Had a tune with him in Shetland about 10 years ago. He's something else. He had a birthday party a few years ago and being a popular figure among Shetland’s younger musicians, the place was full of fit young lassies. Willie scanned the room, took a drag from his fag, a blast from his inhaler and growled “What I wouldn’t give to be seventy again!”
I wouldn't say I knew Willie but I met him in the pub a few times in Aberdeen when his wife was in hospital in the early 80s.
"Eddie Lang" was his tip that he would say between sips of sherry from his half-pint.
I've always leant more toward preferring Willie's style than DADGAD type stuff (not that you have to choose of course, there's plenty room for all) and it was a revelation to hear him doing it. You know how it is when you imagine how you'd like to hear something played, and then you hear someone who's nailed it just like you imagined, only better, much better?
That was my encounter with Peerie Willie in the early 80s, as a newcomer to Scotland
Ive been lucky enough to play with Willie a few times, and his skill, knowledge and maybe most importantly his ability to LISTEN is awesome.
The listening aspect is so important and many have stated this in various discussions here on this site.
On one occasion he was sat at the piano and I launched into The Groves, a very beautiful, and not ordinary, hornpipe - Willie half turned his head and gently worked his left hand over the keys, working out a bass, and when I went into the second time through, there was the most brilliant, jazz, classical, swing piano to the flute! That was in Edinburgh early 80s.
Another time I played with him, amongst others all taking a turn on the ivories were Violet Tulloch, Neil (I think) Hunter and Willie himself. And then he'd pick up his guitar!!!
Once we'd had a fair drop and he just lay flat out on the bench with the guitar over his chest and the chords just floated out.
And I've this moment remembered that it must have been about 77/78 I first heard him (live that is) and met him with Tom Anderson at The Liverpool Traditional Folk Club when it used to be at Gregson's Well.
Some years ago I remember being stunnned to notice they did a celebratory concert to mark playing 50 years together!
And if I'm not mistaken, I believe he sessioned with Django too!
Oh, by the way,Willie being a thoroughly nice guy besides anything to do with music.
Y’know, what with all the modern ideas (and fads) of guitar/zouk accompaniment that dominate Celtic trad music, I occasionally need to hear something like Willie J’s style. “Dum chuck” has a long and distinguished history and I would hate to see it become a historical footnote.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with it, and what a change you can get out of it. For example light more melodic playing on the guitar and when changing into the mext tune going on to the 2 to the bar style really does impart some momentum.
Also, actually knowing the tune helps too, and the tightness of the chords with the bass moving underneath is much mis- and under-represented.
Here's an example of an accompaniment I did a few years back. Tune Sally Gardens (chords are barre with fret indicated)
G (3rd) / : Bm (2nd) / : Cmaj7 (3rd) / : G (3rd)/ :
G " / : G#dim (4th) / : Am7 ( 5th) / : D7 (5th)
As first line
Em9 (5th) / : Eb9 (5th) / : D9 (4th) / : G____
Hope you get what I mean. The melody just cruises over the top. Where the G goes to Bm then Cmaj7 there are always a few notes involved with the G chord viz., B and D in G then Bm, B and G in the maj7 back to the G, underneath you have the moving bass.
In the second part where you go to the Am chord you can always put in a semitone run, Am - Am maj7 - Am7 - Am6 at 5th fret.
Of course there are myriad ways, this is just one example.
Another guitarist I played with was Tich Richardson, he gave me so much encouragement; he had a very similar style to Peerie Willie, and I think they played a lot together.
Somewhere near Durham (UK) lived an old man called George Wilkinson who has died now. Like Willie Johnson he learned to play jazz guitar when young, his heroes being those of French swing (Reinhardt and Grappelli, etc.). He was a musical obsessive, constantly practising and trying new things out; as far as I could make out, he'd kept up his musical life in quite isolated circumstances. But he'd turn up at the folk festival, e.g., where serious guitarniks would seek him out - he was a "musicians' musician". He came to enjoy a lot of respect from such. He was a friend of Tich Richardson (in The Boys Of The Lough, till he died in 1984). I don't think he ever became a TM backing player (he played a nylon, not steel-string guitar); but I think he deserves a mention.
Shetland style rhythm guitar
Shetland style rhythm guitar
BBC Scotland programme on Peerie Willie Johnson - well worth a listen - see http://www.bbc.co.uk/scotland/radioscotland/view/show.shtml?features
# Posted on October 19th 2005 by Cuso
Re: Shetland style rhythm guitar
Cuso - You're the man! Thanks a million!
# Posted on October 20th 2005 by EastPole
Re: Shetland style rhythm guitar
Second hand info - I won't take any credit.
If you like this then you'd like the Wrigley sisters - see
http://www.kennedy-center.org/programs/millennium/artist_detail.cfm?artist_id=WRIGLEYSIS
# Posted on October 20th 2005 by Cuso
Re: Shetland style rhythm guitar
>If you like this then you'd like the Wrigley sisters -
Definitely. And their explanation of how they measure wind speed in the Orkneys is most illuminating.
# Posted on October 20th 2005 by sts
Re: Shetland style rhythm guitar
Had a tune with him in Shetland about 10 years ago. He's something else. He had a birthday party a few years ago and being a popular figure among Shetland’s younger musicians, the place was full of fit young lassies. Willie scanned the room, took a drag from his fag, a blast from his inhaler and growled “What I wouldn’t give to be seventy again!”
# Posted on October 20th 2005 by John McCartin
Re: Shetland style rhythm guitar
Peerie Willie, that is!
# Posted on October 20th 2005 by John McCartin
Re: Shetland style rhythm guitar
I wouldn't say I knew Willie but I met him in the pub a few times in Aberdeen when his wife was in hospital in the early 80s.
"Eddie Lang" was his tip that he would say between sips of sherry from his half-pint.
I've always leant more toward preferring Willie's style than DADGAD type stuff (not that you have to choose of course, there's plenty room for all) and it was a revelation to hear him doing it. You know how it is when you imagine how you'd like to hear something played, and then you hear someone who's nailed it just like you imagined, only better, much better?
That was my encounter with Peerie Willie in the early 80s, as a newcomer to Scotland
# Posted on October 20th 2005 by Bren
Re: Shetland style rhythm guitar
Ive been lucky enough to play with Willie a few times, and his skill, knowledge and maybe most importantly his ability to LISTEN is awesome.
The listening aspect is so important and many have stated this in various discussions here on this site.
On one occasion he was sat at the piano and I launched into The Groves, a very beautiful, and not ordinary, hornpipe - Willie half turned his head and gently worked his left hand over the keys, working out a bass, and when I went into the second time through, there was the most brilliant, jazz, classical, swing piano to the flute! That was in Edinburgh early 80s.
Another time I played with him, amongst others all taking a turn on the ivories were Violet Tulloch, Neil (I think) Hunter and Willie himself. And then he'd pick up his guitar!!!
Once we'd had a fair drop and he just lay flat out on the bench with the guitar over his chest and the chords just floated out.
And I've this moment remembered that it must have been about 77/78 I first heard him (live that is) and met him with Tom Anderson at The Liverpool Traditional Folk Club when it used to be at Gregson's Well.
Some years ago I remember being stunnned to notice they did a celebratory concert to mark playing 50 years together!
And if I'm not mistaken, I believe he sessioned with Django too!
Oh, by the way,Willie being a thoroughly nice guy besides anything to do with music.
Brianx
# Posted on October 22nd 2005 by briantheflute
Re: Shetland style rhythm guitar
Y’know, what with all the modern ideas (and fads) of guitar/zouk accompaniment that dominate Celtic trad music, I occasionally need to hear something like Willie J’s style. “Dum chuck” has a long and distinguished history and I would hate to see it become a historical footnote.
# Posted on October 22nd 2005 by Bob himself
Re: Shetland style rhythm guitar
Spot on comment Bob!
There is absolutely nothing wrong with it, and what a change you can get out of it. For example light more melodic playing on the guitar and when changing into the mext tune going on to the 2 to the bar style really does impart some momentum.
Also, actually knowing the tune helps too, and the tightness of the chords with the bass moving underneath is much mis- and under-represented.
Here's an example of an accompaniment I did a few years back. Tune Sally Gardens (chords are barre with fret indicated)
G (3rd) / : Bm (2nd) / : Cmaj7 (3rd) / : G (3rd)/ :
G " / : G#dim (4th) / : Am7 ( 5th) / : D7 (5th)
As first line
Em9 (5th) / : Eb9 (5th) / : D9 (4th) / : G____
Hope you get what I mean. The melody just cruises over the top. Where the G goes to Bm then Cmaj7 there are always a few notes involved with the G chord viz., B and D in G then Bm, B and G in the maj7 back to the G, underneath you have the moving bass.
In the second part where you go to the Am chord you can always put in a semitone run, Am - Am maj7 - Am7 - Am6 at 5th fret.
Of course there are myriad ways, this is just one example.
Another guitarist I played with was Tich Richardson, he gave me so much encouragement; he had a very similar style to Peerie Willie, and I think they played a lot together.
Brianx
# Posted on October 22nd 2005 by briantheflute
Re: Shetland style rhythm guitar
Yes and it leaves a lot of breathing space for the melody since a lot of the chords are suggested rather than filled in every beat.
# Posted on October 23rd 2005 by Bren
Another guitarist from the Swing school
Somewhere near Durham (UK) lived an old man called George Wilkinson who has died now. Like Willie Johnson he learned to play jazz guitar when young, his heroes being those of French swing (Reinhardt and Grappelli, etc.). He was a musical obsessive, constantly practising and trying new things out; as far as I could make out, he'd kept up his musical life in quite isolated circumstances. But he'd turn up at the folk festival, e.g., where serious guitarniks would seek him out - he was a "musicians' musician". He came to enjoy a lot of respect from such. He was a friend of Tich Richardson (in The Boys Of The Lough, till he died in 1984). I don't think he ever became a TM backing player (he played a nylon, not steel-string guitar); but I think he deserves a mention.
# Posted on July 31st 2006 by nicholas