Benjamin W Barr Jr

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Location: Millinocket, ME
Country: US

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Stats

youtube videos: 7
images: 5
videos: 2

The Riddle Song


musician/member name:
Duration: 00:04:30
description:
Ben Barr performing the Riddle Song
Ben Barr Jr
10/20/22 03:45:19PM @benjamin-w-barr-jr:

Thanks Vetrn7 for the lovely comment and the timing of this.  I hadn't realized that this was indeed the 10th year of recording this folk song for me.  The narration is my invention, but the song certainly goes way before me.  I appreciate the chance its given me to revisit this.


vetrn7
10/20/22 07:40:10AM @vetrn7:

Thanks for posting this song. I am watching this exactly 10 years after you posted it! Love it!


Ben Barr Jr
10/05/14 07:59:34PM @benjamin-w-barr-jr:

Cindy, Thank you so much! I am very flattered. 9.gif


Cindy Stammich
10/05/14 04:29:51PM @cindy-stammich:

Benjamin - I just listened to this and I love it!

I do hope you share moreSmile.gif


Ben Barr Jr
04/04/14 11:52:43AM @benjamin-w-barr-jr:

Thomas, Thank you for listening and leaving the nice comment.

Ben Smile.gif


Ben Barr Jr
01/13/14 06:17:24AM @benjamin-w-barr-jr:

Hi Greg, Glad to have you aboard this site that is full of friendly and helpful people. It is both a community and a family. I am glad that you enjoyed this song. It has been one of my favorites. It is actually the first song on the dulcimer that I would sing with; and that was because I couldn't seem to keep the rhythm unless I did sing to accompany the fingerpicking method that I use. Thanks again.

BenSmile.gif


Ben Barr Jr
01/11/14 07:45:18AM @benjamin-w-barr-jr:

Cynthia, thank you very much for taking the time to listen to my little piece. I am continually amazed at the response that I receive on this rendition. Smile.gif


cynthia copeland
01/11/14 01:19:56AM @cynthia-copeland:

I enjoyed this BB. Really fine.


Ben Barr Jr
11/22/13 07:35:03PM @benjamin-w-barr-jr:

Hi Cindy,

Thank you for the kind words.

For this (and a couple other songs that I do) I finger-pick. This is a style all its own.

For most songs that I play, I do use a pick which I generally strum across all strings, or on occasion, I may pick up a note here and there, sort of combining a strum and pick method.

I also have a noter, but rarely have I used it in my playing. It is the method that would be closest to the original style...that, and using a feather for the strumming.

I hope this helps and glad that you enjoyed the video. Credit goes to Wayne Anderson for filming this song.Smile.gif


Ben Barr Jr
10/23/13 09:30:54PM @benjamin-w-barr-jr:

Mary, thank you for the very kind words. I enjoy playing this piece very much. Depending on the venue, I may or may not include the narrative (which I did here). I am ever so humbled by the warm responses that I have received for this song.Smile.gif


Ben Barr Jr
10/18/13 08:18:27PM @benjamin-w-barr-jr:

Wayne, I am likewise glad that we did that...almost a year ago to the date! As I said, I am amazed, but if you hadn't recorded me I would not have as much confidence (although, I am still working on that) as it gave me after recording it. I am even thinking of offering a mystery item for the upcoming harvest auction at church for a living room concert. Not sure of that yet, but thinking about it.

BenSmile.gif


Ben Barr Jr
10/18/13 07:58:45PM @benjamin-w-barr-jr:

Angela, don't be sorry, it's just that I am still amazed that people are viewing and maybe even liking the music that I do. There are over 200 views here, and over 400 on Youtube. I can't believe it, but those are the numbers. Oh, and you are most welcome.

BenSmile.gif Smile.gif


Ben Barr Jr
10/14/13 07:16:13PM @benjamin-w-barr-jr:

Angela, You are most welcome, and I was certainly surprised to see the comment here connected with my rendition of the Riddle Song.

BenSmile.gif


Ben Barr Jr
12/24/12 01:31:59PM @benjamin-w-barr-jr:

Not really, although, I must say that I do try to learn about songs and songwriters. Some of the information stays with me, while some eludes me after I have done a little bit of research. I gained an acute interest in singers/songwriters and their songs from an English course that dealt with songwriter lyrics when I was finishing my BA in English in 1979/1980. Yes, quite familiar with Lightfoot's song, but don't know the particular Stan Rogers' tune. I need to get more of his stuff. Smile.gif


Ben Barr Jr
12/23/12 06:43:25AM @benjamin-w-barr-jr:

Ron, you are correct. I was not aware of the song...probably heard it a long time ago, but don't remember. Anyway, The Twelfth of Never was written by Jerry Livingston and Paul Francis Webster. The tune was adapted from The Riddle Song except for the bridge. And it was on Johnny Mathis first record.Smile.gif


Ben Barr Jr
12/21/12 10:31:35PM @benjamin-w-barr-jr:

Thank you. BenSmile.gif


Strumelia
12/21/12 10:09:57PM @strumelia:

Ben i saw this tonight for the first time and I just love it. Simply beautiful.


Ben Barr Jr
12/21/12 09:53:16PM @benjamin-w-barr-jr:

Rhubarb Ron, you are much too kind. Thank you for your comments. I did not notice that I brushed the strings with my thumb...so I don't think that I do that on all three strings. It just happens to be myfinger-pickingstyle...at least for that song. I'm not familiar with the 12th of Never, so I can't say. The narration is totally my invention for that song. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year too! BenSmile.gif


Ben Barr Jr
12/19/12 06:27:48AM @benjamin-w-barr-jr:

Thank you Leighann. I have been playing (or trying to play) for about 20 years-hard to believe that it's that long. A young Johnny Cash? I've always loved his music (and his voice). There are a few Cash tune's that I'd like to play and sing someday.Smile.gif


Ben Barr Jr
12/07/12 08:46:30AM @benjamin-w-barr-jr:

Thanks for the very kind comments Rhubarb Ron. Not a lot of people really like bass or baritone singing, so I really haven't much confidence in doing that. But glad you enjoyed it.Grin.gif Grin.gif