Posts: 1131
From: Blue Bell, PA., USA
Registered: MAR 2000

posted 14 January 2001 12:32 AM         

---

I first heard and learned "Faded Love" back in the mid 70's when I worked with Doug Sahm in his Texas Tornados and a few versions of his Sir Douglas Quintet. I've always been accustomed to the verse being in the key of "D". The final D chord modulates up to E and you play the chorus in "A". And it keeps going around like that.

I knew some people played the song in "one key only" but never gave it much thought.

I picked up a Bob Wills CD recently and was supprised to hear it in one key only.

What's the origin of the "two key" version that we did with Doug? Don't most people in Texas do the modulation (2 key version) ?

Appreciate any light you guys can shed on this. Thanks.

Regards,
Harry Hess

Posts: 478
From: Floresville, Texas
Registered: DEC 99

Posts: 138
From: morgantown wv usa
Registered:

posted 14 January 2001 06:46 AM         

---

I think it to be much prettier with the key change and always expected to play it this way. When I met my present wife, she didn't
know what I was talking about, as she tried to imitate Patsy Cline ,who didnt change keys.
I suspect that the change of keys was because it is easier to sing the second part
in harmony for some folks.

CEW

------------------

Posts: 9192
From: Balto., Md. U.S.A.
Registered: FEB 99

Posts: 55
From: Carmichael Ca. 95608
Registered: JUL 2000

Posts: 606
From: San Antonio, TX (USA)
Registered:

posted 14 January 2001 11:53 AM         

---

I have always played it with the modulation, usually from D to A. I always assumed that the Fiddle players found it easier to play in D, and the singer found it easier to sing in A. Not being either a fiddle player or a singer I don’t really know the reason, but I have always liked the modulation.

B. Bailey Brown

Posts: 957
From: Pinconning, MI, USA
Registered: DEC 99

posted 14 January 2001 05:46 PM         

---

I like it either way and can play it either way. I have two Wills recorded versions, one without the modulation, one with. I have a "live" Leon McAuliffe version in which he does not modulate, and he's a little bit hoarse to begin with, but he sails right up there and hits all the notes on the chorus and I mean hits them square and soulful. This version might be in G, I can't recall. Sometimes I sing it in F (not a great fiddle key) and don't modulate. We don't have a fiddle in the band so I do the fiddle lead with the help of a very good Titan "Bug" distortion unit and my volume pedal. Sounds like the real thing! I also use this unit on Amarillo by Morning and when you hear it on tape you'd swear it's a real fiddle.

Tim R.

Posts: 55
From: Carmichael Ca. 95608
Registered: JUL 2000

Posts: 87
From: Yuba City, CA, USA
Registered: APR 99

posted 15 January 2001 08:36 PM         

---

We always modulated form D to A (instrumental to vocal). I believe that it was in fact to put the key into D for the fiddles and A for the vocals. Bob Wills went from D to Ab to bring San Antonio Rose into the correct key for Tommy Duncan. That is my belief anyway.

John McConnell
ShoBud Professional
MusicMan HD 130-GX-700

Posts: 1131
From: Blue Bell, PA., USA
Registered: MAR 2000

posted 15 January 2001 10:00 PM         

---

So then for the rhythm track that I'm fixing to record for the tune, I guess I should start off with 16 bars in D and then twice through 16 bars in A and repeat that again for another 48 bars.

What do you guys think?

Regards,
HH

Posts: 652
From: Sacramento, CA
Registered: MAR 99

posted 16 January 2001 02:07 AM         

---

Uncle Billy Jack couldn't sing the range in one key, so it was modulated to fit his range. Also, it was an instrumental before he wrote the lyrics to the tune. I think some of the other songs were modulated to satisfy the horn sections. That's where the key changes usually took place. (It worked so well for Uncle Billy Jack that the modulation may have been made in some cases for all of Uncle Bob's singers.) Leon Rausch sings it in one key. I sing it in D all the way, and it's a stretch on a good night. Not so much the range, but the vowels. Several months ago, I got hooked into singing it with my co-writer Norma-Lee who sang the verses in E, and stuck me with the chorus. I planted my feet and went for it. (I used to sing it in E...in my younger days)

------------------

Posts: 658
From: Denver, Colorado
Registered: AUG 2000

Posts: 1131
From: Blue Bell, PA., USA
Registered: MAR 2000

posted 16 January 2001 02:44 PM         

---

Chuck,

Thanks for your reply. I'm VERY glad to hear that you are enjoying using my CD's.

I am finally started on my new series of tracks aimed primarily at E9 players. Country classic shuffles, ballads and some 2/4's.

I'm working on a large batch of tunes. Don't want to say too much now, but I think everybody will love 'em.

Hired a new "live-in nurses aid" and she seems to be working out. If all goes as I expect, I may be publishing these CD's sooner than later.

Regards,
HH

All times are Pacific (US)