any hints for good banjo cd:s?

Subject: RE: any hints for good banjo cd:s?
From: Pete Peterson
Date: 09 Aug 99 - 11:01 AM

Nobody mentioned Charlie Poole yet, my hero. He didn't do any solo banjo work but it's in the middle of a string band-- many of the Columbia sides are reissued on County 505 and 509 (County Records, Box 191, Floyd VA) somebody DID metnion Paul Cadwell (yea!) but not the people he learned from: Vess Ossman and Fred Van Eps; I know some of those sides have been reissued but can't remember where. also Walt Koken's wonderful clawhammer style like on his CD "Banjonique"; really good listening

Subject: RE: any hints for good banjo cd:s?
From: CarlZen
Date: 09 Aug 99 - 12:10 AM

Susan - Bela's first notoriety was with the "newgrass" group "Newgrass Revival". It is closer to bluegrass than what he does now, but even then he was pushing the barriers of tradition. He has a new CD out of traditional bluegrass (bluegrass people use the word 'tradition' in a different way than folk people). There is also an older release called "Dreadful Snakes" (name of the band).

One of his earliest teachers was Tony Trishka, another banjo player noted for experimentation and seeking the boundaries of the instrument. There is an album on Rounder which is Tony and Bela and no other accompaniment. I have found it difficult listening, but with a lot of rewarding moments.

Another innovative banjoist is Allison Brown. If you like Bela's work you may like Allison's, also.

Tony Trishka has a CD which, if I remember correctly, is called Turning Point. It is a retrospective of American Banjo, of sorts. Of interest on this is a reading of the introduction to a nineteenth century banjo instruction book, read by William Burroughs. I think there was even some punk-rock band playing on some of the later cuts.

Subject: RE: any hints for good banjo cd:s?
From: Don Meixner
Date: 08 Aug 99 - 11:36 PM

I'd add anything by Beuell Kayzee,

Howard Bursen (on Folk-Lethargy)

Paul Cadwell if you can find him.

Billy Faier and Bascom Lamarr Lunsford.

Coon Creek Girls

Granpa Jones.

And the too humble to mention himself, Art Thieme, who has a style of playing that I find to be a very, dare I say pure, folk style.

Don

Subject: RE: any hints for good banjo cd:s?
From: Art Thieme
Date: 08 Aug 99 - 11:18 PM

Also

Cathy Fink---"Banjo Haiku" (may be only on cassette)

Joel Mabus---"Clawhammer Banjo"(may be cass. only)

Stephen Wade---"Dancing In The Parlor"

Pete Steele---on Smithsonian-Folkways

anything of Wade Ward or Pat Dunford.

Subject: RE: any hints for good banjo cd:s?
From: catspaw49
Date: 08 Aug 99 - 10:56 PM

Anders,

If you are interested in a true and authentic Appalachian sound, let me suggest the fretless 5-string sound of Frank Proffitt. Sorry that both of these are on tape and not CD, but you will hear one of the truest sounds of the southern mountains imaginable. Better still, these collections were done by Sandy Paton at Folk Legacy, a very well known, indeed a bit legendary, fellow 'Catter. They are on Custom Cassette and if your interest lies in the Appalachian vein, these are a "must hear." Click on the Custom option at FOLK-LEGACY. I'm about to have to order another set for myself as sister Connie won't give mine back!

You've obviously gotten lots of great suggestions, but if you are after something true to the Appalachians, I assure you, this is it.

catspaw

Subject: RE: any hints for good banjo cd:s?
From: Susan A-R
Date: 08 Aug 99 - 10:29 PM

Is some of the older Bela Fleck more traditional? I really like what he is doing now as well, but it sure isn't folk, and I don't know of anyone who plays the bajo like he does. I happen to think he's amazing and wonderful (and his base player is even more so) but I know that in true folk circles, this may be hereseu. I believe that he did start in the true folk tradition and no matter what folks may sah, he has chops.

Susan

Subject: RE: any hints for good banjo cd:s?
From: Ballygally Whistler
Date: 08 Aug 99 - 10:07 PM

yeeppppp...

Put on a thread for 'Big Pete'......From,,,,, 'Snog The Rock'

Colin

Ballygally

Subject: RE: any hints for good banjo cd:s?
From: Guy Wolff
Date: 08 Aug 99 - 09:30 PM

Hi , If you can find anything by Clarence Tom Ashley he has been the bigest inspiration for my playing!The old records were called "Music from Clarence Tom Ashleys" with Doc Watson. Also anyone playing dances should hear anything from Git Tanner and the Skillet Lickers. Have a great time ,>>><<>>>><<<<<>>>><<<<>><<<<>>><><><><><><>

Subject: RE: any hints for good banjo cd:s?
From: Arnie Naiman
Date: 08 Aug 99 - 01:41 PM

I forgot - one more Reed Martin Old Time Banjo cd - 37 fiddle tunes clearly played - solo banjo -great stuff with 19 pages of liner notes! Reed Martin 6431 79th St. Cabin John, Maryland 20818 U.S.A. Send $15.00 U.S. & he'll send you one

Subject: RE: any hints for good banjo cd:s?
From: CarlZen
Date: 08 Aug 99 - 03:21 AM

The mention of Mike Seeger reminded me that he has a great video on Homespun. It's called "Old Time Banjo Styles Taught by Mike Seeger". Even if one is not planning on actually learning to play the banjo, but is interested in a variety of banjo styles, this video fits the "completely entertaining, informative and educational" category.

It features Doc Watson, Kirk Sutphin, Greg Hooven, Joe and Odell Thompson, and my favorite part of the video is Etta Baker. It is over 90 minutes long and worth every penny.

Subject: RE: any hints for good banjo cd:s?
From: Arnie Naiman
Date: 07 Aug 99 - 03:05 PM

I forgot - Merriweather Records is at 109 Crawford Rose Drive Aurora, Ontario Canada L4G 4S1 email [e-mail]

You must get "Banging & Sawing" on Rounder - Bob Carlin and Look up Walt Koken's website, and get any of his cd's.

Subject: RE: any hints for good banjo cd:s?
From: Arnie Naiman
Date: 07 Aug 99 - 02:53 PM

We have a CD - 18 cuts of old time banjo. "5 Strings Attached With No Backing" by Arnie Naiman and Chris Coole A collection of both traditional and original tunes capturing the beautiful sound of the old time clawhammer and fingerpicking style of the 5 string banjo with guitar accompaniment. Unique versions of old time songs are included along with a variety of instrumentals, which makes for great listening from start to finish. Banjo tunings and keys are documented for the banjo playing enthusiast.

Distribution is now available directly from Merriweather Records @ $15.00 U.S. which includes postage! (all mailing info is listed on back of CD.) or by mail order from: The Record Depot / County Sales 540-745-2001, Elderly Instruments 517-372-7890, House of Musical Traditions 800-540-3794, Andy's Front Hall 518-764-4193 and Camsco Music 800-548-3655.

Another must get is Mike Seeger -Southern Banjo Sounds (Smithsonian Folkways) County Sales has that one.

Subject: RE: any hints for good banjo cd:s?
From: McMusic
Date: 07 Aug 99 - 05:27 AM

Would like to add: Sheila K. Adams, Tommy Jarrell, and Fred Cockerham to the list.

Subject: RE: any hints for good banjo cd:s?
From: CarlZen
Date: 07 Aug 99 - 12:06 AM

"Clawgrass" by Mark Johnson is a very interesting blend of clawhammer technique applied to the bluegrass idiom. He has a second CD which I don't know the name of. Anders Svensson sound like a Scandinavian name. Where do you live? I was just trying to imagine clawhammer banjo fills with Scandinavian 'fiolmusik, viser og sanger'. Now that could be really interesting, or it could start a whole new line of banjo jokes. Has the American banjo-joke repertoire been translated into any of the Norske languages?

CarlZen :-) "Undskyld!!"

Subject: RE: any hints for good banjo cd:s?
From: Paddy
Date: 06 Aug 99 - 07:56 PM

Don't know what I'm doing wrong, but in ordinary english it is "cessna at primenet dot com"

Paddy, Mudcat reads angle brackets < > as HTML commands, and makes them invisible (unless you use complicated codes you don't want to deal with). I fixed the problem for you.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: any hints for good banjo cd:s?
From: Paddy
Date: 06 Aug 99 - 07:54 PM

Sorry' Here's Chris' e-mail: [e-mail]

Subject: RE: any hints for good banjo cd:s?
From: Paddy
Date: 06 Aug 99 - 07:49 PM

Some people say you can't play Irish music on a five-string, but they forgot to tell Chris Grotewohl. His CD "Under the Influence" will knock your socks off. Write to Fifth String Music, P.O. Box 1393, Mission, KS 66222 USA. Or e-mail . Both addresses were current as of Jan '97.

Good luck!

Subject: RE: any hints for good banjo cd:s?
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 06 Aug 99 - 07:47 PM

Anders, Mudcatter Arnie Naiman with his friend Chris Coole have put out a superb album of clawhammer tunes. It's called "5 strings, No Backing". I'm sure Arnie will notice this thread and let you know how to get it. It's REALLY good!
Rick

Subject: RE: any hints for good banjo cd:s?
From: bseed(charleskratz)
Date: 06 Aug 99 - 05:21 PM

Anders, my recommendation would be Dwight Diller. I'm listening to his "Just Banjo '99" and it is about the best clawhammer I've ever heard, all solo so you really can hear every note (whether you can play them or not, I don't know, but he's got an instructional video coming out in the fall). If your local store doesn't carry any of his stuff, you can eMail him at [e-mail]. He also has an online site with a discography (which doesn't yet include the one I'm listening to):

http://www.pitt.edu/~gebanks/pers/DDdisc.html

--seed

Subject: RE: any hints for good banjo cd:s?
From: Paul O'Brien
Date: 06 Aug 99 - 04:51 PM

Just try any Gerry O'Connor cd

Time to Time for example

Subject: RE: any hints for good banjo cd:s?
From: CarlZen
Date: 06 Aug 99 - 03:43 PM

Arhoolie CD 421 ------- Masters of the Banjo

Recorded from a live tour which featured mastrers in several styles from African to Newgrass with lots in between.

Subject: RE: any hints for good banjo cd:s?
From: Peter T.
Date: 06 Aug 99 - 03:30 PM

Dear Anders, If you like old, cold, bone music, you should try Dock Boggs (both the early recordings in the 1920s) and the later ones (now available from Smithsonian/Folkways). Roscoe Holcomb is another of the same variety. We have had some recent threads on classic Bill Monroe, The Monroe Brothers and so on. This is not exactly contemporary bluegrass, but basic! Lost of people here are more expert than me, but I just happen to be listening to these these days.
yours, Peter T.

Subject: Banjo cd:s
From: Anders Svensson
Date: 06 Aug 99 - 03:13 PM

Anyone who can recomend good banjocd:s with great players like Ken Perlman? Clawhammer, bluegrass whatever but only good ones. Any cd with frailing celtic reels perhaps? Or a good cd with old time music (I love the mountain minor tuning!) I live in Sweden and I can tell you that it is nearly inpossible to get quality banjo recordings here... The stores dosen´t bother to import those records from Us etc..

Please help me Mudcatters so I can enjoy the greatmusic!!

Thanks for your concern!!

Anders