Johnson Mountain Boys-John Henry, the Steel Driving Man

[gchopone]

"It kind of gets in a hurry." Nice.

[tubemagpie]

Why the need for such speed? Spoils the song for me... yes they are very dextrous I agree but the words are what is important!

[kapfoyka]

@tubemagpie

Because they can... Makes the song that much better for me. Screw the words, listen to that banjo and fiddle sing!

[tubemagpie]

@kapfoyka Each to their own. If a song has words then sing 'em and accompany the singing: If you want to play crazy fast just because you can choose something else. If it's a dance tune then play at a speed for dancing.

Chuck Berry put it well in Rock and Roll Music in the verse about modern jazz:; Unless they try to play it too darn fast And lose the beauty of the melody

Okay he went too far mentioning a symphony,but the principle is the same. Virtuoso pieces are okay in their own place.

[kapfoyka]

@tubemagpie

Where are you from? I'm guessing somewhere up north?

[tubemagpie]

@kapfoyka Up North from where?

I live in London, England.

[kapfoyka]

@tubemagpie

Meh, figures. I figured you were either a yankee or from florida, but I guess you might as well be. People in England listen to bluegrass??? Not surprised you said what you did now.

[tubemagpie]

@kapfoyka I've been a fan of Appalachian music since ...well, childhood......along with the jazz I was brought up with, and Blues too. I have spent well over 45 of my 65 years dancing and teaching dance most of it traditional dancing. That includes American Contra, Appalachian square/big set, western square dance, Irish set, Scots, and the source of them all...English. The best musicians do not need to show off by fast playing for the sake of it.

[kapfoyka]

@tubemagpie

Well then get up and cut you a rug while listening to this

[drmoutebank]

WSM's walking encyclopedia of country music, Mr. Eddie Stubbs on the fiddle.

[kapfoyka]

Okay someone out there has to know what Dudley is saying in the third verse. I know he says: John Henry, he went up on the mountain, said Lord I'm a Tennessee man. But then it sounds like he says: I can drive mars hill in a limestone rock, honey make it drive in the sand, honey make it drive in the sand. But that can't be right haha.

[ArkRed1]

Now THAT'S country music!

[kapfoyka]

@ArkRed1

Actually it's not. It's bluegrass.

[classicvinylbiz]

Ive listened to this on a CD for years and always wished I could have been at the old schoolhouse when they performed, but this is about the next best thing. Thanks for uploading this terrific video.

[nasty5oh]

TA eating it up

[hillbillywillie28806]

This is the way music should be done, it don't get any better than that.

[artofliving]

Brilliant

(audio over modulated)

10 stars!

[lowtechtimes]

Very good... didn't they play around a single mic for a time?

[Banjoey1]

They played with 3 single mics close together...

[TruegrassBoy]

Gawd, you just run out of things to say about these guys - soooooo good!

[AlbertaWildman]

Agreed, totally.

[fiddleplayer9]

that is awesome!

[thedevilisinthemusic]

Good God! I guess they can pick!