Mandomonium
Sometimes six strings just aren't enough. Here are a few Fullerton tunes that rise to the challenge, thanks to the fretful finger work of intrepid nephew Delmont and the prodigious multi-instrumental contributions of nephew Raphael, collectively known as the Del-Reys.
In interviews with biographer Geronimo Rex, Leon Fullerton had praise for several aspects of the instrument:
• They're portable: "You can make it from the liquor cabinet to the kitchen to the mailbox to the outhouse back to the liquor cabinet to the front porch without losing nary a note or a drop."
• They're profitable: "Spent three months at the Albuquerque Y. Paid for some of it hustling pool and ping-pong. The mando-lele didn't do me much good in the pool halls, but I won more'n my share of bets winning ping-pong with the mando. The trick is how you chord 'em. Dominant sevenths will throw off the most talented ponger. Whack that ball just right, and zing, it's over the net and under the Coke machine."
"They're romantic: "Met three of my favorite wives playing mando. Those were the days. Maybe still are. If I'd knew where my old F-5 was, I'd seriously consider giving it a try for old times' sake. On the other hand, it's probably only fair to give the younger fellers a chance. I hear they're breeding 'em bashful these days."
In interviews with biographer Geronimo Rex, Leon Fullerton had praise for several aspects of the instrument:
• They're portable: "You can make it from the liquor cabinet to the kitchen to the mailbox to the outhouse back to the liquor cabinet to the front porch without losing nary a note or a drop."
• They're profitable: "Spent three months at the Albuquerque Y. Paid for some of it hustling pool and ping-pong. The mando-lele didn't do me much good in the pool halls, but I won more'n my share of bets winning ping-pong with the mando. The trick is how you chord 'em. Dominant sevenths will throw off the most talented ponger. Whack that ball just right, and zing, it's over the net and under the Coke machine."
"They're romantic: "Met three of my favorite wives playing mando. Those were the days. Maybe still are. If I'd knew where my old F-5 was, I'd seriously consider giving it a try for old times' sake. On the other hand, it's probably only fair to give the younger fellers a chance. I hear they're breeding 'em bashful these days."
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The songs:
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> See "Walt's With Me" lyrics and notes at Cowgirl's Lullaby. |
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> See "Trunk Line to Heaven" lyrics and notes at Doublewide! |
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> See "The Ballad of Fenton Baxter" lyrics and notes at Ugly Roomer. |
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> See "Nashville" lyrics and notes at Tunnel Vision. |