Review: rare video Uncle Dave Macon

Subject: RE: Review: rare video Uncle Dave Macon
From: olddude
Date: 25 Dec 08 - 05:26 PM

I was talking to my friend Barry and he is a friend of Leroy
he said Leroy is the real deal and he does continue to play while doing the Uncle Dave tricks. Barry is one of the best banjo players I have ever met. He should be his grandad and his dad both were old time country guys who played on the opry ... check out Barry and his nephews. Barry is stuck in a wheelchair after a bad accident. He is one of my inspirations. His arms didn't work for awhile and he didnt' think he could play again. Thank God that didn't happen


Barry Rollin in my Sweet baby's arms

Subject: RE: Review: rare video Uncle Dave Macon
From: The Sandman
Date: 25 Dec 08 - 01:17 PM

ok, fair enough.

Subject: RE: Review: rare video Uncle Dave Macon
From: olddude
Date: 25 Dec 08 - 01:10 PM

I used to compare styles and players. Then Ron taught me that it is a mistake and after thinking about it, he was absolutely right and I absolutely wrong, each have their own gifts to bring to the audience. It is a mistake and something I no longer do .

Uncle Dave was the real deal and so are the others mentioned in this thread. No question about any of their skills or the enjoyment they bring to the listener

Subject: RE: Review: rare video Uncle Dave Macon
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 25 Dec 08 - 11:56 AM

I would safely say that Uncle Dave Macon was "the business" too.

When you compare artists with different styles and different purposes, the comparison will only hurt both. Each offered incredible music and were outstanding at what they do.

Subject: RE: Review: rare video Uncle Dave Macon
From: The Sandman
Date: 25 Dec 08 - 04:17 AM

yes hes good, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nOLplVapDjc
but a player singer like Roscoe Holcomb,didnt need any tricks,his music was sufficient,roscoe was the business

Subject: RE: Review: rare video Uncle Dave Macon
From: Ebbie
Date: 25 Dec 08 - 03:36 AM

Well, in any case, he was a great performer and I enjoyed the clip.

Subject: RE: Review: rare video Uncle Dave Macon
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 24 Dec 08 - 01:13 PM

"of course Uncle Dave was the same, in an era when the technical possibilities of fakery weren't available."

Actually, they could fake a lot of things on FILM in those days. Onstage it would be much harder to do. If you compare the video of Leroy Troy with the film of Uncle Dave Macon - there is a difference.   When Troy spins the banjo and does tricks, it is not for the extended period of time where Macon is spinning in the film It is obvious that there is a skill to learn the trick to pluck the banjo while it is rotating, but I'm not convinced that Macon did not take advantage of film and do some extra spins.   I can't be sure, and I don't think any of us can. That does not diminish the accomplishments of Uncle Dave Macon or any of the artists who emulate the style

Subject: RE: Review: rare video Uncle Dave Macon
From: Uncle_DaveO
Date: 24 Dec 08 - 12:59 PM

Ebbie (and any other unbelievers), I assure you that that's all real. I was there at both the 1998 and 1999 Maryland Banjo Academy, and saw him close up in a class he ran.

You said where neither of Uncle Dave's hands are on the strings but rather are twirling the body of the banjo.

True, neither of his hands was in the usual position, but one of his hands in each of those instances was on the neck near the pot, as the fulcrum of the banjo spin, and he's pulling off at that moment.

If he was on stage, MAYBE some fakery could be done by another banjoist coming in at the proper instants, or MAYBE a recording could be played from a hidden device at that split second, but up close, in good light, in an unprepared venue (a cafeteria in this case, where his class had been unexpectedly moved from another room), no. There were a lot of informed, skilled banjoists there, watching closely (and saying "Wow!"), and to have any trickery-fakery would be MORE marvelous than what actually happened.

It's a high level both of musicianship and jugglery. And of course Uncle Dave was the same, in an era when the technical possibilities of fakery weren't available.

Dave Oesterreich

Subject: RE: Review: rare video Uncle Dave Macon
From: GUEST,Hootenanny
Date: 24 Dec 08 - 07:19 AM

I agree that the brief film clip which I believe comes from the Hollywood film would indicate that Uncle Dave was not playing all the notes while turning the banjo in a circle. However I do reccommend that you take a look at the Cordell Kemp clip to show what can be done and surely Leroy proves the point.

Sadly this appears to be the only piece pf film of Uncle Dave performing as it is the only clip that ever shows up.

Hoot

Subject: RE: Review: rare video Uncle Dave Macon
From: Ebbie
Date: 24 Dec 08 - 01:07 AM

Come on. At 33-36 seconds into the film there are at least three notes, at least one measure, where neither of Uncle Dave's hands are on the strings but rather are twirling the body of the banjo. And the banjo goes on.

I would love to be convinced otherwise...

Subject: RE: Review: rare video Uncle Dave Macon
From: olddude
Date: 23 Dec 08 - 07:38 PM

Leroy is absolutely amazing
I just love the way the guy plays the old time stuff

I just put it as a favorite ... great guy great musician

Subject: RE: Review: rare video Uncle Dave Macon
From: GUEST,Hootenanny
Date: 23 Dec 08 - 06:57 PM

OK, I got it Cordell Kemp is the name.

Go to You Tube put in banjofolk and you will get a whole listof films with David Holt including the interview with Cordell.

Enjoy.
Hoot

Subject: RE: Review: rare video Uncle Dave Macon
From: GUEST,Hootenanny
Date: 23 Dec 08 - 06:52 PM

Leroy learned from someone that learned from Uncle Dave, damned if I can recall his name at present but they are both on a wonderful film called Echoes of America made by Mathew Wightman and Leroy was with his tutor at a little place in Tennessee called Defeated!

If you go to you tube an look at all the clips featurning David Holt you will eventually find the guy that taught Leroy showing Dave just how it's done.

If the name comes yo me without having to dig through my shelves I'll post it.

Hoot

Subject: RE: Review: rare video Uncle Dave Macon
From: olddude
Date: 23 Dec 08 - 05:44 PM

Did you guys read his website. His first banjo he bought at a flea market for 7 bucks, the frets were burned off so he played fretless

his dad skinned a groundhog to make the banjo head for him

Oh my gosh

Subject: RE: Review: rare video Uncle Dave Macon
From: olddude
Date: 23 Dec 08 - 04:50 PM

Leroy Troy
Oh my gosh, just watched the video
he is Uncle Dave !!!

Subject: RE: Review: rare video Uncle Dave Macon
From: Mark Ross
Date: 23 Dec 08 - 04:44 PM

Leroy Troy is on YOU TUBE. Actually, he's not old enough to have learned from Uncle Dave(I don't think, Macon died in the early '50's). But he did learn from folks who learned from Uncle Dave.

Mark Ross

Subject: RE: Review: rare video Uncle Dave Macon
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 23 Dec 08 - 04:44 PM

Thanks Dave!   That is truly amazing!!!

I found this video of him - Leroy Troy

Subject: RE: Review: rare video Uncle Dave Macon
From: Uncle_DaveO
Date: 23 Dec 08 - 04:32 PM

If you ever get a chance to see Leroy Troy, do so!

Leroy Troy was what I'd call a disciple of Uncle Dave Macon, and I've seen him perform several times, solo, so that the sonic picture (so to speak) is not covered up by other music. I've seen him perform close up, maybe seven feet away, doing the banjo twirling and juggling, and I assure you that the music goes on, such that if you weren't looking you'd not know he'd done anything but play.

He says that he's been accused (so to speak) of having a tape recorder in the banjo, or a radio, but it's all there in the left hand--he's hammering on and pulling off, even when he twirls the banjo in one plane or the other. Sometimes, when twirling the banjo around the RIGHT hand, he's doing a right-hand pizzicato on the neck as he twirls it. And he learned it all from Uncle Dave, in person (Macon, that is, not me!)

SEE HIM IF YOU CAN!

Dave Oesterreich

Subject: RE: Review: rare video Uncle Dave Macon
From: katlaughing
Date: 23 Dec 08 - 02:18 PM

Ah, the Sound of One Hand Pluckin'!:-) Wonderful video, thanks for posting it! It also led me to another, a slide show of Bascom Lamar Lunsford HERE. REALLY neat!

Subject: RE: Review: rare video Uncle Dave Macon
From: olddude
Date: 23 Dec 08 - 02:10 PM

that is the only video I have ever seen of Uncle Dave. I know there is one that shows him playing in a film about the Opry but I have no clue where this one came from ... I just smile watching him play and having fun. gosh we need more Uncle Dave's in this world today

Subject: RE: Review: rare video Uncle Dave Macon
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 23 Dec 08 - 01:59 PM

He is doing SOME plucking, but it doesn't appear to be anything serious. The recorded sound of the banjo is too complicated for simple one-handed plucking.

Subject: RE: Review: rare video Uncle Dave Macon
From: The Sandman
Date: 23 Dec 08 - 01:51 PM

thanks,I liked the fellow with the hat behind UncleDave,looks like Groucho Marx,with a teacosy on.Uncle Dave,is clearly not playing all the time,but enjoyable none the less,and can Ihave a translation.

Subject: RE: Review: rare video Uncle Dave Macon
From: Ebbie
Date: 23 Dec 08 - 01:46 PM

That's what I thought he was saying but from my view Uncle Dave's hand is not on the strings at all at various points. Quite clearly, imo, there is someone else playing banjo behind him.

Subject: RE: Review: rare video Uncle Dave Macon
From: Desert Dancer
Date: 23 Dec 08 - 01:45 PM

He's definitely doing some left hand plucking when he's got the instrument propped on the floor and is dancing, and when "shooting" the Gatling gun; I'm not so sure about during the twirling.

The Roy Acuff videos that come up with that are pretty cool, too. Sure looks like late '30s, or early 40s at the latest.

~ Becky in Tucson

Subject: RE: Review: rare video Uncle Dave Macon
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 23 Dec 08 - 01:33 PM

Ebbie - did you watch the video?   I think Dave is saying that his left hand is still playing, although I am a bit skeptical myself.

Subject: RE: Review: rare video Uncle Dave Macon
From: Ebbie
Date: 23 Dec 08 - 01:12 PM

I remember Uncle Dave Macon very well and liked him but what do you mean, that he's still playing even when the banjo is twirling? Or am I 'there going again?' I have an unreconstructed tendency to be literal to the point of absurdity.

Subject: RE: Review: rare video Uncle Dave Macon
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 23 Dec 08 - 12:06 PM

I agree with Mark.   Judging by the quality of the film, it does look like an early 40's or late 30's production. Incredible playing.

Subject: RE: Review: rare video Uncle Dave Macon
From: olddude
Date: 23 Dec 08 - 10:35 AM

Thanks Mark

some folks having trouble with the video's may want to first update their flash player on the browser. You can get version 10 of the flash player here

install flash player

thanks
Dan

Subject: RE: Review: rare video Uncle Dave Macon
From: Mark Ross
Date: 23 Dec 08 - 10:11 AM

The film I suspect is GRAND OLD OPRY filmed in the early '40's, and starring Roy Acuff.

Mark Ross

Subject: RE: Review: rare video Uncle Dave Macon
From: olddude
Date: 23 Dec 08 - 09:55 AM

Kendall
PM me your email address and I will email it to you

Dan

Subject: RE: Review: rare video Uncle Dave Macon
From: olddude
Date: 23 Dec 08 - 09:54 AM

Ron
when do you think the film was shot, in the 30's maybe?

what would be your take on it my friend

Dan

Subject: RE: Review: rare video Uncle Dave Macon
From: Uncle_DaveO
Date: 23 Dec 08 - 09:06 AM

For those who don't know, the video doesn't make it very clear that, even when he's juggling the banjo, his playing keeps going. He's doing "left-hand pizzicato", so to speak--that is, hammerons and pulloffs.

Dave Oesterreich

Subject: RE: Review: rare video Uncle Dave Macon
From: kendall
Date: 23 Dec 08 - 08:54 AM

mY CONFUSER WON'T PLAY ANY OF THESE VIDEOS! Damn caps lock.

There is no sound, and they just start to show some movement and then they just stop.

Subject: RE: Review: rare video Uncle Dave Macon
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 22 Dec 08 - 09:35 PM

Technically, Uncle Dave Macon never appeared on video. Uncle Dave Macon died in 1952, before videotape was in use. The clip is actually film!! :)

Subject: RE: Review: rare video Uncle Dave Macon
From: astro
Date: 22 Dec 08 - 09:28 PM

Wow, Desert Dancer and I were blown away with the video...DD didn't know that any video existed of Uncle Dave Macon...pretty great dancing on his part....

Thanks olddude....

Astro and Desert Dancer in Tucson....

Subject: Review: rare video Uncle Dave Macon
From: olddude
Date: 22 Dec 08 - 09:07 PM

What a great video, I only ever heard his music never saw an actual video of Uncle Dave Macon

really cool, can't help but smile

Uncle Dave Macon & his son Dorris