Old Blind Dogs - Whistlers

Whistle
1

I am very fond of the Old Blind Dogs, especially the album Four on the Floor. Due to this admiration, I would like to play “Bedlam Boys” as Rory Campbell does. Does anyone know what key whistle he is using? Oh, the song is also known as The Right of Man, and is from a 1600’s poem describing the local insane asylum. People would pay to go through it for entertainment! :open_mouth:

2

This probably isn’t much help. So if anyone more knowledgeable comes up with something else, go with that. I’ve seen OBD several times with and without Rory Campbell. The version I have in my head was mostly mandolin (Jonny Hardie?) and based around an Em chord with a progression of mostly Em, G, and D IIRC. A D or G whistle would work for that. I remember Rory playing low D a lot when I saw him with OBD but I can’t be sure he was playing whistle on Bedlam Boys. I do not have a recording with a whistle part. As I think of this though, there is a hornpipe called “The Rights of man” frequently played on whistle (or guitar or fiddle or …). Could it be? Do you have a link to a version with Campbell playing whistle that we could see/hear?

Edited after some research: The studio version of OBD’s Bedlam Boys uses what I believe is “Rights of Man” as the mandolin part.

So try this from the Session:
X: 1
T: Rights Of Man, The
M: 4/4
L: 1/8
R: hornpipe
K: Emin
|:GA|B2A2 G2F2|EFGA B2ef|gfed edBd|cBAG A2GA|
BcAB GAFG|EFGA B2ef|gfed Bgfg|e2 E2 E2:|
|:ga|babg efga|babg egfe|d^cde fefg|afdf a2gf|
edef gfga|bgaf gfef|gfed Bgfg|e2 E2 E2:|

That’s a good old song. Many versions if I am not mistaken and done by many groups (Steeleye Span?) over the years.

Feadoggie

3

The building that housed Bedlam is now the Imperial War Museum (which I consider to be entirely appropriate).

OBD with whistle Rights of Man but with Ali Hutton on whistle rather than Rory.

David

4

Thanks for trying, guys. I found this on the Sessions too, and have been playing it, but it isn’t the same. I suppose I am going to have to sit down and tear it apart note by note… Like, what else have I got to do?! :smiley:

5

BigDavy, thanks for the link. :wink: And thanks for adding to my education concerning the derivation of the name Bedlam. Seems it is derived from Bethlem as in Bethlem Royal Hospital. And the name Bethlem is derived from Bethlehem as in Order of the Star of Bethlehem, the sisters that ran the original hospital. I happen to live outside of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania so I have a new appreciation and connection to the song. Bonnie mad boys - and a’ that! Thanks.

Dansails, is the version linked to similar to what you are trying to suss out?

Ali Hutton is playing a low D in that video performance. And his playing (and that of the strings as well) is based on “The Rights of Man” outlined above. Of course, as any one would, he embellishes and improvises in places. Quite a few blue notes!

My suggestion would be to take the vanilla “Rights of Man” and make it your own. The more you play it and the more familiar it becomes you will likely find yourself naturally going in the direction of what is more improvised as the spirit of the OBD recording influences you.

Here’s a version from tradlessons : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JOYbCjON6ns

And here is one from Ryan Duns : http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&NR=1&v=N9xEYxb6KbQ

And here’s a gem of a version in F. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HzeKdo0yeFw The tune starts about 2:56 into the video.

Rights of Man is a sort of proto tune (it will bore into your brain) and it can go anywhere, like here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JFBs7JCF3yg
or http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h9ZC8ftkdq0
or even http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=44xp-zbquLQ

Hope that helps.

Feadoggie

6

Thanks Feadoggie! I really liked the harp solo! I think you are right.. just have to play it until I get it the way I want it. So, you are from Bethlehem? I have a cousin in Brodheadsville! Maybe next time I get out there, I bring a whistle and we trade lies and secrets? :thumbsup:

7

Well I’m in the general area, in the countryside southeast of Bethlehem township. I’m maybe 30-35 miles to the south of Broadheadsville, not far at all. Small world!

Feadoggie