Here’s another YouTube find: an ‘old weird America’ version of Bonepart’s (sic) Retreat from A. A. Gray.
Ahaz Augustus Gray was born on September 7, 1881 in Carroll County, Georgia. He is best remembered as the fiddler for several “Seven Foot Dilly and his Dill Pickles” (John Dilleshaw) recordings on the Vocalion label.
Bonapart’s Retreat is the only solo piece A. A. ever recorded. The Okey label released the performance in 1924 .
I really enjoy A. A.’s version – he plays the tune in about as crooked a way as I’ve ever heard. Here’s how I count it out:
A part: 4 – 5 – 4 – 3 (once)
B part: 4 -3 – 4 – 2 – 4 -3 – 4 – 3 (once)
(repeat)
‘Tis a thing of great beauty and a pleasure to behold; I especially like the way the DDAD tuning grumbles and growls. This tune and maybe The Falls of Richmond will be the perfect tunes to play or listen to while I watch the Great February Blizzard of 2010 drop snow here in the Cuyahoga Valley.
Leave a comment