An idiosyncratic blog dedicated to the precursors, the practioners, and the descendants of power pop.
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here in the dc area i can listen to the bluegrass country channel on broadcast public radio from american university, digital channel 2 - it is also available internet-wide at
https://bluegrasscountry.org/full-schedule/ Listener-supported radio playing American roots music 24/7
and there's an app
last week listening in bed with earbuds early one morning i heard them play Big Richard's song Millionaire - very catchy, I thought
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V4huHY_YNlE
they're a ladies string quartet - no banjo, but cello, stand up bass, fiddle and what i think is a mandolin - it has eight strings, is plucked/strummed
I still haven't figured out what the issue is with banjos. From the spooky intensity of Dock Boggs' late-1920s recordings to REM's wistful accents in 'Wendell Gee', it is waaaaay beyond the cheesy rep it's somehow earned. C in California
There are only four banjo songs that you will ever need to hear in your life - The Ballad of Jed Clampett Foggy Mountain Breakdown Earls Breakdown - all Flatt & Scruggs Dueling Banjos - Eric Weissburg
i like it
ReplyDeletehere in the dc area i can listen to the bluegrass country channel on broadcast public radio from american university, digital channel 2 - it is also available internet-wide at
https://bluegrasscountry.org/full-schedule/
Listener-supported radio playing American roots music 24/7
and there's an app
last week listening in bed with earbuds early one morning i heard them play Big Richard's song Millionaire - very catchy, I thought
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V4huHY_YNlE
they're a ladies string quartet - no banjo, but cello, stand up bass, fiddle and what i think is a mandolin - it has eight strings, is plucked/strummed
I've been feeling guilty about all the cartoon jokes about banjos I've been posting for the last several weeks. 😎
DeleteI still haven't figured out what the issue is with banjos. From the spooky intensity of Dock Boggs' late-1920s recordings to REM's wistful accents in 'Wendell Gee', it is waaaaay beyond the cheesy rep it's somehow earned.
ReplyDeleteC in California
Charlie Chin’s banjo at the of the Springfield’s “Bluebird” is one of my favorite things ever.
DeleteThe Who - Squeeze Box
ReplyDeletePete plays banjo 🪕
Repeat after me: "banjo is good in small doses!"
ReplyDeleteWise Captain Al
Banjo is not as bad as bagpipes for sure. But the Star Trek banjo version isn't moving me. Don't feel guilty, it's not good for you.
ReplyDeleteThe Klingons will die laughing
ReplyDeleteMarginally tolerable i guess.....
ReplyDeleters
There are only four banjo songs that you will ever need to hear in your life -
ReplyDeleteThe Ballad of Jed Clampett
Foggy Mountain Breakdown
Earls Breakdown - all Flatt & Scruggs
Dueling Banjos - Eric Weissburg
Agree on Chin and "Bluebird". I also really like the banjo on Neil Young's "Old Man", played by (surprise!) James Taylor.
ReplyDeleteDon't forget that before he was Mr. Byrd, Jim McGuinn learned the banjo here in Chicago at the Old Town School of Folk Music.
ReplyDeleteTony Hicks laid down some tasty banjo on The Hollies "Stop, Stop, Stop"
ReplyDelete