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frailin - Posted - 04/30/2008: 12:12:19
John Hartford?
I'd like to humbly offer, YES! Now. Can anyone help me prove it? There's a reason I want this to happen. Please read on.
Ok, normally I'm not really into this sort of thing (who's better, faster, yadayada) but I was driving around today listening to my Gum Tree Canoe CD and missing John.
One cut in particular jumped out at me... cut #5. It's called Jug Harris. As sure as I'm typing here, IknowIknowIknow, the first 20 seconds of that tune contain some of the fastest banjo ever played. Trouble is, I don't have any technology capable of helping me slow it down and count how many notes per second he's actually playing. Can someone help me with this?
Ok, so here's my motivation to do this, years after John is gone.
Three years back, I befriended John's PR person of 20 years. She told me that John once said he had only 1 regret, and that was that he never felt he was taken seriously as a banjo player by the music community. I'm not going to debate whether that's really the case or not, but I DO know that if we CAN prove he really IS the fastest player ever, that that's something we can all do for him now. Personally, I'd really like to do anything I can to honor his talent and enormous contribution to music.
Can someone out there in BHO land take a closer look at that tune and see just how fast he really is playing?
Oh. One more thing.
I'm a big fan of Todd Taylor. I applaud his record setting skills! I haven't talked to him about this groundswell effort in John's behalf, but I know without any doubt, being the gentleman he is, Todd would be one of the first to endorse this effort.
Ok. Who can help?
"Gospel. The most powerful music in this world and the next."
www.frailin.com
www.myspace.com/frailin
www.myspace.com/singletonstreet
www.myspace.com/eelpouts
Edited by - frailin on 04/30/2008 12:19:16
xnavyguy - Posted - 04/30/2008: 12:18:45
Frailin, If you can get it on your PC in WAV format, I believe you could use the free Audacity software to change the speed to something that would allow you to count the licks.
Jerry
xnavyguy - Posted - 04/30/2008: 12:21:16
Or, if you could email me a copy in MP3 or WAV format, I might be able to help. suprtool@swbell.net
Jerry
Granada90 - Posted - 04/30/2008: 12:43:38
I do respect how you feel but I personally admired John's banjo playing. It seemed to fit what HE was singing about. I felt the Mississippi, the river boat, etc. Some of my favorite groups have recorded his music. HE is one of my top 5 song writers. -------Ok, I learned the break to Lorena! and a few more! Very talented man, indeed! HE is the book of the top 30 banjo players, produced by Triscka and Wernick. Good luck in your time study!
If the banjr's too loud, yer too old!
The Josh - Posted - 04/30/2008: 12:48:39
I hope John wins I disliked todd taylors interpretaion of duelling banjos and didnt think it was that good
You laugh at me because i'm different, I laugh because I just farted -anom
banjo13 - Posted - 04/30/2008: 12:57:52
Good luck but regardless of whether he is or is not the fastest he is one of the best musicians in my opinion. One thing is for sure though, I bet he could have picked faster than anyone else while tap dancing!
Tyler Greene
"The roots of the present lie deep in the past"
JohnTheWhite - Posted - 04/30/2008: 13:00:55
While we're worried about who is the FASTEST who will be worried about writing the next "Gentle on My Mind"?
RONLD - Posted - 04/30/2008: 13:16:16
I thought Johnny Butten currently holds the record for the fastest banjo picker! There is alot of folks that could possibly pick a little faster,but will never come forward..........
Job 33:4
Alex Z - Posted - 04/30/2008: 13:17:50
John Hartford was a very inventive player. The notes he played and the techniques he played them with were often far different from traditional bluegrass picking. It seemed that he did not recognize the limits of traditional styles, but invented his own to fit the music. A "banjo picker's banjo picker," as they say. Always interesting what he would come up with.
frailin: Perhaps count the beats in a passage from "Jug Harris" and then multiply by 4 -- 4 notes per beat.
Alex Z
ks - Posted - 04/30/2008: 13:43:25
I just dont see how anybody could play faster than Jens Kruger
goodhands - Posted - 04/30/2008: 14:29:34
In his video "The Banjo According to John Hartford" he demonstrates how he does his fast playing. If you've never seen these two videos they are worth looking at.
John
just tryin not to rub people the wrong way
oldwoodchuckb - Posted - 04/30/2008: 14:41:26
Thing is, that if you do everything well, you don't get credit for anything - save as an "entertainer"
That's what happened to Louis Armstrong, one of the finest cornet soloists of his generation, and the man who practically defined jazz arranging, and who could tastefully accompany singers from Bessie Smith to Bing Crosby to Billie Holiday to Tony Bennet, and who.... see what I mean?
Rocket Science Banjo, Chapters 1 - 4.6 REVISED and 25 EZ tunes are ready now
oldwoodchuckb@yahoo.com
You can watch the videos for some Rocket Science Banjo subjects starting here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HdRuf4X0X7g
Banjo Brad is hosting How To Mold A Mighty Pinky adn other material at
http://home.thegrid.net/~fjbrad/id20.html
Banjocoltrane - Posted - 04/30/2008: 16:39:46
quote:
Originally posted by frailin
I'm a big fan of Todd Taylor. I applaud his record setting skills! I haven't talked to him about this groundswell effort in John's behalf, but I know without any doubt, being the gentleman he is, Todd would be one of the first to endorse this effort.
treet
You are talking about this guy?
http://www.myspace.com/toddtaylorbanjoman Just take a look at his website.
He has "guiness world record holder fastest banjo" listed as the CITY where he is from on his myspace profile???? LMAO!!!!!!!!!! Not to mention "im the fastest" plastered over his entire site.
He's been smoked by Johnny Butten and he won't admit defeat...and you think he is gonna help you in your efforts to prove Hartford as the fastest banjo player?
"TAB is like Gerbers.....music can't be spoon-fed to ya forever."
http://www.jodyhughesmusic.com
RB11 Player - Posted - 04/30/2008: 18:32:41
Whats all this talk? I thought Johnny Butten is on top of the hill right now. I'm sure someday Johnny will get beat. Maybe it will be Todd 
stanger - Posted - 04/30/2008: 18:34:04
Hi, Craig...
John could be blazing fast. I noticed it like you did, but on a different record, a long time ago.
I doubt that Guiness would ever recognize him, though, unless John recorded Foggy Mtn. Breakdown. Guiness got to choose the tune, and Todd and Johnny both had to play Dueling Banjos for their record attempts- and Duelin' is simply a terrible tune, the worst, to use as a solo attempt. Guinness caught so much crap about it that Foggy Mtn. is now the official tune to use, but I can't help but wonder what Peer Publishing will have to say about it- they guard the rights very closely.
Jody...
While I think it's all a stunt, and I didn't like Todd's version very much either, in his defense it should be noted that he was as sick as a dog the day he set the record. The vid I saw of him on YouTube showed he was pale and sweating, and he was running a high temp at the time. Considering the conditions, I doubt either of us would have done any better. For sure, Todd is a better player than he was during the attempt- the object was speed first, not how good it sounded.
And Todd has a chronic illness as well. He may never be able to play as fast in the years he has left. If the speed record helps his career, what's the harm?
regards,
Stanger
The pen is mightier than the pigs.
george t kelly - Posted - 04/30/2008: 19:26:48
Todd Taylor in his younger playing would be hard to be smoked by any banjo picker. he played many hours a day. Five to Six days a week .
dmiller - Posted - 04/30/2008: 19:45:53
quote:
Originally posted by frailin
Ok, so here's my motivation to do this, years after John is gone.
Three years back, I befriended John's PR person of 20 years. She told me that John once said he had only 1 regret, and that was that he never felt he was taken seriously as a banjo player by the music community. I'm not going to debate whether that's really the case or not, but I DO know that if we CAN prove he really IS the fastest player ever, that that's something we can all do for him now. Personally, I'd really like to do anything I can to honor his talent and enormous contribution to music.
"Gospel. The most powerful music in this world and the next."
Hi there Craig. Greetings from Duluth. I took the liberty of only quoting a part of your post, and bolding the last sentence, which I felt was the most important. I agree that John's talent and enormous contribution should be recognized and lauded any and every chance we get. I'm not (however) sure that the title of *world's fastest" would do him complete justice though. He certainly could pick quick, but he was SO MUCH more than just a fast banjo picker.
When I think of him, I think of the consummate musician/ singer-songwriter/ performer/ entertainer/ etc. His fast and fancy licks were certainly evident and prolific, but I think he used them more as a punctuation mark in his songs and tunes which were some pretty pointed and astute musical comments about the life and times of many folks putting up with *life as it was being handed to them*.
It's sad that he didn't think he was taken seriously as a banjo player (as reported by the PR person), because I have always thought he was great. And there's a bunch of other folks who took him very seriously too --- all over the globe, in fact. (But you knew that already, eh?) 
He's one of the few who could get on stage by himself with banjo, guitar, and fiddle (and an amplified piece of plywood for him to clog on), and hold an audience enthralled for the entire show. I've got a bunch of old issues of FRETS magazines here at the house (it's now a defunct publication), and in one of those issues, it has a "foot-lature" section (TAB for the feet --- if you will), where he describes his foot moves while clogging in time with the tunes he was playing.
When I think of John --- I think entertainer who picks the banjo, first and foremost. Always have, and always will. All those other attributes I mentioned above fit in the total picture too of who he was and what he offered to the world --- but the picture I have in my mind is always of him holding the 5, on stage, and captivating audiences with his wit, wisdom, humor and versatility.
To relegate him to *one title* (such as fastest banjo picker) would detract from all he's done through the years in the over all scheme of things. (IMO) Here's hoping this all makes sense to you. I understand where you are coming from but in all honesty --- I think he deserves a better title than *World's Fastest Banjo Picker*. World records are made to be broken. I think that what he's accomplished can NEVER be duplicated, much less superceded.
Edited by - dmiller on 04/30/2008 19:49:52
mike gregory - Posted - 04/30/2008: 20:01:35
I don't know what John meant about the "banjo community" respecting him.
I do remember,at one live performance, I leaned over and whispered to Irene
"He's FAKING it! There aren't that many notes ON a banjo!"
=):{ )
Mike Gregory, Banjo Maker Infraordinaire
When I say my instruments are as good as anything Gibson or Martin ever made,
I mean MEL Gibson and DEAN Martin!
My banjos can be seen on my own website
http://littlebanjos.lunare.net
Banjocoltrane - Posted - 04/30/2008: 20:17:49
It's not about how good/bad he played deuling banjos....didn't even mention that ONCE...it's about whether he still holds the record or whether he won't let go of it
"TAB is like Gerbers.....music can't be spoon-fed to ya forever."
http://www.jodyhughesmusic.com
Edited by - Banjocoltrane on 04/30/2008 20:19:57
pastorharry - Posted - 04/30/2008: 20:21:30
IMNSHO.....none of them hold a candle to Bobby Thompson. Check out "Thompson picks some more " # 5 "Fire on the banjo".if you don't believe me,and get out the timer thingys if just listening doesn't floor you.
Isaiah 38:20
Gibson RB250
Goose acres
Edited by - pastorharry on 05/01/2008 00:42:58
PyrPups - Posted - 04/30/2008: 20:36:22
Very nicely put Dave. "Showman Extraordinaire" sure fits John. He is in a category all his own and that is "One of the World's Greatest" in my book. All the top pickers today excel in their own "category" in my mind. As far as "world's fastest" is concerned, unfortunately the Guinness people would have a serious problem making that award posthumously. Where it stands right now is in the hands of Johnny Butten. I have personally seen and heard him pick numerous tunes and accelerate through them to oblivious speeds. The record was broken by him because it stood there to be broken. I'm sure that when his record is broken, Mr. Butten will be the first there to slap them on the back and buy them a "Guinness Stout". A cold one I might add as Johnny Butten is now living in the US and learning that the Americans drink theirs ice cold. What I can't fathom is those that chose to make the record setting a personal thing when that was the farthest from the truth. Everybody has their own favorite lightning fast picker (Bobby Thompson and Raymond Fairchild are there for me). According to Guinness, the fact of the matter is Mr. Johnny Butten now holds that record fair and square and that doesn't diminish all the other lightning fast pickers one iota. It just sets the stage for a free Guinness Stout...warm or ice cold!
Kerry
You'll never see Kerry's Harley parked in front of a Psychiatrist's office!
Edited by - PyrPups on 04/30/2008 20:39:35
Banjoman - Posted - 04/30/2008: 20:50:33
They should have use a different tune for the touchstone...DB is a junk tune for this, it should be a a tune like FMB and there should be a standard set that everyone must play the SAME notes meaning the same arr. and if you miss a note, you lose.
Hugh
Picking since 1964
“...Bobby Thompson? He is the future! He has this whole new style-you can hear the melody! 'Hard Hearted' 'Dixie Hoedown!' Oh my!”---John Updike
Click Here: Banjo Hangout Rules & Guidelines.
Click Here: Bobby Thompson's Home Page
MiltonZuc - Posted - 04/30/2008: 22:08:00
This is a funny topic. I didn't know they kept records for banjo speed. Without having done any reasearch on it, I gave my "unofficial award" to Bela Fleck after listening to his amazing "Perpetual Motion" disc. Maybe it's not the fastest banjo playing there is, but it sure made my jaw drop.
Milton
stanger - Posted - 04/30/2008: 23:37:19
quote:
Originally posted by Banjoman
They should have use a different tune for the touchstone...DB is a junk tune for this, it should be a a tune like FMB and there should be a standard set that everyone must play the SAME notes meaning the same arr. and if you miss a note, you lose.
Hugh
Picking since 1964
Yup, for sure, Hugh.
Before another attempt is made, the rules really do need to be tightened up. But I disagree with the mistake thing- at over 200 bpm, it's all about speed. If a blown note doesn't mess the player up, so be it. I think the tune has to be recognizeable, though.
I listened to Todd's and Johnny's playing, and two different timing devices were also used in their attempts. Todd played to an electronic metronome, and Johnny played to a drum machine. Johnny's speed as indicated on the machine was faster, but it seemed Todd was actually playing faster; but my impression may have come from the difference between an electronic tick-tock and a full robot drum set. They were both headache fast.
I met a guy last fall who could probably play faster than either of them, but I doubt he could hold his speed even through the whole tune. He was incredibly fast, but had very poor timing, and tended to play in just short bursts.
regards,
Stanger
The pen is mightier than the pigs.
dmiller - Posted - 05/01/2008: 00:27:49
quote:
Originally posted by pastorharry
IMNSHO.....none of them hold a candle to Bobby Thompson. Check out "Thompson picks some more "if you don't believe me,and get out the timer thingys if just listening doesn't floor you.
Isaiah 38:20
Gibson RB250
Goose acres
Hello Pastor Harry.
Given the matter at hand, I'm thinking that *Greatness* is a subjective thing.
There are CERTAINLY many pickers out there who can out-shine others.
Bobby was better than most, but I would prefer to hear John for a show over him.
Earl certainly knows a thing or two, but if it came to clawhammer,
I'd rather listen to Bob Carlin.
For what it's worth (my IMO only), I did used to be into *who was the best*.
These days --- I sit back and enjoy it all.
I can agree wholeheartedly with Frailing about the accolades for John.
I only wish he were alive, to hear us talking about him now.
Perhaps it might help him *be at peace*. Who knows?
george t kelly - Posted - 05/01/2008: 17:43:33
Pastor Harry.i will agree with you on Bobby Thompson. In my( I M O ) of all the banjo picker's i have listened to in sixty four years. If i had to pick one out to pay to play a banjo . Bobby is the picker. As to fast picker's Vic Jordan was one.
Banjoman - Posted - 05/01/2008: 19:06:30
I don't think fast is where it's at. Playing fast is what a layman thinks we banjoists do but what we really should be doing is playing crisp and clean...And by doing that we banjoists will give the elusion of playing fast which is what the layman hears in the first place. Earl never played at the speeds some are trying today but the people were amazed at his “speed” when all he was doing was playing clean.
Hugh
Picking since 1964
“...Bobby Thompson? He is the future! He has this whole new style-you can hear the melody! 'Hard Hearted' 'Dixie Hoedown!' Oh my!”---John Updike
Click Here: Banjo Hangout Rules & Guidelines.
Click Here: Bobby Thompson's Home Page
dmiller - Posted - 05/01/2008: 23:16:50
quote:
Originally posted by Banjoman
I don't think fast is where it's at. Playing fast is what a layman thinks we banjoists do but what we really should be doing is playing crisp and clean...And by doing that we banjoists will give the illusion of playing fast which is what the layman hears in the first place. Earl never played at the speeds some are trying today but the people were amazed at his “speed” when all he was doing was playing clean.
Hugh
Picking since 1964
Hugh --- good observation. (I hadn't thought it through to that point). But I have to agree. I've picked in front of folks many times, and MANY have commented on the *QUICKNESS* of the music, etc., I'm guessing they look at the fingers moving, hear an upbeat tempo, and assume everything is moving fast, when in actuality it isn't.
It's just being picked clean --- like it should be.
Retropicker - Posted - 05/02/2008: 03:55:31
quote:
Originally posted by ks
I just dont see how anybody could play faster than Jens Kruger
Bela..
I read once that JH (Big fan here!) used his left hand to pick also which essentially had some 5-6 finger picking going on.
____Keep the hay in Bluegrass__________________________
joebiker - Posted - 05/02/2008: 04:43:15
I have listened to the speed wars and here's my take..Who gives a rat's patootie who can play the fastest..I bought Todds album and to be perfectly honest...speed for speed's sake is not all it's cracked up to be. Anyone want a free TT album?.There are stadiums full of better sounding players right here on the BHO who's music I would pay to own...Todd Taylor and Johnny Buttens rapidity is just that..not clean, not pure and the song that they are trying to speed through gets lost in the action.
If you can't here the song..it's simply noise....'Course, my opinion is probably worth what you paid for it...Hugh is right in my opinion.
The speedsters remind me of the sport bike crowds on our streets.
Somethings never change with time, there's nothing better than a lick!
Joebiker
Edited by - joebiker on 05/02/2008 04:45:03
BanjoDiva - Posted - 05/02/2008: 15:11:07
I don't think we can have a serious discussion about fast pickers without throwing Raymond Fairchild in the mix.
Hugh, I agree 100% about the structure of setting the record. If the two performances were held to scientific standards, it would be deemed "junk science". Not because of any mistake or weakness by either Taylor or Butten, but because you can't legitimately compare the two performances unless they are held under identical, strictly controlled circumstances.
Diva
__________________________________________________________________________
“With a little training, he’d make a good idiot.” -- Cousin Jake
Banjoitus - Posted - 05/02/2008: 19:24:47
Hey, maybe someone should give the same advice to these two that has been given time and time again on these boards. SLOW down and learn to pick cleanly and with good timing! 
Earl's mama once told him when he was playing with too many notes and too fast. "What's the good of playing a song if folks don't know what it is."
mr_difficult - Posted - 05/02/2008: 19:47:58
1) I agree songs can be played too fast.
2) I agree you should learn to play slow and pick cleanly
BUT...... I'm tired of people responding to the notion of "World's Fastest Banjo Player" with response of ...."they should slow down" ..."you can't hear the melody" ..."I like to play things slow and clean"....
It's a speed contest. That's it. That's the point. Responses like the ones above are like watching a track and field event an then commenting "I don't understand why they are running so fast, they can't even see the scenery".
We all understand that playing fast is not the point of playing banjo, but playing fast is the point of a fast banjo playing competition.
plunka5 - Posted - 05/02/2008: 20:29:47
I truly believe that speed was the least of John Hartford's concerns. I do believe TONE was one of his major concerns. He developed a tone that was unique to him, and to me that is what he is best remembered by anyone who has listened at any time period in his career, to any of his recordings. His big phat tone on the low-tuned banjo...his big phat tone rattling the strings of his wood-rimmed banjos...his tone on his fiddle, whilst mouthing either the words or phrases while he was playing....I remember John most by remembering these things about him. Oh yeah, he could play fast as well, sometimes doing multiple pull-offs, and hammer-ons at breakneck speed...but above all...TONE!
my hand is out of tune...hold on a second...
Goldstarman - Posted - 05/02/2008: 21:42:52
Not a fan OfTodd Taylors at all, but in visiting his page on my space I noticed his version of up 18 north and it was pretty good
dmiller - Posted - 05/02/2008: 22:25:01
quote:
Originally posted by mr_difficult
It's a speed contest. That's it. That's the point. Responses like the ones above are like watching a track and field event an then commenting "I don't understand why they are running so fast, they can't even see the scenery".
We all understand that playing fast is not the point of playing banjo, but playing fast is the point of a fast banjo playing competition.
HA!! I just HAD to bold part of your comment from above!
THAT was an astute comment/ observation!!! 
Thor - Posted - 05/03/2008: 03:40:59
RE: Jug Harris:
In "Masters of the 5-String Banjo" Tony (or Pete), in the description of the Jug Harris tab:
"A great example of John's full-tilt pulloff style.
This vies for the fastest banjo tune ever recorded. It may seem easy, but try some of those double pullofs at breakneck speed. Start slowly and work it up from there."
frailin - Posted - 05/03/2008: 06:00:56
quote:
Oh yeah, he could play fast as well, sometimes doing multiple pull-offs, and hammer-ons at breakneck speed...but above all...TONE!
Plunka5
Interesting discovery in the liner notes. John is playing a STELLING with a wood tone ring on this banjo. I didn't even know he experimented with a Stelling.
I checked it out.
Here's the descriptive write up from Stelling's serial #/chronology page:
1982 - No. 2434 - Woodtone Bellflower built for John Hartford.
And then two in 1983 -
No. 2500 - First Timbertone model. Made for John Hartford. No name on rim. Standard peghead.
No. 2549 - First Hartford Model T model.
Finally in 1993 -
No. 4003 - Last Hartford Model T made.
"Gospel. The most powerful music in this world and the next."
www.frailin.comwww.myspace.com/frailinwww.myspace.com/singletonstreetwww.myspace.com/eelpouts
plunka5 - Posted - 05/03/2008: 15:01:18
Now that's what I'm talkin' about Craig....Thanks for the pic!
my hand is out of tune...hold on a second...
Banjocoltrane - Posted - 05/03/2008: 15:13:24
quote:
Originally posted by dmiller
quote:
Originally posted by mr_difficult
It's a speed contest. That's it. That's the point. Responses like the ones above are like watching a track and field event an then commenting "I don't understand why they are running so fast, they can't even see the scenery".
HA!! I just HAD to bold part of your comment from above!
THAT was an astute comment/ observation!!!
I actually didnt think it was...a track and field event and THIS particular "worlds fastest banjo contest" have little in common...there are established rules/regulations in a track n field event whereas this "contest" is pretty much a disaster. A contest lacking logical rules.
In a track in field event if you "trip over your feet" and fall down, you are gonna lose...lol
"TAB is like Gerbers.....music can't be spoon-fed to ya forever."
http://www.jodyhughesmusic.com
JimD - Posted - 05/03/2008: 16:44:24
I know I'm going to be sorry I commented but...
"World's Fastest Banjo Player"?
It's this kind of "stuff" that keeps us from being considered real musicians.
If you want sports, there is no shortage of actual sports.
Let's keep music as an art.
Yikes!
Jim Dalton
Pitts - Posted - 05/03/2008: 20:49:08
"Greatest Banjo player of the century"? Is it just me, or is that a very bold(not to mention Impropable) remark?
Theres no such thing as a bluegrass banjo that's too fancy.
There's also no such thing as an old-time banjo that's too simple.
Goldstarman - Posted - 05/03/2008: 21:42:34
maybe if he lived in the 17th century..LOL..Ok Im joking
pick1936 - Posted - 05/04/2008: 08:59:31
Don Reno's, ( GREEN MTN. HOP ),,which is a fast version ( BLACK MTN. RAG ) I would say Don's pickin on that would set a speed record?,, But BOBBY THOMPSON,, was super fast,, and ( CLEAN ) In My opinnion Bobby was the absolute GREATEST...
pick the banjer son.
Lee Kelso
banjoplayer54 - Posted - 05/05/2008: 04:17:31
Hi Craig,
Using a metronome is the only true way of measuring one's notation speed as you probably know. As for the fastest player, I feel with some of the others here, "Who's gonna write the next Gentle On My Mind"? Todd Taylor is recognized as the fastest by Guiness using a metronome. That's what he persued. He is a very humble person and would probably love to assist you. IMO it's not the speed but the tonal quality and bottom line what's coming from your heart all the way down to your fingertips that's the most important. John Hartford is an icon and in the top five of my all time favorites.
Larry Waisner
The LORD Works In Wonderful Way's
budbennett - Posted - 05/05/2008: 05:29:25
a word about john feeling at peace-
when i was a kid i saw john hartford at a festival and i loved it. at some point later that day i was sitting off alone feeling dejected like kids will do and john came and sat down beside me and we just chatted a while- nothing earth shattering, just the great john hartford sitting talking to a kid- but i tell you, THAT mattered and i won't soon forget it. we chatted about playing banjo and he encouraged me to play what i felt like and what i heard inside and to try and stay true to that. we chatted about people and music and how great it felt to sit leaning against a tree. john was a special guy. i saw him many times after that and only twice sat and talked to him, once i got a picture of him holding my daughter, once i got a picture of him and i standing together. when i heard he'd died i listened to In Tall Buildings and could barely get through it, still to this day that tune chokes me up to the max.
i think john knows we all love him and remember our times with him. is john at peace, i think so. he was one of the greats on many levels.
Banjocoltrane - Posted - 05/05/2008: 07:09:04
quote:
Originally posted by pick1936
Don Reno's, ( GREEN MTN. HOP ),,which is a fast version ( BLACK MTN. RAG ) I would say Don's pickin on that would set a speed record?,, But BOBBY THOMPSON,, was super fast,, and ( CLEAN ) In My opinnion Bobby was the absolute GREATEST...
pick the banjer son.
Lee Kelso
Green Mt Hop isn't as fast as it sounds...Don is one of my favorites and was a genius but it's definitely not the fastest banjo ive heard.
That song made me think...There is a guy named Kenny Haney around here that plays kinda like Raymond Fairchild that is fast...he is probably the smoothest "fast" banjo player i've heard.
"TAB is like Gerbers.....music can't be spoon-fed to ya forever."
http://www.jodyhughesmusic.com
memphobanjo - Posted - 05/08/2008: 18:48:52
Who cares who's the fastest all i know is that john hartfoed/don reno/bobby thompson were the best 3 banjo players to ever grace this earth.
Play your banjo and tell everybody to kiss your butt!!!
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