Banjo Hangout Top 100 Old Time Songs

My BHO Chat pal Chris Muriel (g3zdm), from Manchester, England, was in Boston this week on business, and came over the house to pick a few tunes. We were joined by Ed Britt, my long time friend and street music partner, not enough to play bridge, but enough for a banjo trio! Here is one of the tunes we played, recorded on my hand-held Tascam DR-1.

Some tunes just grab me, as simple as it is I play it often..sometimes slow sometimes hard driving. This version I learned from John Burkes, that someone put up for download. Can't say my playing of it is very close to the tab now.

I apologize for the hoarseness in my voice, but I'm afraid either the allergies or the old age has caught up with me.

I apologize for the hoarseness in my voice, but I'm afraid either the allergies or the old age has caught up with me.

This tune comes originally from Hazard, Kentucky fiddler Luther Strong (1892-1963), when he was recorded in 1937 for the Library of Congress by Alan and Elizabeth Lomax. This recording is from the Geezer Hill jam session that Don Couchie and I had with Tim Rowell (clawhammertim). Don is playing the fiddle, Tim is playing clawhammer style, I think in double C, capoed on 2, and I am three finger picking in open D tuning, on my semi-fretless Tubaphone.

This tune comes originally from Hazard, Kentucky fiddler Luther Strong (1892-1963), when he was recorded in 1937 for the Library of Congress by Alan and Elizabeth Lomax. This recording is from the Geezer Hill jam session that Don Couchie and I had with Tim Rowell (clawhammertim). Don is playing the fiddle, Tim is playing clawhammer style, I think in double C, capoed on 2, and I am three finger picking in open D tuning, on my semi-fretless Tubaphone.

This tune comes originally from North Carolina fiddler Martin Marcus (1881-1974), who recorded it for the Library of Congress in the early 40s. The rather obtuse title makes sense once you know that a pig's foot is a blacksmithing tool. Another recording from one of our campsite jams on Geezer Hill. Don Couchie is doing the fiddling, I am three finger picking in open G tuning on my semi-fretless Tubaphone.

Based on a 1946 recording of Farmer M. Howell and Rufus Crisp. Played by Bob Lanham on a Bart Reiter Bacophone Plus banjo.

Based on a 1946 recording of Farmer M. Howell and Rufus Crisp. Played by Bob Lanham on a Bart Reiter Bacophone Plus banjo.

Based on the fiddle playing of Edden Hammons. Played by Bob Lanham on a Bart Reiter Bacophone Plus banjo.

Based on the fiddle playing of Edden Hammons. Played by Bob Lanham on a Bart Reiter Bacophone Plus banjo.

Played on a fretless gourd banjo, this song reminds me of Lewis and Clark, whose expedition Kit and I are learning more about. The Corp of Discovery canoed up the Snake River till it joined with the Columbia River, where they finally came out on the Pacific Ocean. Thanks to Dan Levenson in his Buzzard Banjo book for tabbing this.

Played on a fretless gourd banjo, this song reminds me of Lewis and Clark, whose expedition Kit and I are learning more about. The Corp of Discovery canoed up the Snake River till it joined with the Columbia River, where they finally came out on the Pacific Ocean. Thanks to Dan Levenson in his Buzzard Banjo book for tabbing this.

Double C tuning, capo 2, key of D

Double C tuning, capo 2, key of D