Greg Brown's music and chords/tabs

[issaquahbob]

While posting a response to a recent inquiry about a Greg Brown song (Telling Stories) and exchanging replies with another member I thought it might be interesting to see if there are a few other folks out there interested in a general discussion about Greg's music and getting chords/tabs to his songs. He is an excellent but under appreciated artist who is a really good guitarist and does some unique stuff. I found that there is not a lot of information out there on Greg's songs although there are a couple sites with at least a good start on his work. Unfortunately these sites do not appear to be kept up to date. I have posted to one of the sites quite a few times but it has been a very long time since a new entry. The sites are:

http://ag.arizona.edu/~steidl/GB/
http://spikesmusic-folk.spike-jamie.com/Greg-Brown.html

I'm hoping there are a few out there who would like to have chords or tabs to his songs beyond what is online already. His songs can be difficult to unravel and figure out but the key I've found, as with many songs, is the capo placement in conjunction with the right key. So, who is interested in exploring this great artist? Who knows, maybe a lesson or two down the line as well! You never know.
Bob

[jayswett]

I like Greg Brown alot but sadly don't have any insight in how to transcribe his songs. My sense is that many of his songs are in alternate tunings. I did not check out your links yet, but I would be surprised if there isn't a website dedicated exclusively to his music. I posted a video of one his songs a couple of years ago. I have no idea how to find it at this point, as I would imagine it's lost in the internet ethos, given the updates of this website.

[issaquahbob]

That is fine. I am hoping there will be others who can help expand what is already out there online. I forgot to mention that there is also a great Yahoo Group found at http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/GBrown-L/ where a lot of information is posted about Greg's music and his tours. They don't often thread on songs and chords but have in the past and I actually have had a response from 'the man' himself on the topic of songs and chords. You have to join Yahoo Groups and request an invitation but that's easy.

The two site links I posted are for his music and chords but his web site is http://www.gregbrown.org/ and the official site - http://gregbrownmusic.org/home.cfm

On the Stidl website there is a description about his chording and surprisingly it is mostly in basic standard tuning although I do know he uses Drop D and open G and/or D from time to time. Many videos finally being posted on YouTube help as well.

[tombo1230]

jayswett wrote:

I posted a video of one his songs a couple of years ago. I have no idea how to find it at this point, as I would imagine it's lost in the internet ethos, given the updates of this website.

It's still kicking around.

[issaquahbob]

Nice cover. I like your guitar work. Glad you were able to find it to post.

[lueders]

issaquahbob wrote:

That is fine. I am hoping there will be others who can help expand what is already out there online. I forgot to mention that there is also a great Yahoo Group found at http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/GBrown-L/ where a lot of information is posted about Greg's music and his tours. They don't often thread on songs and chords but have in the past and I actually have had a response from 'the man' himself on the topic of songs and chords. You have to join Yahoo Groups and request an invitation but that's easy.

The two site links I posted are for his music and chords but his web site is http://www.gregbrown.org/ and the official site - http://gregbrownmusic.org/home.cfm

On the Stidl website there is a description about his chording and surprisingly it is mostly in basic standard tuning although I do know he uses Drop D and open G and/or D from time to time. Many videos finally being posted on YouTube help as well.

ALSO, OPEN C occasionally ex."Jesus and Elvis"[/b]

[neverfoundthetime]

Nice to see you in action again Jay... even if it is out of the archives .


tombo1230 wrote:

jayswett wrote:

I posted a video of one his songs a couple of years ago. I have no idea how to find it at this point, as I would imagine it's lost in the internet ethos, given the updates of this website.

It's still kicking around.

[issaquahbob]

Hey, I've been trying to work up Laughing River but the chords online just do not work for me. Anyway, I think I have figured out the whole song with some notes on it as well. It plays really well and if you are into harp too, I know what key should work for the bridge between verses. Anyone interested in the chords for this just let me know. I'm going to try to find a place to post some of my Greg chords/tabs too since the two sites I've mentioned earlier in this thread don't have all his songs and I believe I may have a few new ones including LR.

[lueders]

Yeah, I concur the online version of that one is not accurate at all. What he's actually doing is more simple than that even. I would certainly be interested in seeing what you have. I do think from from mostly watching his fingerings on this tune that is mostly a four-finger G-D type thing...plus a hammer-on or two deal.

EDIT: I just watched a clip of Greg performing Laughing River on "Hacklebarney Tunes" DVD
and he plays this version with a capo on the fifth fret...and it looks like the key of G.

He plays it almost exclusively in first position (slides up to third on some of the fills)

Cori

[issaquahbob]

I really have had trouble for a long time with the online chord version of this and never really tried to find my own way to play it, defaulting to other Greg songs instead of trying to just work this out. I found my copy of Hacklebarney Tunes and will give this a watch/listen myself but am sure you are right on. I have found and am pretty sure that Greg tunes his guitar down a full step which, oddly I have been doing for a while myself and stumbled on this fact while playing along with a song of his in G (can't remember which one now) and realized that I was 2 frets higher than the chord sheet showed. He probably does it to adjust for his deep baritone voice and knowing he likes to play in G often. It makes sense that the Hacklebarney version would then be capo on 5th fret to me. The version I've worked up chords for is not intended to be an exact replica of what Greg does but just done so I can play it, maybe at an open mic soon after I nail down the harp part too. I want to try for the same style Greg uses but still make it my own. Hopefully anyone who uses the chord sheet I have can embellish as they choose or improve on it too.

It looks like I can attach a word document of this to a post so as soon as I put finishing touches on my notes I'll post it. Hope to do that by tonight or tomorrow.