g3zdm Says:
Thursday, March 15, 2012 @7:54:49 AM

Wow - this Phil Cunningham tune comes up occasionally at our local Celtic sessions. Some of the trad guys would express horror on hearing this, but I like it. I get similar expressions of disgust from the trad police when I play a bluegrassed up version of Sir Sydney Smith's March.

Kevin McCabe Says:
Sunday, November 25, 2012 @12:18:21 AM

Hi Bob,

Kevin McCabe here. I am a plectrum banjo player who is interested in both the preservation and promotion of the four string banjo as an American artform. I too have experimented with distortion with the banjo from the perspective of promotion and moving forward of the art-form. I think if anyone approaches this subject from the perspective of the guitar, they would see that there is nothing fundamentally different. In other words, today, no-one gives a second thought to the electric guitar. In that sense, I don't feel there is anything "wrong" with an electric banjo. In fact, I think that because of its percussive nature, the banjo probably has more to offer than the electric guitar.

I think it is all OK as long as we place it in the context of the song. In other words, if the expression of the song, or our interpretation of the song calls for distortion, then OK. If we are using distortion for distortion sake alone, then I think we have an issue.

Best regards,
Kevin

BDCA Says:
Monday, November 26, 2012 @4:06:02 AM

Actually, I wasn't making any sort of statement, just having fun! After all, if we are not having fun playing music, we probably shouldn't be doing it. I play a very traditional (If you can say a tune written by a modern player is traditional) version on tenor banjo in sessions, a little more loosey - goosey when on stage with my band, because we have a more contemporary Irish sound.

I think it's important to preserve the tradition, but not in formaldehyde.

Cya!
Bob