Delfield - Posted - 05/15/2012:  07:51:14

In my opinion, only another Dan Gellert video could exceed this Dan Gellert video:  youtu.be/exNGwQcusRU

I don't know who Arelie210 is, but I hope he, or she, has more footage like this.

Jeff

Edited by - Delfield on 05/15/2012 08:03:19

banjo.A - Posted - 05/15/2012:  07:59:07

I second that motion. Cool video. Adam...

Mark Johnson - Posted - 05/15/2012:  08:17:28

I don't understand people who "dislike" videos like this on YouTube.  Currently, there is one Like and one Dislike on that video...

I am fine with the idea that this isn't someone's cup of tea.  I mean, personally I think it rocks, but that is an opinion.  What I don't get is disliking it so strongly that you push the "dislike" button.  I can't imagine doing that for anything unless it was really evil or hurtful or something, like a video of someone clubbing seals or poking a baby in the eye.  

Anyway.  Grr.

Great video.  Great playing, Dan.  Hope you don't mind requests, but I'd love to hear a current take on the tune, to see how your approach might have changed in the interim...  

erikforgod - Posted - 05/15/2012:  08:27:28

I think it sounds awesome! Looks like he pulled the frets ( and even one diamond sized inlay ) on that old banjo to make it a fretless....very cool!

Viper - Posted - 05/15/2012:  08:57:24

quote:

---

Originally posted by Mark Johnson

I don't understand people who "dislike" videos like this on YouTube.  Currently, there is one Like and one Dislike on that video...

I am fine with the idea that this isn't someone's cup of tea.  I mean, personally I think it rocks, but that is an opinion.  What I don't get is disliking it so strongly that you push the "dislike" button.  I can't imagine doing that for anything unless it was really evil or hurtful or something, like a video of someone clubbing seals or poking a baby in the eye.  

Anyway.  Grr.

 

Great video.  Great playing, Dan.  Hope you don't mind requests, but I'd love to hear a current take on the tune, to see how your approach might have changed in the interim...  

---

Well, I bet the "Likes" go up dramatically as this video makes the rounds on the BHO. 

According to the comments, the video was recorded by the late, great Ray Alden? Very cool. 

J-Walk - Posted - 05/15/2012:  09:12:21

Dan has a recording of that tune available at his web site:

orphonon.utopiandesign.com

Direct link:

orphonon.utopiandesign.com/Bla...Susie.mp3

stevel - Posted - 05/15/2012:  09:44:41

quote:

---

Originally posted by Mark Johnson

I don't understand people who "dislike" videos like this on YouTube.  Currently, there is one Like and one Dislike on that video...

I am fine with the idea that this isn't someone's cup of tea.  I mean, personally I think it rocks, but that is an opinion.  What I don't get is disliking it so strongly that you push the "dislike" button.  I can't imagine doing that for anything unless it was really evil or hurtful or something, like a video of someone clubbing seals or poking a baby in the eye.  

Anyway.  Grr.

 

Great video.  Great playing, Dan.  Hope you don't mind requests, but I'd love to hear a current take on the tune, to see how your approach might have changed in the interim...  

---

its probably the same trolls that come on here and start the drop-thumbing flame wars.

those people would not be above "disliking" something just to be a jerk.

they lurk to see what the conversation of the day is, and then proceed to poison anything involving the current discussion.... videos included.

at least i'd be willing to wager $50 that is what's going on in instances such as this.

pernicketylad - Posted - 05/15/2012:  09:55:54

Dan is my favourite old time player so I'm thrilled by the recent youtube uploads. For a long time there was nothing and then a few fiddle tunes but of late there have been a good few banjo tunes added. It's pure gold to me.

For a year all I had was the stuff off his website and the tracks he did on the Banjo Festival and Banjo Gathering CDs.....I made a wee compilation for the car. Then I finally got my hands on "Waiting on the Break of Day".

About a year ago I finally got a copy of "Moment in Time", the album Dan made with Brad Leftwich, and then last month a fiddler I've recently started playing with gave me a copy of "Forked Deer", an album Dan made with a band named Shoofly....I never knew such a thing existed.

You're right for sure Delfield....this is the mother and father of all youtube videos.....you can really see Dan's right hand too......what a treasure. I kind of think of Black Eyed Susie as Dan's signature tune too.....don't know why. I'd suppose it's on his website as well as a "Tribute to Clifftop" CD I have.

Thanks for drawing my attention to it. I really like your salad bowl banjos by the way.

Clawdan - Posted - 05/15/2012:  10:26:49

Dan is a wonderful musician and person. Met him first at a Kent State Folk Festival back around 1985 or 6. Loved him then, still do now. He is THE Gellert to be listening to for old time music. You should hear him Fiddle!

Play Nice,

Dan

Clawdan.com

Strumelia - Posted - 05/15/2012:  10:27:16

It's also a very nice example of the characteristic tone texture you get from nylon or nylgut strings.

Great playing, so yummy!

Edited by - Strumelia on 05/15/2012 10:27:44

The Pope - Posted - 05/15/2012:  10:52:48

As a Bluegrass person, I loved this! 

banjo bill-e - Posted - 05/15/2012:  11:54:06

Oh hell yeah! I had to try to not make a fool of myself at Breakin' Up Winter, trying to see and hear everything Dan did. I told my wife that I was as excited as a schoolgirl at a Justin Bieber autograph session. THIS IS THE STUFF, RIGHT HERE! DAN IS THE MAN.

RG - Posted - 05/15/2012:  12:31:57

In my opinion Dan Gellert is one of the best, and most often overlooked OT players out there...he blows away most of what passes for OT these days, simply amazing in how he approaches and plays a tune.  I think there used to be a version on youtube of him playing "Suzie" on fiddle which is amazing to hear (have heard him play it live)...but I couldn't find it when I looked this morning...as clawdan said, you really should hear Dan play the fiddle...here's one of my favorite tunes that he plays...

youtube.com/watch?v=uWXe3LrQ3l...re=relmfu

Clawdan - Posted - 05/15/2012:  12:46:10

Yes, well said RG. He is one of the few who approach a tune as music instead of repeating a bunch of notes and words. Big difference. It is a skill not many use or learn but one I strive to teach to all of my students and at all of my workshops and classes.

Play Nice,

Dan

Clawdan.com

RG - Posted - 05/15/2012:  13:23:55

Amen to that Dan!

Steve Donnelly - Posted - 05/15/2012:  14:56:36

Terrific!

I can't find it right now, but he plays Sally Goodin in the same fashion

on youtube as accompaniment to a woman dancing. it too

sounds amazing.

Also on youtube he fiddles Old Sledge in great style.

ceemonster - Posted - 05/15/2012:  16:51:05

Perhaps you should picket or throw rocks at the Youtube corporation, which designed and input a paired setup of reaction options which include siamese twin choices that could not exist without each other, i.e., the "Like" button and his twin brother, "Dislike." people who push the "Dislike" button are no more trolls or devils than people who push the "Like" button are angels gifted with incredibly great taste. i've never pushed either on a clip despite being an addictive clip viewer, because i think it's asinine. but it is hardly trolling to use a feature of youtube's own dialogue design, and everyone who makes a choice to post those clips on youtube is well aware that those features are there.....anyone who thinks "Dislike" is evil incarnate has the choice to use or not use Youtube.

J-Walk - Posted - 05/15/2012:  16:54:47

Just for fun, I clicked the "Like" button for ceemonster's comment.

pernicketylad - Posted - 05/15/2012:  16:58:15

Bill Rogers - Posted - 05/15/2012:  19:58:21

Great playing.  One of the things that makes Dan such a great player is his ability to put his own stamp on everything he plays.  He's just immersed in the music, not running around trying to learn so-and-so's version of this or that tune.

ZEPP - Posted - 05/16/2012:  05:49:41

Indeed.  I often state that I eschew listening to other banjo players, as I don't want to subliminally absorb their takes on the music.  Not so for Dan Gellert--his playing is so refreshingly different and downright cool that I wish I could absorb some of his style!

Cheers,

ZEPP

stevel - Posted - 05/16/2012:  06:53:05

"or throw rocks at the Youtube corporation"

horrible advice.

=)

eugene1978 - Posted - 05/16/2012:  13:09:23

This is just outstanding. I've really been obsessing over the sounds on Dan's album 'Waiting on the Break of Day.' This video just snapped me out of my wistful daydreams of playing like Dan someday. I never thought I could like a video/performance as much as John Herrmann in youtube.com/watch?v=9DKAz6HE5tg, but this video might have trumped it! Of course, they both have Gellerts in common...

Edited by - eugene1978 on 05/16/2012 13:12:56

olbap - Posted - 05/16/2012:  13:20:30

great vid. +1like :)

BTW If I remove the frets of one of my banjos, what do I need to put to fill the hole/gap ? 

sorry for my english I'm french...

Bye 

Edited by - olbap on 05/16/2012 13:22:51

Viper - Posted - 05/16/2012:  13:28:08

BTW, is Dan's "Waiting on the Break of Day" available anywhere? I can't seem to locate a copy. 

Ron Ortegel - Posted - 05/16/2012:  13:28:40

Thanks for posting. Great Vids.

What has John Hermann done with his bridge there?

plunknplinkntwang - Posted - 05/16/2012:  13:36:58

quote:

---

Originally posted by olbap



 

great vid. +1like :)

BTW If I remove the frets of one of my banjos, what do I need to put to fill the hole/gap ? 

sorry for my english I'm french...

Bye 

---

 On the video Dan has left the slots empty, there is even a piece of inlay decoration missing on that fingerboard, sort of shabby chic.    Some "flush fret" banjo's have the fret cuts filled by gluing in thin strips of maple or other hardwood

pernicketylad - Posted - 05/16/2012:  14:03:23

quote:

---

Originally posted by Viper

BTW, is Dan's "Waiting on the Break of Day" available anywhere? I can't seem to locate a copy. 

---

As I recall the only way to get it is through Dan's website.

You could always send him a personal message via the BHO.

Just checked his website and it seems that the first print is sold out.....you might have to be patient.

You should check out the four tracks on the website to tide you over.

My favourite album is the compilation I put together which includes those four tunes plus the stuff on the Banjo Gathering CD and on the Banjo Festival CD. 

Adam Kiesling - Posted - 05/16/2012:  16:19:44

quote:

---

Originally posted by Viper

BTW, is Dan's "Waiting on the Break of Day" available anywhere? I can't seem to locate a copy. 

---

There's a couple of used copies on Amazon:

amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B0...tion=used

jbalch - Posted - 05/16/2012:  17:50:24

FANTASTIC!

Isaac Enloe - Posted - 05/16/2012:  22:51:20

As a friend of mine said recently, "that recording stands with the best playing of the best old-timers. Period." I think it's based on Robert Sykes version of that tune. I think it's genius.
Isaac

plunknplinkntwang - Posted - 05/17/2012:  09:12:49

quote:

---

Originally posted by Viper

BTW, is Dan's "Waiting on the Break of Day" available anywhere? I can't seem to locate a copy. 

---

 A few months ago I contacted Dan through the BHO message service & purchased an electronic FLAC copy directly from him.  Having checked with him he's amenable to doing this for others too.

rgds

Chris

Steve Donnelly - Posted - 05/17/2012:  13:50:07

Speaking of Robert Sykes, another of my top favorites is Bruce Molsky's Robert's Seranade

on his Big Hoedown cd

Short sample-

amazon.com/Roberts-Serenade/dp/B004NCLP5U

Isaac Enloe - Posted - 05/17/2012:  20:52:51

quote:

---

Originally posted by Steve Donnelly

Speaking of Robert Sykes, another of my top favorites is Bruce Molsky's Robert's Seranade

on his Big Hoedown cd

Short sample-

amazon.com/Roberts-Serenade/dp/B004NCLP5U

---

plunknplinkntwang - Posted - 05/22/2012:  12:38:14

considering the common source the resultant music is an interesting comparison between two modern musicians adaptation of the tunes.  

Big Dan - Posted - 05/24/2012:  19:56:14

You see, that's what I love about this site. All of a sudden, you come across a player that re-ignites your love of this wonderful instrument. Thanks for posting that.

What tuning would this video be in, do you think?

Isaac Enloe - Posted - 05/25/2012:  12:46:15

I'm pretty sure it's relative "double C" tuning, but tuned way down.

dakotabrewer - Posted - 05/25/2012:  20:50:27

Really cool, I like the fourth string slide thing - I'm sure there's a name for that - I don't know what it is, but it sounds cool.

RG - Posted - 05/25/2012:  22:28:41

Pretty sure it's in standard gDGBD tuned down a step or two, the Sykes version of this tune is usually played in cross-G on the fiddle...

Edited by - RG on 05/25/2012 22:30:38

Coonskin - Posted - 05/25/2012:  23:04:02

I'm going to say again for the record that Dan, IMO, is the best Oldtime banjoist alive...with a HUGE gap between him and the nearest runner up. Groove, imagination, SUPER oldtimey sounds, and technique that kills, but isn't conspicuous or unnecessary. His songs never seem planned or mapped out; in true oldtime spirit, each one is a happening...every time he plays. And the fiddle and voice, too!!!

That Chilly Winds from the Oldtime Banjo CD gives me chills!

Big Dan - Posted - 05/27/2012:  13:18:04

quote:

---

Originally posted by Isaac Enloe



I'm pretty sure it's relative "double C" tuning, but tuned way down.

---

Many thanks. it is indeed in double C, with the 4th string tuned down to a G. I guess that makes it double G. 

erikforgod - Posted - 05/27/2012:  13:37:33

Just listened to this now again for about the 4th time...now this is nylon fretless I could get into!!!

Isaac Enloe - Posted - 05/27/2012:  19:11:27

quote:

---

Originally posted by RG

Pretty sure it's in standard gDGBD tuned down a step or two, the Sykes version of this tune is usually played in cross-G on the fiddle...

---

True, Sykes usually played it in A if I remember right.  Maybe Dan chose double C (or whatever) as the setting for his banjo version?  Makes sense.  IMO, it doesn't sit as well on the banjo out of A or G.

RG - Posted - 05/28/2012:  00:28:44

It actually works out quite well in G, lot's of open strings and great slide opportunities, we play this at jams all the time, usually in G, sometimes in A, sounds much more OT in cross G...when I played this with Dan we played it in G...I'll try to post a version one of these days...

Edited by - RG on 05/28/2012 00:31:19

Isaac Enloe - Posted - 05/28/2012:  11:54:38

I'd love to hear it, RG! I've alway's played it out of A/G too, especially with fiddlers, but when I heard Dan's setting, I thought "duh. That's a great tuning for that tune." I can think of a lot of tunes that I would set in alternate timings for solo banjo. Anyway, that fourth string slide is pretty hot!
Isaac

wormpicker - Posted - 05/29/2012:  07:15:12

Great video! I don't want to divert the attention and discussion from Dan and his fantastic music, but I thought I'd post a video I took recently of two fiddle friends playing a similar version of Black-eyed Susie.

youtube.com/watch?v=REhFRaAeq2g

Paul

Dean-O-Craft - Posted - 05/30/2012:  05:51:05

That's a great video Delfield. The next time we jam, can you have that one ready and sounding like Dan?

banjobandini - Posted - 07/06/2012:  06:25:18

It's great to see all the videos of Dan Gellert popping up online these days!

Dan said at a banjo workshop that he tuned the 5th string down for Black-eyed Susie... so it would be eCGCD (but with everything tuned way down). It's a cool tuning that sounds just a little different than the "normal" double-C.

Searching for "gellert" on Anita Kermode's banjo tunings page (zeppmusic.com/banjo/aktuning.htm) unearths a bunch of cool tunings that Dan uses.