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Banjophobic - Posted - 01/12/2016: 08:29:50
Yes, sitting on top of the world which bluegrass players adopted and modified is often played as a slow shuffle piece by blues players. If you take blues out of bluegrass, you will be missing a big piece of the puzzle.
steve davis - Posted - 01/12/2016: 08:34:23
I guess they named it wrong,Lew?
Blues in the Bottle
Edited by - steve davis on 01/12/2016 08:39:30
Banjophobic - Posted - 01/12/2016: 08:35:22
Here's a cool pic from the late 70s of the Foddrell Brothers. Turner is playing his very cool, apparently top tension, 6 sing banjo. He kept it tuned to open E I think, for the blues stuff. How I wish I had made some recordings of him playing that banjo.
Edited by - Banjophobic on 01/12/2016 08:48:51
Laurence Diehl - Posted - 01/12/2016: 08:55:28
That is a classic shot John, you can't get much more "real" than playing music in a country store.
Lew H - Posted - 01/12/2016: 08:58:28
John and Laurence, Sittin' on top of the world is a great example of a song that works in both genres. I here some version of the song every week on the blues channel of satellite radio.
Another blues that went into oldtime style is Trouble in Mind. Written by a jazz pianist and recorded in 1926 (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trouble_in_Mind_(song) ), became popular as blues, and entered the repertoire of, for example, Roscoe Holcomb. Many people in the OT banjo/music community simply think of it as one of their traditional songs these days.
Banjophobic - Posted - 01/12/2016: 09:01:41
I would be remiss if i fail to mention Rhiannon Giddens a fellow NC banjoist who plays with the Carolina Chocolate Drops, who have revived the all black OT,minstrel,blues band. Here she is doing the blues/OT modal on banjo:
youtube.com/watch?v=tYuqnUs9gP8
Banjophobic - Posted - 01/12/2016: 09:03:47
quote:
Originally posted by Laurence Diehl
That is a classic shot John, you can't get much more "real" than playing music in a country store.
Great playing on your version of SOTOTW Laurence! Yep, they were very cool guys. My dad also ran a country store just a few miles away in NC and so we had that in common too, besides music. Too bad i didnt have enough sense to record those jam sessions with them.
Lew H - Posted - 01/12/2016: 09:13:17
Laurence-- I second John's motion. That's great picking on SOTOTW!
Laurence Diehl - Posted - 01/12/2016: 09:48:22
Thanks Lew, I'm just trying to help the discussion. Blues on the banjo is a topic that I don't see much talk about, and I am glad to see it examined here - can't wait for more opinions on this.
Jody Hughes - Posted - 01/12/2016: 10:12:48
Dear Mussiccall, given the following
banjohangout.org/topic/313655
Is your "top 10 banjo" track "shooting fish in the barrel"?
If so, how many of them there fishies do you think you hit, I'd like to know.
Edited by - Jody Hughes on 01/12/2016 10:13:06
Banjophobic - Posted - 01/12/2016: 12:57:06
Jody, you read my mind. I think that MP3 was a prime example of what some of us were and have been saying. There's much more to competent blues than just those handful of blue scale notes. The recording shows us this pretty plainly. No offense to mmuussiiccaall of course,,but the banjo didn't add anything to the originals. Plus,Mathe banjo needed some tuning there to match the recordings better.
Anyone who thinks great blues playing is just a few notes needs to really get serious with studying the genre and the players.
Edited by - Banjophobic on 01/12/2016 13:00:57
steve davis - Posted - 01/12/2016: 13:06:08
Our Ridge Road Revue CD has a lot of blues on it.
Banjophobic - Posted - 01/12/2016: 13:20:16
quote:
Originally posted by steve davis
Our Ridge Road Revue CD has a lot of blues on it.
That's great Steve. Do you have a link to share? That would be cool to hear. 😊
steve davis - Posted - 01/12/2016: 13:24:24
I have CDs for sale,John.
I just called Rob and he isn't sure if there are sound bites or not.He's calling back,later.
Edited by - steve davis on 01/12/2016 13:30:48
Banjophobic - Posted - 01/12/2016: 13:34:50
If there is a link, you should,post it here. I think the OP would like to hear folks playing blues banjo.
steve davis - Posted - 01/12/2016: 13:38:38
$17 PayPal/$15 ch/mo
Banjophobic - Posted - 01/12/2016: 13:42:32
quote:
Originally posted by steve davis
$17 PayPal/$15 ch/mo
I meant post a file of your blues banjo from the CD, if you have one. I don't think the OP is looking to buy our stuff.
steve davis - Posted - 01/12/2016: 13:49:25
I will if he says he has any.Since you don't speak for the op I'll mention my CD,John.
Some selections are
Back Door Stranger...Brownie McGee
Dust My Broom...Robert Johnson
Blood Red River...pd
Pick Poor Robin Clean...Luke Jordan
Little Red Hen...Taj
Banjophobic - Posted - 01/12/2016: 13:56:38
The key word was I a said I don't "Think" the Op was looking to buy our stuff. You "think" they might and that's cool. I was hoping you would post a freebie, that's all.
Laurence Diehl - Posted - 01/12/2016: 14:06:36
Steve, if you only came on this thread hoping to sell a CD that seems rather mercenary of you.
steve davis - Posted - 01/12/2016: 14:19:25
Seems germane to the topic,Laurence.I wasn't even thinking of our CD til I decided just now to bring it up.
Let's see,now.This person is curious about blues on the banjo and I just happen to have a CD of exactly that.
Maybe he or someone else is interested in that fact.
Mercenary?I hardly think so.In possession of a directly related recording?...Guilty!
Or maybe I'm just Evil Incarnate.
Edited by - steve davis on 01/12/2016 14:20:46
chuckv97 - Posted - 01/12/2016: 14:19:31
🎶 " Steve's got an interest in that blues CD,🎶
🎶 Watchin' that ol' money roll in!"🎶
steve davis - Posted - 01/12/2016: 14:22:11
I think it's very good.We had our local dream team on it.
Helix - Posted - 01/12/2016: 14:35:04
Mr. Boulding, the OP asked nicely for you to play a blues song.
steve davis - Posted - 01/12/2016: 16:46:43
quote:
Originally posted by chuckv97
🎶 " Steve's got an interest in that blues CD,🎶
🎶 Watchin' that ol' money roll in!"🎶
Yeah,we.re all buying Porsches off this one,
Lew H - Posted - 01/12/2016: 17:31:48
Ok, here's another claw and jaw song I've adapted from Muddy Waters's "Rollin' and Tumblin." If the OP wants us to dust of our blues licks, this is very fresh--the first time I've recorded it, although I played and sang it publicaly a few times over the past months. I'm rushing to record and post it here (well, after procrastinating several days). Because of the rush, I used my pony longneck banjo, which has a 5-string neck on a Vega style N pot from the 1920s. My wife came home and let the dogs in during the second break, so I inserted some glitches following that. Had I not been in a hurry, I would have got a banjo with more bass out to record. I play this in G modal.
Muddy Waters inserted three of the riffs with the chokes between each line of lyrics, but I use only two. Three just seems like too many to my ear. If that offends anyone, remember that I'm playing blues on a banjo, which might be offensive to those folks anyway. ; ) Seriousness aside, these riffs exemplify the microtones that so commonly occur in blues through the use of chokes and slides. These microtones are less than a half step in the octave, but can be got with a string choke or by using a slide (that is, a steel, a bar, whatever).
Banjophobic - Posted - 01/12/2016: 17:33:26
Ok, i was caught up in the shop and sat down with my banjo and literally threw this together. I recorded this on Audacity, a rhythm banjo and a lead. The lead banjo has a mute on it for a different lead effect. I added only a little reverb and adjusted the levels,no overdubs. The levels aren't great throughout, and you'll hear some pops and distortion most likely. I didn't want to over process it. I like the blues to be raw sometimes,haha.
I used my '31 KK-10 for this. I like its tone for blues. When i play in blues band situations i use a pickup and add effects, even distortion and wah. 
Edited by - Banjophobic on 01/12/2016 17:36:05
Banjophobic - Posted - 01/12/2016: 17:34:33
quote:
Originally posted by Lew H
Ok, here's another claw and jaw song I've adapted from Muddy Waters's "Rollin' and Tumblin." If the OP wants us to dust of our blues licks, this is very fresh--the first time I've recorded it, although I played and sang it publicaly a few times over the past months. I'm rushing to record and post it here (well, after procrastinating several days). Because of the rush, I used my pony longneck banjo, which has a 5-string neck on a Vega style N pot from the 1920s. My wife came home and let the dogs in during the second break, so I inserted some glitches following that. Had I not been in a hurry, I would have got a banjo with more bass out to record. I play this in G modal.
Muddy Waters inserted three of the riffs with the chokes between each line of lyrics, but I use only two. Three just seems like too many to my ear. If that offends anyone, remember that I'm playing blues on a banjo, which might be offensive to those folks anyway. ; ) Seriousness aside, these riffs exemplify the microtones that so commonly occur in blues through the use of chokes and slides. These microtones are less than a half step in the octave, but can be got with a string choke or by using a slide (that is, a steel, a bar, whatever).
Yeah Lew, love it!
Banjophobic - Posted - 01/12/2016: 17:39:20
quote:
Originally posted by Helix
Mr. Boulding, the OP asked nicely for you to play a blues song.
yes she did and I obliged. How about you contribute some blues on one of those Helix banjos? That would be very cool to hear. 
Laurence Diehl - Posted - 01/12/2016: 19:59:41
That must be the dream team that Steve was referring to.
Banjophobic - Posted - 01/12/2016: 21:08:17
quote:
Originally posted by BanjoBelle
Banjophobic,I'd love to see or hear you playing a blues tune.....not for proof of any kind,just to hear it.
Belle, i found time to throw a blues jam together. Hope you like it
steve davis - Posted - 01/13/2016: 06:18:35
That's a live show a few years before the recording I'm referring to.
Piano player and Devonsquare's bass player not present in this video,either.
I hope I can pass muster in your final judgement guys.
I live to impress you.
There were a lot of blues players that sat in with me and Vaughn Meader in Hallowell at the Kennebec Wharf in the 80s and 90s.Great musicians around the Augusta/Winthrop/Hallowell area.Lots of good bands.Great experiences there.
We had a ball recording it and seeing old friends.
Edited by - steve davis on 01/13/2016 06:36:35
Lew H - Posted - 01/13/2016: 06:40:44
John-- That Johnboys Blues is really fine! It's a tie with my favorite of your posts that I've listened to--Stompin' at the Savoy. I love the trills, triplets, and chokes, the slow sexy double banjos. What's not to like about double banjos!
Steve-- In a different forum on humility of musicians, you said you didn't care what others think of you, and that you don't care if pro musicians are arrogant (I'm paraphrasing here). Now you say "I live to impress you." Are you just making this stuff up as you going along so you can irritate other BHO people, or is this meant to be humorous? I really can't tell what your point is--in either forum. Please clarify!
Lew H - Posted - 01/13/2016: 06:42:03
Steve, Apparently you posted while I was composing. I'll have a listen and look at your post shortly! My apologies for jumping the gun here!
steve davis - Posted - 01/13/2016: 06:45:03
I'm still waiting for your apology calling me a troll,Lew.
Banjophobic - Posted - 01/13/2016: 07:16:28
I don't think anyone is trying to "judge" anything. Folks started posting blues playing examples, and some of their own. I genuinely would like to hear some steve because I like hearing blues on banjo.
Lew H - Posted - 01/13/2016: 08:32:28
Steve, I apologize to you. Now please explain what your remarks here and your contradictions between this and the professional musician humility forum are intended to accomplish.
steve davis - Posted - 01/13/2016: 08:47:59
You talk as if I'm supposed to answer your questions to your satisfaction,Lew.I just say what's on my mind from one moment to the next.
I don't hardly remember what I said on the humility thing other than I don't care if someone has it or not.
I don't have an agenda.Just in the moment and speak the truth as I know it and stand up for myself,of course.
I don't allow people to talk down to me.
chuckv97 - Posted - 01/13/2016: 09:32:10
A person can assess/judge without being rancorous ,,,,for crying out loud....
Laurence Diehl - Posted - 01/13/2016: 09:47:25
quote:
Originally posted by Ralph Barnes
quote:
Originally posted by Banjophobic
I don't think anyone is trying to "judge" anything. Folks started posting blues playing examples, and some of their own. I genuinely would like to hear some steve because I like hearing blues on banjo.
get real phobic,you spend a lot more time dissecting the quotes of others so you look like Mr know more,than contributing on your own.
you are judging that others are ''not judging'' to prove anyone saying'' folks are judging''--are wrong wrong wrong
if no one judges,they don't need like buttons
Interesting that you have been here a few days but you already know "phobic" intimately. Is it really "Ralph" or should we be calling you "Tom"? Same belligerent content, same bad grammar...hmmmm
Edited by - Laurence Diehl on 01/13/2016 09:48:09
Lew H - Posted - 01/13/2016: 09:51:32
I'll issue a second apology to all in this forum for my part in changing it from a fun discussion of blues on the banjo to a more cantankerous sort of melee. Can't we all just get along--and enjoy some good banjo picking?
Banjophobic - Posted - 01/13/2016: 10:26:14
Yes, let's just talk blues and post more examples. Anyone who has some blues banjo tracks should post them.
Banjophobic - Posted - 01/13/2016: 10:28:36
quote:
Originally posted Tom Elder
get real phobic,you spend a lot more time dissecting the quotes of others so you look like Mr know more,than contributing on your own.
you are judging that others are ''not judging'' to prove anyone saying'' folks are judging''--are wrong wrong wrong
if no one judges,they don't need like buttons
Grow up Tom and stop trolling.
Laurence Diehl - Posted - 01/13/2016: 10:51:13
Well, I seem to have yet more examples that I've recorded over time.
Sometimes I play a major third on this tune 
just to show that a blues is not all about what scale you are using.
youtu.be/gnA7mhQepjg
steve davis - Posted - 01/13/2016: 11:50:33
quote:
Originally posted by Lew H
I'll issue a second apology to all in this forum for my part in changing it from a fun discussion of blues on the banjo to a more cantankerous sort of melee. Can't we all just get along--and enjoy some good banjo picking?
You're the one who stooped to name calling,Lew.You don't get to turn it on and off when it suits you.
Lew H - Posted - 01/13/2016: 12:16:47
Steve, I like the mp3s of Kitchen Girl and Salt Creek that are on your BHO homepage. I posted a Salt Creek trio from banjo camp last year. I was recording Gerald Jones and Mark Johnson as they jammed outside (I was playing hooky from classes) I joined in on the one tune. I keep meaning to learn Kitchen Girl. I like it, but I guess there are other tunes that are above it on my list of priorities. Those tunes are only a step or two removed from the blues.
Edited by - Lew H on 01/13/2016 12:17:32
steve davis - Posted - 01/13/2016: 12:55:11
Thanks Lew.I play Kitchen Girl in A out of G tuning.There are a surprising number of G notes(and G chords) in its melody which is a bit blue.My fiddling friends are where my priorities lie.Bluegrass is also close to the blues.
Jody Hughes - Posted - 01/27/2016: 10:53:02
Where did ole "shooting fish in the barrel" run off to?....
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