The Blake Whitmire Trio- Ookpik Waltz

keatonblake...
Keaton Blake Whitmire- Fiddle
Kyle Smith- Guitar
Andrew Pressman- Bass

[@TheMadPiper72]

So in 2016 I watched this video, it is 2020 now, and I can’t stop listening to this. I absolutely love the Ookpick, but the way you guys played it here is masterful. I also love the emotion on the violinist face as he is playing through the highs and lows of the song, seems as if his heart is truly in this song. Thank you so very much.

[@nathanlackey3307]

You and me both brother! I’ve heard this song played a million different ways but this is by far the BEST!

[@maddiegrace760]

I’m actually playing this exact version at my wedding as my “down the aisle” song. I’ve always loved the song and I know my grandfather will appreciate my taste

[@44NorthWyo]

I used it for that at my wedding also, beautiful song!

[@robertdavies82]

Just keep that going boys. Sounds real good.

[@Jamesdylandean]

The upright bass adds such a nice flavor to this wonderful song.

[@edwardhanson3664]

I never heard this done so well. You give it a lot of depth. It's amazingly beautiful.

[@surferbeto]

I learned this song on my guitar from 'Shakin' Down the Acorns' circa 1984. It's been percolating in my head ever since. I just got a brand new 60-year old 12-string guitar and played this from memory for the first time in many years. I guess I've kind of made it my own down through the years - I play it a little differently now. I used to segue into and out of Ashokan Farewell while playing this. In any case I love the way you pass through a C chord in your version! I'm going to try it like that next time.

[@mount78]

Blake, Don't know if you will read this 6 years on. I have so enjoyed you rendition of this beautiful fiddle tune. That is a fantastic fiddle and your easy master technique is fabulous. Of course Frankie's version is great, but you are the king. Thanks so much for posting this.

[@jgsawka]

Beautiful rendition of this tune. Thank you for sharing!!

[@lethamorris8719]

OMG, there ain't nothing sexier than a good lookin guy playing a beautiful song on the fiddle!

[@johnfee9216]

I keep coming back to this year after year. Best version of Ookpik waltz there is.

[@dukeravenshadow5532]

My grandad would've been so proud and tried to imitate this?

[@Nothingbutathing]

I have literally listed to this song multiple times a day for the last 2 weeks! It’s by far the best version. Thank y’all for sharing your talents and great taste in music with us!

[@Caneenj001]

Best rendition ever! That bass is fabulous! Well done.

[@junehaver4149]

Yes! Now on repeat mode ❤️

[@SagebrushBands]

Three masters doin' it right! BIG Thanks!

[@johnfee2460]

Like some others have commented, I keep coming back to this masterpiece. It is so good there are no words to describe. I love many good fiddlers of different genres, but I know nothing that tops this in pure musical expression. I wish you recorded more.

[@merilee222]

You somehow took an exquisite waltz and made it better.

[@stmarypaul]

Absolutely beautiful! Brought tears to my eyes.

[@beastofpripyat1147]

Everytime I'm having a bad day, I listen to this song. Thanks for posting this guys!

[@TheMadPiper72]

I absolutely love this performance of the Ookpik Waltz. Thank you very much, I found your playing to be a refreshing inspiration to a tune I have loved and wanted to learn on the violin for so long.

[@44NorthWyo]

Wonderful, Ookpik is my all time favorite fiddle tune. Beautiful rendition!

[@TheJimMackenzie]

gypsycowgirln Mine, too! I violinist friend of mine who passed away years ago introduced me to it. The memories of him make it even more special to me.

[@44NorthWyo]

My sister played it for my wedding as I walked up the aisle. So beautiful!

[@kentowens2179]

Beautifully played.

[@nathanlackey7507]

I Really Want To Hear More From You Guys! Ive played the fiddle since i was 12 yo and this was one of the first songs i learned but not played like this. I will learn it note for note like this now... AMAZING GUYS!!

[@lethamorris8719]

I've been trying to learn this. I have listened to many different ones playing this tune, but I love this version of it best, and a few others that play it at a slower tempo. I love the haunting sound of the fiddle in many songs. Great job guys.

[@HerMajestyCalling]

Simply beautiful. Thank you guys!

[@darlenemcgrady9694]

Oh, so beautiful!

[@adamsmith1083]

A great tune and a great performance.

[@user-kb5hh5ub2r]

Just beautiful!!

[@jayneluysongwriting1910]

This is so good... Such a beautiful tone to the violin, and such a warm instrumental foundation.

[@fiddleexpress-beckfamilyband]

We love this tune, nicely done 😊

[@rebeccamouse9294]

gorgeous fiddle playing... and great soulful backup

[@lyndseyperry6140]

The BEST Ive ever heard this song played!

[@FrontPorchFiddler]

I love this tune in this tempo and you guys nailed it, absolutely gorgeous and sweet at the same time! Thank you for sharing this tune with us. - Steve

[@JR-hk8ln]

absolutely beautifully done!

[@kevinnunez5409]

this is so nice for my ears!

[@jeanineanddavidridenour4374]

Wow! Spectacular!!!!!

[@gerardhagerty]

Canadiana at it's finest. Thanks gents!

[@michaelbrand8279]

Beautiful! It would bring a tear to a glass eye. ;-)

[@shawnlevasseuy7100]

Man sounds good to my ears good song

[@maryhunt1513]

Nice! Love this waltz!

[@p.w.hanlon8335]

Clean and simple music, the best

[@LaLe3479]

Really beautiful playing from all three of you!

[@robertlawson4306]

LaLe3479 one of the most beautiful fiddle tune's I've ever heard

[@TeeBoyd88]

My first time listening to this kind of music & it's been 2 hours already.

[@rueridge7597]

Great job!!

[@michaelallstar]

Killed it dude

[@MinimumListenableProduct]

sublime!

[@paulmasters2980]

Good job guys!

[@janetmurray8371]

Brilliant.

[@Nothingbutathing]

Any chance you guys could add this to Spotify?

[@mandolinaddict1565]

Very nice!

[@jwnagy]

Awesome

[@RichardSacher]

Great

[@deanniasiegmund3636]

Me too, so pretty

[@BobWarnerBarn]

Nice......

[@MrBpatrickn]

Nice

[@catherineokruksh8800]

🤩🤩🤩

[@c.a.shirley7938]

anyone know what kind of guitar this is?

[@stormselah]

Yet another set of chord substitutions thrown at this song.

[@aprilguittar9658]

👍👍👌👌❤❤😭😭😭😭😭

[@davidherringgo]

Wow see you at the Tiger

[@lethamorris8719]

WOW that is a beautiful song and beautifully played. Who wrote it? My first time ever hearing it. Thanks for sharing

[@lcoleman1961]

It was written by Franky Rogers.

[@lethamorris8719]

@@lcoleman1961 I know that now since I started trying to learn it, but he sure didn't play it like Blake Whitmire does. This version is more beautiful and meaningful to me.

[@surferbeto]

Does anyone know what the name of this song means? Is uke (ook) a place or a cultural reference? Or was this originally a ukulele song before the fiddlers got hip to it? I would love to know.

[@andrewbrowne5557]

Ookpik is an Inuit word meaning ‘snowy owl’…back in the 60’s, there were little sealskin owls made and sold in Canada called Ookpik’s…

[@surferbeto]

@@andrewbrowne5557 thank you so much for cluing me in to this! I really appreciate it.

[@andrewbrowne5557]

@@surferbeto type Ookpik into google images! Super cute!

[@wvg4800]

Oh, my stars with the video gymnastics! Find a spot and land on it so we can enjoy the MUSIC. This is not a Hollywood production. We want to see the GROUP playing, not their faces. Up, down, back and forth, this way, now that way. Geeze, people. My very pet peeve with these videos. Find a spot where we can see all the instruments being played and STAY THERE. It's about the music and LEARNING, not the video gymnastics.

[@drahow]

Very syrupy. Technically unsurpassed. Guitarist??? Google Frankie Rodgers for the real deal.

[@joelcatron5261]

I believe this was a club date . I suspect these guys were responding to their audience . Guitarist was holding up his end , so why single him out ? I think Frankie Rodgers would be happy with this . Google asshole , and take a long look into a mirror . Interpret this song while your at it .