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Anytime a banjo pops up on a national television program I think it’s noteworthy. Molly Tuttle and her band performed “Crooked Tree” from her latest album this evening on Jimmy Kimmel Live!
Edited by - chuckv97 on 01/06/2023 23:50:23
You beat me to it Chuck. I came here to post this too, still listening to it as I type.
I love this. Molly is another torch bearer, spreading this music worldwide and keeping it alive.
Most Excellent.
Yeah Frank,,, say, that banjo had no name on the peghead,, did you catch what make it is?
No I didn't, that's Kyle Tuttle on banjo who, as I understand, is not related to Molly (??) ... but somewhere out there are some close-ups of his banjo. think it's a custom instrument.
Molly is right up there with Billy Strings in my opinion. Just putting out some fantastic music and the new crop of fans are lovin' it.
Chuck, I just noticed you didn't post a lik to the video in your OP, so here it is
Great song. When did she put this band together? I hate them - all young, talented, and good looking.
Kyle Tuttle, first banjo player on the moon?
I applaud Molly and her new band. Being a fan of Mile 12, the addition of Bronwyn Keith-Hynes was a stroke of genius. After Mollys album featuring Wes Corbett, her next two efforts strayed away from bluegrass and her strengths and moved towards Taylor Swift. Very disappointing.This new collaboration truly showcases her amazing talents, along with the bands.
A couple observations. Kids today are not as taken with the old names in the instrument business as they have far more choices than we old boomers had. If they have good old instruments they don't travel with them and play the rigs that are electrified. They don't have to content with single mic systems and usually don't play small bars as bigger named acts. And I ain't never heard any first generation bluegrass singer sing a song with that depth of rumination behind it. Not saying that stuff wasn't good, because that was my music and I spent many years playing it. Things are changing, these kids face another world from the one we lived in. What was a concern for us is a reality for them. Molly and Billy are the future of bluegrass in this old man's way of thinking.
I'm pretty sure a huge chunk of this audience (on tv and at home) has never heard anything like this, it's all new to them, and there's no way they won't be touched by it's organic authenticity. And acoustic at that. My sense is, this stuff opens up a lot of ears...
Bio
International Banjo Champion Kyle Tuttle is shredding his way through the jamgrass scene. Since moving to Nashville in 2012 Kyle has shared the stage with many epic performers, most notably as a member of the Jeff Austin Band for 3 years. Kyle has also worked closely with Jamgrass legends Larry Keel, Travelin’ McCourys, Leftover Salmon, Greensky Bluegrass, Billy Strings, and Railroad Earth. In addition to being seen around the jamgrass circuit, Kyle is a studio musician in Nashville, and recently produced the Chain Station album ‘Backroads’. Currently on tour with Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway!!
A few words from Jeff Austin about Kyle,
“He’s one of a kind, I’m telling you. If there’s a better banjo player then show them to me. It’s a rare gift when somebody can connect theoretical musical depth, like knowing what phrasing you’re using, or what key you’re in, or what variation on the chord you’re using with, f***ing balls of f***ing steel. To just be able to dig in like he does and play his ass off, it’s amazing.”
Kyle’s debut album ‘Bobcat’ was released in 2016. Pete Wernick of Hot Rize says about the record,
“Precious few banjo players have both solid mastery of traditional Scruggs style and also the impulse and ability to make eclectic excursions using high-challenge techniques. On Bobcat, that combination creates a likeable “anything might happen” feeling that pulls the listener in. Kyle’s tone and execution are clean and attractive, and help sell his musical choices to the listener. In all, Bobcat is a welcome debut, introducing us to a banjo player who deserves our attention.”
Speaking of Kyle Tuttle, and Billy Strings, here is a video I came across of Billy's band in performance, with an extra guitar and extra banjo picker. it's just a long shot, no closeups, It took me about a Nashville minute to figure out who that thin banjo picker is dancing around stage, that's Kyle no doubt, his body language and on stage presence is a real tell. I have no idea who the extra guitar picker is, maybe some seeing it can identify who he is.
This in a great live performance, Kyle apparently sitting in with Billy Strings
This is my favorite Molly Tuttle video:
youtube.com/watch?v=E5fBEQQtf2I
For the person that asked, Kyle's banjo is an Ode style C with a radiused Robin Smith neck. It’s a very nice one.
Edited by - banjo1930 on 01/07/2023 11:55:18
The Kimmel video may be playing a pre-recorded audio version. At the beginning, banjo player is not playing, but the sound of the banjo is there.
Nothing wrong with that on a TV program. It's not a concert stage. They want to get the full and even sound of the recording out to the audience without half a day's working setting up the sound processing and microphones.
It's a good sound.
I'd have to respectfully disagree. I hear no banjo at all ... he is diddling with some harmonics which are barely in the mix but you can hear and see what he's doing. Rolling banjo starts around :44. I hear a droning note n the guitar that sounds like it could be banjo, but it's the guitar.
Then when Kyle takes the lead, he kinda gets ahead of himself, ahead of the beat around 2:10 for a few beats, and you can hear and see what he doing which all look live, to me. I guess opinions may vary...
You could be right. The sound sound on my speakers is low.
Banjo player has right hand motionless and left hand off the neck around :31-37, but the pulsing, ringing notes continue.
But Ms. Tuttle is a superb and smooth player. She could be making those even, ringing notes with strums.
A really good profile by PBS of Molly Tuttle: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WP5vYHoghwY
quote:
Originally posted by banjo1930For the person that asked, Kyle's banjo is an Ode style C with a radiused Robin Smith neck. It’s a very nice one.
Thanks, Gabe. I have a Style C,, now on closer inspection I see the ODE flange holes,, different tailpiece though.
quote:
Originally posted by banjoySpeaking of Kyle Tuttle, and Billy Strings, here is a video I came across of Billy's band in performance, with an extra guitar and extra banjo picker. it's just a long shot, no closeups, It took me about a Nashville minute to figure out who that thin banjo picker is dancing around stage, that's Kyle no doubt, his body language and on stage presence is a real tell. I have no idea who the extra guitar picker is, maybe some seeing it can identify who he is.
This in a great live performance, Kyle apparently sitting in with Billy Strings
The other guitarist is Julian Davis who also played with Kyle in the Jeff Austin Band. Jeff had a knack for getting incredibly talented musicians together and getting weird in the greatest possible ways.
There are so many people here on the Hangout who think that the development of bluegrass stopped with Jimmy Martin. Which amazes me, because when Earl first played with Monroe on the Grand Ol' Opry, it was as radical as the first punk rock performances.
Folks, you may love the idea, or you may hate it. But performances like this one will preserve bluegrass for at least two generations. Molly Tuttle is having a great year, as is Billy Strings. Long may they wave!
quote:
Originally posted by eagleislandThere are so many people here on the Hangout who think that the development of bluegrass stopped with Jimmy Martin. Which amazes me, because when Earl first played with Monroe on the Grand Ol' Opry, it was as radical as the first punk rock performances.
Folks, you may love the idea, or you may hate it. But performances like this one will preserve bluegrass for at least two generations. Molly Tuttle is having a great year, as is Billy Strings. Long may they wave!
Fifty years ago, some hippies paid homage to traditional bluegrass and probably saved it. I think Billy Strings, Molly Tuttle, and bands like Steep Canyon Rangers, etc. are saving and advancing the music just like NGDB did half a century ago. There are more good young players now playing bluegrass than ever. Hopefully, another Elvis doesn't show up and ruin it all again :-)
Quote : “ Hopefully, another Elvis doesn't show up and ruin it all again :-)”
Edited by - chuckv97 on 01/08/2023 17:59:10
quote:
Originally posted by Alex ZThe Kimmel video may be playing a pre-recorded audio version. At the beginning, banjo player is not playing, but the sound of the banjo is there.
Nothing wrong with that on a TV program. It's not a concert stage. They want to get the full and even sound of the recording out to the audience without half a day's working setting up the sound processing and microphones.
It's a good sound.
If the banjo sounds on the recording just like in the TV appearance, I'd scratch my head why they apparently used a pickup instead of a mike. While the playing is superb, the banjo sounded to me almost like the banjo setting on some MIDI-pianos.
Edited by - phb on 01/09/2023 04:34:06
I can hear Laurie Lewis's influence and inspiration so strongly in both Molly Tuttle's songwriting and in her singing, in this song in particular! Laurie has done so much to generously mentor, nurture, and encourage many young female musicians, directly or indirectly, over the years, and it makes me happy to hear the continuity of that musical and personal thread passing on to a terrific new generation of young and amazingly talented female musicians. I mean this in no way to detract from Molly's own formidable creative and musical talents; I just wanted to give kudos to Laurie for her part in helping Molly bloom so beautifully!
Edited by - BrendanD on 01/09/2023 05:09:22
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