jenorma1 - Posted - 03/05/2016:  13:58:39

Here's a version of "yew piney mountain" I've been toying with for a while - still figuring out how to get the best sound out of my yeti microphone.

I got most of my inspiration from Chance McCoy's incredible solo fiddle version:

youtube.com/watch?v=T5oypTSuNhs

Also, I filled the spaces between the phrases with a constant string of 8th notes on the upbeats (the "ands" in 1 and 2 and 3 and 4 and...) rather than the obligatory "bum ditties."  I got this idea from a lick Mark Johnson taught me at midwest banjo camp in 2015 (he does a galax lick into 3 upbeat 5th string pulls in a row - I just kind of kept going) - let me know what you think!

Also (how could I forget!) - played on buckeye #159!

Edited by - jenorma1 on 03/11/2016 08:13:34

Yew Piney Mountain

JanetB - Posted - 03/05/2016:  18:52:46

A pleasing listen for me this evening!  Expressive and clear, melodic and rhythmic.

jenorma1 - Posted - 03/05/2016:  19:04:34

Thanks Janet!  I really love your version of this tune as well!

banjo bill-e - Posted - 03/05/2016:  20:09:00

Wow. Way cool, Jeff, loved this one.

jenorma1 - Posted - 03/05/2016:  21:33:14

Thanks for the kind review Bill - glad you enjoyed it!

Danny D - Posted - 03/06/2016:  07:02:46

Great job!  Great playing and great sounding banjo.

jenorma1 - Posted - 03/06/2016:  07:29:35

Thanks Danny!  Love your slothead Buckeye - looks amazing!!

paulsonlearning - Posted - 03/06/2016:  16:04:59

That is stunning. I have several of Chance McCoy's recordings, and you certainly did this justice. I like your spin on it.

banjo bill-e - Posted - 03/06/2016:  16:18:58

I love the tension in Chance's fiddle version linked above. Some people talk about "feeling the music" in a metaphorical way, but what you actually feel is emotion. Beyond emotion, with this performance I literally feel the tension in my body----in a good way. This is powerful music that communicates something beyond words.

jenorma1 - Posted - 03/06/2016:  16:26:31

Bill and Jeff - totally agree with both of you guys: Chance is just phenomenal!  Not to hate on Old Crow Medicine Show, but I think they're kind of wasting his talents by having him chunk guitar chords in the background of Wagon Wheel; I do like his work in JP Harris' country band though....

For anyone who is not aware - you can download Chance McCoy's album "debut," which includes this tune, for free from his website (I think you have to join his mailing list).  The songs where his with a band are really great too - and Adam Hurt backs him on banjo for most of them - definitely in my top 5 of "new" old time albums!

Thanks again for the high praise!

jenorma1 - Posted - 03/11/2016:  08:12:59

Just an update - hangout member Danny D asked for pics of the banjo I played this on - I've added 2 albums of banjo pics to my profile (one album was pics taken by the builder Greg Galbreath; the second album is pics I took).  Specs and various tidbits about the banjo are in the comments.

Thanks again for listening!

mworden - Posted - 03/11/2016:  12:40:53

Really terrific.  Chance's version is one of my favorites and one of a couple tunes that made me really want to learn to play fiddle.

Paul Roberts - Posted - 03/11/2016:  16:41:52

Lovely mood.

jenorma1 - Posted - 03/11/2016:  20:03:42

Thanks Mark and Paul!!

SCclawman - Posted - 03/18/2016:  10:07:14

This is deserving of a banjo hangout gold medal award for clawhammer players. 

Great tone, great playing, great quality recording. I really enjoyed it.