His voice did carry all over the "holler", as we say here in Kentucky. My dad spent a lot of time around Rossie & he still talks about hearing him play music on his porch.
folks, this is the real stuff that will never be again. thank god some of it got recorded for us to look at and love. you don't have to be an antiquarian to love this. you have to have an open heart.
Landon Shaner those “revivals” can be dangerous, some people who think they are reviving are killing the traditional music. They listen to two or three people and assume this is how all mountain people play the banjo, that just ain’t true though everyone had there own style
@landonshanerthebanjokid5906 Just look out for the sound bite. Good tunes often start with an explanation of where their rendition comes from. Honesty is the most we can hope for. It's hard to know the true history of the banjo. Many think it's from africa, but what if native americans were black? That would make the banjo native american. As crazy, as that sounds, I think it's a legitimate possibility. In my grandparents' days, Blacks and Native Americans were both classified as colored. Even though all skin is a shade of red, from the darkest to the lightest, can you honestly, say there is such a thing as a redskin? In 1820, bringing Africans to America was considered piracy and was punishable by death. That was 40 years before the Civil War. Also many europeans were black. In the seventeen hundreds anyone could be a so-called slave.
This blues by Roscoe is indeed one of the most powerful performances ever captured on film - thanks to Pete for having him on his program at a time when most "folk" music meant the Kingston Trio and their ilk! I just wish that someone would put all the fine footage of Roscoe together in one film which would permanently put Roscoe Holcomb in his proper place in the history of American vernacular music.
This man had an incredible talent. He was indeed the pioneer of American Folk music. Such a strange voice he had, yet so powerful. And he played the banjo like a master. Amazing. Marie from France
This world could sure stand to have more like him! He was truly special. No one in recorded history has captured that mountain singing style quite the same as Roscoe. Tom Ashley and Jean Ritchie were great too
I agree. This is really good stuff, genuine music . Many musicians like Bob Dylan and other folk song writers have been much inspired by Roscoe Holcombe. What a gift he had, as if he had been born with a guitar or a banjo in his hands and what a voice ! very special, unique. We must pay tribute to him. Marie from France
It always makes me cry when I hear this song. It has the ability to -touch-. 'Little Birdie'. There is a DVD called 'The Legacy of Roscoe Holcomb'. It is a rare and unique treasure, and he sings Little Birdie in his yard using the banjo.
My dad loved this music,I guess being born and raised in Walker county Alabama in the 20's and 30's it was the only music they had.I get a goosebumps listing to it. it reminds me of the times we would be driving in his car just crusing. There was another song he loved i cant remember the name but It started out like this"In the Pines In the pines where the sun never shines"
The song you are thinking of is called "Black Girl." It was also recorded by The Journeymen John Papa Phillip's first group before he formed The Mamas and The Papas. Look up "Black Girl" by The Journeymen and that should be the song you are thinking of.
I bought a DVD last week and on that I saw and hear Mister Holcomb for the first time. This music is so awesome and I don't know a word to describe his singing.
Awesome! True Testament to the banjo being a great melding of cultural ties between Africa and America. Through music we can always be the same no matter who we are.
These old Rainbow Quest TV Shows are a treasure trove of traditional music. Pete took the people he knew and loved and gave them exposure and gave us a record of music we'd never have if not for him. It pisses me off when folks who know nothing about Pete or what he has done for traditional music try to trash his manner or refer to "the dude with the banjo". I first saw Pete in the early sixties and last saw him at 89 years old, play a show standing up for every song.
Unique in many way. When I first heard, I was lost/ Hve played and still play his music very often. I wish I had the ability to have met him. Awesome sound, unique sound
I think he is just blown away by the incredible gift that Holcomb has. I think he is studying. I have seen Old Pete many times and he is definitely not creepy, though I have never seen him looking at a musician that way.
At Anthony Bowmun: That gentleman is Pete Seeger......I believe in this video he's 'enjoying the moment' and gaining musical knowledge.....With that said, Mr. Seeger is alive and well and continues to tour the world with a positive message. Happiness and health.
That is some serious playing. I have the same last name, as uncommon as it is. My father's side of the family is from West Virginia. Wouldn't that be amazing if I was related? LOL.
He sings a lot of the same songs as are played in western and central WVa--and being from East KY, his would not be unusual if it wasn't for the fact that some tunes from the south of the state are so different from the tunes from the north of the state. Also, many families like the Hatfield's came from Eastern KY and took their music with them. Maybe he was brother or cousin to one of your grandfathers?? So cool!!!
Thanks for the info! If I found my innumerable relatives in WVa, and asked them about the music of Roscoe Holcomb I wonder what they would say. Hahaha.
I like how Pete Seeger studies and gives his full attention to the performer, I know his intention is good...It is good for a performer to be able to be watched while playing,its like an exercise and it strengthens a certain performance muscle...the only time I wouldn't want some one staring at me while I was playing would be if they imposed limits on what I could express and/or misinterpret the performance.
Little birdie, little birdie Sing to me your song Sing it now while I’m with you I can’t hear you when I’m gone Little birdie, little birdie What makes you fly so high Dissatisfied, dissatisfied And I will be til I die Little birdie, little birdie Alight on my right knee I can’t fly down nor I won’t fly down To alight on your right knee You murdered your own true love You’re sure to murder me If I was a little birdie I’d never build my nest on the ground Build my nest in some pretty girl’s breast Where the bad boys would never tear it down Fly down, fly down little birdie Sing to me your song Sing it now while I’m with you For I won’t be with you long
The old style of singing that Roscoe uses comes from the remnants of old 16th century line singing. That age old singing was brought to the Appalachian Mountains by Scottish immigrants and is still practiced here to this day. How's that for Old time? heheh
the32712 This is so incredible because it's the point in space and time where traditions of celtic and African music join hands. And the rest is history.
Brad Ley the banjo is derived from the African instrument the banjar. Syncopation is also an element of African music that came over with the slaves, as well as call-response. I get the point you're trying to make, but most ethnomusicologists would say early twentieth century folk is a blending of many influences from around the world.
Brad Ley Your whole premise comes off as some sort of eurocentric revisionism. Just because modern popular music is a fusion of the musical concepts of multiple cultures doesn't take away from the western European influence that you're trying to defend. If anything it makes it stronger. Yes, the banjar was crude. All the instruments and music of Africa was simplistic. European craftsmanship improved on the basic instruments of Africa. European musicians borrowed music theory from African music. African Americans used these refined instruments, and made music that reflected both their heritage and the general culture at the time. I think I am going to say we should agree to disagree. It really feels like you are attempting to manipulate ethnomusicology to diminish the influence that Americans who weren't from the British Isles had on folk, blues, jazz, rock, and more. You seem like you are knowledgeable about music in general. I don't know of any ethnomusicologist who espouse any idea similar to what you are saying.
Brad Ley Okay buddy. African Americans had no influence in the development of modern popular music, Obama is turning all the frogs gay, and the sky really is falling.
He aint got the purtiest voice I ever heard but I aint never listened to Barbara Streissand so close, I never was moved like this by Robert Plant, I never listened to every note of a song by Kiss like I listen to this man. There is somethiong beyond here that can only catch you when a man bares his soul. I never listened to no one else this close except Bill Monroe for sure. This all comes from the deeps of time and the heart of a people.
I have just discovered the old music like this. Who else should I check out? I have some soundtracks with old music but I want some old artists similar to his guy, Doc Boggs and Doc Watson. Please give me some recommendations.
Roscoe is playing in a two finger old time banjo style here that is kind of a hybrid cross between drop thumb clawhammer and two finger old time....As far as the percussion goes, I am not sure that is intentional, or just a tone coming from his strumming. Either way his style is certainly proprietary and unique, very similar to Morgan Sexton in some ways.....Although a great banjo player, his Acapella Gospel is very moving as well.
@AlexisMichellePratt WRONG. Blue notes are also prevalent in English folk music. Bent or "blue notes", called in Ireland "long notes", play a vital part in Irish music and can be heard on any instrument capable of producing them.
@OnkelMickwald It amazes me that music could be recorded so clearly with one mic. Many of today's sound men get annoyed if you don't have a pick-up in your guitar. "What? You want to play through a mic? Why don't you have a pick-up in that guitar?"
hey man, I would be willing to wager that roscoe learned as many songs off records as did Pete Seeger! they can both be cool! One of the things that made me switch over to getting past Pete's "cheesiness" was getting his How to Play the five string banjo book. Either way, Roscoe Holcomb is pretty cool!
Hm, is he? It looks to me like he's tapping the down beats but I could be wrong because I'm terrible with timing. Don't you mean the sound of his fingers striking the skin of the banjo as he plays the offbeat fifth string?
Have you ever seen Morgan Sextons Bull Creek video on Folkstreams? He plays this very similar there, using a clawhammer drop thumb on the 5th string, up picking (as you say, and not disagreeing with you) with index, while tapping the head with the middle. If Roscoe were still alive and I could see him play, I would certainly watch like a hawk, yes, as any banjo player would.
I would call this up-picking. It's what Pete called "the basic strum" in his banjo book although Pete uses down picking (clawhammer) to play this same tune. Pete's version is different from Roscoe's, but equally impressive. He is studying Roscoe's playing in this clip, just the way i and most banjo pickers would.
Love watching Roscoe Holcomb perform. Wish there was more film of him around. Hate how Seeger is just STARING at him like he wants to kill him. Why couldn't he at least be tapping his foot or showing some sign of appreciation of how f'king awesome his guest is.....?
This video is great, thanks for posting. It never ceases to amaze me though how the most annoying part of any video from Seeger's show is Seeger himself! See the Mississippi John Hurt video for another example of a great musician giving an outstanding performance in spite of Seeger's general presence.
@thevalentinefamily On this show someimes he picked with guests but there is NO WAY he could keep up with Roscoe. For my money Roscoe is the greatest Appalachian musician ever. Pete knows this and just has to sit and be in awe....
In my experience that stare is the deepest form of love and study to go from a musician to an older one.
His voice did carry all over the "holler", as we say here in Kentucky. My dad spent a lot of time around Rossie & he still talks about hearing him play music on his porch.
I just love how Pete pays such close attention to what Roscoe''s doing. Why can't we have this on tv today?
It's lovely isn't it? Natural. He's clearly genuinely interested in his guest, something often lacking these days.
Well said :-)
because we have self-centred hosts interviewing self-centered guests.
Pete was a fucking creep. Should've been more respectful of Roscoe's personal space.
Because we have YoutTube instead.
folks, this is the real stuff that will never be again. thank god some of it got recorded for us to look at and love. you don't have to be an antiquarian to love this. you have to have an open heart.
My dream is to start a old time music revival i play clawhammer,up pickin,and 2 finger ive been playing for 3 years im only 13.
Landon Shaner those “revivals” can be dangerous, some people who think they are reviving are killing the traditional music. They listen to two or three people and assume this is how all mountain people play the banjo, that just ain’t true though everyone had there own style
@@matthewgovig so i should not do that
@@landonshanerthebanjokid5906 keep the banjo alive! do your own thing :-)
@landonshanerthebanjokid5906 Just look out for the sound bite. Good tunes often start with an explanation of where their rendition comes from. Honesty is the most we can hope for. It's hard to know the true history of the banjo. Many think it's from africa, but what if native americans were black? That would make the banjo native american. As crazy, as that sounds, I think it's a legitimate possibility. In my grandparents' days, Blacks and Native Americans were both classified as colored. Even though all skin is a shade of red, from the darkest to the lightest, can you honestly, say there is such a thing as a redskin? In 1820, bringing Africans to America was considered piracy and was punishable by death. That was 40 years before the Civil War. Also many europeans were black. In the seventeen hundreds anyone could be a so-called slave.
I love the way Pete seems to be studying what Roscoe is doing...one master learning from another master. Two national treasures.
back porch of eternity
The man the myth the legend
my home boy is going OFF in the astral meadow
rip G
probably watched this 40 times since i found it. Thanks for brining this timeless performance to youtube for the whole world to enjoy!
This blues by Roscoe is indeed one of the most powerful performances ever captured on film - thanks to Pete for having him on his program at a time when most "folk" music meant the Kingston Trio and their ilk! I just wish that someone would put all the fine footage of Roscoe together in one film which would permanently put Roscoe Holcomb in his proper place in the history of American vernacular music.
Lol 😂
Pete just kicking back in total awe of this timeless brilliance.
Dang man. Roscoe was the real deal. That high lonesome sound is the so unique and soulful.
RIP Roscoe Holcomb. A legend indeed.
This man had an incredible talent. He was indeed the pioneer of American Folk music. Such a strange voice he had, yet so powerful. And he played the banjo like a master. Amazing. Marie from France
That was just incredible, his voice just pierced my soul!
This world could sure stand to have more like him! He was truly special. No one in recorded history has captured that mountain singing style quite the same as Roscoe. Tom Ashley and Jean Ritchie were great too
What an extraordinary experience Pete is having. Immersed.
This is elemental music, the voice of the hills and valleys. Only other voices like his were the Carter Family
I agree. This is really good stuff, genuine music . Many musicians like Bob Dylan and other folk song writers have been much inspired by Roscoe Holcombe. What a gift he had, as if he had been born with a guitar or a banjo in his hands and what a voice ! very special, unique. We must pay tribute to him. Marie from France
What a beautiful song ! And a beautiful Interpretation
This guy is great and that song little burst is beautiful
Amazing performances. Blown away by how emotive he was able to be while playing that technical.
It always makes me cry when I hear this song. It has the ability to -touch-. 'Little Birdie'. There is a DVD called 'The Legacy of Roscoe Holcomb'. It is a rare and unique treasure, and he sings Little Birdie in his yard using the banjo.
My dad loved this music,I guess being born and raised in Walker county Alabama in the 20's and 30's it was the only music they had.I get a goosebumps listing to it. it reminds me of the times we would be driving in his car just crusing. There was another song he loved i cant remember the name but It started out like this"In the Pines In the pines where the sun never shines"
…and we shivered when the cold wind blowed!
The song you are thinking of is called "Black Girl." It was also recorded by The Journeymen John Papa Phillip's first group before he formed The Mamas and The Papas. Look up "Black Girl" by The Journeymen and that should be the song you are thinking of.
Lead belly in the pines. Hope you get to see this comment
@@austinlevin7949 thr original is by leadbelly. The song is over 80 years old now I believe. Black girl I think is a remixed version
Pure music in two stunning performances !
Oh, how sweet it is to actually SEE the man perform! LOVE this!
Pure legit F***ing gold
Pete,showed a lot of respect for this legend,,magic
I AM CRYING TEARS OF EVERY EMOTION
Two masters, just sharing this music !...
Wow. So that's what the "high lonesome sound" sounds like.
I bought a DVD last week and on that I saw and hear Mister Holcomb for the first time. This music is so awesome and I don't know a word to describe his singing.
@
GtrWorkShp Thanks for the upload! This is great music
Thanks Pete for bringing Roscoe to us!!
I love this guy ever since my Greenhouse teacher showed him to me!
Happy Birthday, ROscoe Holcomb! One of my very favorite Kentucky singers and banjists. Cool before cool even knew what it was.
I saw this back when it first aired and it blew me away then and it still does now...Scary good and true...
Awesome! True Testament to the banjo being a great melding of cultural ties between Africa and America. Through music we can always be the same no matter who we are.
Awe-some!!! A giant in his music.
An authentic human voice of true American music for the ages.
These old Rainbow Quest TV Shows are a treasure trove of traditional music. Pete took the people he knew and loved and gave them exposure and gave us a record of music we'd never have if not for him. It pisses me off when folks who know nothing about Pete or what he has done for traditional music try to trash his manner or refer to "the dude with the banjo". I first saw Pete in the early sixties and last saw him at 89 years old, play a show standing up for every song.
Pete Seeger was completely mesmorized and trying to figure out even a small piece of how Roscoe Holcomb was picking that stuff.
+PFB1994 Just watching and thinking "I have no fucking idea what's going on, but wow it's amazing."
Pete Seeger could shred on the Banjo
yeah pete figured it out in 2 seconds.....to me,tho,its still insane
ruclips.net/video/8iBlp-3fqmU/видео.html
He had some idea of what was going on.
Awesome! Chaos under control...
Unique in many way.
When I first heard, I was lost/
Hve played and still play his music very often. I wish I had the ability to have met him. Awesome sound, unique sound
Roots of rock
The glorious Roscoe Holcomb. Incomparable talent.
He's a national treasure!
Is Raskin your surname? Know some Raskins where I live. Roy b, CapeTown south africa 🇿🇦
Just came from Pete seegers version to this. 2 legends
Love that hill music✌💙
This sound is in my DNA. I don't just hear it, I completely vibrate to it.
he was playing for pete seeger on seeger's show, "rainbow j quest", pete's first post black list return to television. a wonderful show!
I like how he hits the drum while he plays, it sounds so cool.
I think he is just blown away by the incredible gift that Holcomb has. I think he is studying. I have seen Old Pete many times and he is definitely not creepy, though I have never seen him looking at a musician that way.
Some great stuff
At Anthony Bowmun: That gentleman is Pete Seeger......I believe in this video he's 'enjoying the moment' and gaining musical knowledge.....With that said, Mr. Seeger is alive and well and continues to tour the world with a positive message. Happiness and health.
Simple and great music
That is some serious playing. I have the same last name, as uncommon as it is. My father's side of the family is from West Virginia. Wouldn't that be amazing if I was related? LOL.
He sings a lot of the same songs as are played in western and central WVa--and being from East KY, his would not be unusual if it wasn't for the fact that some tunes from the south of the state are so different from the tunes from the north of the state. Also, many families like the Hatfield's came from Eastern KY and took their music with them. Maybe he was brother or cousin to one of your grandfathers?? So cool!!!
Thanks for the info! If I found my innumerable relatives in WVa, and asked them about the music of Roscoe Holcomb I wonder what they would say. Hahaha.
I like how Pete Seeger studies and gives his full attention to the performer, I know his intention is good...It is good for a performer to be able to be watched while playing,its like an exercise and it strengthens a certain performance muscle...the only time I wouldn't want some one staring at me while I was playing would be if they imposed limits on what I could express and/or misinterpret the performance.
If "Old Kentucky" could have a sound, it would *have* to sound like this. Wow.
Little birdie, little birdie
Sing to me your song
Sing it now while I’m with you
I can’t hear you when I’m gone
Little birdie, little birdie
What makes you fly so high
Dissatisfied, dissatisfied
And I will be til I die
Little birdie, little birdie
Alight on my right knee
I can’t fly down nor I won’t fly down
To alight on your right knee
You murdered your own true love
You’re sure to murder me
If I was a little birdie
I’d never build my nest on the ground
Build my nest in some pretty girl’s breast
Where the bad boys would never tear it down
Fly down, fly down little birdie
Sing to me your song
Sing it now while I’m with you
For I won’t be with you long
Talent on display
Outstanding performance! Love the vocal & I can listen to fine banjo picking all day long.
The old style of singing that Roscoe uses comes from the remnants of old 16th century line singing. That age old singing was brought to the Appalachian Mountains by Scottish immigrants and is still practiced here to this day.
How's that for Old time? heheh
the32712 This is so incredible because it's the point in space and time where traditions of celtic and African music join hands. And the rest is history.
Brad Ley the banjo is derived from the African instrument the banjar. Syncopation is also an element of African music that came over with the slaves, as well as call-response. I get the point you're trying to make, but most ethnomusicologists would say early twentieth century folk is a blending of many influences from around the world.
Brad Ley Your whole premise comes off as some sort of eurocentric revisionism. Just because modern popular music is a fusion of the musical concepts of multiple cultures doesn't take away from the western European influence that you're trying to defend. If anything it makes it stronger. Yes, the banjar was crude. All the instruments and music of Africa was simplistic. European craftsmanship improved on the basic instruments of Africa. European musicians borrowed music theory from African music. African Americans used these refined instruments, and made music that reflected both their heritage and the general culture at the time. I think I am going to say we should agree to disagree. It really feels like you are attempting to manipulate ethnomusicology to diminish the influence that Americans who weren't from the British Isles had on folk, blues, jazz, rock, and more. You seem like you are knowledgeable about music in general. I don't know of any ethnomusicologist who espouse any idea similar to what you are saying.
Brad Ley Okay buddy. African Americans had no influence in the development of modern popular music, Obama is turning all the frogs gay, and the sky really is falling.
@@T-Dogg121 I think he was high when he wrote all this lol
Damn,Roscoe is too cool,I'm diggin' the hat.
He aint got the purtiest voice I ever heard but I aint never listened to Barbara Streissand so close, I never was moved like this by Robert Plant, I never listened to every note of a song by Kiss like I listen to this man. There is somethiong beyond here that can only catch you when a man bares his soul. I never listened to no one else this close except Bill Monroe for sure. This all comes from the deeps of time and the heart of a people.
Pete Seeger: Living proof that the good don't always die young.
ROSCOE! what a fucking legend!!
love Roscoe!!!
@WVliberty Damn Right. Born,raised and live here in NorthWest North Carolina in the Blue Ridge.
Roscoe is AWESOME!
hes amazing.
I have just discovered the old music like this. Who else should I check out? I have some soundtracks with old music but I want some old artists similar to his guy, Doc Boggs and Doc Watson. Please give me some recommendations.
incredible
wow amazing
Roscoe is playing in a two finger old time banjo style here that is kind of a hybrid cross between drop thumb clawhammer and two finger old time....As far as the percussion goes, I am not sure that is intentional, or just a tone coming from his strumming. Either way his style is certainly proprietary and unique, very similar to Morgan Sexton in some ways.....Although a great banjo player, his Acapella Gospel is very moving as well.
Genius!!
@AlexisMichellePratt WRONG. Blue notes are also prevalent in English folk music. Bent or "blue notes", called in Ireland "long notes", play a vital part in Irish music and can be heard on any instrument capable of producing them.
Roscoe always gives me the chills (in a good way).
Glad to oblige.
@OnkelMickwald It amazes me that music could be recorded so clearly with one mic. Many of today's sound men get annoyed if you don't have a pick-up in your guitar.
"What? You want to play through a mic? Why don't you have a pick-up in that guitar?"
city boy Pete just sitting there questioning his whole existence
hey man, I would be willing to wager that roscoe learned as many songs off records as did Pete Seeger!
they can both be cool!
One of the things that made me switch over to getting past Pete's "cheesiness" was getting his How to Play the five string banjo book.
Either way, Roscoe Holcomb is pretty cool!
two thumbs up!
great job
Respect ;-) magic
an example that blues and country aint far removed
He's tapping his foot on the up-beats, that's unusual
Hm, is he? It looks to me like he's tapping the down beats but I could be wrong because I'm terrible with timing. Don't you mean the sound of his fingers striking the skin of the banjo as he plays the offbeat fifth string?
Yeah his foot is on the down beats. His hand smacking the banjo is on the up beats.
It's on the down beat
That's not unusual I do that when I play my banjo.
bein from the blue ridge love that sound
Phjimy 175% right on. This is the good stuff and thanks to Pete
@sisterray17
just bought that compilation and it is unbelievable! i love "coney isle"
I was thinkin the same thing then saw this!
Brings to mind the lonesome cry of the wiper Will. Tears rollin down my cheeks !!! Give me sum mo!,,
Have you ever seen Morgan Sextons Bull Creek video on Folkstreams? He plays this very similar there, using a clawhammer drop thumb on the 5th string, up picking (as you say, and not disagreeing with you) with index, while tapping the head with the middle. If Roscoe were still alive and I could see him play, I would certainly watch like a hawk, yes, as any banjo player would.
I would call this up-picking. It's what Pete called "the basic strum" in his banjo book although Pete uses down picking (clawhammer) to play this same tune. Pete's version is different from Roscoe's, but equally impressive. He is studying Roscoe's playing in this clip, just the way i and most banjo pickers would.
Roscoe is the only to person I have ever heard really sing this song
Check out Ralph Stanley's version.
And the Kossoy Sisters, on their 1956 album "Bowling Green" (re-release on CD in 1996), which also features the iconic "I'll Fly Away"
Love watching Roscoe Holcomb perform. Wish there was more film of him around.
Hate how Seeger is just STARING at him like he wants to kill him. Why couldn't he at least be tapping his foot or showing some sign of appreciation of how f'king awesome his guest is.....?
A realy nice guy!!!!
The Master
This video is great, thanks for posting.
It never ceases to amaze me though how the most annoying part of any video from Seeger's show is Seeger himself! See the Mississippi John Hurt video for another example of a great musician giving an outstanding performance in spite of Seeger's general presence.
@thevalentinefamily
On this show someimes he picked with guests but there is NO WAY he could keep up with Roscoe. For my money Roscoe is the greatest Appalachian musician ever. Pete knows this and just has to sit and be in awe....
you cant go wrong with this...............
Was he up picking? Wonder if that's where Pete got inspired to going into that instead of clawhammer....
im crazy bout ol timey music HAIL< HAIL