Echoes of America: A History of the 5-String Banjo (Part 6)

This 1 hour documentary deals with the history and music of the five string banjo and its transition from African slave banjo to classical instrument in the1800's, It's decline in the early 1900's to its re- emergence (and re-invention) in the 1920/30's and it's continuing evolution to the instrument we know and love today.

Featuring rare footage & candid interviews with some of the greatest banjo players of all time.
Including:
• Vintage performances from Uncle Dave Macon, Earl Scruggs & Don Reno.
• Current (at the time of shooting this film) footage of both Earl & Don's mentor, Snuffy Jenkins.
• A great "Twin" banjo rendition of "Devil's Dream" from Bill Keith & Tony Trischka.
• The now legendary "banjo acrobatics" of Leroy Troy on "Grandfathers Clock".
• The late John Hartford playing a beautiful solo version of his song "Gum tree canoe" in a deserted "Grand Ole Opry" on a Deering "Hartford" banjo.
• Interview's and performances from Bill Monroe, Pete Seeger, Bela Fleck, Eddie Adcock, Tony Ellis, Clarke Bluething, and many other world class players.

Category:

Film & Animation

Tags:

• Banjo
• documentary

[krimskrams]

pete once again nailed it so beautifully with his views on folk music and particularly the "don't mourn the loss of ancient gold" statement. and he continued to do so in the recent steve martin documentary "give me the banjo" with him saying "this banjo can do thing that a guitar can't do... you have these needle-points of tone...like a constellation in the sky... you can pick it out and somehow there is a melody to it" best way to describe the sound :)

[FANJG24]

The banjo just doesn't "roll" freely in other types of music though :)

[giggleblaggle]

@OKcomp Me too!

[Titanius1066]

@nasty5oh While JD is an excellent and influential banjo player his influence doesn't extend much beyond bluegrass music. Bela made a conscience effort to take the banjo beyond its usual rolls (no pun intended) in Bluegrass and Oldtime music to new genres in a very public way via flecktones and eventually other projects.

[LandRoversForLife]

@lpilk2007 rickmckeon[dot]com has tab

[nasty5oh]

Am I the only one wondering where J D Crowe is at in this film ? I would have much rather seen him than Bela.

[lpilk2007]

@LandRoversForLife Love that tune , neary got it sussed by ear. Do you know where to get the tab?

[LandRoversForLife]

@briguy725 its stephen by tony ellis

[briguy725]

Anyone know the name of the tune that starts at 7:25?

[OKcomp]

Bela autographed my banjo! Such a cool dude, great workshop.