Ashokan Farewell

Jay Ungar (born November 14, 1946) is an American folk musician and composer.

He was born in the Bronx (New York City), the son of immigrant Jewish parents from Eastern Europe. He frequented Greenwich Village music venues during his formative period in the 1960s. In the late 1960s, he became a member of Cat Mother and the All Night News Boys and later, the Putnam String County Band. Although he has often played with David Bromberg, he is probably best known for "Ashokan Farewell" (1982), originally composed in the style of a Scottish lament, and used as the theme tune to the Ken Burns documentary "The Civil War" (1990). Many of his other compositions are familiar to contra dancers, notably "The Wizard's Walk."

I wanted to demonstrate again the magical properties of the acoustics and sounds, so, I chose this, which is a beautiful tune, and loved by many. It was made popular from the spectacular and sensitive documentary, "The Civil War." If you haven't seen it, you must...

I initially tried to "do it as the composer performed it," but I can't replicate a blue grass band, so, I went with the compromise that you hear.

I could never get this right to my ears, but my wife said that she thought this was a good take, so, I hope you enjoy it!

It's recorded to get maximum "acoustical ambience," meaning that you are hearing the sounds as if the organ was far from you.

This is a high-quality sample set, which I hope will prove very successful. More uploads and review to come.

Attached below is a photo of Jay Ungar and his wife and musical partner, Molly Mason, as well as a photo of the beautiful Ashokan Reservoir in the Catskill Mountains.

Tomorrow marks the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I. I will have several special uploads, including Candlyn's massive "March Heroique," dedicated to "Those who fell in Flander's Fields."

Peace to all.