Classic Steve Martin Banjo Routine

Subject: Classic Steve Martin Banjo Routine
From: Steve Latimer
Date: 11 Apr 02 - 11:45 AM

I haven't heard this since Steve did it on Saturday Night Live. Man, I miss his stand up.

Click for an MP3 of his classic The Banjo is A Happy Instrument routine

Click here

Subject: RE: BS: Classic Steve Martin Banjo Routine
From: X
Date: 11 Apr 02 - 12:33 PM

Steve Martin has been over looked as a banjoist for sometime. He worked as a banjo-picker at Disneyland in his younger days and even wrote banjo tunes, one being titled "Saga Of The Old West"

I'm happy he got a "Grammy" for "Foggy Mt. Breakdown". Couldn't happen to a better "Wild and Crazy" guy.

Subject: RE: BS: Classic Steve Martin Banjo Routine
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 11 Apr 02 - 04:51 PM

Thank you for that link.... were that it were and hour longer!!!

I've always liked Steve Martin......

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Classic Steve Martin Banjo Routine
From: GUEST,jonesey
Date: 11 Apr 02 - 05:13 PM

One night when hosting The Tonight Show he had the Dirt Band on as the musical guest. They did a version of FMB with he and John McCuen on the banjo. Steve and John each had one hand on each other's banjo while doing the solo. I know it's been done alot, but it was the first time 'I'd' ever seen anybody do something like that. Still strikes me funny. Steve refers to John McCuen as 'the best banjo player in the world'. During an interview which ran on cable some time ago Steve was explaining the difference between 'Scruggs Style' and 'frailing'. He frailed 'Ducks in the Pond' (I think)for about 2 mins and it was amazing. Hope he releases more serious recordings in the future

Subject: RE: BS: Classic Steve Martin Banjo Routine
From: X
Date: 11 Apr 02 - 05:54 PM

John McEuen was into this Russian thing because the Dirt Band just got back from touring the USSR. So he took an old song of his, ("Dismal Swamp") and renamed it "White Russia". I believe that's the tune John and Steve played that night on the Carson show. I did record it so I could nab the tune.

Subject: RE: BS: Classic Steve Martin Banjo Routine
From: Charcloth
Date: 11 Apr 02 - 10:37 PM

I really liked his version of "Loch Lomond" that he did in the movie "A Simple Twist Of Fate". He is a great banjo player. I would love to get some of his Serious banjo tunes.
BTW the link didn't work for me
Charcloth

Subject: RE: BS: Classic Steve Martin Banjo Routine
From: Geoff the Duck
Date: 12 Apr 02 - 08:24 AM

Well - that brought a smile to my beak!!!!
Something we are greatly lacking in the UK is a decent variety show on the telly. I wish we had a live programme at a sensible time of day, where respected performers actually DID something. All we ever seem to see these days is somebody plugging their latest book/film/record/divorce.... interspersed by some crap pop group miming to their latest chart single.
All the current generation of TV presenters just think we are there to watch them acting the prat and taKING THE PISS OUT OF (WHOOPS cAPSLOCK ALERT) anything sensible. If there is ever anything worth possibly watching, it is either when people are out a work, orat some stupid time in the small hours when we need to sleep.
It isn't often that I envy Americans, but I do wish that someone would let US watch Steve Martin being talented!
Quack!
GtD

Subject: RE: BS: Classic Steve Martin Banjo Routine
From: X
Date: 12 Apr 02 - 01:43 PM

Geoff of Duck:

Remember, this happened in the early 70's and Jay Leno has replaced Mr. Carson so we americans get our share of crap spoon fed to us.

Subject: RE: BS: Classic Steve Martin Banjo Routine
From: Steve Latimer
Date: 01 Mar 03 - 12:18 AM

There is a very good interview with Steve in the current Banjo Newsletter. There is also a tab of one of his own tunes. There is no electronic version of this issue, but you can order the issue and hear three MP3's of Steve playing at

Banjo Newsletter   

Steve is very serious about the Banjo.