Newfoundland Reel -- mandolin

The Newfoundland Reel is a GREAT fiddle tune perhaps most associated with the late and very great Canadian multi-instrumentalist, and country singer extraordinaire, Mr. Smiley Bates. Sadly, Smiley died in 1997 at only 59, thus depriving many in this world a chance to become familiar with a man you probably was one of folk & country musics best kept secrets.

Anyway aside from his wonderful singing he was a remarkable flat picker. I have patterned my effort on this wonderful but somewhat obscure reel after his picking. I do not consider this my final effort on this tune as you can tell Smiley was a much better picker than me and I am really struggling to match his breakneck speed.

Played on a 2002 Gibson F-5 Fern mandolin (signed by Danny Roberts) with DAddario J75 phosphor bronze strings and a Wegen TF-100 pick.

I had to add this part because it is important that you know that Smiley Bates was more than a great picker he was also a fine man here are his final words from his death bed to his friends and fans:
So Long Folks, I'd like to thank each and every one of my friends and fans for sticking with me through my forty-seven years in the music business. From the hard times in the beginning to the good times at the last, you followed me down each and every country road. You were part of my music to the very last note. I want you to know how much I appreciate your loyalty. I enjoyed playing the music, but having fans and friends... that was my real reward. I have been a fortunate man. I got to make my living doing what I loved, and the people seemed to love what I was doing. I feel my life is complete. Musically Yours Smiley Bates, Bent River, Ontario, Canada."

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Newfoundland
• Reel
• mandolin
• Gibson
• Canadian
• fiddle
• tune
• Smiley
• Bates

[thekevinkyle]

Awesome,

[Mandolin1944]

@thekevinkyle Thank you! I have since learned to play that tune with a bit more control now! LOL!

It has only been the past few years that I have become aware of the great fiddle traditions of Canada -- I like the maritime styles the best but the Ottawa Valley fiddlers are not to be ignored either.

[deanpoopoo]

wouldnt mind beating on the bodhran next to you! great playing. give er' cheers from nfld

[Mandolin1944]

@deanpoopoo Wow thanks for the comments from Newfoundland. We hope to visit there as well as PEI soon. The tune is a great one - but as you can tell I wasn't quite ready to play at Smiley's pace -- then. I can now. Anyway looks like you are into the great outdoors -- interesting videos. Hey, a bodhran would be the perfect thing for this tune! (<:

[pcma1970]

Amazing music !!! Congratulations

[Mandolin1944]

@pcma1970 Thank you kindly for your remarks. I will redo this tune as I was not ready to play it that fast. I have mastered the tune now and so it should be a better version.

[Mandolin1944]

@pretourious Yeah its a great little tune isn't it -- like to find out who wrote it. Thanks for tuning in and I am sorry I missed your comments until today! Search "newfoundland reel smiley bates" and listen to Smiley pick it. The man was awesome.

[Mandolin1944]

@mmw453 Thank you thank you -- sorry I am so slow in responding!

[Mandolin1944]

@berrasvideo Thank you like I noted to some others I missed the comments! Sorry! I will have to get smarter about the new YT I guess! Thanks again for the kind remarks!

[Mandolin1944]

@cathal627 Thanks for the kind remarks Cathal -- sorry I missed them until this morning. I really do not like the new format on YT but I guess I'll just have to adapt! (<: Thanks again I really do like that tune and this Gibson is the best I've ever had. I played it against a professionals 1923 Gibson Loar and held its own -- I'm lucky to have it.

[Mandolin1944]

@doccalley  Thanks Doc -- check out Smiley he was the man!