tomberghan - Posted - 03/13/2011:  18:39:17

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Big Footed Man in the Sandy Lot



Five Banjos: 5-string, 4-string Soprano (two tracks), 4-String Baritone, & Bass Banjo

Grab a pair of head phones if you have some so you can cleanly hear all the parts. The chair was occasionally creaking, and there is a phone ringing briefly somewhere in the very distant background . . . but hey, that’s home recording!

This is the first time that I’ve “seriously” tried to finger pick a 5-string banjo (bare-fingered . . . kind of “Old Grass” style . . . well, maybe). I hope you enjoy it. I had fun making it and it is great Old Time melody.
Best regards,
Tom

Big Footed Man in the Sandy Lot

jbalch - Posted - 03/13/2011:  19:05:37

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Well done! I like it a lot.

Don Borchelt - Posted - 03/13/2011:  19:21:25

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Superb picking, Tom, a very imaginative, gusty interpretation of a great old tune. Delightfully fresh but still well-grounded in tradition. The way the Tuba-like bass banjo comes roaring in and takes the whole spirit of the piece in a new direction, it's is a real hoot, I don't know how else to say it. A just plain all around neat performance.

tomberghan - Posted - 03/13/2011:  20:41:34

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>>>The way the Tuba-like bass banjo comes roaring in and takes the whole spirit of the piece in a new direction, it's is a real hoot<<<

Thanks John and Don!
Yeah . . . the Bass Banjo is blast to play! It is fretless which gives it that high society distinctive sound! I too have often thought it seems to sound somewhere between a tuba and JUG! It is usually brings a smile when people hear it. Its a big happy banjo! That it on the left (your left). (Calfskin head too).

Marc Nerenberg - Posted - 03/13/2011:  20:50:17

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Brilliant!...but try as I might - I couldn't hear the phone! Now, it's like one of those "Where's Waldo?" puzzles...I'll have to listen over and over again until I find it! Not a painful proposition at all.

I'm always curious to know the order of recording of the multi-tracks...care to share?

tomberghan - Posted - 03/13/2011:  21:22:06

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quote:

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Originally posted by Marc Nerenberg

I'm always curious to know the order of recording of the multi-tracks...care to share?

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Thanks Marc!
The order - well, the three finger 5-string was first, then the Soprano Banjo. Next I think I put on the rhythm soprano (like a mandolin chomp rhythm). Then the Baritone, then the Bass, and then the Soprano again for the finishing touches. I sometimes record a track and then play another track against it, and then delete the first track and replay it. I bounce around like that. It is a little trick that makes it feel more like a real live band to me. I infinitely prefer a live band, but I have to make due!
Best Wishes,
Tom

Rob MacKillop - Posted - 03/14/2011:  00:31:03

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Great stuff, Tom. As ever. When's the album coming out?

rjs808 - Posted - 03/14/2011:  04:24:48

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Beautiful, Tom!

Mark Johnson - Posted - 03/14/2011:  07:27:49

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so delicate and sweet, Tom. a really fine creation.

I really love it just past the 2:00 mark when the the soprano backs off and the big boys come booming in. So dynamic without losing the delicacy.

Frailblazer - Posted - 03/14/2011:  09:37:40

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Tom,

This is wonderful! The fingerpicking sounds great and works so well for your arrangement. Love it when the bass came in! Now I know why the levels were low in the beginning. Nice build!!! I really enjoyed this one.

- Ric

jimh269b - Posted - 03/14/2011:  13:35:02

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what some playing tom,man i could listen to those tunes all day,great job

Paul Roberts - Posted - 03/14/2011:  20:00:39

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Those guys really play well together! I wonder how they get on in real life.

Great job, as always, Tom. You've got a very distinctive and unusual style. Looking forward to the album.

PauL banjocrazy.com/

tomberghan - Posted - 03/15/2011:  03:48:45

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quote:

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Originally posted by Paul Roberts

Those guys really play well together! I wonder how they get on in real life.
Looking forward to the album.

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Actually, they argue all the time! (Talk about a whole bunch of egos) And that BASS player . . . he is kind of high maintenance . . . “I want a solo . . . I want a solo . . . I need a resonator” And then there is the clawhammer guy . . . “I’m the oldest and anyway, It’s MY band!” (So he thinks) But when they do actually manage to play together its fun, and you know . . . their cute when they’re asleep I guess. Musicians! I’ve had to live with them my whole life.

Album? These guys practice all the time, but I don’t know if they’re ready yet (Not quite ready I think). And do you really think there is a market for it?!?

pearcemusic - Posted - 03/15/2011:  05:50:45

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super enjoyable listening ... good music ... and I like the chair creaks !!!

making a CD is very rewarding ... you should do it.
not as hard as it was in the old days ... and much cheaper !
To heck with the "market" .... do it for you.

Frailblazer - Posted - 03/15/2011:  10:04:46

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quote:

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Originally posted by pearcemusic

making a CD is very rewarding ... you should do it.
not as hard as it was in the old days ... and much cheaper !
To heck with the "market" .... do it for you.

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I second what Doub has said. Heck, that's why I'm working on one! A musical performance is a fleeting thing. Unlike tangible art forms, music is gone after the last note is played. Making a CD is way of capturing this and it allows your work to be enjoyed by others in ways that would not otherwise be possible. Also, putting together a cohesive collection of tunes for a CD project is quite different than posting an individual tune here and there. It's a much more focused activity that makes you take an introspective look at who you are as a musician and the message you're trying to communicate. Do it for yourself and if others want to get a copy - even better! As far as a market goes you can put me down for a copy. There, you’ve made your first sale!

- Ric

jim109b - Posted - 03/15/2011:  14:52:05

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Very enjoyable Tom, great playing! Loved the way it built up as it progressed too.

It was kinda educational for me in other ways too - very much a learner and really quite ignorant about 'other' banjos - soprano, baritone, bass - so it was great to hear them put together like this. Thanks for posting this!

Jim

tomberghan - Posted - 03/16/2011:  14:22:02

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OK, Doub and Ric and Rob,
I'll try to make a CD!


Thanks Guys!
(and thanks to you too Jim!)
Best Wishes,
Tom

BRUNO25 - Posted - 03/19/2011:  11:20:04

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That was great Tom. I had almost missed it down there at the bottom of the page. Guess I haven't looked at Soundoff in a few days.

Awesome performances by all!



John

Paul Roberts - Posted - 03/21/2011:  09:34:05

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I'm enjoying this again and realizing it brings back memories from 1895. Tom, thanks for bringing back all those wonderful years.

PauL banjocrazy.com/

ZEPP - Posted - 03/21/2011:  10:03:49

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Really nice stuff Tom. And put me down for a disc, too. I'm looking forward to it!

Cheers,
ZEPP

tomberghan - Posted - 03/22/2011:  03:47:48

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Thank you very much John, Paul and Zepp!

However, there seems to be something that I am missing with this recording.

All of my previous recordings with multiple banjos have quickly shot to the top ten on the "Clawhammer and Old Time Top 100" jukebox . . . but not this one . . . it hasn't even entered the top 100 after almost ten days. That is not a crushing blow to me or anything but I would like to better understand what is more appealing about my other recordings and what is less appealing about this one. I think the tune is very catchy . . . the recording did not exhibit distortion . . . I didn't play out of time or key . . . what then?!?!? I am very curious to know! It isn't the fact that it has a bunch of four string banjos on it, I have lots of recordings of four strings banjos on the "Clawhammer and Old Time Top 100" jukebox! I checked the settings and I allowed it to be available on the jukebox. I just don't know.

Well, if any of you have any theories, let me know!
There is something off target with regard to this one.
Best Wishes Friends,
Tom

UNYBP - Posted - 03/22/2011:  11:53:16

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Great stuff! The feel good tune of the year at least!

Laurence Diehl - Posted - 03/22/2011:  15:38:59

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Tom - entry into the jukebox top 100 has a lot to do with the # of 'Likes' , as well as plays. Not everyone who enjoys the tune remembers to hit the Like button (although I just did my part), so it's always a bit hit and miss. I don't think you did anything wrong. In fact, I always enjoy your unique contributions to this forum - I'm glad you're here!
Laurence

Pickervergnugen - Posted - 03/22/2011:  16:41:26

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Very nicely done

RatLer - Posted - 03/25/2011:  05:06:22

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Very nice Tom...and very impressive. By the way, I went back to make sure I hit "LIKE" button...great job...

tomberghan - Posted - 03/25/2011:  05:14:03

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OK! . . . well I guess I totally misread the tea leaves. For ten days this tune did not even enter the top 100. I figured i had missed the mark and that it just wasn't very catchy. Now it just hit the number one spot! I am very pleased of course. As I learn how to play all the various types of banjos and learn how to make recordings, I am also having a lot of fun trying to figure out what fans of Old Time Music like, while trying to do something maybe a little different. I realize that there are THOUSANDS of banjoists who have vastly better technique than I have but maybe those of us with more meager abilities can compensate with some sort of style?

Once again I want to thank my BHO friends who have (and continue to) help me learn how to play the banjo. The BHO is a phenomenon!
Best Wishes,
Tom

RatLer - Posted - 03/26/2011:  09:06:17

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That's great Tom. I've believe it takes a few days for a tune to show up on the New Tune list as well...guess we just need to be patient