Paul Roberts - Posted - 04/09/2016:  09:35:30

Dear BHO Friends,

Banjo Dreaming is the title of my new album of original music for cello banjo... available HERE. 

Previous renditions of the tunes on the album have been posted on BHO. The album features new arrangements, with banjo-lute and other instruments. Here's one of them, renamed from an earlier rendition. Hope you enjoy.

Best regards,

Paul

Wind in My Sails

rickhayes - Posted - 04/09/2016:  09:55:36

As always a fine composition Paul.  The album will be well worth the download.

RevSpyder - Posted - 04/09/2016:  09:55:42

Man,that is beautiful!

Laurence Diehl - Posted - 04/09/2016:  09:56:06

Beautiful music. I felt so relaxed after the first listening, I had to play it again. I wish you every success with the new album, it sounds like it would appeal to a diversity of backgrounds. 

JanetB - Posted - 04/09/2016:  10:12:34

Mazaltov, Paul.  As per usual, your CD title is superb.  I think my favorites will be Sweet Pea and A Promise of Spring -- good space for heart and mind and excellent writing music for my first grade classroom (for another four weeks).

Paul Roberts - Posted - 04/09/2016:  10:50:27

Rick, Spyder, Laurence, Janet ~ thanks so much for your encouraging comments. BHO has been such a great place to hangout with you during the last several years.

My interest in the 5-string cello banjo began in 2008 when Gold Tone brought it back to life, after close to century of the instrument's near-extinction. Although I've played banjo since the early 1960s, I hadn't heard of the cello banjo before '08, which is when I got mine. I had just completed a 25-year life cycle of performing elementary school assemblies on instruments from around the world, when this strange beast appeared. For me, it has an ancient sound. I really like it for a lot of reasons - one is, that the sound hasn't been "done" yet; the tone is not familiar, or identified with a particular musical genre... or even easily recognized as being a banjo. I find it provides an "open canvas" and I'm just as inspired by it now, as I was when I first picked it up eight years ago.    

jimifive - Posted - 04/09/2016:  12:34:10

its a fresh sound Paul, with a classic feel...

f#dead - Posted - 04/09/2016:  13:22:16

You sent me on ANOTHER lovely trip!  Thanks

 

Debs - Posted - 04/09/2016:  13:41:28

Paul, you have an extraordinary talent for producing unusual and delightfully enjoyable music, and I wish you every success with the new album :)

bhniko - Posted - 04/09/2016:  14:07:59

I have taken my hat off to you before...now you can take off you hat and take a huge bow. Superb album.

Favorites...Wind in my sails..elephant dance and sweat pea.

Edited by - bhniko on 04/09/2016 14:12:26

Paul Roberts - Posted - 04/09/2016:  16:38:37

Jimi, Greg, Debs and bhniko ~ thank you very much for your heartfelt comments. You put wind in my sails, which encourages me to compose some more music.  

BobBanjoGuy - Posted - 04/15/2016:  21:09:28

Paul, the music you are creating for the cello banjo is really unique, almost other-worldly.  It is like no other banjo music I've heard before.  Thank you for sharing this gift.

Paul Roberts - Posted - 04/16/2016:  10:14:34

Wait a minute... I can't think... that comment put me in an almost other-worldly state of mind...

Thank you, Bob, that will keep me goin' for another three days, at least.  

Marc Nerenberg - Posted - 04/16/2016:  11:29:01

This is the first time I've heard the cello banjo really live up to its potential as an independent instrument, rather than just a low pitched 5 string played more or less like a regular five string. Great stuff!

Paul Roberts - Posted - 04/16/2016:  13:02:48

Thank you, Marc. This is the best birthday party I've ever had. And, as it's beginning about three weeks early, I figure if I can keep it going until three weeks after, I may just reach the crest of Eternal Elation. 

Tom Berghan - Posted - 04/17/2016:  21:30:46

Fantastic Paul!  Love it!  I hope you sell a gazillion!  And it really is a great album!

Best Wishes, Tom

Paul Roberts - Posted - 04/19/2016:  06:31:26

Tom, supportive friends are like solid gold for the spirit. Thank you, my friend.

JanetB - Posted - 04/21/2016:  17:13:03

Today's commute was all the better for having playing my new CD, Banjos Dreaming.  With the cello banjo as the star, your other instruments playing off and complementing each other add depth to the titles' themes.  I'm reminded when I overdubbed your Leap Frog tune, letting that title inspire me.  That was your cello banjo, too, I believe. 

Leap Frogging

Paul Roberts - Posted - 04/27/2016:  02:28:38

Janet, thanks for reminding me about that tune, and thanks for your gallant leapfrogging. Another tune of mine that you reminded me about was Sweet Pea, which is how it got on the album. Glad you maintain such a vast archival research library!  

guitarman8491 - Posted - 04/27/2016:  04:46:35

Paul..wonderful woven sounds emanate from your hands through the cello banjo..man can you make that thing sing! Bravo and wishing you great success with your new album!

JanetB - Posted - 04/27/2016:  06:21:05

I've "experienced" Wind in My Sails flowing through my head all week -- a joyful melody, full of awe and wonder. 

Laurence Diehl - Posted - 04/27/2016:  08:48:17

I usually just buy selected tracks, but in this case - every one was a winner. And there is a consistent identity throughout, so that even though each tune is unique, there is a flow that persists from beginning to end. Quite an achievement Paul!

Denton - Posted - 04/27/2016:  23:36:38

I bought the album. Great!!!

rickhayes - Posted - 05/03/2016:  13:28:28

We had our annual work reunion in Atlantic City on Sunday 5/1 and I drove down there in a constant rainstorm.  I put your CD in the car's audio system and your tunes helped make the trip a lot less dreary.  A fine effort Paul, and I agree with Laurence's comment about consistent identity. 

japfelthaler - Posted - 05/03/2016:  19:53:40

Beautiful music Paul!  You have certainly given the cello banjo a new voice!

Paul Roberts - Posted - 05/07/2016:  07:00:06

Dear Friends,

Much gratitude for your kind words, which mean a great deal to me. 

Today, I became a septuagenarian. I've been working on the pronunciation. There are a few ways to say it, and I prefer the British.

Here are some words to a song I wrote 40 years ago: Life goes on like a rolling fog. The birds are singing all day long. Under the sun I write this song. Life goes on and on and on.

Here's wishing a happy birthday to myself - and a good life, full of musical fulfillment, to each of you.

Paul  

rickhayes - Posted - 05/07/2016:  07:59:28

Happy Birthday Paul, and many more.

JanetB - Posted - 05/09/2016:  10:40:17

Happy birthday, Paul, a bit late.  The septacular music goes on and on!

Omeboy - Posted - 05/09/2016:  11:53:22

There's simply nothing out there that compares to this. 

This album will stand as an enduring landmark for the cello banjo.

A wondrous journey for the heart and soul on any music lover.