ORANGE BLOSSOM SPECIAL

[Scott Dykstra]

Hi there, My name is Scott. I am looking for as many as possible versions
of the OBS as you can name. I am trying to prepare a list of the top 25
versions. Send your selection name(s) to my E-mail at

sdyk...@uoguelph.ca

Thanks very much
Scotty Dykstra

[Lynn Chirps]

Scott Dykstra <sdyk...@uoguelph.ca> writes:

>Hi there, My name is Scott. I am looking for as many as possible versions
>of the OBS as you can name. I am trying to prepare a list of the top 25
>versions. Send your selection name(s) to my E-mail at

IMHO, the best version was recorded by the composer of the tune, Ervin Rouse,
in NYC 6-16-39 for Victor I believe. It can be heard on RCA Victor Vintage
Series LP (if you can find it, it's out of print) The RR in Folk Song LVP-532
From the liner notes: Ervin Rouse (a Floridian, originally from Craven Co., NC)
He recognized that his piece about a Seaboard Railroad flyer, in a sense,
became anonymous during his lifetime when he told Johnny Cash, The Special
belongs to everybody by now.
Hope this is helpful.
Chirps Smith

[Steve Goldfield]

In article <xw6bCNY.c...@delphi.com>,
Lynn "Chirps" Smith <chirp...@delphi.com> wrote:
#>Scott Dykstra <sdyk...@uoguelph.ca> writes:
#>
#>>Hi there, My name is Scott. I am looking for as many as possible versions
#>>of the OBS as you can name. I am trying to prepare a list of the top 25
#>>versions. Send your selection name(s) to my E-mail at
#>
#>IMHO, the best version was recorded by the composer of the tune, Ervin Rouse,
#>in NYC 6-16-39 for Victor I believe. It can be heard on RCA Victor Vintage
#>Series LP (if you can find it, it's out of print) The RR in Folk Song LVP-532
#>From the liner notes: Ervin Rouse (a Floridian, originally from Craven Co., NC)
#>He recognized that his piece about a Seaboard Railroad flyer, in a sense,
#>became anonymous during his lifetime when he told Johnny Cash, The Special
#>belongs to everybody by now.
#>Hope this is helpful.
#>Chirps Smith

As is well-known in bluegrass circles, Chubby Wise coauthored
"Orange Blossom Special," but sold his interest in the tune to
Rouse for not much money. I think of Chubby as one of the most
old-time of bluegrass fiddlers.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Steve Goldfield :<{ {>: s...@coe.berkeley.edu
University of California at Berkeley Richmond Field Station

[Cleoma]

It sure isn't old-time music,, but a great version of OBS was done by
Richard Greene with the rock band Seatrain (which also included Peter
Rowan). I'm told that Richard's version came from Scotty Stoneman, but
I've never heard a recording of Scotty playing that tune.

[Bo Bradham]

If I'm not mistaken Vassar Clements plays OBS on the first "Will
the Circle Be Unbroken" album. I haven't heard it in quite a
while but I think it's pretty good.

For sheer outrageousness check out Mark O'Connor's performance
of it on "The New Nashville Cats" album.

Bo Bradham