Annotation:Liberty (1)

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LIBERTY [1]. AKA and see "Reel de Tí-Jean" (Canadian), "Tipsy Parson (1)," "Raccoon and the Possum (The)," "Spanish Polka," "Liberty Two-Step," "Liberty Hornpipe." Old-Time, Bluegrass; Breakdown. USA, Widely known. D Major. Standard tuning (fiddle). AB (Silberberg): AABB (most versions). According to Paul Wells, the first recordings of the tune were by Texas fiddler Bob Wills in the mid-20th century, though Tommy Jackson also made a recording for Dot Records that may have helped popularize the tune. However, Gus Meade finds earlier recordings by Georgia's Fiddlin' John Carson (1925), Gid Tanner & His Skillet Lickers (1928), and Herschel Brown (1928). Although assertions have been made for further antiquity, there is no evidence that the tune predates the 20th century in traditional Southern repertory, however, it was widely disseminated during that century. Paul Tyler notes that "Liberty" seems to be the "hoedown" of choice among Cajun fiddlers, when asked to play one. "Liberty" is one of '100 essential Missouri tunes' listed by Missouri fiddler Charlie Walden. The reel is very popular among Ozarks fiddlers, according to Beisswegner & McCann, where it is often an introductory tune for beginning fiddlers (in simplified version), although the authors suspect it is a relatively recent addition to Ozarks fiddle repertoire. Indeed, "Liberty" has for some decades been an introductory tune for beginning old-time style fiddlers. In Martin Scorcese's period film The Gangs of New York (2002), a dulcimer player is briefly shown and heard playing the melody.

The French-Canadian Reel "Reel de Tí-Jean" shares the first strain with "Liberty" but the second strains differ, but Canadian versions as "Liberty Two-Step" are faithful in both strains to "Liberty."

Sources for notated versions: Jack Harris (East Texas) [Christeson]; Roger Fountain (b. 1948, Pineville, Ark.) [Beisswenger & McCann]; Marcus Martin (N.C.) [Milliner & Koken].

Printed sources: Beisswenger & McCann (Ozarks Fiddle Music), 2008; p. 34. Brody (Fiddler's Fakebook), 1983; p. 168. Carlin (English Concertina), 1977; p. 23. Christeson (Old Time Fiddler's Repertory, vol. 1), 1973; p. 61. Frets Magazine, "Byron Berline: The Fiddle," December 1986; p. 56. S. Johnson (Kitchen Musician No. 4: Fine Tunes), 1983 (revised 1991, 2001); p. 4. Milliner & Koken (Milliner-Koken Collection of American Fiddle Tunes), 2011; p. 382. Phillips (Fiddle Case Tunebook: Old Time Southern), 1989; p. 28. Phillips (Traditional American Fiddle Tunes, vol. 1), 1994; p. 140. Reiner (Anthology of Fiddle Styles), 1979; p. 78. Sannella, Balance and Swing (CDSS). Silberberg (Fiddle Tunes I Learned at the Tractor Tavern), 2002; p. 90. Welling (Hartford Tunebook), 1976; p. 4.

Recorded sources: Apex AL 1613, "The Best of Don Messer and his Islanders, Vol. 6" (appears as "Liberty Two-Step"). Front Hall 010, Fennigs All Stars – "The Hammered Dulcimer Strikes Again." Gennett 6447 (78 RPM), 1928, the Tweedy Brothers (Harry, Charles, and George, from Wheeling, W.Va., who played twin fiddles and piano). Heritage 048, Golden River Grass – "Georgia Fiddle Bands" (Brandywine, 1982). Kicking Mule, Art Rosenbaum – "Five String Banjo." Missouri State Old Time Fiddlers Association 001, Pete McMahan – "Ozark Mountain Waltz." Rounder 0016, Vasser Clements – "Crossing the Catskills."

See also listing at:
Jane Keefer's Folk Music Index: An Index to Recorded Sources [1]
Hear Marcus Martin's recording at Slippery Hill [2]
See/hear a 1951 film short of Bob Wills and Joe Holley playing "Liberty" in a fiddle duet [3] ("Liberty" is heard as the last tune)

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