Bill Keith is known so much for his melodic playing but I don't think he gets enough credit or mention for the tone he pulls. Beautiful and rich. Here with Monroe in Louisville Breakdown.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iiA64bEK9mg
Ken
The YouTube notes say that’s Joe Stuart on banjo.
Might’ve been Brad (Keith) Stuart….
Nope,
Not Bill Keith. Different beat, sound and backup than Bill ever did....Jack
quote:
Originally posted by Bill RogersThe YouTube notes say that’s Joe Stuart on banjo.
Thank you Bill, I just looked it up on my Bear Family books you are correct. It is Joe Stuart. I was listening on my headphones and heard the great tone. When i looked it up on youtube, the record label said Bill Keith and I did not read the notes underneath.
Anyway, Stuart played all the instruments and I was surprised at how good he sounded on banjo.
ken
Edited by - From Greylock to Bean Blossom on 05/17/2025 13:51:06
Yes,
Good research. You're correct. Joe Stuart did a nice job on the LP....
Edited by - Jack Baker on 05/17/2025 14:05:11
Joe played well on that one, but , hear this…
share.icloud.com/photos/0e8Q3z...-rSeG1LSQ
or at 3:58 here https://youtu.be/L0tT0SnR3oo?si=tfgDqijw8cJUxGRZ
Edited by - chuckv97 on 05/17/2025 15:30:00
quote:
Originally posted by chuckv97Joe played well on that one, but , hear this…
share.icloud.com/photos/0e8Q3z...-rSeG1LSQor at 3:58 here https://youtu.be/L0tT0SnR3oo?si=tfgDqijw8cJUxGRZ
I have not studied or listened hard to Joe Stuart play banjo. Why do you think Monroe said that about him and his playing? What did he not like about his playing?
Ken
Who cares? Let's live in the Present
Edited by - Jack Baker on 05/19/2025 07:01:49
Bill Keith was excellent at mixing melodics and Scruggs styles at will.
quote:
Originally posted by Jack BakerWho cares? Let's live in the Present
Because it is an interesting study in styles and history of the music.
The statement is out there. We don't need to hide from it.
ken
Ken, I don’t know much about Stuart’s banjo playing,, I’m thinking he probably couldn’t devote enough time to it with all those other instruments he was asked to play. Those were Monroe’s lean years - the late 1950’s , early 1960’s - from what I’ve read, and he couldn’t always afford to carry a whole band in those days. So poor old Joe was the ultimate “utility man”.
On the subject of Joe Stuart, thought you might be interested in this photo I took in 1976 for Knoxville TV, the Cas Walker show that went out live at 6 AM. Also Red Rector (mando) Fred Smith (gtr). Makes you appreciate digital technology, this is definitely low res!
Edited by - Laurence Diehl on 05/19/2025 10:29:55
Laurence: What a time to be there!
ken
