End of Year Jam

Got the boys together last night for a jam, played for three hours only got through four songs!

John Henry


Jesse James


Cripple Creek version1


Cripple Creek version 2


Cowboy Waltz

Calling all Fiddlers

Stan writes:

Hey Andrew,

I'm not sure how I picked up on your blog. I too am a regular In the Dock attendee but the main purpose of this contact is something other. Recently I have teamed up playing guitar with a gentlemen banjo/mando player from the hill country near Stokesley and we're on the look out for another player to join our efforts, something like a fiddler, concertina or even whistle.
This sort of thing is new to us both, my friend has a history of playing for dancers, morris etc. whereas I've done mainly bass playing for blues and country bands. We're both of a certain age and are doing british and american folk tunes but not too sure for what purpose.
If you are acquainted with any players who may fit the bill above please refer them on to me. Someone has mentioned a players' night starting up in January at Bagby Airfield, maybe we'll go an long and see if we can find anyone interested.

Thanks for reading.

S

Thanks for dropping me a line. Fiddlers seem to be in short supply round here, wouldn't mind finding one myself! If anyone is interested contact Stan - stan.robinson@live.com

Good luck, maybe have a beer at the next In the Dock?

Andy

Steve Martin - The Crow

Got the Steve Martin album 'The Crow' for xmas and I was pleasantly surprised. Good stuff and only a couple of weak tracks on it!

Bob Dylan 'Must be Santa'

Here's something from the other Bob!

Happy Christmas

It's just over a year since I started the blog and to celebrate Bob Dylon has sent me a xmas message - Merry Xmas! I think it's an outake from the album 'Christmas in the Hearth'. Thanks Bob.

We Wish You a Merry Xmas - Bob Dylon


Merry Xmas to everyone who's dropped in over the last twelve months hope you have a good one, NBB.

The Union Messenger

PB Guttenburg writes:



Hi N.B.B.

This song was written after reading about an idea on "Tangier Sound"-the site run by Pat & Patrick Costello.The original lyrics are by "young Peter in Ireland" called "the Folk Message". I have rewritten them as a tribute to Woody Guthrie.

A Merry Yuletide to all your readers-oh yeah glad we "found" each other on line this year.

P.S. my Lagerphone is half covered in beer bottle tops- by the end of the hoiday season I intend it to be complete !!

Shady Grove ( A part )

Here's a my first OK(ish) attempt at the Shady Grove tab. The timings all wrong but the complicated hammer-on and pull-off patterns are tricky especially as they run across chord changes. But its interesting that the more you practice you start to find the hidden tricks in the tab which let the tune flow more easily. In this case it feels as if it's getting the timing and groove behind the 3rd string which is the key. Anyway it's still a bit shaky but I'm going to try and drop in the B part as well and see how it goes.

Banjo Boy

BANJO BOY

we like!

Shady Grove

Here's the guy from Zepp Music playing one of the umpteen versions of Shady Grove that he's done as a comparison for the various banjos he sells. He's tuned aEADE but the version which I've found tab for is in standard G tuning capoed at the second fret.
The tab is from the String Band website and there's loads of other tabs and mp3s for old-time banjo and fiddle tunes.

In the Dock 2010

Kate writes;

Two great artists for 2010 at the Thirsk Courthouse

Buy tickets online at http://www.inthedock.net/

www.myspace.com/martinstephenson
Martin Stephenson - Feb 26th 2010
Leader/songwriter with the Daintees, Martin's musical education came from the cascading waterfall of Ray Manzerac's piano in the Doors, Jim Morrison & Patti Smith's stream of conciousness, John Cooper Clarke's machine gun poetry and the 'against the business angelhood' of Jonathan Richman.

Martin evolved into an unusual songwriter in the early 80's, writing idiosyncratic flavours way beyond his years. Making his name more as a strong performer and anti industry bard, relating more to outsiders and hobbyists than fame hungry networking lemmings.

King Croesote - April 16th 2010
Fife's finest, King Creosote, aka Kenny Anderson, is a man of many hats. Previously lead singer with the Skuobhie Dubh Orchestra, and head honcho of the Fence collective, he has created a unique and very Scottish alt folk scene helping the likes of James Yorkston and KT Tunstall along the way. His album 'Bombshell' was released to critical and commercial success and helped earn him an appearance on 'Later with Jools Holland'. His distinct, heartfelt songs manage to achieve the sense of being new whilst still feeling achingly familiar, leading one critic to call his lyrics. His new album "Flick The Vs" was released in April this year on the Domino label.

www.myspace.com/kingcreosote

Carrie Elkin and Danny Schmidt

This video doesn't fully do justice to Carrie Elkin's voice, which in the acoustics of the Old Courthouse was stunning. Although both Danny and Carrie were amplified she could pretty well blow the room away unaided with her soaring vocals. The pair where a great complement to each other, alternating songs throughout the evening and although Elkin's vocals took centre stage, Danny Schmidt's stronger playing gave us a great night out.

There's a couple of really great nights coming up in the New Year with King Creosote and Martin Stephenson. Can't wait. www.inthedock.net

2009 Round-Up Part 3

Goin Down That Road Feelin Bad


Likes Likker Better Than Me

Danny Schmidt & Carrie Elkin

Here's a little taster of Danny Schmidt and Carrie Elkin who'll be playing In the Dock at the Old Courthouse in Thirsk on Friday night. If you fancy coming along, click on the poster in the sidebar and get yourself some tickets!

2009 Round-Up part 2

Jesse James


Scottish Tune


Ragtime Annie


Worried Man Blues


Whiskey in the Jar

Cowboy Waltz (with lyrics)

Mark at Great North Strum has come up with some words for Carl's song Cowboy Waltz

Cowboy Waltz

End of Year Round up Part 1

It's getting towards the end of my first full year of blogging on NBB, so I thought I might do a round up of all the tunes I've learned this year. It's a good way to see how you've progressed. So part one is John Henry and Cripple Creek, mainly because these are the songs that I've started to sing. And even though my voice is sh*t it's a lot more fun when you do sign along - it's the whole point after all! And maybe next year I'll get a bit better.

John Henry


Cripple Creek

All Likkered Up

Likes Likker better Than me


Getting the hang of it a bit better. I think I was trying to make it too fancy and it's just a good honest simple sone so why fiddle around with it!

Fresh Prince of... Carson's Crag

Hi NBB
Chris Knott over at "Strikes a Chord-acoustic Network" started me on the trail which led me to record this for a bit of fun-which given the chilly weather up here on the Crag we all need some of!!

Keep on Pluckin'

PeeBee

more likker...

Lewdite with his usually spare rendition

Likes Likker Better Than Me

I always liked the Carolina Chocolate Drops version of this song, but I couldn't find a tab for it. The only thing I could find was a notation version on Traditional Music.co.uk. Now we all know the joke about 'how to make a banjo player go quiet? Give him sheet music', so I thought hell lets try and transcribe it into tab. Well it took me a while but I think I'm getting there! and the process has helped me to start reading music - slowly. But it's a start...

Anyway, here's a stumbling version Likes Likker Better Than Me

Carolina Chocolate Drops in UK

Tour Dates

January 26 :: Celtic Connections Festival :: Glasgow, UK

January 28 :: Town Hall :: Gateshead, UK

January 30 :: Derby Theatre :: Derby, UK

January 31 :: Memorial Hall :: Sheffield, UK

February 3 :: St. George's :: Bristol, UK

February 4 :: Bush Hall :: London, UK

February 5 :: Arlington Arts Centre :: Newbury, UK

February 6 :: The Met :: Bury, UK

Whispering North Country Roads

Two more for the pot...

Whispering North Country Roads


Aimless Wandering Banjo Blues

Texas comes to the Thirsk Courthouse

Kate writes:
Best friends, Carrie Elkin and Danny Schmidt, have two things in common. They both hail from Austin, Texas and they’re both singer/songwriter powerhouses, with reputations as big as the state they honed their distinct musical talents.

On Friday 11 December, they’re switching the southern states for North Yorkshire, as they drop into The Old Court House, Thirsk, promising a real treat for all folk and acoustic fans.

Both solo performers in their own right, they’ll be playing a selection of each others songs, which span the entire spectrum of the folk music genre. Danny is much a wordsmith as he is a composer. There are sparse backdrops of harmony (vocals, strings, and accordion) as well as a little touch of this and a tiny pinch of that, all tastefully placed and painted for the benefit of the songs. This is the kind of music you’ll want to envelop yourself in at 2am, after a couple drinks, a little loose and strangely attuned, and with the lyrics on your lap so you can follow along, line by line and turn by turn.

As for Carrie, she’s currently hitting new heights with her latest album, The Jeopardy of Circumstance, which has been described by Bob Harris as making the hairs on the back of his neck stand on end. He likened her to a wonderful mix of Patti Griffin, Nancy Griffith and Iris DeMent. Her voice is fantastically expressive, bringing her poetic lyrics to life. She can captivate an audience with just a guitar and a voice, like very few can.

Successful, clever and critically acclaimed artists in their own right, but together they’re a folk music tour de force. So wrap up and venture out to see these two, you won’t be disappointed.

Carrie Elkin and Danny Schmidt will be performing at The Old Courthouse, Thirsk on Friday 11 December, tickets £10, doors 7pm. To buy tickets visit www.inthedock.net, call 01845 595 980.

Steve Martin - The Crow

Always a bit wary of celeb music projects, but after seeing Steve Martin on Later with Jools Holland I'm inclined to give it a go. There's a couple of tracks on this clip and there pretty good, but I'd give the second song a miss - it's terrible.

What is it about comedians and the banjo? Martin, Connolly, Skinner...

Country Roads

This is turning into the month with no posts. I'm not sure what's happened, but despite having more time I've posted less and less!!

So here's two tunes, one on the Uke and one on the banjo - Country Roads and Whiskey in the Jar. I've been trying to mix up picking and struming to get me away from the bump-ditty pattern on the banjo. Both songs use a relative minor in the chord progression and learning the Denver song got me thinking about playing Whiskey in a different way.

Country Roads
(I always thought this John Denver song was big bit of honkin cheese, but It's got a great chord progression and I'm hooked)


Whiskey in the Jar (for the nth time)

John Henry

After the mixed response to the open mike night I've been a bit off the banjo, but I thought you've got to get over it and get back on the bike. So I've been working on a version of John Henry and getting back into it.

John Henry

Don't Let The Banker Get Your Dough!

Huddie

Strangely, my professional life and banjo-life have started to collide recently, which feels a bit odd. Aside from a sad preoccupation with the banjo I'm also involved in the world of contemporary art and have started making work again as part of an internship at the University of Teeside. What started to come out though are a whole series of works derived from banjo, folk, blues and the arcane world of music and musical instruments.

I've started on a series which is based on the names of American folk and blues musicians and I'm particularly interested in the 20s, 30s and 40s. So if you have any particularly obscure ones drop me a line and be part of a contemporary art project. (make em real names though!)

Open Mike Night

A friend, Oliver, asked if I fancied going to an open mike night! and being a performing virgin I was a bit apprehensive, but Mark from Great North Strum was keen, so off we went into the wilds of North Yorkshire last night. It was an intimate affair with about twenty people in the pub and ten or so playing. It was a very welcoming place and just the spot to loose your performing-in-public cherry.

We played Cripple Creek which went about as well as my nervous fingers could be expected to play, but Foggy Mountain Breakdown did what it said on the tin... it broke down! At this point I decided I'd had enough and decamped to the snug with a pint, while Mark wowed em with his rendition of S Club 7 'Don't Stop Moving'!

We then ate the chips and left. I'd like to do it again but I think a lot of practice is required beforehand.

It wasn't quite a car crash but we certainly took the wing mirrors off!

Staff Benda Bilili - NA LINGUI YO

Check out these guys, riffing on Sex Machine.

There website says:
Staff Benda Bilili are like nothing you have ever seen or heard before. A group of paraplegic street musicians who live in and around the grounds of the zoo in Kinshasa, Congo, they make music of astonishing power and beauty. The band's mesmerising rumba-rooted grooves, overlaid with vibrant vocals, remind you at times of Cuban nonchalance, at other times of the Godfather of Soul himself. You can hear echoes of old-school rhythm and blues, then reggae, then no-holds barred funk. Four senior singer/guitarists sitting on spectacularly customized tricycles, occasionally dancing on the floor of the stage, arms raised in joyful supplication, are the core of the band, backed by a younger, all-acoustic, rhythm section pounding out tight beats. Over the top of this are weird, infectious guitar-like solos performed by young Roger Landu, (an ex-street kid the band took under their wing), who plays a one-string electric lute he designed and built himself out of a tin can.

October Jam

Got together with the boys for a jam and here are the results.

Cripple Creek


Foggy Mountain Breakdown


Cowboy Waltz


Irish Washerwoman


John Henry

Country Anarchy

PB writes:

Hi N.B.B.
feeling lonesome up here on Carson's Crag -the family have gone down to Hawthorne to visit her sister and
trying to play the "Bump Ditty " was driving me up the cabin wall so I thought I'd try a song by that old timey band the Sex Pistols
give it a listen !or check out www.myspace.com/pbguttenburg

Country Anarchy


keep on pluckin'

PeeBee

Sounds brilliant fella. I also liked 'Don't let the bankers get your dough'. I'm sure Woody would approve of the sentiment. Keep in touch NBB.

Cowboy Waltz on ukulele

or... caught playing with myself!

The worst moment - Mrs NBB burst into the room as I'm sat at the computer. 'Are you playing with yourself?' she asks. 'Er, yeah I suppose I am', is the embarrassed reply. But luckily I was only playing along with myself, phew. I was trying to play along with the banjo version of Cowboy Waltz which I posted a couple of days ago, so that I could work it our on the uke.

This sticky situation was brought to you by Bruce in Cornwall, who has been following the Cowboy Waltz pieces recently but needed a bit of help to get it right on the uke. So, here's my first online tutorial - Cowboy Waltz on the uke.


banjo version

Fingerpicking

I had another go at Cowboy Waltz, and I think I've nearly got it. Still a bit out on the melody with the hammer-ons, but almost.



Also, since the fingerpicking seems to be coming on, I've been working on a simple chord progression 1/4/5 in C to get my right hand in. It's got the same structure as the progression in F that I was doing on the uke a while back. C/C/F/F/C/C/G7/C/F/C/G7/C

Cowboy Waltz

Hopefully getting together with the lads this week for another jam, so I thought I'd have a go at getting my head around Carl's song 'Cowboy Waltz'. It's G/C/D in 3/4 time and previously we've played it with frailing and finger picking banjos, but it's never quite worked, so I thought this was good time to work on my fingerpicking on the banjo after making some headway picking the uke.

It's not quite all there but I'm get it!

Rolling Mills

Just found a brilliant version of George Landers 'Rollin Mills' on You Tube by a guy called Jamie Blakeley - crackin!

Country Blues

Thought I'd have ago while the flu has given me a deep grumble - also an American accent which is odd!

Country Blues
Dock Boggs (Traditional)

Come all you good time people,
While I've got money to spend,
Tomorrow might be Monday
And I'll neither have a dollar nor a friend.

When I had plenty of money, good people,
My friends were all standing around,
Just as soon as my pocket book was empty,
Not a friend on earth to be found.

Last time I seen my little woman, good people,
She had a wine glass in her hand;
She was drinking down her troubles
With a low-down sorry man.

Oh, my daddy taught me a-plenty, good people;
My mama, she taught me more.
If I didn't quit my rowdy ways,
Have trouble at my door.

I wrote my woman a letter, good people;
I told her I's in jail.
She wrote me back an answer
Saying "Honey, I'm a-coming to go your bail."

All around this old jailhouse is haunted, good people;
Forty dollars won't pay my fine.
Corn whisky has surrounded my body, poor boy,
Pretty women is a-troubling my mind.

Give me corn bread when I'm hungry, good people;
Corn whiskey when I'm dry;
Pretty women a-standing around me;
Sweet heaven when I die.

If I'd a-listened to my mama, good people,
I wouldn't have been here today;
But a-drinking and a-shooting and a-gambling,
At home I cannot stay.

Go dig a hole in the meadow, good people,
Go did a hole in the ground.
Come around all you good people
And see this poor rounder go down.

When I am dead and buried
My pale face turned to the sun,
You can come around and mourn, little woman,
And think the way you have done.

Chris Helme - In The Dock

Kate writes:

Hot on the heels of the Fleet Foxes' J.Tillman, In The Dock's fastest selling gig, comes Yorkshireman and Seahorse singer, Chris Helme on November 6, supported by The Lost Brothers.

Chris Helme is described by some as having a voice like he's the love child of Ray Charles and Ella Fitzgerald. Whether that's true or not, he's certainly an undeniable talent (and a North Yorkshire one at that). John Squire could see it when he handpicked him to head up his post-Stone Roses project, The Seahorses, in the late nineties. After a string of hit singles, 2 world tours and a top ten album the band went their separate ways. Chris returned home to work on his own music and that's when five-piece band 'The Yards' was formed with fellow York musicians and their eponymous first album was released in 2005.

Fast forward three years and you see the solo fruits of this accomplished and experienced musician, whose song writing and singing possesses a honed craft and emotional depth that these days are often hard to find. On stage at The Old Courthouse he'll be performing from his debut solo album, Ashes, which reflects a stripped down sort of sound that echoes the early acoustic work of Neil Young with hints of Tim Buckley-esque vocals. Many of the songs feature only lightly finger picked guitar lines and Helme's emotive vocals: a treat for any acoustic fan.

Supporting the wonderful work of Chris Helme is Irish duo, The Lost Brothers. A pure love of music brought this pair together and their shared passion ensures that the music they make has every bit of them in it. Their smooth voices coast effortlessly over their uplifting, yet subdued, melodies. Though their roots are most certainly in Ireland, you're charmed by the country influences and the Simon & Garfunkel type harmonies. This is the sort of music that sooner or later you'll find your toe involuntarily tapping to as it consumes you in a big bubble of downright loveliness.

Chris Helme and The Lost Brothers will be playing at The Old Courthouse, Thirsk on Friday 6 November, doors 7pm, tickets £10. To buy tickets visit http://www.inthedock.net/, or call 01845 595 980.

Country Blues

Felt a lot better today, and spent a few hours with the Dock Boggs 'Country Blues' tune, and I think I've nearly cracked it. This is a snippet of Dock's version that he recorded for Smithsonian Folkways in the 60s as the 20s version is poor sound quality.

The Treble C tuning, if that's what it's called, has a weired, bluesy, mountain feel to it. Although, to be totally authentic you'd have to match the DB picking and strumming action, which is just too difficult for me to copy.

Mike Seeger made a real good attempt on his 'Southern Banjo Sounds' album, which is a masterpiece in it's own right - that fella's gonna be missed.

Country Blues

Cripple Creek - Sesame St version

This is about the best version of this song going - fantastic!

Country Blues

I haven't tried any alternative tunings on the banjo yet, but Stephen's tab for Dock Boggs' Country Blues, which he posted on Tangier Sound, has inspired me to give it a try. I get a bit fed up of some banjo players who are constantly re-tuning, but Stephens's tab sounds great and as it is related to one of the tunes that got me wanting to play the banjo, I thought I'd give it a try. The tab is set out for gCGCC which must be Treble C (or something weird), or Double C tuning gCGCD.

Been a bit sick the last couple of days, so the audio version will follow soon. Until then here's Stephen and Jim Pankey doing 'Country Blues'.

F in Uke (or uke in F)

Finally got the digital recorder back from the Nephrons and thought I'd get some audio posted. This is a simple I, IV, V chord progression in the key of F on the uke that I've been messing about with. The chord progression is F/Bflat/C7 which is the I,IV,V chords fron the key of F. It'd be G,C,D7 in key of G, but I think in F it has a slightly bittersweet feel to it which is lost in old bouncy happy key of G.

Abby Says...

Andrew,
I just picked up the banjo two weeks ago and started learningclawhammer. I don't have a teacher either and haven't played anythingbefore. I was glad to see your blog -- I know I'm not alone!
Peace,
Abby

Just keep playing and try and enjoy it.
As I've metioned before, Patrick at www.dailyfrail.com has loads of stuff for beginners.
But if you ever feel like sharing what you've learned send me some audio or a bit of video.

J Tillman - In The Dock

A sell out night in Thirsk for a perfomance by Josh Tillman from Fleet Foxes.
I took some video (but it was crap) so here's a clip from You Tube so that you can see what you missed - 'Master's House'.


Coming up:


Chris Helme - November 6th 2009
Yorkshire man Chris Helme headlines this double bill. Chris first came to fame singing with John Squire's Seahorses but has since cut out a successful solo career. The Fly describes him as 'one of the most eloquent and raucously British voices in the last two decades'.

The Lost Brothers, are an Irish duo hailing from the mountains of Omagh and a mining town called Navan. Their acoustic Americana styled songs come from the heart, Mark and Oisin's voices carry a feeling of both strength and vulnerability and it captures the very essence of the human spirit.

www.myspace.com/chrishelmesolo
www.myspace.com/thelostbrothersmusic

More Cigar Box Uke

Or... 'Don't say I've got no neck'

I took Gus' advice and started to make my own neck! It's meant being a bit more considered than I usually am, and woodwork was never my best subject at school. But armed with workmate, tenon saw, jigsaw, chisel and rasp, it's coming together. I've bought a bridge off e-bay, as even with my new found carpentry skills, a fret saw was just too much - but it only cost £2, so hang the expense.

The original sound hole is a bit of a problem as you can see the new neck through it, but I'm thinking of perforating the bottom of a tin can to cover the hole, which should still allow resonance. I've noticed that a lot of cigar box ukes made to this design have four small sound holes instead, so maybe I'll give that at try.

Next I need to work on the head so that the tuning pegs will fit.

GUGUG - The Model

Here's Gus and Fin over at GUGUG having fun with a model.

Back to the Drawing Board

Decided to rethink the cigar box uke as the first one was load of rubbish. Although I had managed to create a freakish frankenstein instrument from the dismembered limbs of deceased ukuleles, and get a rudimentary sound from it, I hadn't really 'made' my own. I'd just reconstituted an old one.

Gus from Gugug got in touch and said that he was only happy after he'd made his own neck, and that the instrument was better for it. He suggested I have a look at Cigarbox Nation as they have some plans I could use. Which I did.

So look out for version two. I've cut a length of 2x1" and I'll finish shaping it tomorrow. I've cut holes in the body of the cigar box, as the neck will run right through the body. It'll look a lot more crude(if that's possible) but It'll have 'integrity'.

Watch this space!

back to basics

Paul's been in touch again and has been over to Tangier Sound. He liked the fact that Patrick makes learning to play seem like fun, and it should be, after all if you don't get a kick out of it, why bother?
Learning the basics and practicing can be long hours of frustration if it's not going right but eventually it does -little by little.
I don't know if you got to the frailing lesson one, Paul but if you didn't here it is again, and it's what it's all based on. Work on this and the rest will fall into place, eventually!



Patrick makes it seem easy, but to begin with for many people - me included - the frailing bump-ditty rhythm can sound very mechanical. It's just a matter of practice and time, keep going and it'll eventually become a single unconscious action. The act of down picking with the back of your nail can seem a very awkward method, and to begin with I followed Tim Jumper's suggestion of up-picking with the index finger and strumming with the back of the middle finger, until I'd got a sense of the timing. It does make sense to frail with the back of your finger nail eventually as its easier to really pick up speed in your playing if your hand only has to repeat a single action rather than two. Keep on frailing....

make your own diddley bow

Pete over at Strikes a Chord and Carl are both interested in making a diddley bow and I found a good piece of film of a guy making one.

More Guitar Tunes

Carl writes;

Heres a few more for the blog Andy. The first one is a tune I made up that sounds a bit Scottish. The second one sounds a bit like chiming bells (i think) and the third one is a rip off of Serious Sam Barretts "foggy foggy dew" hope you like them. carl
Scottish Reel


Bells of St Paul


Foggy Foggy Dew

Jesse James for Paul

Paul has written asking for a bit of input with the his banjo playing. Well, I'm no expert but I think that learning is about sharing and having fun, so if I can help.

As always it's worth visiting Patrick Costello at www.dailyfrail.com for the Daily frail which has a lot of searchable content which is what I've found invaluable while learning. Patrick's tab for Jesse James was one of the first things I learned all the way though. It's a simple melody and one you've got the verse chorus/pattern it pretty straight forward. This version is tabbed for frailing which is somewhat different from the bluegrass/scruggs style banjo on The Seeger Sessions version which Paul refered to in his email. I started out trying to play 3-finger picking but soon found that as I hadn't played any instrument before the complexity of learning the right hand picking patterns and the left hand fingering was getting in the way of enjoying playing the tune. I found a pick and strum technique then frailing (downpicking) a more natural method for me. It did take over twelve months practice before the frailing bump-ditty really clicked though.
So just keep playing Paul, and eventually it'll click in. Let me know if there's any other songs we can help with and maybe other people seeing the blog can share their knowledge too! Why not send me a bit of audio.

Just to make you feel better here's an early go at Jesse James.

Adieu Sweet Lovely Nancy

They just keep coming. Another one from Carl.
Adieu Sweet Lovely Nancy

Johnny Merde

Carl's got the digital recorder at the moment and he sent in some audio with the slightly misleading title of Johnny Merde. I was expecting something a bit scatological but instead got this guitar sketch which is slightly more sensitive and introspective than the title suggests.

Cigar Box Uke Part 2

The neck is now on, but I did make a bit of a balls of it and the last fret has about 10 screw holes in it. Nothing a bit of wood filler won't cure.

I didn't quite get my measurements right for the placing of the neck too, so it's reassuringly off centre.

Cutting the sound hole was also a bit of a trauma, hence the attractive oval shape.

I did manage to glue the old bridge on though without too much trouble.

Next step is too see if I can get any sound out of it!
Gonna pick up a set of strings on Monday.

Oooh, nearly forgot - spoke to the mighty Stan Gee yesterday, and I'm also going to pick up my new Windsor Popular no2 as well. Can't wait.

Cigar Box Ukulele

After looking at folk and homemade instruments lately I thought I'd have a go at making a cigar box uke. I've cheated slightly, as I have a knackered soprano uke that I got from a charity shop for £10, and I'm going to use the neck for my new instrument. Otherwise I've no previous knowledge of making a musical instrument. I did get the inspiration from the GUGUG guy on You Tube.

First of all I had to get a cigar box. This is a plywood one, as it's all I had. It was lined so I stripped it out as the felt would dampen the sound - if I get any!

Then detach the neck from the original uke. Not that easy without damaging it, but with a bit of careful picking and hacking away it came!

Next I marked up the location for the neck and sound hole using the top of the old uke as a template. I think I'll make the sound hole larger eventually, but first things first.

I also kept the bridge from the old uke, but I'll need to get some new machine heads as the old ones wouldn't stay in tune and it was a pig to get in tune to start with. Next I need to attach the neck and cut the sound hole - I'll keep you posted.

The Great North Strum

Well done Mark!

Had look at the highlights on the BBC I player check out http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00mydtn/Athletics_2009_Great_North_Run_Highlights/
you're 24 mins 42 secs - classic!

Cautious Man

Always liked this Springsteen song, Cautious Man, and recently found the chords for it on Ukulele Tabs.com It's a bit cheesey and downbeat, but hey we all feel like that sometimes.
Cautious Man

banjo-ology

I'm fascinated by the infinite variety of stringed instruments, and recent discussions on Strikes a Chord have got me thinking about the origins and variations on the banjo.
Japan's Shamisen a three stinged affair.


West African Akonting

John Henry

Trying out a new tune - John Henry which is a really famous American railroad ballad.
It's a very simple song, just G/D7 but sounds very driven.

Diddley Bow - tastic

Not only have I got to get me one of these, but I also think every band should have Edward scissorhands on snare. Wild.

Diddley Bow!

Been some talk on Tangier Sound about the Diddley Bow... never heard of it? me neither. We here's Seasick Steve givin it some.

Cowboy Waltz Tutorial

I Ride an Old Paint - Woody Guthrie

Cowboy Waltz

Mark over at the Great North Strum has recorded a banjo version of Cowboy Waltz by my brother Carl.

Summerhouse Blues

I know you shouldn't polish a turd but this little ditty that Bruce and I came up with while he was oop north has got me hooked. So here's a final revised version.

Summerhouse Blues.

Irish Washerwoman and Cowboy Waltz

Last few bits of audio from the August Jam.

Irish Washerwoman (Sorry about the terrible timing on the snare at the beginning)


Cowboy Waltz

This sounds much better with just one banjo accompaniment.

Martin Stephenson - Ballad of the English Rose

To my shame I haven't heard anything from Martin Stephenson for a long while and this week I downloaded his latest album High 7 Moon 5. Here's a track from it.

Summerhouse Blues

Thought it could do with some words..

A/A7
Sittin' at the window singing this song, watching the sun going down.
D7
Sittin' at the window singing this song,
A/A7
thinking that the summers all gone.
E7
No point pretending
D7
Nothin to lose
A7/E7
I think I got the summerhouse blues

Verse 2
Baby's been crying, baby's been moaning, baby she wants new shoes,
Baby's been crying, baby's been moaning, baby she wants new shoes,
Ain't got a dollar,
Nothing to choose,
Baby's got the summerhouse blues.

etc, etc...

Summerhouse Blues - Andy Dalton, Bruce Fisher

The Last Post (for this month)

I've had a mad month, what with the August Jam, a weeks holiday spent with the uke(and friends and family), and a visit from the Uke of Cornwall (aka Bruce Fisher). So after assuming this might be a quiet period blogwise, I've ended up posting a record number of times(for me).

So, to round off the month and put the Uke of Cornwall centre stage after he spent the August Jam in a corner with the Ju-ju stick here's a mellow uke blues in A7.

Summerhouse Blues

More Videos from the August Jam

August Jam III

More from the August Jam.

Foggy Mountain Breakdown


I think we need to practice a bit more, as both tracks sound better at 110% speed.
Foggy at 110%


Wreck of the Old '97


Wreck+10%

Rockin the Mandolin

Carl at the August jam rockin the mandolin.

Abbey Road - Stockton on Tees

First shots from the August Jam.
Carl, mandolin, bass, guitar
Mark, guitar, banjo
Andy, banjo
Bruce, lagerphone, camera

Cripple Creek

Jammin with the Uke of Cornwall

Getting together for a jam on Wednesday as the the Uke of Cornwall is coming oop north.

Suggested tunes please gentlemen?
Here's mine:

Wreck of the Old '97
Cripple Creek
Foggy Mountain Breakdown
Cowboy Waltz
Boil 'em Cabbage Down (for the Uke of Cornwall)
Whiskey in the Jar
jesse james

It'll be great get snare drum and bass - I'll bring the Lagerphone!

Bad Shepherds

oh but when I get back these guys are playing at the Sage in October - lets go!

Takin a Break

Off on holidays with the banjo if I can fit it in the car with two kids and Mrs Banjo Boy! not too hopeful, but there'll be room for the uke.
Back in a week.

The Great North Strum

Mark(aka MC Clawhammer) writes:

So this is how it is. I`m rapidly reaching Forty, and there`s a couple of things I want to be able to say that i`ve achieved by that milestone. One is to have completed a half marathon, and another is to learn to play the banjo (there are others, but I wont bore you with Playing the Albert Hall, with the Pixies as my back up band).

As Wham might have put it, last Christmas (08), my wife presented me with a lovely Godman 5 String Banjo, and away I went. By mid January I was informed that if I didn`t stop playing a dodgy version of (and I quote) "Duelling F*$!*&g Banjo`s" that I would be acquiring a banjo shaped colonoscopy. But by then it was too late, I had heard Cripple Creek, Wildwood Flower, Wabash cannonball, Foggy Mountain Breakdown and so much more that I`d previously been aware had existed, but never really listened to. I wanted to get into that place. I told my wife that there were other ways I could be having a mid-life crisis, she said she`d take them!

Around this time, my weightwas also becoming a concern. So i started walking, which led to jogging,whichled to some weight going (it`s not lost, i know exactly where it is, it`s in the off licence and the fridge) which led to a 5K run in my hometown of Middlesbrough (So good they named it once). I clocked in just over thirty minutes, which I was pretty pleased with, and immediately set my sights on attempting the Great North Run. I was running for Butterwick Hospice. My Mother died of Brain cancer, which had spread from her bowel two years ago, so it`s a cause that`s close to my heart. All was going swimmingly, regular 8-10 mile jogs, interspersed with the odd 2-3 mile runs, when in May I felt something go pop in my knee. After seeking advice I was informed to rest it for a couple of months.

During this time a friend of mine was informed that he had late stage aggressive Lung Cancer. This man has in the past and continues to be an inspiration to me in so many ways, professionally, and personally. I wont bore you with how, but here`s an example of this guy. We were discussing in the office whether Jaffa Cakes were biscuits or cakes. People were mentioning tax duty,ingredients, but no definitive answer was forthcoming. When asked, your man just said "they`re cakes. Cakes go hard if you leave them out, biscuits go soft". Simple as that.

He knew that I`d been messing about with the banjo, and as he is getting a few things ready for when the train reaches the final station, he gave me a battered Windsor Whirle 5 String Junior, which he had bought a few years back meaning to restore. You can imagine what this beautiful instrument means to me. So I had it restored (Nigels guitar Workshop in Richmond North Yorkshire, amazing fella, with the best job in the world) and it sounds great.

So there I am, the knee`s not brilliant, but I reckon I can at least walk the Great North Run, but that`s not really good enough is it. I needed a way to be able to raise money for a couple of Hospices, and Cancer Research. I started training again, and whilst walking I had an epiphany. Carry that Banjo throughout the Great North Run!!!!! Play it at the start, stop(there`s only so often people can listen to the Ballad of Jesse James), and play it as I cross the finishing line! I laughed this off, but the idea stuck. It would be fitting to use the Windsor, and why stop at the great North Run? There`s countless places and events i could take part in with it. i mentioned it to the Wife, and a couple of people (Northern Banjo Boy being one, great blogsite incidentally), and was surprised to hear positive reactions.

So this is the start of it. I`m in the process of setting up an online sponsorship thing, so i`ll post that when I`ve got it up and running. Please feel free to send any suggestions, or comments about any aspects of the site, music, training, anything at all. Until the next time, keep smiling.

Mark.

Get along to http://thegreatnorthstrum.blogspot.com/ and give the guy your support.