As a banjo playing teenage in the 70’s, I wore the “Circle” albums out. Soldiers Joy was always my favorite. I would listen, pick up the needle & listen again…and again….
Great to hear and see Earl and John on this superb song, which actually goes back to the American War of Independence. Jimmy Driftwood recorded a wonderful vocal version.
Absolutely love the picking and claw hammer trade off on this classic. Just like on the circle album. Also pretty cool how these 2 are playing a tune in D with no capos. So talented.
This tune does date back much farther than McEuen said, at least back to the middle of the 18th century. It was known in America by the time of the Revolution. There are extant manuscript versions of it in the Revolutionary War era notebook of one of Washington's junior officers, Captain George Bush of Delaware. The Colonial Music Institute sells tunebooks with Bush's notation backed up with excellent research, and while the tune has changed in some of the emphasis placed on certain parts of it, the basic elements that are particular to Soldier's Joy have more or less remained the same.
Not only back to the Revolutionary Era but even further back to Scotland, from where the melody originates. As with so many old time tunes, they were brought to the colonies by Ulster Scots (aka Scotch Irish).
If it was all original and NOT Earls it would probably bring $300k. He's done a lot of alterations over the years. But being Earl's, it would bring over a million
right...the frailer was really pushing it....their duet on the album is perfect - of course they had Jr Huskey keeping 'em between the ditches back then
FWIW, it is unfair to compare this version, or almost any LIVE version for that matter, with a studio recording such as the one that appeared on the first 'Circle' album. The environment and the constraints are radically different from each other. In a live performance, the primary objective is usually entertainment and the player(s) get only one shot at it. In the studio recording environment, with any number of takes possible, flawless execution is the overriding consideration.
As a banjo playing teenage in the 70’s, I wore the “Circle” albums out. Soldiers Joy was always my favorite. I would listen, pick up the needle & listen again…and again….
Wow, Scruggs AND a clawhammer banjo player, together! I'm in heaven!!!
I wonder how many people noticed that?
Bella Fleck has a lot of songs like this too, its great if you can do it right and boy can they ever.
Stringbean did a version of Old Joe Clark with Harold Morrison once, on the Wilburn Bros show.
John McEuen was also a fine three-finger picker, himself.
Man! I use to listen to this amazing duo over & over & over & over!…
I saw it in person! The only time I ever got to meet Earl.
Great to hear and see Earl and John on this superb song, which actually goes back to the American War of Independence. Jimmy Driftwood recorded a wonderful vocal version.
maybe from there comes the colloquial title "Payday in the army"
Absolutely love the picking and claw hammer trade off on this classic. Just like on the circle album. Also pretty cool how these 2 are playing a tune in D with no capos. So talented.
Two of the best. Earl Scruggs and John McEuen
This tune does date back much farther than McEuen said, at least back to the middle of the 18th century. It was known in America by the time of the Revolution. There are extant manuscript versions of it in the Revolutionary War era notebook of one of Washington's junior officers, Captain George Bush of Delaware. The Colonial Music Institute sells tunebooks with Bush's notation backed up with excellent research, and while the tune has changed in some of the emphasis placed on certain parts of it, the basic elements that are particular to Soldier's Joy have more or less remained the same.
Not only back to the Revolutionary Era but even further back to Scotland, from where the melody originates. As with so many old time tunes, they were brought to the colonies by Ulster Scots (aka Scotch Irish).
Soldiers Joy was popular in England and Scotland in the middle of the 18th Century
God Bless Earl !
2:05 Earl and John going back on forth on that part is legendary. John's laugh really seals the deal.
YES! Thank you for uploading this! I loved this clip, but it disappeared a while back. Love to see it again.
I haven't seen John.Euen since he played banjo for wild west documentary many years ago. Wow!😊
two legendary Banjo pickers
Earl da man!
Yes!
Nothing left to say but wow
Earl's banjo is probably worth more than my truck.
If it was all original and NOT Earls it would probably bring $300k.
He's done a lot of alterations over the years. But being Earl's, it would bring over a million
I would bet Earls banjo is worth more than your house and truck.
What ever happened to Earl’s banjo after he died?
Saw Jimmie Fadden playing the harmonica in this RUclips video.
I've got this album
This song is mentioned in Thomas Hardy’s book chapter 36 Far from the Madding crowd
Way too fast. Slow it down John....sounds good though....Jack Baker NYC/NJ
Anyone know where the CIRCLE cut is where Acuff is hassling McEuen about "Earl wouldn't play it like that"?
2:30 John tried to end it early :)
Should've turned on the harmonica mic
They forgot to sing the lyrics. In reality, this is a great anti-war song.
I'd love to see the lyrics, you should upload them!
Listen to the Skillet Lickers version.
John should have stepped back an let Earl take the lead.
Timing, timing, timing....
Mr. Earl Scruggs could not claw hammer.
He can, but he refined the way he played and no one can beat him! God bless him.
I'm splitting hairs, but their version on the "Circle" album was better.
not nearly as rushed! sounds like somebody had an extra shot of espresso or something...
And that Ladies and Gentlemen is Earl Scruggs, it a better picker can be found it is not on this planet
Legendary players, great tune, but they'd be the first to tell you that this recording was a hot mess.
Sped up ,scruffy, and not Earls fault either!
Slow it down . This playing as fast as you can ruins music.
right...the frailer was really pushing it....their duet on the album is perfect - of course they had Jr Huskey keeping 'em between the ditches back then
Yeah, John got excited
FWIW, it is unfair to compare this version, or almost any LIVE version for that matter, with a studio recording such as the one that appeared on the first 'Circle' album. The environment and the constraints are radically different from each other. In a live performance, the primary objective is usually entertainment and the player(s) get only one shot at it. In the studio recording environment, with any number of takes possible, flawless execution is the overriding consideration.
2 forced ads? Bye y'all