Cumberland Gap (4)
CUMBERLAND GAP [4]. Old-Time, Bluegrass; Breakdown. USA, Kentucky. G Major. Standard tuning (fiddle). AB (Titon): AAB (Phillips/1994): AA'B (Phillips/1989): AABB' (Krassen): AABBC (Phillips/1994). Jeff Titon (2001) believes source Leonard Rutherford may have learned this tune from African-American fiddler Cuje Bertram, who was a friend and sometimes informal playing partner and stand-in. Rutherford recorded the tune in 1928 with playing partner Dick Burnett. Titon has found the tune among those included in the 1915 Berea, Kentucky, tune lists and in records of Berea fiddle contests for 1919, 1920 and 1924.
Sources for notated versions: Leonard Rutherford (Monticello, Wayne County, Ky., 1928) [Phillips/1989, Titon]: Paul Warren with Flat and Scruggs and the Foggy Mountain Boys [Phillips/1994]: Jeff Goehring with the Red Mules [Phillips/1994]: Charlie Higgins (Galax, Va) and Uncle Am Stuart (Tenn.) [Krassen].
Printed sources: Krassen (Appalachian Fiddle), 1973; p 58 (includes 2 'A' part variations). Phillips (Fiddlecase Tunebook), 1989; p. 15. Phillips (Traditional American Fiddle Tunes), vol. 1, 1994; pp. 63 & 64. Titon (Old-Time Kentucky Fiddle Tunes), 2001; No. 20, p. 64.
Recorded sources: County 527, Leonard Rutherford & R.D. Burnett - "Old-Time Fiddle Classics, vol. 2" (reissue). Document DOCD-5631, Cuje Bertram et al - "Black Fiddlers" (1999). Document DOCD-8025, Burnett & Rutherford (reissue). Gennett 6706 (78 RPM), Burnett and Rutherford (1928). Morning Star 45003, Leonard Rutherford/Dick Burnett - "Wink the Other Eye: Old Time Fiddle Band Music from Kentucky, vol. 1" (1980. Originally recorded 1928).
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