MarchMedia "Stanley Style Banjo" by Steve Sparkman submitted 7/6/2008 Submitter Dr Ralph (see all reviews from this person) Where Purchased Internet Overall Comments I, like most fans of the amazing Dr Ralph Stanley have yearned to know the secrets of that "Stanley Sound"..... well, now my dreams have been answered I have just received my copy of the long awaited DVD "Stanley Style Banjo" by the amazing Steve Sparkman & boy was it worth the wait. It covers everything you need to know from placing your capo through to those intricate little differences that set Dr Ralph Stanley apart from all the other great Banjo pickers of the day. It is now widely accepted that Steve Sparkman is the best "Stanley Style" picker in the world today... in fact if you look up Ralph Stanley in the English Dictionary it says "Steve Sparkman"! Seriously though, if you want to pick that Stanley Style Banjo you just gotta get Steves new DVD For more details see: http://www.stevesparkman.com/ Overall Rating 10

MarchMedia "Stanley Style Banjo" by Steve Sparkman submitted 6/16/2008 Submitter gottasmilealot (see all reviews from this person) Where Purchased http://www.stanleystylebanjo.com/ Overall Comments This is the best instructional aid I've seen for the playing style of Ralph Stanley. Better than Ralph's video of years ago, in my opinion. The material is presented by Steve Sparkman, the banjo picker for Ralph Stanley's Clinch Mountain Boys, with the help of guitarist James Allen Shelton. The audio and image quality is better than average. The presentation style of the two talking about Ralph's style with explanations and examples of his nuances and licks comes off well in an easy to digest format that's not boring. Well edited split screen shots allow both the picking and fretting hands to be seen as passages are played so learning is easier. While some songs are played, it's not particularly a video of how to play each song, but rather one of showing the components of Ralph's style with some particulars that relate to various songs to give the viewer the tools needed to go forth and learn more of Ralph's material. Steve's machine gun right hand picking is sure to rekindle interest in this picking style for many who are learning. This is a well produced project that's a must-have for those interested in the playing style of Ralph Stanley. Overall Rating 10

Omnibus Media The Complete 5-String Banjo Player submitted 6/10/2008 Submitter Kevin B (see all reviews from this person) Where Purchased Amazon Overall Comments I just picked up the Tony Trischka "The Complete 5-String Banjo" Book, CD, and DVD. I got it because the ad promised "The History of the Banjo." I highly recommend it. Great book and CD, 1 hour of instruction on the DVD. While basically an instruction set, for me, the best part of all is the concert footage extra included on the DVD. Tony does a concert with his band and an excellent narrator where he plays a banjo evolution. He starts with a gourd banjo, followed by a minstrel banjo, then a turn of the century style open back and finally a bluegrass banjo. He chronicles the significance of the styles used on each instrument and finshes with contemporary arrangements of his own. Really a good experience for any style of five string player enthusiast. The book has an excellent bio synopsis on several of the key trand setting players of bluegrass banjo and samplings of their styles in tablature. A must read, listen and watch set. Overall Rating 9

Homespun Video Banjo technique of Jens Kruger submitted 5/29/2008 Submitter davey (see all reviews from this person) Where Purchased Eagle music ( UK ) Overall Comments If Banjo music moves you, I strongly urge you to obtain a copy of Jens Krugers DVD. It is absolutely fabulous. For me, Tony Trischka WAS no'1. Until I saw Jens. What a total master. His music ( original tunes ) are quite moving. I was fairly spell bound watching this, and I have seen many great Banjo players in my time. Do yourself a huge favour. Whatever your level, get this DVD. I promise you will love it. Overall Rating 10

John McKeuen A Night In The Ozarks submitted 3/15/2008 Submitter RB5 (see all reviews from this person) Where Purchased Janet Davis Music Overall Comments This is a brilliant film produced and directed by John McKeuen.It's all about the legendary music of the Dillards. It brings you to the Dillards homested where you get to sit in on one of the Dillards living room and back porch jam sessions. With the other Dillards family members jumping in with an occasional tune and dance. McKeuen magically captures that wondeful down home, natural acoustic sound experience with the appropriate ambiance that you would find playing around the kitchen table and freezes it in time on this DVD for everybody to experience. This is an absolute must buy DVD for your collection. It is filmed with camara angles that allow you to savour every one of Doug's banjo licks. The sound quality is exellent and the picture quality is great. Part two features conversations with Doug, Rodney and Mitch and one tune with John McKeuen playing his florentine banjo with the Dillards. It ends with some directors notes from John McKeuen. A must have folks. Overall Rating 10

Homespun Video Trischka's Bluegrass Banjo Tunes and Techniques submitted 3/6/2008 Submitter 72chevy (see all reviews from this person) Where Purchased workshop Overall Comments This is a great DVD worth every cent. Complete with a dozen songs, lots of technique, and a bonus back up tracks section to play along what you have learned. Tony really gives great instruction IMO. The Best. Overall Rating 8

Rounder Alison Krauss - Union Station Live submitted 2/4/2008 Submitter erstokke (see all reviews from this person) Where Purchased www.play.com Overall Comments All alone in a hotel room in Helsinki, Finland, I started up the old iBook and the DVD "Alison Krauss and Union Station Live" which I haven't seen before. What a great performance! This supergroup is great because there seems not be competition between the musicians, they are all contributing to the total musical experience. Jerry Douglas - "the world's greatest dobro player - ever". No need to say anything more. Dan Tyminsky - Great voice, great fun, "the one of the Soggy Mtn Boys with the soggiest bottom". Barry Bales the bass player - steady as a rock and great singing, too. BHO's own Ron Block, Not looking much at the audience, but communicating through really great playing on both banjo and guitar. And singing, too. And of course Alison with her natural down to earth ways of communicating with the audience. Great fiddle playing and the voice of an angel. The theatre is great, sound and pictures are great - this is just a very good music DVD. I think AKUS is doing a great job bringing bluegrass music to a new level. And there are no cowboy hats! Overall Rating 10

Woodhall Music A Masters Class with Jayme Stone submitted 1/20/2008 Submitter wayne biggers (see all reviews from this person) Where Purchased E-Bay Overall Comments Jayme offers a different approach to a wide variety of banjo playing techniques. Truely inovative and fresh with a vast amount of information. Fun for the novice but really for the more advanced player. If you have played the banjo for awhile, this is a must have. Great work Jayme! Overall Rating 10

Shanachie Entertainment Flatt & Scruggs TV Shows submitted 12/30/2007 Submitter Kevin B (see all reviews from this person) Where Purchased Elderly Instruments Overall Comments For Christmas I got all four volumes. I will pick up any more they release (If there are more releases down the road). There is nothing like seeing Lester and Earl and the Foggy Mountain Boys. I like watching them work the mics. The song selection is great. Good gospel numbers and bluegrass srandards. There is some good guitar work by Earl Scruggs (A side of Earl some may not know about) Some great guest stars (7 year old Ricky Skaggs on vol. 3!!) Good comedy bits and enjoyable commericals. If you buy no other entertainment DVD's buy these. Typical late 50's early 60's film quality. Don't let that stop you. These are a can't miss hit. At the time Elderly had the best price at $15 each. Overall Rating 10

Acutab Power Pickin - Down the neck backup submitted 11/14/2007 Submitter 72chevy (see all reviews from this person) Where Purchased Janet Davis Overall Comments This has been my favorite instructional material thus far 2 years into learning. The quality is TOP NOTCH, well laid out, and will make me buy more from them FOR SURE. Overall Rating 9

Shanachie Entertainment Flatt & Scruggs TV Shows submitted 11/12/2007 Submitter Jaminbanjo (see all reviews from this person) Where Purchased Barns & Noble Overall Comments These are great!!! Just to see them play is a real treat. Overall Rating 10

Shanachie Entertainment Flatt & Scruggs TV Shows submitted 11/6/2007 Submitter klgera (see all reviews from this person) Where Purchased Elderly & Janet Davis Overall Comments These are a must see for Earl Scruggs fan and bluegrass fans in general. These programs show Lester and Earl and the Foggy Mountain Boys at the top of their game. Although the pictures are black and white, I soon forgot that and delighted in watching and hearing what was and still is one of my favorite bluegrass bands. Earl's playing is crisp and clean, my only complaint is that he is out of the view of the camera quite often, especially during Lester's vocals. But, Lester Flatt is so smooth! The commercials for Martha White Flour (with Hot Rize) are included, and they are very entertaining. I have four DVD's so far and I believe that more are going to be produced and I am looking forward them. Overall Rating 10

Janet David Setup DVD 5 STring Banjo Set-Up & Maintenance submitted 11/3/2007 Submitter Kevin B (see all reviews from this person) Where Purchased JDMC Online Overall Comments Good basic setup DVD. Nothing earth shattering but solid information covering choices that affect tone. Quite a bit of demonstration after changes are made. Thorough discussion on bridge placement and intonation. Overall Rating 9

Steve Huber Killer Tone submitted 10/28/2007 Submitter Kevin B (see all reviews from this person) Where Purchased Amazon.com Overall Comments If you don't know where to start on diassembly and setup of a Mastertone style banjo this video is a good place to start. I've been doing this for a long time and it was mostly review. The descriptions of how the components and materials go together to produce the tone was very good. I would recommend this DVD. Overall Rating 9

Homespun Video Bluegrass Banjo Backup submitted 10/15/2007 Submitter sjyokel (see all reviews from this person) Where Purchased Amazon.com Overall Comments Making this DVD was a great idea, but it has some flaws. I'll cut to the chase... 1. There is a LOT of talking in this DVD, so even though it's 2 hours long, at least 30 minutes of that doesn't include any practical information. 2. A good bit of the 2 hours worth of programming struck me as sales pitches for other Homespun DVDs. If you think of it as cross referencing, you'll be fine, but if you can't stand advertising in something you paid good money for, be warned. 3. I haven't worked through all of the licks in this DVD yet, but for the first half of it, I've found that the DVD doesn't really give you a way to practice along. The idea is that you need to buy the slow-jam DVD too in order to be able to practice the licks. With this DVD, you get short clips from the slow-jam DVD so you can hear how the licks sound, but not enough to play along with. (Kind of like buying a car and finding out the engine is sold separately...looks good but doesn't get you very far). Basically, this DVD will "introduce" you to some basic fill-in licks but it's up to you to figure out how to fit them into the songs you want to play. If you already have Janet Davis' Mel Bay Back-Up Banjo book, you've already got far more than you'll get from this DVD. And if you absolutely can't learn from tab alone, it's nice to be able to see how the licks look being played. But if I had my $29.95 to spend all over again, I'd buy Janet Davis' book instead. Overall Rating 5

IIIrd Tyme Out Round III at the MAC submitted 10/3/2007 Submitter thkidd (see all reviews from this person) Where Purchased from IIIrd Tyme Out Overall Comments I had been waiting eagerly for this DVD ever since I found out that it was in the works. I bought it last week at the Denton Fall Bluegrass Festival, where IIIrd Tyme Out was appearing. I already had the CD, so I knew the music was going to be great. The DVD includes the same songs as the CD, but also includes the talking between the songs, and the introductions to the songs and of the players. The DVD also includes interviews with each of the band members (although I didn't see an interview with Alan Perdue, so I'm not sure if it was on there and I just missed it). I enjoy not only hearing the music, but watching it being made, so I really enjoyed this DVD a lot. It was well worth the money and the wait. Overall Rating 10