Tim Eriksen: Sugar Baby on Fretless Banjo in Times Square

[Strumelia]

Can you tell me the tuning you used please?

Bravo.

[HandofDave]

When it zooms into the sound hole about 3/5ths of the way thru it looks like a living organism thru a microscope or something. Very unusual location and camerawork.

[blueridger28]

IT cool you playin that primitive type inturment in the rat race of times square. ITs like livin art.

[r810s]

Great playing. I just got myself a handmade banjo like this and love it. You make it sound wonderful.

[Pfranklin28]

The movie'" Bladerunner" comes to mind.nice job.

[batfancy]

@Pfranklin28 Interesting! Yes, very post apocalyptic in a way...

[ThePhoenixRaven]

Really awesome combo of the banjo and the city noises.....truly gorgeous.

[rubysunshine7]

thank you, tim. you inspire me to find what it is i have to give the world - and get it out there.

[celtica99]

Interesting combination of your beautiful music and the sounds of the Big Apple

[art2liv4]

I love the juxtaposition of the industrial noise (kinda interesting in itself) with the banjo, how it seem to go away when the camera gets inside the instrument, then comes back at the end.

[Bisbonian]

"Got no need for no frets now..."

Really wonderful video. I make this sort of banjo, and someone just pointed me toward your music...wow.

[checkraisedbywolves]

and the real lunatics passing by thought you had lost your mind

great piece....even better place to perform it

[bonzoboom85]

Man, this felt so post-apocalyptic. Well, besides all the annoying cars and other city sounds.

[Ppuffdiddleydangdoof]

AREJAYE: I agree with you completely. I'm a music 'ho too, same broad, eclectic collection and how is it I've only heard of this guy yesterday? He's a national treasure. He may be John Lomax reincarnate, because this, I believe is the music Lomax would play if he had another life. Thanks Anokpoet for letting me know BatFancy is Tim. Thanks Tim for keeping this music alive.

[killaB14]

its funny how such beautiful music gets swallowed up by the city. Tim you are amazing, keep this music alive!

[hovanti]

It's too bad none of the big city folks have the sense to stop and enjoy his music...

[arejaye]

I consider myself pretty much a music 'ho...I have everything on my pc and in CD's from Aerosmith to Zappa, and stuff from the 1930's to present. HOW have I not heard of this guy before?? I feel like my collection which really would take you over a month of 24/7 to hear all of it, almost complete now that I found Tim. Genuine and unique is all I can say, and that's enuff! Well done bro!

[Anokpoet]

Only a month 24/7, you are probably missing a lot, hahahaha! 65.5 days (24/7) of music and hopefully way more by summer, and hopefully Tim will have way more, he is amazing. So much great music in the world and so little time to listen to it all.

[hovanti]

It's hypnotic! I would love to be able to play this some day...or year...

[edratliff]

who did the filming?

[batfancy]

Peter Irvine Esq.

[buckhendrix]

Who made this banjo??? Stanley Hicks???

[batfancy]

Ellis Wolfe, who learned from "old man Stanley" as he called him (though Ellis was well on in years himself when I met him some 15 years ago)...

[JonnyGrave]

ellis wolf did one helluva job with that machine there.

[batfancy]

Yeah, he made some real improvements on "old man Stanley's" already great design. I tried to get him to make me another one for safe keeping, but he just made stuff when he felt like it.

[bobbybanner]

You play great man. I inherited a Stanley Hicks banjo today...i was looking some stuff up on the internet about him and found this. I'm really excited now that i know what i have.

[rmstudio]

Batfancy I just saw the clip of Tim singing "Am I born to die" in the old theather. That was stunning performance! Incredible rendition of that old tune. IT was haunting the way they did it. Tim's voice dead on! I love that old fretless banjo he plays. Does he do SOldiers Joy? Also sincerely thank you for posting such a personal upclose video of time casually playing in the street. Keeping tradition alive.

[Anokpoet]

Just an FYI BatFancy is Tim!

[haikumathieu]

I really like your sound on the mountain banjo! - I'm currently keep playing "Basset Creek" from your album, again, and again (without much success yet...)

Thanks for your music!

[batfancy]

Hey- I'll try to post a version of Bassett Creek where you can see my fingers, if that helps. I shot one a while back but didn't post it because I was way more into the sound of the stream than the sound of the banjo.

[haikumathieu]

Oh well, I got all the notes and all, now I just have to find a groove...

But I'd (we all would!) love a video anyway!

Cheers!

[Lorichs]

awsome !

[mh605]

Interesting juxtaposition of a traditional tune (presumably from a rural area sometime in the past) with the hustle and bustle of modern Times Square. Also interesting is the play of light on the banjo head while it is being played, as viewed from inside.

[ainefidileir]

gah! Minnesota misses you  ;)

[Anokpoet]

Amazing as always! Loved the camera on the inside of the banjo it almost felt like the song changed locations away from the "hustle and bustle"

[sparkyfiddle]

Nice one Tim. Glad you're reunited with your original banjo. Great performance here- and I love the way the camera moves from the noise of the traffic to 'sanctuary' inside the banjo.

[mh605]

Interesting comment. That "Sanctuary" is how I feel about the old-time music in a modern world. It's sanctuary for my soul.

[momostring]

amazing! the perfect setting, and such a cool journey with the camera! i also remember fondly a 20ish or so minute version in portland...

[sholesovsky]

what a great contrast in sound. your lyrical banjo,and the bustle and excitement of times square. was it hard to focus on playing with such a busy environment? cool tune,cool video

[batfancy]

Sugar Baby is a good tune for situations like this. The noise in Times Square isn't so bad, comparatively speaking.

[IrvineNoho]

"Retail Opportunity" ... Jimi Hendrix ... and the spirit of Frank Proffitt returns to New York

[baanjoguy]

Hey man that was good,I like the way the camera person zoomed into the banjo pot..Too cool!

[batfancy]

My friend and lawyer Peter Irvine filmed it. I'm really pleased with what it says about...something.

[JohnTheDonz]

Hypnotic.

[inatangle]

Yes, this one is excellent; I love that album "Comet." That's pretty cool when you get the sound and visual from underneath the banjo. Did you set out a hat as a busker?

[batfancy]

No, didn't think of it. But I did beat up a yuppie for half a cappucino.

[Anokpoet]

Was it any good or did the yuppie have bad taste and get crap coffee? great vid too!