Gumbo with Briggs and Rice

Comment by Rob Morrison on February 15, 2014 at 11:36am

Joseph Weidlich responded to the Preceptor conundrum by arranging eight of the pieces using common conventions and techniques found in Briggs and Rice.  This is more or less his adaptation of "Gumbo Chaff."  It is full of "thumb twisters."

Comment by Tim Twiss on February 15, 2014 at 11:47am

What else is in there Rob, and how did he approach it?

Comment by Rob Morrison on February 15, 2014 at 1:20pm

Tim--  The others arranged by Joseph Weidlich are "Uncle Gabriel," "We'll Have a Little Dance Tonight, Boys," "Louisiana Belle," "I Seen Her at the Window," "Gwine to De Mill," "De Old Jaw Bone," and "Gone to Alabama."  I have learned "De Old Jaw Bone," and it plays very well.  These all appear at the end of Weidlich's "The Early Minstrel Banjo."  As well as a being good resource, it has lots of great period photos.

Comment by Rob Morrison on February 15, 2014 at 1:37pm

Tim--As to Weidlich's approach, I will quote him.  "By carefully examining their arrangements [Briggs, Rice, and Converse] you will see how they substituted different licks for similar sounding melodic phrases. These first generation minstrel banjoists were always experimenting and borrowing ideas from each other."

Comment by Tim Twiss on February 15, 2014 at 2:05pm

Thanks Rob. So they are....modified a bit?

Comment by Wes Merchant on February 15, 2014 at 2:16pm

Good one Rob, I'm familiar with the Gumbo and Rice, but how do you prepare the Briggs? :-)

Comment by Strumelia on February 15, 2014 at 2:18pm

Rob, I like that soft tone- very pretty, and a nice tempo.

Comment by Rob Morrison on February 15, 2014 at 2:21pm

Wes--It must be a misprint.  I meant to say gumbo with beans and rice.

Comment by Rob Morrison on February 15, 2014 at 2:23pm

Strum--Thanks--It's my circa 1860 factory store tub with 6 "Union Forever" hooks. It's my favorite parlor banjo for simple fare.

Comment by Wes Merchant on February 15, 2014 at 2:25pm

I think it works great just like that!

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