Lost recordings of Orgis "Gran" Hudson
Added 2023-02-10 14:00:02 +0000 UTCOrgis "Gran" Hudson (1911-2005) of Knott County, Kentucky, plays "Reuben's Train" and "Wexford Girl" on the five-string banjo.
"Reuben's Train" is also known as Old Reuben, Train 45, Long Steel Rail, 900 Miles, etc. "Wexford Girl" appears to be a local version borrowing heavily from other early English ballads such as Knoxville Girl, Rose Conley, Willow Garden, etc.
These tracks are from a cassette tape recorded by Hudson's brother-in-law during the 1960s. I received my copy from George R. Gibson, Hudson's neighbor. Gibson said the banjo was tuned approximately f♯DF♯AD to play both "Reuben's Train" and "Wexford Girl."
The other ballad Gibson mentions, "William Hall," is missing from the tape and may be lost. You can hear my version of that early ballad here: https://youtu.be/irP6KNqFej8
Comments
Wish it had more of Reuben's Train.
Richard
2023-02-10 17:15:47 +0000 UTCVery interesting and informative - puts me in mind of Richie on BH…
Bob Roberts
2023-02-10 14:09:47 +0000 UTC
