Banjo Hangout Newest 100 Clawhammer and Old-Time Songs

Ballad of the Waffle House

This hymn caught me off guard with its unusual meter in the second section. When I heard Allison Kraus' version I had to give it a try and was very surprised that it clawhammered quite easily. I don't know many modern hymns, but am finding that many are quite beautiful. This has a Celtic feel, and, indeed the writers are from Ireland and England.

Played on new refurbished 5 string open back in double C tuning.

The Tune of the Week features a song and includes this banjo solo by Coon Creek Girl Lily May Ledford. The clawhammer techniques are standard and the tune would be a good one to combine skills of bum-ditty, hammer-on, and drop thumb. The lyrics, which you can hear on the discussion thread, tell of farmers trying to eliminate the threat of having their chickens eliminated by the hawk predator.

Today our daughter-in-law gave birth to our fifth grandchild, Jadzia (it's a Polish name). The first four each has his/her own banjo tune composed by Grandpa so with this one Jadzia joins them. Can't head down to Philadelphia to see them in the hospital because of Covid restrictions, but hope to see them soon at home. In Double C.

Played by the treasured fiddler of Kentucky, Clyde Davenport, this Tune of the Week introduced me to a second CD of field recordings I wouldn't have known about. This crooked tune is typical of Mr. Davenport's unique, but traditional Appalachian tunes with roots that usually go farther back across the sea.

gDGBD

piano part

Played on a 10 3/4" vintage banjo. Old pot/New neck

Winter's Come and Gone

Another one by Carolan. Banjo scordatura gDGCD

Bruce Molsky sings Piney Mountains, accompanying himself on fiddle with Joe Newberry singing harmony. This arrangement takes its melody from his vocals. People have asked for tab, which will be uploaded in the tab archive.

Three Forks of Hell, on Minstrel Banjo

Source recording: Arthur D Johnson

A banjophonic vision of this haunting Carolan's planxty played with some arpeggiated clawhammer. Standard G-tuning.