs i.e. our bluegrass version of 'Little Wing', we attempted a country version of 'Itchycoo Park' last night. Verdict? It sounded like a bunch of blokes in a shed playing 'Itchycoo Park'. Highlight "Get hung up feed the ducks with a bun". Try singing that with a straight face!

Song list:
Tonight the Bottle Let Me Down
Shanty Boat Blues
You Ain't Going Nowhere (for Bobby's birthday)
Hot Rod Heart
Stormy Monday
Highway #1 (improvised blues which managed to rhyme "wide brown land" with"Queensland")
No Expectations
Walking Blues
Can't Be Satisfied
Little Red Rooster
Highway 49
Pride and Joy
Rx For The Blues
Who'll Stop The Rain
Six Days on the Road
Death Don't Have No Mercy

Directed by Martin Scorsese from The Blues Film Collection

This well crafted film explores the roots of the blues. It follows folklorists John and AlanLomax’s journeys through the southoern USA documenting folk music for the Library of Congress. We see work hollers and songs of slaves on the plantations, levees and prisons of the Mississippi delta area and early dance music performers and street musicians. The film shows the increasing sophistication of the music with performers such as Robert Johnson. Muddy Waters and John Lee Hooker are featured in a section about the electrification of the blues when post World War 2 blacks moved to the industrial centres of the north, especially Chicago, in search of jobs. Scorsese then explores Alan Lomax’s thesis of the ancient African origins of the blues, firstly in the Misssissippi with cane player Otha Turner and then to Mali with Ali Farka Toure.

Scorsese uses archival footage of the older performers such as Son House, whilst Corey Harris interviews and plays guitar with descendants and current practitioners of the music which brings it to life very effectively. You never get the feeling that you're watching the National Geographic Channel

Blues aficionados will love it. While there is nothing new musically, it brings together in one package much rarely seen footage. The extras package has some great performances by Harris with Taj Mahal, Keb Mo and others. For newcomers to the genre it will serve as an excellent primer. If you are tempted to delve deeper you could read Alan Lomax’s ‘Land where the Blues Began’, Pantheon Books, New York, May 1993.

Bluegrass Widow - Robert Earl Keen
Walking Blues - Robert Johnson
I'm Still In Love With You - Steve Earle and The Del McCoury Band (with Iris Dement)
You Win Again - Van Morrison and Linda Gail Lewis (Jerry Lee's sister)
Spanish Harlem - Run C&W
Stormy Monday - Eva Cassidy
Hot Dog - Johnny Green's Blues Cowboys
Motorcycle Madman - Dr Bob's Travelling Cough Medicine Show
Hot Rod Heart - John Fogerty
Dublin Blues - Guy Clark
Columbus Stockade Blues - Doc Watson