This is an early Earl Scruggs banjo with Bill Monroe n the Grand Ol Oprey. I know its a real poor sound recording but it gives a good idea at how Earls picking had evolved into the Earl we know. In fact that recording could easily have been said was Snuffy Smith pickin' that banjo. Another thing it shows (I think) once that band put it together is how after playing with a bunch of great musicians the influence that had made Earl as great as he was. When you have great musicians around you it allows the complete freedom to play and progress without thinking about having to cover for the guys mistakes. It must have been a gift from god to have that freedom to create.
youtube.com/watch?v=ri_koXykl_U
Overthere- Thanks! I love these historical recordings and you're right. It sounds a lot like Snuffy,and I hear some Charlie Poole in there too.
That really is an eye-opener. We tend to think of the artist as fully formed. We often forget that, like everyone, he had to develop, too.
Thanks!
thanks guys...and I apologize writing Snuffy Smith when I surely meant Snuffy Jenkens....eesshh must have had Snuffy Smith on my pea brain....lol
This had brought me back to the 50s when I was trying to learn banjo. I thought then that all you had to do was pick away as fast as the music and if you could do that you were a bluegrass picker. then the first time I saw a real banjo picker (Harold Morrison) I realized I aint....lol.... so I had to start all over.....
quote:
Originally posted by overhereWhen you have great musicians around you it allows the complete freedom to play and progress without thinking about having to cover for the guys mistakes. It must have been a gift from god to have that freedom to create.
youtube.com/watch?v=ri_koXykl_U
That "complete freedom to play" is two fold in that it also allows the "guys" to cover your mistakes as well.
Great video!
This is, AFAIK, the earliest known recording of Scruggs in ANY setting.
Note that he's playing in C, uncapo'd.
Ira, it funny you mentioned that. Back in the early years of learning any instrument it seems all the songs and any song books always used the C chord for some reason. Also the first banjo book I bought had the tuning with the drop C.....we didn't know any different and tried to play (learn) every thing in C uncapo'd.....guitar....mandolin the same. My dad taught me Wreck Of The Old Number Nine in C.on guitar....my 10 year old fingers hardly made the stretch lol. Funny how times change.
Edited by - overhere on 03/08/2021 13:17:59
Holy smoke ! That is fascinating ! Its remarkable to hear this and better understand how Earl's playing changed. Thank you for a great video .
by the way lets give a shout out to MrMonroeMando for finding this and posting on youtube.
