Stumbled on this gem last night and figured I could share it here. This video covers many topics I read here on the FHO. I had to wipe the drool my cheek once this video wrapped up. Mack Jonnson, everybody!
youtube.com/watch?v=IGS8SR4Mu34
Playing advice, Busking, Toe Tapping, Bowing and when to purchase a new one, Double Stops, Slurs, Heart and Soul, for the Love the Fiddle, Sitting while playing and the list goes on. Thanks, Mack!
Edited by - Erockin on 11/15/2022 04:12:18
"gem?"
As the oldtimers used to say "De Gustibus non disputandum (est)"
A couple versions (?) more to my taste:
The "original" by GB Grayson and Henry Whitter: youtu.be/ZJL03BdPPbM
I used to live about a mile from where GB lived, knew his grandsons, and many times have driven along Laurel Creek on Highway 91 where the little narrow gauge train used to run. Easy to imagine what that whistle must have sounded live. The only tune I play tuned down and crosstuned.
A later version from Bill Monroe:
youtu.be/9GwOvhgTLkA
James Stiltner, from Kentucky, who posted that, has posted a lot of rare and amazing videos, not just old time and Bluegrass.
BTW - I think this is my favorite version of "Reuben" youtu.be/FyQ9fX1eG4E
I spent a lot of time in that house and on the porch with Ray, his wife Rosa, and son Ted. Here are a couple photos taken at a memorial get together and potkuck.
Aaaahaaa! The secret revealed. Break half of the hairs on your bow - BUT - don't remove them!
I can appreciate the amount of time and work he had to have put in to get "there". He definitely has honed his craft.
Reminds me a little of Rodger Netherton and his skills.
Around about the 3 minute mark, the melody of the tune becomes a little less obvious than it did at the beginning. There is a wow factor there, a 7 minute virtuoso performance. No disrespect - but I would probably applaud his skill and then go search out something else after this. My ears are not tuned that way.
Besides - I don't see any of the hairs on Rodgers fiddle broken. 
edit to add: that's just me
Edited by - tonyelder on 11/14/2022 08:17:08
Rather than appearing to be dismissive and disrespectful, I thought I should some time listening to more of his music.
It looks like he is (perhaps) also known as Mack Shields and plays (has played) with the band "Cats In Distress". Wonder if that's true - and what the story is.
No doubt - there is going to be those who will like his music and performance. Our commercialize society has created a demand for virtuosos like this. Anything less is going to progressively have a harder time competing for an audience (I'm afraid).
This has made me recognize something... another topic.
We've been had: you don't need half the bow-hair they sell ya! Not the kind of fiddling I'm into - but he sure tears it up; I'd find it pretty hard to just walk by ....
If you please, I'd just like to see you spell the name of the fiddler you're featuring correctly: Mack Jonsson, according to the notes under the video. This is how whole human beings get lost to history.
Edited by - Earworm on 11/14/2022 09:20:48
I'm glad ya'll at least checked it out!
BTW, here's another video of the Bluegrass Boys doing "Train 45," but without Buddy Spicher, and with Roland White on guitar: youtu.be/0R4h_sZtxQ8
What a great rhythm player Bill Monroe was.
I think if I wanted to learn to play the fiddle I'd be watching Kenny Baker, but that's just me.
Mack is BUSKING.. and as such his playing should not be compared to other forms of entertainment IMO. Mack is entertaining, energetic and has great 'stage presence ' as a busker. I'll offer no negative comments about him.. He appears to know EXACTLY what he is doing and I suggest that his critics get out there and show us how it is to be done better.. I'm a busker, big-time, and I'm going to learn from watching Mack play..
"GOOD JOB MACK"...
quote:
Originally posted by Erock77Stumbled on this gem last night and figured I could share it here. This video covers many topics I read here on the FHO. I had to wipe the drool my cheek once this video wrapped up. Mack Johnson, everybody!
youtube.com/watch?v=IGS8SR4Mu34
Playing advice, Busking, Toe Tapping, Bowing and when to purchase a new one, Double Stops, Slurs, Heart and Soul, for the Love the Fiddle, Sitting while playing and the list goes on. Thanks, Mack!
YEP.. ALL of that.. Thank you for showing us this video.
Edited by - TuneWeaver on 11/14/2022 13:55:05
quote:
Originally posted by Old ScratchWe've been had: you don't need half the bow-hair they sell ya! Not the kind of fiddling I'm into - but he sure tears it up; I'd find it pretty hard to just walk by ....
His GOAl would be to get your attention.. I think he may have done that!
quote:
Originally posted by tonyelderAaaahaaa! The secret revealed. Break half of the hairs on your bow - BUT - don't remove them!
I can appreciate the amount of time and work he had to have put in to get "there". He definitely has honed his craft.
Reminds me a little of Rodger Netherton and his skills.
Around about the 3 minute mark, the melody of the tune becomes a little less obvious than it did at the beginning. There is a wow factor there, a 7 minute virtuoso performance. No disrespect - but I would probably applaud his skill and then go search out something else after this. My ears are not tuned that way.
Besides - I don't see any of the hairs on Rodgers fiddle broken.
edit to add: that's just me
Tony, that is a famous video.. I was a 'walk-in' among the spectators... Roger Netherton is one of those young people in whose footprints this old man wants to walk in.(I'm the guy without a hat,, standing by the tree) Mack (OP) is another. (note this video was 7 years ago and Roger was just a 'tyke'!!!). I admire their "SPIRIT"..BTW the banjo player in that video is Brian Slattery, another of my favorite OT musicians.. plays from heart and Soul!! Brian's playing of normally common tunes have been so well done, that I've been known to RUN back to my camp and try to duplicate some of the stuff he does with his fiddle... Energetic playing such as this and Mack's is to be admired.. It is not better than other ways of playing but 'different' .. I like it.
'
Edited by - TuneWeaver on 11/14/2022 14:08:03
I didn't watch the whole thing...it disturbs me to see somebody shred their bow hair...lol...plus when I first listened I thought it was the Jimmy Hendrix version of Shady Grove, not Rueben's Train...but anyhow...I cant cut the guy down...he's doin' good...he's very good at what he does and I imagine people who are not as boring as I tend to be would absolutely love his playing and singing...more power to ya, is what I say to him. Doin' good. Not my thing, but doin very good at his thing...and I would guess has a huge following.
Edited by - groundhogpeggy on 11/14/2022 14:08:27
His playing has got such drive and intensity!
Some kind of bluegrass/jazz feel in his runs? He is virtuoso and talented!
Kind of reminds me of when young guys are shredding it on electric guitar...same vibe...
(Peggy, we posted at the same time and both of us thought of electric guitar solos LOL!)
Edited by - NCnotes on 11/14/2022 14:10:28
quote:
Originally posted by DougDI think if I wanted to learn to play the fiddle I'd be watching Kenny Baker, but that's just me.
Guess what I'm doing.....
quote:
Originally posted by RB-1quote:
Originally posted by DougDI think if I wanted to learn to play the fiddle I'd be watching Kenny Baker, but that's just me.
Guess what I'm doing.....
I wasn't aware that the guy in the op was offering lessons!! I play along with Kenny Baker on a lot of tunes but Still appreciate the enthusiasm of this young man. It is not a competition.
Edited by - TuneWeaver on 11/14/2022 16:32:20
quote:
Originally posted by TuneWeaverquote:
Originally posted by tonyelderAaaahaaa! The secret revealed. Break half of the hairs on your bow - BUT - don't remove them!
I can appreciate the amount of time and work he had to have put in to get "there". He definitely has honed his craft.
Reminds me a little of Rodger Netherton and his skills.
Around about the 3 minute mark, the melody of the tune becomes a little less obvious than it did at the beginning. There is a wow factor there, a 7 minute virtuoso performance. No disrespect - but I would probably applaud his skill and then go search out something else after this. My ears are not tuned that way.
Besides - I don't see any of the hairs on Rodgers fiddle broken.
edit to add: that's just me
Tony, that is a famous video.. I was a 'walk-in' among the spectators... Roger Netherton is one of those young people in whose footprints this old man wants to walk in.(I'm the guy without a hat,, standing by the tree) Mack (OP) is another. (note this video was 7 years ago and Roger was just a 'tyke'!!!). I admire their "SPIRIT"..BTW the banjo player in that video is Brian Slattery, another of my favorite OT musicians.. plays from heart and Soul!! Brian's playing of normally common tunes have been so well done, that I've been known to RUN back to my camp and try to duplicate some of the stuff he does with his fiddle... Energetic playing such as this and Mack's is to be admired.. It is not better than other ways of playing but 'different' .. I like it.
It certainly is well known. It has been brought up in a number of conversations I've had and over heard. BTW, the guitar player is also an especially good fiddler - and banjo player as well. (Rachel Eddy)
I've learned tunes from recordings of both Rodger and Rachel (Jimmy In The Swamp and Half Past Four). None from Mack.
As I said - I do appreciate what Mack did to get where he is able to perform like that. Same with Rodger. And I'm not saying that what any of them are are doing in these videos is "not good". I have acknowledged what that kind of skill and playing style is able to do for them. It will set them apart. They will have their own following. I'm glad for them.
It's just not the style of playing I want to learn in Old Time fiddle tunes. Why? ...just my personal taste. And I do enjoy watching folks that can "rip one off" like that ...but I don't go looking for it.
Edited by - tonyelder on 11/14/2022 17:20:01
quote:
Originally posted by TuneWeaverMack is BUSKING.. and as such his playing should not be compared to other forms of entertainment IMO. Mack is entertaining, energetic and has great 'stage presence ' as a busker. I'll offer no negative comments about him.. He appears to know EXACTLY what he is doing and I suggest that his critics get out there and show us how it is to be done better.. I'm a busker, big-time, and I'm going to learn from watching Mack play..
Exactly. I've actually seen this fellow play, live. He is very entertaining, and you are correct, he knows exactly what he is doing. You got raise a little ruckus!
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