"Mr. Bojangles" (Jerry Jeff Walker, arrangement by Chet Atkins)

[JoeCharter]

Hello everyone,

I haven't posted in a long while as life has been very busy... In fact I've barely played in the last few months and you'll see in this recording that I'm a little rusty.

In any case, if you regularly visit the AGF you probably already know Chet Atkins' arrangement of "Mr. Bojangles". I've been noodling this tune for many years but didn't take the time to learn the various parts until recently.

Although I don't always use the exact same chord shapes, my attempt is 99% Chet's arrangement. There are a few versions floating around the web and I chose my favourite bits from each of them.

While I made test recordings with my maple Olson SJ, I decided to keep the version with my Martin D-28 as it sounds drier and is better suited to this tune IMHO.

In any case, here's my modest attempt at this fingerstyle classic. Thank you for listening.

https://youtu.be/8RZbUV3rf6I

[LiveMusic]

That is beautiful, Joe! Great playing, great sound.

[Kerbie]

Hey Mao, where ya been? Missed you around here.

That's a beautiful job! That's a nice little tune and a superb fingerstyle arrangement. Very nicely done... I'll enjoy listening to that several times. Thanks for posting... please post some more.

[PajamasMusic]

Great playing!

[Jeremy]

I'm not seeing "rusty."

Nicely done, Mau.

[Glennwillow]

Wonderful, Mau! I totally loved what you did with this great old song!

How nice to see you on the forum again with some new music!

Oh, and as Jeremy noted, I don't see or hear any rust in this video.

- Glenn

[cefobe]

Good and nice musical work

[VTexan]

The song's an old favorite and you put some great life into it.

[Johan Madsen]

Originally Posted by JoeCharter

Hello everyone,

I haven't posted in a long while as life has been very busy... In fact I've barely played in the last few months and you'll see in this recording that I'm a little rusty.

In any case, if you regularly visit the AGF you probably already know Chet Atkins' arrangement of "Mr. Bojangles". I've been noodling this tune for many years but didn't take the time to learn the various parts until recently.

Although I don't always use the exact same chord shapes, my attempt is 99% Chet's arrangement. There are a few versions floating around the web and I chose my favourite bits from each of them.

While I made test recordings with my maple Olson SJ, I decided to keep the version with my Martin D-28 as it sounds drier and is better suited to this tune IMHO.

In any case, here's my modest attempt at this fingerstyle classic. Thank you for listening.

https://youtu.be/8RZbUV3rf6I

Very nice, that's pretty respectful of Chet's version, I think the D 28 was a rather good choice for this tune, great sound as usual !

[Rogerblair]

Holy smokes! If that's rusty, I gotta think of a new term for my playing. Absolutely fantastic!

Rb

[Nailpicker]

Originally Posted by JoeCharter

...Although I don't always use the exact same chord shapes, my attempt is 99% Chet's arrangement. There are a few versions floating around the web and I chose my favourite bits from each of them.

Simply wonderful. You play it great. I've always loved that song and, like you, I play a version that is inspired by Chet's version(s), but do not attempt to perfectly mimic his renditions. Chet didn't always use the same chords either, played at different tempos and varying accents. And like you I often change it up, sometimes on the fly (which sometimes I regret) depending upon what mood I'm in.

[Ct20]

Hope your life has been busy for positive reasons. Excellent interpretation and playing.
Thanks for posting...Your playing is a bright light despite your dark recording presentation.

[islandguitar]

Oh, my, Mau!! That was super! the Martin is in great hands and sounds fabulous! Always loved this song and you really brought it together in a big way. Congrats and welcome back!

Fred

[JoeCharter]

Originally Posted by LiveMusic

That is beautiful, Joe! Great playing, great sound.

Thank you, Bill. I used fewer effects than usual on this recording -- I'm glad you enjoyed it!

[JoeCharter]

Originally Posted by Kerbie

Hey Mao, where ya been? Missed you around here.

That's a beautiful job! That's a nice little tune and a superb fingerstyle arrangement. Very nicely done... I'll enjoy listening to that several times. Thanks for posting... please post some more.

Thanks so much for your warm and supportive words, Kerbie.

I hardly ever spend a day without checking out the AGF but I rarely had the time to contribute... I can't promise any new music anytime soon but I promise I'm not going anywhere...