Surfbanjosurf - Posted - 05/22/2026:  07:31:16

Hello again

What are some of your favourite melodic solo clawhammer albums? I love the fiddle and the human voice can really move me in old tunes, however I really enjoy sitting down with a coffee and listening to a whole album of instrumental beautiful banjo playing.
Some real oldie albums would be greatly appreciate also any new old-time albums that fit the bill.
I greatly appreciate hidden gems so please do throw your own albums if you think I'll like it.
Thanks again, what a great resource this is !

Jon Borcherding - Posted - 05/22/2026:  08:47:38

Here's the title track off Chris Coole's 2010 solo album.

CrazyCatLazy - Posted - 05/22/2026:  11:33:04

Banjo Haiku by Cathy Fink is the album that got me into clawhammer and is still my favourite album of solo clawhammer to this day.

carlb - Posted - 05/22/2026:  12:44:02

Ken Perlman

kenperlman.com/

ancient tones - Posted - 05/22/2026:  13:32:44

I thought of Chris Coole.

Matt Buckley - Posted - 05/22/2026:  13:37:23

Anything by Chris Coole or Adam Hurt.

Edited by - Matt Buckley on 05/22/2026 13:37:42

Bill Rogers - Posted - 05/22/2026:  16:46:55

Check out Rick Anderson’s YouTube channel. Some of the best melodic clawhammer you’ll find. I don’t think he’s recorded though.

Tim Jumper - Posted - 05/22/2026:  16:57:10

Reed Martin, Howie Bursen, Mark Johnson, and Michael J. Miles also come to mind.

R.D. Lunceford - Posted - 05/23/2026:  00:21:44

Melodic? Probably not, but these are great:

"Earth Tones- Solo Gourd Banjo Music", by Adam Hurt is phenomenal.

Our own Noah Cline has a bunch of YouTube videos, and if you like his stuff, he has CD's for sale.

I can't say enough good things about Noah's playing.  I've been at it since 1969,  and with all of the banjoing I've heard he's in my all-time top 3. He takes traditional playing to the very highest level.

Edited by - R.D. Lunceford on 05/23/2026 00:25:11

Bill Rogers - Posted - 05/23/2026:  01:52:58

R. D. Is too modest. Check out his “Drop-Thumb” CD—if you can find it. Unbelievably precise fretless work.

Edited by - Bill Rogers on 05/23/2026 01:57:39

LyleK - Posted - 05/23/2026:  12:00:29

quote:

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Originally posted by Tim Jumper

Reed Martin, Howie Bursen, Mark Johnson, and Michael J. Miles also come to mind.

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I would definitely second Reed Martin.  Unfortunately, his Old Time Banjo CD went out of production long ago; but, there's an excellent house concert on Youtube.  If you go to the end of the description there are links to the individual tunes, with the occasional error ("Chinquapin Hunting" is actually "Chinquapin Pie.").  Most, though not all, tunes are melodic clawhammer.  A few are finger picking.  From "Cacklin' Hen" and on to the end is just amazing.  The audience is calling out tune titles or Reed is just coming up rapid-fire with tunes he thinks would be interesting.  One time he can't remember the tune and someone in the audience "deedles" a few notes and Reed picks up on that.

Edited by - LyleK on 05/23/2026 12:02:15

Bill Rogers - Posted - 05/23/2026:  12:09:02

Another serious omission was Walt Koken. Several CDs and a fair number of YouTube posts. Walt’s right-hand timing is unsurpassed. 

Mudthumper.com

Edited by - Bill Rogers on 05/23/2026 12:13:00

R.D. Lunceford - Posted - 05/23/2026:  14:02:39

quote:

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Originally posted by Bill Rogers

R. D. Is too modest. Check out his “Drop-Thumb” CD—if you can find it. Unbelievably precise fretless work.

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Thanks for your good opinion of my playing Bill.  There are so many great players, past and present. I am just happy to be part of the continuum.

And... thank you for what you have done for the banjo in general, and BHO in particular.  There's no way the CH/OT forums would be the success they have been with out your unflagging efforts and dedication.

jojo25 - Posted - 05/23/2026:  19:46:44

like Bill said...listen to Walt Koken

Surfbanjosurf - Posted - 05/25/2026:  16:27:38

Wow incredible response everyone, heartfully received. Some I know and love (Adam hurts earth tones is one of my all time favourite pieces of art) but many new names to explore and discover.
Much appreciated ! Thanks for keeping me so inspired

Paul Roberts - Posted - 05/27/2026:  09:53:26

If  by chance you think I'm promoting Adam Hurt, I'd have to say you have a great imagination - something that will only expand by absorbing his music.

from Banjo Newsletter:

"Released in 2010, Earth Tones by clawhammer virtuoso Adam Hurt is a highly celebrated, all-instrumental album played exclusively on the fretless gourd banjo. While acoustic genre sales aren't formally tracked by a central governing body, it is widely considered one of the most successful and best-selling solo banjo recordings in the old-time music community."

Also from Banjo Newsletter: Review: Back To The Earth by Adam Hurt

Adam: I would likely not have thought to record an album like “Earth Tones,” my 2010 collection of solo gourd banjo music, had it not been for the encouragement of Paul Roberts, that project’s engineer and co-producer. Paul was right, though, in thinking that this was a sound that would make an impression on the banjo community. While all things are relative and we are talking about the very small world of old-time banjo, “Earth Tones” has been my biggest-selling album by far, with numerous physical reprints over the decade and sales in both physical and digital forms remaining quite strong.

Edited by - Paul Roberts on 05/27/2026 10:06:33

JanetB - Posted - 05/27/2026:  19:54:28

I like Earth Tones and its sequel, Back to the Earth. Hearing Adam’s incredible clawhammer influenced my own playing when I took lessons from him. I also like Mac Benford’s playing, especially his Ed Haley compilation on his Half Past Four CD. Bob Fletcher played delightfully on Old-Time Clearwater Banjo. Brad Leftwich and Dan Gellert did a marvelous CD together, A Moment in Time. Erynn Marshall’s CD Calico features great banjo players.

AndrewD - Posted - 05/29/2026:  11:21:49

For something a bit different try Dan Walsh

clawgirl18 - Posted - 06/08/2026:  13:57:44

In addition to the folks others mentioned, I also enjoy Benny Bleu, Lukas Pool, and Kendl Winter

Don Borchelt - Posted - 06/15/2026:  04:26:54

quote:

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Originally posted by R.D. Lunceford

..."Earth Tones- Solo Gourd Banjo Music", by Adam Hurt is phenomenal...

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My pick as well.  It may or may not be melodic  but it certainly is melodious.

Paul T R - Posted - 06/15/2026:  23:03:18

Frank Evans. His playing with the Slocan Ramblers spans bluegrass and clawhammer, something one doesn't often see in one band.