Bryan Bowers: "When I Go" by Dave Carter

[@chachachallie]

I had the pleasure of seeing this man play at Triton College (IL) in 1973 or 74 in the student lounge. I was told that most autoharp players use only their thumb, the good ones use a finger as well. This artist plays with all his fingers! John Prine sat in with him at that performance. It was a moment never to be forgotten.

[@ppierquet1]

My goodness, I just stumbled across this; what a delight! I remember first hearing Bryan about 50 years ago, I believe it was on the show "Prairie Home Companion". A genius autoharp player with a style all his own; love it! I'm so glad to see he's still playing; I'd love to see him live again. He's one of a kind....... :-)

[@cuckoosnest3685]

I've never been able to dance. But I hope when I see my dear one again (where the soul never does, of course), we will be granted the grace of your old lovers (and to hear you play it again. Thank you.

[@tmrb7600]

My favorite part of this performance is the connection between the musician and the song.. Truly a living Bard at his craft. Raise the ales!!

[@BlueRae07]

We love to play and sing this song on harp and guitar. Bryan Bowers is the best I have ever had the pleasure of seeing, meeting and hearing at the Carter Family Fold. He is truly blessed!

[@bocklinskitten4335]

gigantic voice, great musician, thanx!!!!!!!!! I think younger and more healthy people should like this, too

[@twoodburn]

It is so wonderful seeing a great artist like Bryan Bowers cover Dave Carter's timeless, classic song.

[@jtmcbath]

Holy shit that was beautiful.

[@bluegrassfan23]

Bryan is a truly outstanding musician.

[@richlynmcarthur4663]

Saw Bryan Bowers for the first time in my life in Winfield Kansas at a Bluegrass Festival in 1976 I believe. Doc Watson introduced Bryan then as an up and coming talent. Now he is a seasoned professional with more heart and soul than ever! Thanks for being part of my musical life for nearly 40 years now Bryan!

[@DrJohnHodgson]

I saw him at Mariposa FF in Toronto back about /74. Steve Goodman introduced us ... he did the bit where he adds fingers one by one to the tune. Still resonates with me.

[@megaqwerty57]

Saw him at 2 separate concerts in Uof Iowa Hancher Auditorium in mid and late? 70s. blown away.

[@Woman58]

Just heard him last night for the first time live and I'm hooked; the man can weave a tale and keep an audience entranced like no other entertainer I've ever seen or heard.

[@solarstormgames]

The Talent in strong in this one...

[@batum44]

This man is in tune! Not just with his music! he should live forever! Did he read "the man who planted trees"

[@mattw5414]

this is so lit

[@richgreenberg448]

Bryan is also a tuning fanatic. He says he tunes each autoharp three times before each performance. If you ever have a chance to take a class from him on tuning, it not to be missed. He is also a really nice guy, very generous with his time and caring. He plays other instruments like the mandolin very well also.

[@grovermartin6874]

Having just found him again, after many a wrong turn, I do hope his mournful, Neil Young-like plaintive voice is still holding. I do hope I get to hear this delight of musical spirit again.

[@SuzanneLewisFineArt]

I wish I could say something more than just, "Wow."

[@TheHickoryhill]

So beautiful.

[@OscarFrosty]

Thank you! Love,the one-woman-auto-harp-band in alberta! xo

[@jackiem9298]

Lovely...thank you.

[@jolson01]

Amazing! Love it!!!

[@Geedo777]

@WildeNotesMusic It does. It's a fantastic sounding thing. I played a version of this for my grandfathers funeral... I can't think of a much better send off song

[@carollizc]

Geedo777 I've always thought if this song that way. In fact, i want it played at my own funeral. (Not that I'm overanxious for that day to arrive, y'know.) Maybe even this version of it, although Dave Carter's original is pretty sweet, too. I'm going to leave a funeral playlist among my effects.

[@Scarlett4Zanzibar]

I LOVE you, Bryan. I think you are wonderful ... DA MAN. I love this song, too, for the same reasons you do. ;)

[@cernowaingreenman]

I like Bryan's version here. I think it is very different from Dave Carter's original, which in my mind reflects more of a transcending spirit rather than a fighting of the dying of the light. Kudos to Bryan for his take on this classic song.

[@Msosw]

Great song. I've been to Great Bend Kansas. Talk about the middle of Kansas, middle of no where. Not sure how he ended up performing this great show there.

[@jackoneill8654]

Maybe there are people there

[@gfharper]

No doubt about it - he's the man!

[@wesleymcgehee2412]

This shit fire.

[@commontater8630]

don't know whether Mr. Bowers is being creative or if he simply misheard, but in the first verse he sings "I'll be struck, filled with lightning when I go", whereas Dave Carter, extraordinary songwriter that he is, wrote and sang, "I will strike fell like lightnin' when I go". Quite a difference. In Dave's original, it is clear that that line foreshadows the following verse.

[@semofolkie]

I'm doing a radio tribute to Dave on KRCU radio (your folk connection) coming up in mid July.

[@WildeNotesMusic]

@Geedo777 It's a diatonic autoharp, to be specific. It only has 9 chords and plays in only one key, but doesn't it make wonderful music!?

[@PHJimY]

Bryan often carries a pile of Autoharps on stage to cover all the keys he wants to sing. I have Bryan's autograph on my D/G semi-diatonic. The D/G has both an F and an F# course of strings. Isn't this a great song? And he does a beautiful job.

[@Geedo777]

What is that instrument he is playing?? It sounds amazing, though i've never seen anything like it.

[@undertakr]

Darude - Sandstorm just kidding, autoharp

[@Silverchord1974]

What is the instrument called?

[@undertakr]

Darude - Sandstorm JK autoharp

[@j.b.9581]

Good cover of a great, poignant song.

[@jamesmott3186]

Lyrics plz?

[@commontater8630]

Come, lonely hunter, chieftain and king I will fly like the falcon when I go Bear me my brother under your wing I will strike fell like lightnin' when I go I will bellow like the thunder drum, invoke the storm of war A twistin' pillar spun of dust and blood up from the prairie floor I will sweep the foe before me like a gale out on the snow And the wind will long recount the story, reverence and glory, when I go Spring, spirit dancer, nimble and thin I will leap like coyote when I go Tireless entrancer, lend me your skin I will run like the gray wolf when I go I will climb the rise at daybreak, I will kiss the sky at noon Raise my yearning voice at midnight to my mother in the moon I will make the lay of long defeat and draw the chorus slow I'll send this message down the wire and hope that someone wise is listenin' when I go And when the sun comes, trumpets from his red house in the east He will find a standin' stone where long I chanted my release He will send his morning messenger to strike the hammer blow And i will crumble down uncountable in showers of crimson rubies when I go Sigh, mournful sister, whisper and turn I will rattle like dry leaves when I go Stand in the mist where my fire used to burn I will camp on the night breeze when I go And should you glimpse my wandering form out on the borderline Between death and resurrection and the council of the pines Do not worry for my comfort, do not sorrow for me so All your diamond tears will rise up and adorn the sky beside me when I go

[@CharlotteFairchild]

I still play the autoharp you would not sign. Thanks for the story. Achoo.

[@m0rthel]

It's curious that he is saying that he likes the melody of the original song, since this sounds nothing like it...

[@drbobdrake]

It is exactly the Dave Carter melody.

[@commontater8630]

@@drbobdrake Sounds nothing like it, not true. Exactly the Dave Carter melody, also not true. If you sing what Dave Carter sings, you'll soon hear the difference.

[@drbobdrake]

@@commontater8630 I knew Dave Carter quite well. I stand by my statement.

[@commontater8630]

@@drbobdrake You can stand by him up one side and down the other, but if you don't hear the difference then you're not using your ears.