"SPRINGTIME RAG" ~ Craig Ventresco Guitar Solo @ KCRR Concert in KC, MO

[Squarerig]

A blistering performance-a living virtuoso!Magnificent!

[GadiDocMusic]

Brilliant!!!

[OGMunisteri]

Craig is one of the best acoustic guitar players out there, hence important to listen to. Don't worry about how he does what he does (he doesn't). Just dig it. He's also a walking compendium of pre-WW II American music (when he walks), and unlike most fanatical collectors/historians/ethno-mu­sic-gynecologists (props to Rachelle Garniez for that one) he can back up his love with the ability to breath life into the music. I love him, and I'm grateful he's hanging with us on this planet for a spell.

[tdub1941]

@OGMunisteri

Right on Mr OGMunisteri!

Nicely stated and true.

Happy New Year!

RagJazzMonkey Tom

[mytubeisovercrowded]

do you have any new stuff?

[Little6ster]

superb! ;°)

[tdub1941]

Thanks for watching.

RagJazzMonkey Tom

[heinbanjo12]

It is so good!

[tdub1941]

Yup, That there Craig Feller can do some mighty fine pickin' & strummin'!

Thanks fer watchin'.

RagJazzMonkey Tom

[meredithanthraxelrod]

He plays at Cafe Divine in San Francisco every Wednesday from 7-9pm with Meredith Axelrod. 1600 Stockton St.

[RieRiesUTube]

Yes, he's an awsome guitarist. Great video. I feel like I'm in the front row watching again..

[idasynco]

I love this tune as Craig delivers!! FAVS!!

[tdub1941]

Me too!

Thanks for viewing!

RJM Tom

[ionahoopii]

Craig, my friend, nothing makes me happier than listening to you play.  Wish you were still in NY.

[tdub1941]

Thanks for your nice comment, but I don't know how often Craig ever looks at this video that I took of him back in April of 2007.

I hope he sees it soon.

Best RAGards,

RagJazzMonkey

Tom Warner

[HAMADATakasi]

Amazing performance and grooving rhythm!

I love Craig's guitar style, it reminds me of string band music.

He is probably the best ragtime guitarist I've ever heard.

[tdub1941]

Thanks for your nice comment. Yes Craig is phenomenal with his Ragtime renditions! I listed to one of yours just now and you are fantastic as well!I love the music both of you perform!

RagJazzMonkey

[idasynco]

It's a great time of year to listen to "Springtime Rag", and Craig delivers us a ray of sunshine to look forward to!! 5 joyful stars for ragtime guitar!!

[tdub1941]

Thank you dear for such nice comments, and all of those valueable FIVE STAR RATINGS!

I hope you are starting to get a little bit of springtime in your cold part of the country.

Toodles,

RJM

[ukulelezaza]

I didn't know Craig has a record out. I only know his work on the Crumb soundtrack, which is incredible. Must get that album!

[tdub1941]

Craig has several CD's available. He was a member of "Bo Grumpus," and they had 2 or 3 CD's, and his work with Terry Waldo resulted in another 2 or 3 CD's. Plus, I believe that he an Meredith Axelrod have a new CD that is available now or very soon.

Thanks for your comment,

RagJazzMonkey,

Tom Warner

[RedHotRag]

Buy Craig's CD...It's great.

[tdub1941]

Yes! Get Craig's CD! He is fantastic.

One of a kind!

Thanks for your comments.

RagJazzMonkey

Tom Warner

[MSB76]

his old stuff with bo grumpus is also definitely worth tracking down.

[RedHotRag]

If you like this type of music and do not have Craig's CD....BUY IT! He is a fine player to say the least. I keep it in my car...first thing I hear when I light the fire!....Just before Leon, that is.

[chumpthedog]

It looks like he is a hybrid picker (somewhat unusual for a ragtime guitarist). This leads me to believe that, being a relatively young player, he started as a rock guitarist--which is cool because the flat pick gives him a loud, heavy attack. Also, his playing on this clip seems much smoother and more confident than his playing on the "Crumb" movie soundtrack, which sounded a bit strained at times. This is maybe because that was a decade ago and he has much improved.

[tdub1941]

Just Like Good Wine -

Mr. Ventresco is improving with age!

Hey Mr. Dog! THANKS for your comment!

RagJazzMonkey

Tom Warner

[MSB76]

FWIW, i'm fairly certain that mr. ventresco never played rock guitar. i've read a quote from him saying he's never heard led zeppelin!!

i've also read that lonnie johnson and maybe even eddie lang (sometimes) played with a flatpick and fingers.

it's a great style that i wish i could play in, but i can barely hang on to a flatpick, so i guess i'll stick with thumbpicks.

if you can find it, check out the article on craig in "acoustic guitar" oct. '06.

[meredithanthraxelrod]

Craig does play rock guitar, and he's great at it!

[MSB76]

Wow! Really?

Hard to imagine...

But you would sure know better than me.

My bad.

I'm sure he'd be great at any style of music!

[thetiler]

I appreciate the fact that you are looking up alot. That isn't always easy and it shows that you have been playin a long time! Way to go!

[tdub1941]

I am the RagJazzMonkey = Tom Warner = tdub1941.

Craig ventresco is the guitar player in this video.

He is the one that is looking up a lot.

And, he is a great guitar player 4 sure!

Thanks for your comments.

Tom Warner

[MSB76]

sorry to double post. didn't seem to work the first time. i'm sorta new here. heh, heh... any way to delete one of those?

[tdub1941]

Thanks for your comments. No big deal at all about a double post as it happens frequently. I'll delete the last one.

Thanks,

Tom Warner

[tdub1941]

Thanks for your kind comments.

Tom Warner

[wilsonmohill]

Very nice! Is he playing with a flat pick and bare fingers? I can't quite tell. Check out Steve Koehler in my videos for a great ragtime guitarist as well...

[tdub1941]

I am not sure, but I'll check out Steve Koehler.

Thanks,

Tom Warner

[MSB76]

According to the Oct. 2006 issue of "Acoustic Guitar", Master Ventresco uses a flat pick and his ring finger. That's it! Absolutely brilliant! I have to agree with Mr. Koehler, I've never heard a better ragpicker with a pulse. And IMHO, he is right up there with Blind Blake and RGD and all the others that have passed away. This is officially my favorite vid on youtube. Thanks so much for sharing it with us!

[stevenkoehler]

For me,Craig is the besr Ragtime player alive-maybe of all time!

[tdub1941]

Mr. Koehler,

The only reason you say this about Craig is because you are a very observant and critical listener!

I happen to agree with you.

Thanks for your comment!

RagJazzMonkey,

Tom Warner

[stevenkoehler]

Hey Tom! Are you a ragtime guitarist? I play a little-am in the SF Bay Area.

I am perenially inspired,thrilled and suprised by Craig's playing

[tdub1941]

Steven,

Me at guitar player? to darn many strings for me to keep track of. And all of those cornfusing frets!

I want things to be simpler, so you can see me trying to play trumpet among my 206 videos. Also there is one of me playing washboard too.

[Qpidon]

Straight to my favorites...

[tdub1941]

Goodie! Thanks. Glad you liked it! Take a peek at some of my other 90 videos for additional exciting performances that I captured on video - all since October of 2006. Thanks for your comment.

tdub1941 = Tom Warner

[wininboy]

Incredible!! Goose bumps all over. This is what ragtime guitar should sound like. That must have been some concert! Thank you so much for posting.

[tdub1941]

Yup, you nailed it! It was a delightful concert and performance by all. Craig is my favorite guitar player and should be in concert here in Missouri at the Columbia, MO - Blind Boone Ragtime & Jazz Festival about June 3rd,4th, & 5th. It will be a blast. Ya oughta come! tdub1941 = Tom Warner

[ClariceVance]

A national treasure.

[tdub1941]

I'm glad you liked it. Craig is a guitar master! tdub1941 = Tom Warner

[gustavoblues]

SUPERB!!!!

[tdub1941]

Glad you liked it! Craig is a darn good guitar man, but I listened to your stuff and you ain't no slouch yourself! I listened to some of your YouTube clips and really enjoyed them. Keep up the Good Work!

Tom Warner = tdub1941

[bounderglad]

Remarkable Guitar man! Beautiful tune!