Ward Allen Tribute 2- Ward played with Wilf Carter, appeared on the Grand Ole Oprey and had a radio show with Frank Ryan on CFRA in Ottawa Canada. He played with his band the Happy Wanderers with Joe Brown on base who later created (literally the Brown family). I love Ward because he represents the high point of Canadian fiddling, based on the farming life in the 50s, 60 as opposed to the nouveau fiddling of today aka Celtic or Cape Bretonish. He played more single string, as opposed to the double bowing by our friend south of the border and never used the infamous jerkoff bowing methods. He made the fiddle ring but had a real sweet real note that came from his being. A special person who I never met but I understand through his music.I go overboard stressing the fact that this was a unique tune composed by Ward Allen in the best tradition of old timey music. Often people here in the US will play variations of the the song and say 'Hey this was a song brought over from the old country' but that is not true. The fact is old time music is still evolving as it is a people's music, work music and dance and fun music, like real folk music. Yes play it anyway you like but remember it is Ward Allen not you know what. It really bugs me when people absorb things liek this without really knowing or caring about the history. I went to Washington DC and checked out the Library of Congress to prove my point on this one. They would not classify it with Ward's name on it if it wasn't true ad Lomax etc who were out in the field recording this type of music always noted if it was 'traditional'. This is a unique peak on the old time music, or people's music as I all it.
thanks for all the comments. I appreciate it.
My heart is gladdened by all your responses over the years. As an update: a young Ottawa valley couple got married this summer and asked me to play this song for about a hour. Just after they exchanged vows they wanted me to play as they walked down the aisle. A happy newly married couple. The groom said he could listen to that song all day and night. Ha what he if had heard the words to the tune as penned by Hank Larivere. He would love it all the more. That song is my maple sugar sweetheart and is on the tube here. Give is a listen. It is slightly different than Wards original but still great. They saw it here on the u tube and learned their culture. Keep on a fiddling friends. Tom
Visit:
zerocarbongarden.com to buy my maple syrup which I make in honor of my greatest heroes on the viline - Ward Allen
8 янв 2007
