I’ve been a fan for a decade. Thought this would be a different song. “I was born in east Virginia, North Carolina I did roam.” Ever hear a song with a chorus “if my train passes by where you are sleeping, I’ll write you a letter on a dusty boxcar wall.”? Only knew one guy who played it.
As a person who can't play any instrument, this is seriously like magic. I can't understand how people can make an instrument make some of the sounds they make. Like how do your fingers do that? That little rising and falling warble sound? I don't even see you doing anything obvious.
That's mighty fine sir. This music isn't in my blood line some others, but it sure effects me more strongly than most. Love that Appalachian sound, that sadness and darkness through and through. Delicious melancholy.
YOU CAN BELIEVE ME THIS SONG MAKES MY SOUL CRY 💔💔💔💔SO BEAUTIFUL💜💜💜💜THANX, CLIF 🙏🙏🙏🙏 ( CONNIE TAN I MISS YOU 💔💔 ) If you can write the lyrics if you have time THANK YOU Cliff. ❤❤
Thanks. Will keep trying. Still have trouble logging in, even with facebook. At least they took out the street signs traffic lights boxes that drove me crazy. Prove I’m not a robot. Thanks, though. What I need now is practice.
So good! Clarence Ashley does a really good version of this under the name Dark Holler with slightly different words, I highlighted in recommendation you check it out if you've never heard it before.
You know, I've been a fan now for a while now and this song happens to be my favorite. I even bought a banjo and started learning it. I suppose I have an advantage from playing the guitar, but without getting too far off my intent of writing this, it's a different ball game when trying to sing with it vs. the guitar. I've been practicing this song for a few days now and I guess I decided to try and listen to different versions of it and see how it varied. It seems every folk artist of the 60's has their own version and just about every country/bluegrass band does it too. The closest I've come to hearing your version has been from Doc Watson. It seems most versions of the song tend to be on the major scale side of things and really don't incorporate those 'blue' notes the way your version does and I'm really glad you did. I know in the tutorial video, you suspect it's Anglo-Saxon, but your version tip-toes neatly around that and gets into that bluesy territory. I've never heard a banjo sound like that before and it reminds me very much of early Appalachian blues albums. Sure they were playing guitar, but man in the right hands a banjo sounds as authentic to my ears as any guitar ever did. So I've been scouring the web trying to find more artists that played banjo in that way. Dock Boggs and Roscoe Holcomb seem to get that feel in their playing, but finding these artists hasn't been as easy as I thought. One doesn't necessarily lead to another. Seems to be a big disconnect in that style. I hate to say it, but it 'seems' that the disconnect is in calling a black man's music blues and a white man's music folk... even though it seems they both traveled the same road. Before I end up writing a novel here, could you recommend other directions/artists to discover that capture that feeling?
Check out BF Shelton "Molly Dear" ruclips.net/video/B7YJln1_89w/видео.html and Bill Cornett "Born in Old Kentucky" ruclips.net/video/B7YJln1_89w/видео.html and George Gibson's "East Virginia" ruclips.net/video/3Slvy4gyAZE/видео.html
@@CliftonHicksbanjo Thank you for taking the time to post those links. I noticed you there with George Gibson in that performance with him. I've found several other videos of him on RUclips, but nothing on itunes which is what I happen to be subscribed to. I often listen to your music on there. I just found your albums on Bandcamp too. I really mean it when I say, when I'm looking for people singing those songs, it's your voice that I compare it to. I really think your voice fits that style perfectly. I've been listening to Dock Boggs, but unfortunately he was already up there in age when he recorded those songs. I kind of imagine he might have sounded a lot like you when he performed them when he was younger. Again, thanks for taking the time!
@@CliftonHicksbanjo For singing, it's the drone string that throws me off. It's on the wrong side of the neck I suppose... that and strumming a song, even with some bass lines that follow, seem to be easier than picking out a melody. It's a challenge for sure!
Clifton Hicks, I'm disabled and a veteran, and I do not have a pc or printer, and can't get one anytime soon, but what I'm wondering is do you have a book with lyrics and banjo tablature that I could purchase, or could you consider making one? Thank you, and God bless.
Thanks for posting--this is my all-time favorite rendition of East Virginia. As I'm try to learn it, it seems to me that maybe you are tuned f-C-F-Bb-C. But maybe I'm hearing or seeing something wrong. I always look forward to your posts of all kinds. I hope the new archeology job is going well.
Yes, that tuning is about right. My thumb string is tuned a bit lower though, to where it matches the first string held down at the 3rd fret, so I thing my tuning is actually e♭CFB♭C (fDGCD, relative).
So glad you did this one 6 months ago. I was struggling with the one from 6 years ago, being (to me at least) in a different key. I love all the Knott County acoustic embellishments one can get by messing with strings Those old strings on your video are still there, I think. ♥️🛶rob
I wonder if your experience going overseas in the military informs how you play these old ballads (in terms of being able to connect with the emotions of being separated from loved ones or losing friends in battle).
Yes, the experience of crossing the ocean to participate in deadly struggle was informative, to say the least. I also understand that my own ancestors arrived in America long ago after fleeing famine, oppression and war in Europe. The greatest tragedy of my insignificant life, however, is the knowledge that millions of people have been (and continue to be) displaced, terrorized and killed as a result of my presence in Iraq during 2003-2004.
Well Clifton this song has caused me to buy my first banjo. I bought a GT WL250 plus. Now I am gonna try to get as close to the sound of your banjo as i can. can you tell me what head, bridge and strings you have on that banjo. I play guitar, mando and fiddle, looking foward to learning banjo. going to start with your two finger style and the lesson on that song.
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Your eyes give away yer pain on some of these bro, I'm still paying attention out here 😊wild night here in Joplin, 😮
Listening right there with ya up in KC.
@@brofist8696 I lived there in 80's and it was wild, wild, wild then! Had the time of my life too!
@@Wastelander-420 Well you've got a cold beer and smoked meat up here, should you ever pass through. Just give me like a few days notice. 👍
@@brofist8696 awful nice of you! Thanks! I don't go into the city very often, but I'll take you up on that if I ever do, have a great day friend!
The night I posted this my brother passed. A vicious man was he. He left this world .223
I can't get over this song. I must have listened to it 20 times over the last few days.
It's painful, and to that folks can relate.😊
If you submit this for the Tiny Desk Concert contest I think you would have a shot.
I absolutely love this song and how you play it.
plays 6 -7 times a day..
Yes 👍
I’ve been a fan for a decade.
Thought this would be a different song. “I was born in east Virginia, North
Carolina I did roam.”
Ever hear a song with a chorus “if my train passes by where you are sleeping, I’ll write you a letter on a dusty boxcar wall.”?
Only knew one guy who played it.
PS He may have wrote it.
Ray LaC. a n art student and guitar player
As a person who can't play any instrument, this is seriously like magic. I can't understand how people can make an instrument make some of the sounds they make. Like how do your fingers do that? That little rising and falling warble sound? I don't even see you doing anything obvious.
This version here, Clif. I’m having trouble transcribing this two finger version. Damn this is a great song.
Clifton, I closed my eyes while listening and i was right there.
I live in east Virginia close to North Carolina.
I keep revisiting this one. Thank you.
Thank you.
Heard versions of that one a million times, probably played it a thousand times...never felt it like I just did. Absolutely superb.
Haunting and a bit mournful. Just the way I like it. :) Well done as usual.
The lyrics make me think about "Our Mother The Mountian" by Townes Van Zandt.
That's mighty fine sir.
This music isn't in my blood line some others, but it sure effects me more strongly than most. Love that Appalachian sound, that sadness and darkness through and through. Delicious melancholy.
Hell I think it's in everybody's blood. Don't matter where you're from.
Man, Clifton, you’ve really outdone yourself this time. I can feel the pain in my soul. Keep it up.
Clifton. I'm an old Alabama carpenter yer music .makes me happy I'm planning to learn yer music by banjo
Superb performance 👏 🎉😮
Sandy Denny covered this in 1967.
No one in their right mind leaves NC for Kentucky...
North Carolina is expensive.
Wow.... touches me just like slow blues on electric guitar.... Banjo Blues at it's finest, thanks Clifton!
Wow, really excellent stuff. You can hear it's age in the melody. A lot more in common with melodies from the British isles than is typical.
Damn, dude, I've heard you do lots of songs. This might be the most heart-felt and honest. Please keep it up.
YOU CAN BELIEVE ME THIS SONG MAKES MY SOUL CRY 💔💔💔💔SO BEAUTIFUL💜💜💜💜THANX, CLIF 🙏🙏🙏🙏 ( CONNIE TAN I MISS YOU 💔💔 ) If you can write the lyrics if you have time THANK YOU Cliff. ❤❤
Wow
Spiritual, hypnotic and no bullshit. Excellent. Thank you.
Thanks clifton that iconic banjo sound buddy..
Hats off to you
One of your best so far man.
If you'd like to learn how to play this song for yourself (or just want to help support future videos) join us at Patreon.com/CliftonHicks
Thanks. Will keep trying. Still have trouble logging in, even with facebook. At least they took out the street signs traffic lights boxes that drove me crazy. Prove I’m not a robot. Thanks, though. What I need now is practice.
The dynamics on the banjo playing is very subtle but powerful. And something about it invites me to sing or whistle along.
Buell Kazee did a mighty fine record of this back the 1920s, that and Georges recordings are excellent sources for this version
Dynamite!......that's what a man with a banjo does.
Amazing I love it touches me very deeply
Thanks. Me too.
Truly a lovely Diddy son.
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Absolutely brilliant. Thank you so much!
very nice
So good! Clarence Ashley does a really good version of this under the name Dark Holler with slightly different words, I highlighted in recommendation you check it out if you've never heard it before.
Amazing!!
So good old chap. Thanks so much.
Too good.
My mawmaw would have loved you hoss!
You know, I've been a fan now for a while now and this song happens to be my favorite. I even bought a banjo and started learning it. I suppose I have an advantage from playing the guitar, but without getting too far off my intent of writing this, it's a different ball game when trying to sing with it vs. the guitar. I've been practicing this song for a few days now and I guess I decided to try and listen to different versions of it and see how it varied. It seems every folk artist of the 60's has their own version and just about every country/bluegrass band does it too. The closest I've come to hearing your version has been from Doc Watson. It seems most versions of the song tend to be on the major scale side of things and really don't incorporate those 'blue' notes the way your version does and I'm really glad you did. I know in the tutorial video, you suspect it's Anglo-Saxon, but your version tip-toes neatly around that and gets into that bluesy territory. I've never heard a banjo sound like that before and it reminds me very much of early Appalachian blues albums. Sure they were playing guitar, but man in the right hands a banjo sounds as authentic to my ears as any guitar ever did. So I've been scouring the web trying to find more artists that played banjo in that way. Dock Boggs and Roscoe Holcomb seem to get that feel in their playing, but finding these artists hasn't been as easy as I thought. One doesn't necessarily lead to another. Seems to be a big disconnect in that style. I hate to say it, but it 'seems' that the disconnect is in calling a black man's music blues and a white man's music folk... even though it seems they both traveled the same road. Before I end up writing a novel here, could you recommend other directions/artists to discover that capture that feeling?
Check out BF Shelton "Molly Dear" ruclips.net/video/B7YJln1_89w/видео.html and Bill Cornett "Born in Old Kentucky" ruclips.net/video/B7YJln1_89w/видео.html and George Gibson's "East Virginia" ruclips.net/video/3Slvy4gyAZE/видео.html
I noticed that singing with the guitar is quite different than singing with the banjo.
@@CliftonHicksbanjo Thank you for taking the time to post those links. I noticed you there with George Gibson in that performance with him. I've found several other videos of him on RUclips, but nothing on itunes which is what I happen to be subscribed to. I often listen to your music on there. I just found your albums on Bandcamp too. I really mean it when I say, when I'm looking for people singing those songs, it's your voice that I compare it to. I really think your voice fits that style perfectly. I've been listening to Dock Boggs, but unfortunately he was already up there in age when he recorded those songs. I kind of imagine he might have sounded a lot like you when he performed them when he was younger. Again, thanks for taking the time!
@@CliftonHicksbanjo For singing, it's the drone string that throws me off. It's on the wrong side of the neck I suppose... that and strumming a song, even with some bass lines that follow, seem to be easier than picking out a melody. It's a challenge for sure!
Hi Clifton. Oh yes. That Spooky trance like 2 finger picking does it for me. Great version mate thanks.
Shit man... between blacksmithing, and trying to transmute my guitar into a banjo you've got my free time all filled up. Thank you good sir!🍻
Ever since I heard you play this song on a clip on facebook I have been smitten with it. Thank you for sharing it! It is marvellous.
Same!
Brilliant Clifton,one of my favs, love the lyrics and your enterpretation Dave Uk
Thank you Bro !
👍👍....
You're friggin' amazing, dude.
It's an amazing song.
Clifton Hicks, I'm disabled and a veteran, and I do not have a pc or printer, and can't get one anytime soon, but what I'm wondering is do you have a book with lyrics and banjo tablature that I could purchase, or could you consider making one? Thank you, and God bless.
I love your music, mi amigo. Muy bueno! You are a blessing to those of us who appreciate the finer things. May God bless you as you walk on!
Thanks for posting--this is my all-time favorite rendition of East Virginia. As I'm try to learn it, it seems to me that maybe you are tuned f-C-F-Bb-C. But maybe I'm hearing or seeing something wrong. I always look forward to your posts of all kinds. I hope the new archeology job is going well.
Yes, that tuning is about right. My thumb string is tuned a bit lower though, to where it matches the first string held down at the 3rd fret, so I thing my tuning is actually e♭CFB♭C (fDGCD, relative).
It seems to me that the thumb string is tuned an octave higher than the third string...so basically mountain model regardless of the actual notes.
@@goldbugproducts3532 yep...sawmill tuning. Its the exact tuning I use for this one
I love the music...
It doesn't get any better than this. Would love to see you get together with Riley Baugus and play sometime!
I've always enjoyed his music, though we've never met.
@@CliftonHicksbanjo much respect for both of you. A Clifton Hicks, Riley Baugus, and Tim Eriksen jam session would probably make folk music history!
Really like this version, great melody sir.
Thanks a lot.
Oh! My heart! 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾. Thank you Clifton!
One to learn Clifton thanks so much .Co.Mayo ,Ireland!👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👍👍👍
So glad you did this one 6 months ago. I was struggling with the one from 6 years ago, being (to me at least) in a different key. I love all the Knott County acoustic embellishments one can get by messing with strings Those old strings on your video are still there, I think. ♥️🛶rob
Yes that older one is fFGCD and this version is gDGCD (relative).
This is a wonderful version of a great Old Timey song. Thanks for sharing the lyrics & history.
Mesmerizing!
Thanks for posting, Clifton.
Preciate ya, keep it going. Howdy from Nantahala, NC!
wow... man that is something.
Tiny desk but better
My favorite
Me too.
Did you teach little Nora Brown to play that like she does?
OK today is the day. I finally joined your patreon..yahoo
Welcome!
I wonder if your experience going overseas in the military informs how you play these old ballads (in terms of being able to connect with the emotions of being separated from loved ones or losing friends in battle).
Yes, the experience of crossing the ocean to participate in deadly struggle was informative, to say the least. I also understand that my own ancestors arrived in America long ago after fleeing famine, oppression and war in Europe. The greatest tragedy of my insignificant life, however, is the knowledge that millions of people have been (and continue to be) displaced, terrorized and killed as a result of my presence in Iraq during 2003-2004.
@@CliftonHicksbanjo You're a true patriot
85 degress, 90 percent humidity....yhe heat makes that banjo sound better somehow
Lol😅
Well Clifton this song has caused me to buy my first banjo. I bought a GT WL250 plus. Now I am gonna try to get as close to the sound of your banjo as i can. can you tell me what head, bridge and strings you have on that banjo. I play guitar, mando and fiddle, looking foward to learning banjo. going to start with your two finger style and the lesson on that song.
What tuneing is that..? Cheers 👍🇦🇺
I'm two or three frets below gDGCD. You could also play it in fDGCD.
Sung best with a skin fill of ol pop skull
leave a grown man cryin like a baby why don't ya?
yesAM cryin 💔💔💔💔
Every time. 💔
No slack...
Do you, by any chance have a son named Chip?
No children yet.
Has Petunia told you yet that she can read vertically?
Amazing!!!