It's nice sometimes to see an instrument being played without accompaniment (bodhráns, guitars, bouzoukis, etc) and here's a great example at http://comhaltas.ie/music/detail/comhaltaslive_267_1_gerry_oconnor/ of Gerry O'Connor on banjo. Before anyone gets the wrong idea about my musical tastes I did use the word "sometimes" as I have no problem with tasteful accompaniment or ensemble playing - as they say "variety is the spice of life".
I love to hear solo instruments – all of them. We’re all so conditioned to rhythm sections and wall-of-sound productions that solo playing has become almost a novelty.
Bela Fleck!!!!!
Amazing on his own, and also with others.
You can see him perform with Natalie MacMaster or solo on Natalie's live DVD. Check out You Tube. You will be amazed!!!
Stay Dialed,
Fiddle95
If we're going to discuss other banjo players, what about Kieran Hanrahan who has a great solid traditional style and who did some inspiring work with Stockton's Wing.
Though I have enormous respect for his level of skill, normally I don't enjoy Gerry's playing all that much, preferring some of the other examples mentioned above. But I did enjoy this particular clip of his. Didn't seem as "bluegrassy" as other stuff I've heard him play.
I can't believe how long his banjo kept ringing after he stopped playing.
The Banjo on its Own
The Banjo on its Own
It's nice sometimes to see an instrument being played without accompaniment (bodhráns, guitars, bouzoukis, etc) and here's a great example at http://comhaltas.ie/music/detail/comhaltaslive_267_1_gerry_oconnor/ of Gerry O'Connor on banjo. Before anyone gets the wrong idea about my musical tastes I did use the word "sometimes" as I have no problem with tasteful accompaniment or ensemble playing - as they say "variety is the spice of life".
# Posted on August 13th 2008 by Bannerman
Re: The Banjo on its Own
Hear hear Bannerman. Give me solo, give me a pack, give me interesting combinations of instruments and sounds, it's all good, and why limit yourself?
Great clip here with Master Gerry, thanks!
# Posted on August 13th 2008 by SWFL Fiddler
Re: The Banjo on its Own
I love to hear solo instruments – all of them. We’re all so conditioned to rhythm sections and wall-of-sound productions that solo playing has become almost a novelty.
# Posted on August 13th 2008 by Bob himself
Re: The Banjo on its Own
Thanks Bannerman.
Although you can never satisfy everyone.
Give me Mick O'Connor, Brian McGrath etc solo any day...
Even better, Mike Flannigan...
# Posted on August 13th 2008 by Hugo Chavez
Re: The Banjo on its Own
Here are some more solo banjo videos:
http://comhaltas.ie/music/detail/comhaltaslive_264_5_banjo_player_eddie_whelan/
http://comhaltas.ie/music/detail/comhaltaslive_262_4_banjo_player_colm_greene/
And not quite solos but still very good:
http://comhaltas.ie/music/detail/comhaltaslive_214_2_angelina_carberry_and_martin_quinn/
http://comhaltas.ie/music/detail/comhaltaslive_241_5_street_s
ession_with_mick_oconnorat_fleadh_2007/
http://comhaltas.ie/music/detail/comhaltaslive_232_3_brona_graham_on_banjo/
http://comhaltas.ie/music/detail/comhaltaslive_223_1_tom_cussen_banjo/
# Posted on August 13th 2008 by jakep
Re: The Banjo on its Own
Sorry, something happened to one of the links there. Here is the proper link:
http://comhaltas.ie/music/detail/comhaltaslive_241_5_street_session_with_mick_oconnorat_fleadh_2007/
# Posted on August 13th 2008 by jakep
Re: The Banjo on its Own
Bela Fleck!!!!!
Amazing on his own, and also with others.
You can see him perform with Natalie MacMaster or solo on Natalie's live DVD. Check out You Tube. You will be amazed!!!
Stay Dialed,
Fiddle95
# Posted on August 13th 2008 by Fiddle95
Re: The Banjo on its Own
If we're going to discuss other banjo players, what about Kieran Hanrahan who has a great solid traditional style and who did some inspiring work with Stockton's Wing.
# Posted on August 13th 2008 by Bannerman
Re: The Banjo on its Own
For anyone who hasn't heard Kieran before there's a Youtube clip of his playing over at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rIwaeoOwEO4
# Posted on August 13th 2008 by Bannerman
Re: The Banjo on its Own
Though I have enormous respect for his level of skill, normally I don't enjoy Gerry's playing all that much, preferring some of the other examples mentioned above. But I did enjoy this particular clip of his. Didn't seem as "bluegrassy" as other stuff I've heard him play.
I can't believe how long his banjo kept ringing after he stopped playing.
# Posted on August 13th 2008 by grego