I can't find this piece in the library here or in my collection of Cammeyer compositions, but based on this review I'd like to get hold of it:

"La Caresse is a gem full of the finest harmonies the composer ever conceived, and must be heard again and again for anyone to fully fathom its beauties." The Banjo World April-September 1922

Anyone got a copy?

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Good morning Rob, You could be right, I'm just coming round from the St.Patrick's Day celebrations and 'Paddy McGinty's goat. I'll certainly listen to it again and try to get to grips with 'fathoming its beauties', and I will also play through it a few times to see if its heart and soul becomes clearer to me.

Rob MacKillop said:

Oh, a little harsh there, Richard. If you can bear it, listen to it two times more over the course of the day. Perhaps it’s more enjoyable to play than to listen to…

Yes, it’s not quite at the same level of mastery as Paddy McGinty’s Goat, a classic my mother used to sing to me before I entered Primary School. But give it a chance…

Interesting. The A part is almost recognizably Camm. The middle is a muddle...but may be salvaged by more time with the piece. It sounds like it loses its way melodically. Perhaps in accenting? My PC crashed (I'm spending today trying to revive it), so I can't finish my attempt.

I also can't help but think your interpretation is held back by the banjo's lack of sustain. Some of the movement is lost before the next chord appears. I'm left thinking it might be better suited to guitar.

It will be fun to hear how your interpretation changes over time!

Well, I think I prefer my old Temlett for this stuff, but sadly that has gone. It had a chime to it I’m not getting here. But I’ve got a more appropriate bridge on order, so we’ll see if that makes a difference. 

I actually quite like the ‘muddled’ section. Less predictable, searching. It would be easy to change notes here and there, but that would make it predictable and boring. 

Having listened to it a few times now - without the stress of trying to play it - I really like it. Yes, it has a couple of adventurous moments, but I like them. It’s definitely growing on me. 

It sounds great. Airy and dreamlike

Rob MacKillop said:

I tried a slower version, but felt it dragged. This faster version, though still slow, seemed to pull it together, structurally. I like the composition, and will try to memorise it (not easy these days) and live with it for a while before recording it again. 

Well put, Karen. Glad you like it!

Karen Smith said:

It sounds great. Airy and dreamlike

I'm sticking with it, no banjo today as I have to celebrate Mother's Day in the bosom of our local pub, but there is an account of the Cammeyer recitals at the Steinway Hall at which Cammeyer and Sheaff featured 'La Caresse', amongst other things, in the 'The Banjo World' April-September, 1922, pages 157 onwards.

Rob MacKillop said:

Having listened to it a few times now - without the stress of trying to play it - I really like it. Yes, it has a couple of adventurous moments, but I like them. It’s definitely growing on me. 


Thanks, Richard, but I mention that at the very start of this thread. That’s what made me curious about it. 

Richard William Ineson said:

…there is an account of the Cammeyer recitals at the Steinway Hall…


Senile confusion.

Rob MacKillop said:


Thanks, Richard, but I mention that at the very start of this thread. That’s what made me curious about it. 

Richard William Ineson said:

…there is an account of the Cammeyer recitals at the Steinway Hall…


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