I'm tickled by the fact that the frogs are given song credit in the video title, like a chorus of backup singers.
About the smile comment; I think that some people when they sing get so wrapped up in the sound and the story of it, they're not even aware of themselves or their expressions. They merge with the music and are lost to it. Tim also closes his eyes a lot as he sings. I would say his lack of expression is more an indicator of how deeply he feels the music than lack of joy in it.
I love your stuff, but I just can't see how you can play this kind of music with such a serious face. old time music just brings a smile to my face, and its hard to imagine anyone with a scowl playing tom dooley on a mountain banjo
On the other hand, for the sake of argument and not to dismiss your point, it's hard to imagine being stabbed in the heart and bleeding to death alone in the woods without getting a little frowny.
@Flanneljack It's a song about a murderer condemned to death for stabbing his lover. It's not exactly "cheery".
Anyway, this is probably my favorite rendition of Tom Dooley behind the Kingston Trio's. You've inspired me to build a fretless, mountain banjo of my own. Absolutely amazing :)
glad you like it. I don't know if there's a name for this kind of banjo, but it was made by a guy named Ellis Wolfe who learned from a guy he called "Old Man Stanley" (Hicks) who used to walk down Beech Mountain to Butler TN where Ellis lived. The other banjos I've seen that look like this also come from that area. I've seen some clunky summer camp project ones too- I think there's a diagram or maybe even a kit out there somewhere...
Thanks Tim love this one since I was about 10 years old. My neighborhood kid best friend and I used to sing and play this song oh his guitar one of the first tunes I attempted to learn on a guitar. My dad took the guitar away so I never got to learn completely. Now many years later I am learning the banjo so with this video its given me a bit of inspiration to learn it on the banjo. Cheers my good friend. Dem frogs were perfect for the song. You pick the best places for videos" :)
Mr. Eriksen, you oughtta come out to Wilkesboro some year- (maybe for Merlefest if you've never been), and see the town Dula made famous, or possibly infamous.
This is very close to the spirit of the "original" Tom Dooley version by Frank Profitt of North Carolina, he played it on the same kind of banjo... The frogs gives a nice background... I like the idea of playing these old-time songs with the sound of nature...
I love this version!! Your voice and fiddle go well together
WilliamCerf 2 months ago
wonderful
bobspanner 3 months ago
I love how you bring nature into your videos and especially frogs singing backup for you. Love it. : )
bluegrassy1 7 months ago
SOOOOOOOO good! You are very talented Sir!
jtyner6 9 months ago
Sure like the video...the frogs are great. I am amazed at how much your voice sounds like Frank Proffitt on this song. Always enjoy your playing.
Bisbonian 1 year ago
What a chorus! Well done!
dg11306 1 year ago
Wow, very wonderful job on this and sweet banjo.
greatfulsurferdude 1 year ago
would it be possible for you to post the tabs up, I would love to learn this song and I tried by ear but didn't get very far.
deathbatgoth 1 year ago
@deathbatgoth I'd be happy to except that I don't know tablature notation. I'm sure it's on the internet somehwere...
batfancy 1 year ago
@deathbatgoth the tuning is double c up a half step, so i guess double c#. not to hard to figure out once you know that.
gageman70 6 months ago
I'm tickled by the fact that the frogs are given song credit in the video title, like a chorus of backup singers.
About the smile comment; I think that some people when they sing get so wrapped up in the sound and the story of it, they're not even aware of themselves or their expressions. They merge with the music and are lost to it. Tim also closes his eyes a lot as he sings. I would say his lack of expression is more an indicator of how deeply he feels the music than lack of joy in it.
DomesticAlchemist 2 years ago
Mmmm, some serious stuff being put out here. How about just enjoying the music?
gordmusical 2 years ago
I love your stuff, but I just can't see how you can play this kind of music with such a serious face. old time music just brings a smile to my face, and its hard to imagine anyone with a scowl playing tom dooley on a mountain banjo
Flanneljack 2 years ago
On the other hand, for the sake of argument and not to dismiss your point, it's hard to imagine being stabbed in the heart and bleeding to death alone in the woods without getting a little frowny.
batfancy 2 years ago 10
@batfancy You're my favourite.
TheOneThatFlewOver 3 months ago
@Flanneljack It's a song about a murderer condemned to death for stabbing his lover. It's not exactly "cheery".
Anyway, this is probably my favorite rendition of Tom Dooley behind the Kingston Trio's. You've inspired me to build a fretless, mountain banjo of my own. Absolutely amazing :)
mugofdoom 1 month ago
God man, Your stuff is simply incredible. Your voice and playing are just to die for!
Also, what are those types of banjos called, exactly? I kinda want to look into getting one, but haven't clue where to start.
Mandolinpossum 2 years ago
glad you like it. I don't know if there's a name for this kind of banjo, but it was made by a guy named Ellis Wolfe who learned from a guy he called "Old Man Stanley" (Hicks) who used to walk down Beech Mountain to Butler TN where Ellis lived. The other banjos I've seen that look like this also come from that area. I've seen some clunky summer camp project ones too- I think there's a diagram or maybe even a kit out there somewhere...
batfancy 2 years ago
@batfancy You ought direct this person to the FoxFire series of books.
There's a section in the 3rd on on how to make a banjo in the style of Stanley Hicks.
tewindavis 1 week ago
aint nothing like hearing some good old hill music
fukiu45 2 years ago
Thanks Tim love this one since I was about 10 years old. My neighborhood kid best friend and I used to sing and play this song oh his guitar one of the first tunes I attempted to learn on a guitar. My dad took the guitar away so I never got to learn completely. Now many years later I am learning the banjo so with this video its given me a bit of inspiration to learn it on the banjo. Cheers my good friend. Dem frogs were perfect for the song. You pick the best places for videos" :)
rmstudio 2 years ago
Mr. Eriksen, you oughtta come out to Wilkesboro some year- (maybe for Merlefest if you've never been), and see the town Dula made famous, or possibly infamous.
theowsla 2 years ago
your videos love the way you combine nature with your songs....i love tom dooley.. haven't heard in a long time but this is by far the best....katlin
KATLINRIMER08 2 years ago
Splendid Tim! Your videos always offer something extra
sparkyfiddle 2 years ago
Great version!
idswart 2 years ago
Love this one! Great visual images...love the authentic sound to this, Tim.
The frogs sound happy...lol.
5*****
GlenAnne99 2 years ago
FROGS! :D I think they really enjoyed that and were singing along. This made me happy today, thank you!
BecomingEostre 2 years ago
This is very close to the spirit of the "original" Tom Dooley version by Frank Profitt of North Carolina, he played it on the same kind of banjo... The frogs gives a nice background... I like the idea of playing these old-time songs with the sound of nature...
gadaya 2 years ago
Wonderful stuff
crochanberw 2 years ago