That was so fast it made me want to scream. Sure, the players could do it, but why? I can't listen that fast. I can't tap my foot that fast. I didn't notice when they changed from the first to the second tune at that speed. I recognized the first and third tunes, and probably the second, but once I did, the tunes played themselves in my head at a reasonable pace, which conflicted with what I was hearing from the computer - and it clashed horribly.
I went to my iTunes to listen to Angelina's recording of Green Groves of Erin for a comparison and found that I had 10 other versions as well. So I timed them all. Here are the tempos in beats per minute, low to high:
Jack Coen - 99
Pat O'Connor - 102
Mary MacNamara - 104
Bobby Casey - 105
Brid O'Donohue - 106
Angelina Carberry/Martin Quinn - 107
Paddy Murphy - 109
Elizabeth Crotty - 110
Noel Hill/Tony MacMahon - 113
Laichtin Naofa Ceili Band - 116
Bothy Band - 126
Youtube Video - 128
That's truly great guitar playing. Shame it's too loud in the mix, which makes it dominate. I'm sure if you'd been there you would have heard a more balanced sound.
The bodhran's too quiet as well - I think he's being picked up on the banjo player's mic.
I don't think it's too quick, though. Perhaps more important is that the tempo stays true throughout and the ornaments don't get lost in the flood.
Ha ha, yes, Two frisky skeletons, ha ha. I like it. Two frisky skeletons doomed for ever to never be able too reach the highs they strive for, 'cause some vital ingredients have long since decomposed.
However, I liked it. Plenty of fun and energy from the pair of them. It certainly wasn't too fast. Just approaching the edge of their ability which gve it the edge. Yep I liked it.
(and if there was ever an example of the pointlessnes of the drum, this is it)
Glad some of you guys liked that guitar playing. I didn't say the guy can't play but that to me is hideous. Completely detracted from the tune, the 'fills' were nearly in time but not quite which is as bad as miles out and it shouted me, me, me. To me it was entirely unsuitable to the music.
Personally I thought the banjo playing was excellent and I do not think the bodhran detracted from the music at all, although it possibly did not add much (at least in the sound mix in the video.
This is obviously a performance. Why did they play fast?
Because they can. Some people like fast tunes, some don't.
The banjo player is obviously highly competent at a very fast tempo. Now there is proof above that this is the highest tempo ever for a known recording of this tune. Congratulations lads.
Can anyone out there top 128 beats per minute?
It's OK not to like it, but don't get all serious, they're just havin a laugh.
Anyway, 128 is not really significantly faster than the Bothy Band's 126. But the Bothy Band's sounds padestrian. Proof that how fast something is is not really much to do with how fast it sounds.
(I've just listened to the Bothy Band's two green groves, the Live in Paris and the 1975 one. The live one sounds a bit faster. Which is the 128bpm?)
You're right Llig, I don't think it's too fast for a session - to fast is not being able to play properly, and they are just having a laugh. My original post was just the truth, the guitar did my head in. Doesn't mean it was bad just that I didn't like it. Liked the banjo though.
yeah, I quite liked the guitar, for the duration of the clip anyway. But it would certainly do my nut in if I had to sit next to it all evening (though I could sit and play tunes with the banjo player all evening - at the very least, we'd get through quite a few).
There are some reels that are ruined if played at that pace. The Broken Pledge is certainly one of them. I could just about pick out the tune. Green Groves just about made the cut and the last one I couldn't figure out at all. The Bodhran.....kept time, but then again so did the stamp of the feet. Niffty bit of Capo Work from the guitarist. If only someone invented a Capo for the accordion how easy life would be.
I agree, Des Kelliher, playing at his usual high level of competence and speed. He is one of the great unknown (in the States) banjo players in Ireland. He does have a CD out and you can find it on the net. Great stuff!
Well these comments above prove once again I know nothing about this music or sessions. Too fast to enjoy? C rap playing? Really? It's only too fast or too slow if the players' dishing it out make a mess of it. This seemed well within the gentleman's (Kelliher?) comfort zone, and I thought he was great.
Beg to differ. There are two sides to the equation: the musicians and the listeners. What's a good speed for one might not be a good speed for the other. The listener's brain has to process the sounds coming in. Different people do that at different speeds.
Jesus lads ye really must have nothin better to be doing with yer time the recession is here alright, im nearly as fast as liam o conner!;), 4 my next trick im gonna play the sloooooooooooest rendition of roisin dubh ever on the banjo!!!haha .. ive never seen this clip before, its pretty fast alright but sure thats how i was feeling at the time, im about 18 in that vid so its a while back, those of u who liked it then cheers, those of u who dont- i wasnt playing it 4 u;)
Dessie kelliher
In case I wasn't clear above, I loved the playing.
I'm a speedster myself. Speedsters are a sub-culture within the tradition. We like well-played tunes at all speeds but we really like them fast!
This is my favorite speedy banjo clip of all: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PjehssyJVVw
The bleeding edge stuff is about 4 minutes into the video.
Who's the banjo player?
Who's the banjo player?
Who's the lad on the banjo, lovely playing.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=IDG1rychNPU&feature=related
# Posted on February 26th 2009 by T
Re: Who's the banjo player?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IDG1rychNPU&feature=related
# Posted on February 26th 2009 by No Cause For Alarm
Re: Who's the banjo player?
I would love to know the names of the last two tunes (the A dorian one followed by the A major one)
# Posted on February 26th 2009 by I ♥ Dow
Re: Who's the banjo player?
Yea, lovely banjo playing but unfortunately I just had to stop watching, the guitar did my head in completely I'm afraid.
# Posted on February 26th 2009 by bogman
Re: Who's the banjo player?
I agree, Bogman. A bit over zealous on the guitar to say the least
# Posted on February 26th 2009 by I ♥ Dow
Re: Who's the banjo player?
I think the banjo player might be Dessie Kelliher.
# Posted on February 26th 2009 by BrownAleMugger
Re: Who's the banjo player?
Now that is screamingly fast. But he was certainly up to it.
# Posted on February 26th 2009 by grego
Re: Who's the banjo player?
get out of it, the guitar player is one of the best you'll get.......
# Posted on February 26th 2009 by CFlood
Re: Who's the banjo player?
That was so fast it made me want to scream. Sure, the players could do it, but why? I can't listen that fast. I can't tap my foot that fast. I didn't notice when they changed from the first to the second tune at that speed. I recognized the first and third tunes, and probably the second, but once I did, the tunes played themselves in my head at a reasonable pace, which conflicted with what I was hearing from the computer - and it clashed horribly.
# Posted on February 26th 2009 by GaryAMartin
Re: Who's the banjo player?
The middle tune is Green Groves of Erin. Angelina Carrberry's perspective on the tune is probably one of my favorites. It on this album
http://www.thesession.org/recordings/display/887
# Posted on February 26th 2009 by iampeterfonda
Re: Who's the banjo player?
I went to my iTunes to listen to Angelina's recording of Green Groves of Erin for a comparison and found that I had 10 other versions as well. So I timed them all. Here are the tempos in beats per minute, low to high:
Jack Coen - 99
Pat O'Connor - 102
Mary MacNamara - 104
Bobby Casey - 105
Brid O'Donohue - 106
Angelina Carberry/Martin Quinn - 107
Paddy Murphy - 109
Elizabeth Crotty - 110
Noel Hill/Tony MacMahon - 113
Laichtin Naofa Ceili Band - 116
Bothy Band - 126
Youtube Video - 128
# Posted on February 26th 2009 by GaryAMartin
Re: Who's the banjo player?
That's truly great guitar playing. Shame it's too loud in the mix, which makes it dominate. I'm sure if you'd been there you would have heard a more balanced sound.
The bodhran's too quiet as well - I think he's being picked up on the banjo player's mic.
I don't think it's too quick, though. Perhaps more important is that the tempo stays true throughout and the ornaments don't get lost in the flood.
If I could play half as well I'd be a happy man
# Posted on February 26th 2009 by bc_box_player
Re: Who's the banjo player?
Sounds like 2 skeletons having sex in a biscuit tin
# Posted on February 26th 2009 by Red Robin
Re: Who's the banjo player?
Drat you to heck, Robin (bearing in mind we're on a family-oriented board). I don' think I'll stop laughing at that one for days...
# Posted on February 26th 2009 by Jon Kiparsky
Re: Who's the banjo player?
Ha ha, yes, Two frisky skeletons, ha ha. I like it. Two frisky skeletons doomed for ever to never be able too reach the highs they strive for, 'cause some vital ingredients have long since decomposed.
However, I liked it. Plenty of fun and energy from the pair of them. It certainly wasn't too fast. Just approaching the edge of their ability which gve it the edge. Yep I liked it.
(and if there was ever an example of the pointlessnes of the drum, this is it)
# Posted on February 26th 2009 by ...
Re: Who's the banjo player?
The A major tune is Laurel's:
http://www.thesession.org/tunes/display.php/4160
# Posted on February 26th 2009 by Bleedin' Heart
Re: Who's the banjo player?
I dont know the banjo player;
The first tune is the Broken Pledge
The pace of the "music" is to fast, it is c rap
# Posted on February 26th 2009 by gooseinthenettles
Re: Who's the banjo player?
Glad some of you guys liked that guitar playing. I didn't say the guy can't play but that to me is hideous. Completely detracted from the tune, the 'fills' were nearly in time but not quite which is as bad as miles out and it shouted me, me, me. To me it was entirely unsuitable to the music.
# Posted on February 26th 2009 by bogman
Re: Who's the banjo player?
Personally I thought the banjo playing was excellent and I do not think the bodhran detracted from the music at all, although it possibly did not add much (at least in the sound mix in the video.
# Posted on February 26th 2009 by No Cause For Alarm
Re: Who's the banjo player?
This is obviously a performance. Why did they play fast?
Because they can. Some people like fast tunes, some don't.
The banjo player is obviously highly competent at a very fast tempo. Now there is proof above that this is the highest tempo ever for a known recording of this tune. Congratulations lads.
Can anyone out there top 128 beats per minute?
# Posted on February 26th 2009 by halfwaythere
Re: Who's the banjo player?
It's OK not to like it, but don't get all serious, they're just havin a laugh.
Anyway, 128 is not really significantly faster than the Bothy Band's 126. But the Bothy Band's sounds padestrian. Proof that how fast something is is not really much to do with how fast it sounds.
(I've just listened to the Bothy Band's two green groves, the Live in Paris and the 1975 one. The live one sounds a bit faster. Which is the 128bpm?)
# Posted on February 26th 2009 by ...
Re: Who's the banjo player?
You're right Llig, I don't think it's too fast for a session - to fast is not being able to play properly, and they are just having a laugh. My original post was just the truth, the guitar did my head in. Doesn't mean it was bad just that I didn't like it. Liked the banjo though.
# Posted on February 26th 2009 by bogman
Re: Who's the banjo player?
yeah, I quite liked the guitar, for the duration of the clip anyway. But it would certainly do my nut in if I had to sit next to it all evening (though I could sit and play tunes with the banjo player all evening - at the very least, we'd get through quite a few).
# Posted on February 26th 2009 by ...
Re: Who's the banjo player?
Cheers Riada, I think you're right about it being Dessie Kelliher. Thanks!
# Posted on February 26th 2009 by T
Re: Who's the banjo player?
AAAAAGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHhhhhhhhhhh
# Posted on February 26th 2009 by Hugo Chavez
Re: Who's the banjo player?
Live in Paris. I don't have the 1975 album.
# Posted on February 26th 2009 by GaryAMartin
Re: Who's the banjo player?
Well, that's one way to be more percussive than a banjo.
Sure, fun stuff, good playing. Maybe get yer man a lighter pick? (lol)
# Posted on February 26th 2009 by SWFL Fiddler
Re: Who's the banjo player?
Bothy Band 1975 - GGoE is 118bpm
# Posted on February 26th 2009 by Jams_O'Donnell
Re: Who's the banjo player?
Not a fan of the mix... but that happens a lot with videos on the tube,
Obviously grand players tho... cranking things up at step dance speed,
# Posted on February 26th 2009 by davydd
Re: Who's the banjo player?
There are some reels that are ruined if played at that pace. The Broken Pledge is certainly one of them. I could just about pick out the tune. Green Groves just about made the cut and the last one I couldn't figure out at all. The Bodhran.....kept time, but then again so did the stamp of the feet. Niffty bit of Capo Work from the guitarist. If only someone invented a Capo for the accordion how easy life would be.
# Posted on February 26th 2009 by Free Reed
Re: Who's the banjo player?
Yes thats Dessie K alright...deadly...
# Posted on February 26th 2009 by seaniemcg
Re: Who's the banjo player?
I agree, Des Kelliher, playing at his usual high level of competence and speed. He is one of the great unknown (in the States) banjo players in Ireland. He does have a CD out and you can find it on the net. Great stuff!
Mike Keyes
htpp://www.banjosessions.com
# Posted on February 26th 2009 by mikeyes
Re: Who's the banjo player?
Well these comments above prove once again I know nothing about this music or sessions. Too fast to enjoy? C rap playing? Really? It's only too fast or too slow if the players' dishing it out make a mess of it. This seemed well within the gentleman's (Kelliher?) comfort zone, and I thought he was great.
# Posted on February 27th 2009 by Jusa Nutter Eejit
Re: Who's the banjo player?
Beg to differ. There are two sides to the equation: the musicians and the listeners. What's a good speed for one might not be a good speed for the other. The listener's brain has to process the sounds coming in. Different people do that at different speeds.
# Posted on February 27th 2009 by GaryAMartin
Re: Who's the banjo player?
Whilst I wouldn't disagree with you about that idea Gary I seemed to be able to process his music in my brain just fine. Great stuff to my ears.
# Posted on February 27th 2009 by No Cause For Alarm
Re: Who's the banjo player?
Jesus lads ye really must have nothin better to be doing with yer time the recession is here alright, im nearly as fast as liam o conner!;), 4 my next trick im gonna play the sloooooooooooest rendition of roisin dubh ever on the banjo!!!haha .. ive never seen this clip before, its pretty fast alright but sure thats how i was feeling at the time, im about 18 in that vid so its a while back, those of u who liked it then cheers, those of u who dont- i wasnt playing it 4 u;)
Dessie kelliher
# Posted on February 27th 2009 by dessie banjo
Re: Who's the banjo player?
HA HA! Fair play Des! Well done, the playing and the post.
# Posted on February 27th 2009 by SWFL Fiddler
Re: Who's the banjo player?
Dessie , you rock!!
# Posted on February 27th 2009 by t byrne
Re: Who's the banjo player?
In case I wasn't clear above, I loved the playing.
I'm a speedster myself. Speedsters are a sub-culture within the tradition. We like well-played tunes at all speeds but we really like them fast!
This is my favorite speedy banjo clip of all: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PjehssyJVVw
The bleeding edge stuff is about 4 minutes into the video.
# Posted on February 28th 2009 by halfwaythere
Re: Who's the banjo player?
Well said Dessie, great stuff!!
# Posted on February 28th 2009 by T
Re: Who's the banjo player?
How very sad!
Damien Mullane
# Posted on March 1st 2009 by Damien Mullane
Re: Who's the banjo player?
Gwan Kelliher!!
# Posted on March 2nd 2009 by munya beor