Blue Moon of Kentucky

Blue Moon of Kentucky is a song composed by bluegrass musician Bill Monroe and recorded by numerous artists of various musical genres since its release in 1947. Elvis Presley took this song on a modified arrangement for his first single. Blue Moon of Kentucky was declared in 1989 by the Kentucky General Assembly to "official bluegrass song state " of Kentucky.

History

Genesis and original

Bill Monroe wrote the song in 1946 and took him on 16 September 1946 at the CBS studio at the radio station WBBM in the Wrigley Building in Chicago. His backing band, the Blue Grass Boys, passed on this day in addition to Monroe (vocals / mandolin ) from Lester Flatt (guitar), Earl Scruggs ( banjo), Howard Watts ( bass) and Chubby Wise (fiddle ). The arrangement of the song was kept in a slow 3/4-time why Blue Moon of Kentucky often called Bluegrass Waltz ( " bluegrass waltz " ) is called. The piece was a typical specimen of the " High Lonesome Sound" Monroe, who distinguished himself mainly by a slow pace and high vocals.

Although the song was recorded already in September 1946, Monroe's record label, Columbia Records released the song in November 1947, Goodbye Old Pal as a B- side ( Columbia 37888 ). The latter came in the original from the year 1934 by Cliff Carlisle, whose package took Monrore to a large extent. The magazine Billboard assessed the single in its issue of November 15 as follows: "The top tenoring of Bill Monroe, his husky pipes with the grass country flavoring, makes it a nostalgic nicety for his 'Blue Moon of Kentucky ' waltz. The mandolin, fiddle and guitar of his Blue Grass Boys capture the spirit of his singing in Their playing. [ ... ] For those favoring the old-time singing and playing. " The single in early 1947, sold quite well and was in the following years to Monroe 's most popular pieces, not least through his weekly appearances on the Grand Ole Opry on WSM, the famous country -show the United States that was sent nationwide.

Elvis Presley's version

In June 1954, the young Elvis Presley recorded his first single for Sun Records with guitarist Scotty Moore and bassist Bill Black. After a cover of Arthur Crudup That's All Right in the Sun studio was in Memphis, Tennessee, recorded, demanded producer and studio owner Sam Phillips after a B-side. The musicians were initially but no suitable song material until Bill Black Blue Moon of Kentucky proposed. " Bill is the one who came up with 'Blue Moon of Kentucky. ' Same deal. We're taking a little break and he starts beating on the bass and singing 'Blue Moon of Kentucky, " mocking Bill Monroe, singing the high falcetto voice. Elvis joins in with him, starts playing and singing with him ", guitarist Scotty Moore later recalled to the session. The trio turned the song into a fast rockabilly song in 4/4-time to 104 beats per minute. They changed the pitch of B flat major to E, the intro changed by other chords and new text and producer Sam Phillips added an echo.

Was published as Presley's single in the summer of 1954, the local DJs Sleepy - Eyed John began to play on WHHM and Bob Neal on WMPS in Memphis Presley Blue Moon of Kentucky. The song quickly rose as a B- side in the local " Billboard Memphis C & W charts " and reached number six as the top position. Back in October, the song was also represented in the local charts in Nashville and New Orleans - in the national charts, the single, however, did not reach.

As Presley appeared for the first and only time at the Grand Ole Opry, he chose Blue Moon of Kentucky than performance. While the conservative audience and management, tended to be more attuned to traditional country music, not were enthusiastic, Bill Monroe Presley pursued appearance backstage. After the show he spoke Presley and told him - according to Colin Escott - ". Did it was fine for his style of music and the way he sang" Monroe then arranged with his manager an appointment in the studio to a new version of Blue Moon of Kentucky einzuspielen. Monroe started in this version in the slow 3/4-time and rose during the song to a fast 4/4-time. In this recording, on September 4, 1954 in addition to Monroe (vocals / mandolin ) were as Bluegrass Boys Edd Mayfield (guitar), Ernie Newton ( bass), Gordon Terry ( fiddle), Red Taylor (fiddle ) and Charlie Cline (fiddle ) present.

Cover versions

Blue Moon of Kentucky has been covered over the years by many different artists, including John Fogerty, Patsy Cline, Jimmy Martin, the Stanley Brothers, Ronnie Hawkins, Jerry Reed, Ray Charles, Paul McCartney, Boxcar Willie, Scotty Moore and Mark Knopfler, LeAnn Rimes, Chet Atkins, Kitty, Daisy & Lewis and many more.

Origin of the term

The term "Blue Moon" is in English for a very rarely occurring event, namely a second full moon in a month what all 2.4 years occurs only approximate.