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If you noticed blunt omissions, mis-interpretations or even out-and-out errors,
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Arnold Rypens
Rozenlaan 65
B-2840 Reet (Rumst)
Artist: Len Spencer
Author: traditional
Label: Columbia
Year: 1900
In duet with George Schweinfest. Classic southern fiddle tune from the mid nineteenth century. Also inspired Johnny Get Your Gun (1886). Pre 1905 bestseller, also released on Victor (with Henry Gilliland) and Edison. Cheap fun always sells. Len Spencer was America's first nationally known record seller. See also: Ta Ra Ra Boom Dee Ay, The Old Folks At Home and Carry Me Back To Ole Virginny.
Covers:
Ada Jones & Len Spencer [as Return Of The Arkansas Traveler]
Eck Robertson [as Arkansas Traveler, the oldest country instrumental]
Stanley Brothers [bluegrass classic as How Far To Little Rock?]
Michelle Shocked [lead vocals: Jimmy Driftwood, the Arkansas teacher who also wrote The Battle Of New Orleans (see there)]
Tommy Conwell [all following Eck Robertson as Arkansas Traveler]
Melody first published in 1847 under the title The Arkansas Traveller And Rackinsac Waltz, arranged by William Cumming. This dialogue between a local farmer and a lost stranger is either credited to Mose Case or to Col. Sanford C. Faulkner, who claimed to be the original Arkansas Traveler: fact is he once got entangled in a similar situation while on a mission in Pope Co., AR.
If you noticed blunt omissions, mis-interpretations or even out-and-out errors,
please let me know:
Arnold Rypens
Rozenlaan 65
B-2840 Reet (Rumst)