blanham - Posted - 09/07/2011:  05:11:13

A medley of two tunes, in G-Modal tuning (capo 2).  I was a little nervous and twitchy, this being my first Youtube post.  Maybe it was the caffeine?

I learned "Cottage in the Grove" from "Art of the Mountain Banjo" (book and CD) by Art Rosenbaum.  Art recorded it again on the album "Georgia Banjo Blues," in a medley along with "Cold Frosty Morning."  This is very timely, Since I will be taking workshops this weekend with Art Rosenbaum!  (Stephen Foster Old Time Music Weekend, Sept. 9-12, 2011)

I learned "Hail Against the Barn Door" from the playing of Chris Coole, on the CD "Old Time Banjo Festival."

This is my Bart Reiter Bacophone Plus banjo. - Bob

Edited by - blanham on 09/07/2011 05:11:47

VIDEO: Cottage In the Grove / Hail Against the Barn Door (click to view)

Chadbanjo - Posted - 09/07/2011:  05:23:28

Great music to start the morning, thanks!

Edited by - Chadbanjo on 09/07/2011 05:23:53

jamesd - Posted - 09/07/2011:  05:47:59

Very fine playing and good video.  Nice!

john fincher - Posted - 09/07/2011:  06:02:31

Very nice and smooth.  The rolls are beautifully controlled.

jbalch - Posted - 09/07/2011:  08:44:17

Well played...cool tunes too.

I really like the sound you get from that Bacophone-plus.

I linked this to the Bart Reiter group....

Mark Johnson - Posted - 09/07/2011:  09:03:22

Very nice medley!  I like the way you switch positions to further differentiate the two.  Very effective.  

Oh, and no worries, no twitching or other oddness was detected.  You made it through your first video post in fine style!  Hope you post more.

blanham - Posted - 09/07/2011:  17:16:55

Thanks, everyone!

I forgot to mention:  "Cottage In the Grove" is the same as the Irish reel with the name "McGovern's Favourite".  There are a some recordings you can sample on Amazon, played on traditional Irish flute, and on bagpipes, and they really sound great.  In fact, I'd love to make a recording of Cottage In the Grove which has a bagpipe into, then it would transition to banjo.  Sample these:

amzn.com/B001I19SO4

amzn.com/B000QWQ2RW

Edited by - blanham on 09/07/2011 17:20:39

ramjo - Posted - 09/07/2011:  19:02:27

Nice job Bob! CC's version of "Hail" is about my favorite recording. You pay great homage to the tune and his subtle, tasteful variations. Be sure to let us know what that Art Rosenbaum workshop was like.

Paul Roberts - Posted - 09/07/2011:  20:33:27

A powerful tour de force with lots of interesting techniques, well played with a darn good sounding banjo. Keep 'em coming. That was a great first Utube excursion!

PauL