This has to be one of the most aesthetically delightful and flawlessly executed clawhammer version of these two timeless melodies. Played to absolute perfection. Thanks, Steve.
+Ed Greene The only Grammy that really matters is the Lifetime Achievement Award. There are some who have multiple Grammy's when they shouldn't have one and there are some who have no Grammy's when they should have multiple.
It's always so interesting to see the paths people take, especially when they have more than one option. I think Steve could just as easily have made it in Nashville as he did in Hollywood, and it's nice to see him getting more recognition these days for his amazing playing.
Steve said that there's no happier sound than a banjo.. And he sure does make people happy playing it. Kudos to you for posting this. I knew he was awesome, but I had no clue this good solo..
I always wondered if it was an original or not. One thing's for sure, he definitely is multi-talented! He says he learned to play the banjo by listening to old bluegrass albums on slow speed and gradually increasing until he could do it at full speed.
I've always thought Steve Martin was a talented comedian. But his skill with the banjo impresses me more. He must've put in a lot of practice over the years. His recent tours playing the banjo, and his work with Earl Scruggs, have made him very well-respected in the country music world.
SImple gifts is a nice touch and lots of depth with chordal subtext washed in all kinds of places is a wonderful surprise .Glad to see he is such a very wonderful clawhammer GUY .. All the best Guy (wolff)
So lovely, so lovely...... It seems that those who are aware of Steve's banjo playing are tuned into his bluegrass work.....as amazing as that is, this little clawhammer example is simply stunning. His right-hand technique is the star of the show here, folks..... LOVE how he forms the left-hand chords even if he's not striking those particular strings. I SO wish he'd release an album of all-clawhammer...!!
I remember the white suit tour when he'd pull out his banjo, everyone would be waiting for the joke that never comes, until you'd realize that you'd just been treated to some of the best banjo on the planet. "The Crow" is a must have.
I grew up on his comedy. He'd hit the scene when I was a teenager and was the hottest and most cutting edge of his day. A good part of his repetoire was, of course, his banjo playing. But I've never heard him play a number as sweet as in this vid. Thanks very much for the upload.
As serious as you see him concentrating on his Banjo playing here, that is the level of concentration and control he has an all aspects of his act, he really takes comedy and performance seriously. It's a testament to how good he is that it seems like he's making it up on the spot.
At 1:24 he starts playing an arrangement of the shaker hymm 'simple gifts' which is also used as the main theme for Aaron Copland's 'Appalachian Spring' and it's of my favorite tunes. Beautiful rendition.
Every generation has a handful personalities that define its humor, feeling, mood and meaning. Among the comedians / actors / entertainers from the mid-'70s to the present day, Steve Martin will always be remembered as a staple of comedy and culture during a time that so desperately needed him. He is unique.
We all love this and NEED to know how to play it. Well Steve understands the needs of banjo players and,together with Tony Trishka, has tabbed out the whole of his new album 'The Crow'. One of the tunes on that - Clawhammer melody', is essentially the same as this (but with a different ordering of the tunes). Take a look on Amazon for the tab book and enjoy! This is the first time I have tuned my frailing banjo to open D (aDF#AD) and I just love it - I want to play everyting in this tuning now!
'The Steve Martin Brothers', 1981, was an LP with one side of nothing but his banjo playing (with others, of course). It didn't get nearly enough attention. Well worth checking out!
In regular clawhammer playing, you strike the strings with the back of the fingernails, which gives the characteristic "door knocking" motion, and the thumb alternates between the the high G and the low D string. In frailing, the thumb only strikes the high G string.
Steve is just awesome, blows me away when hes playing serious. Im no musician but that is one of the classiest banjo numbers ive ever heard-!! Maybe this isnt correct for the banjo, but it truly does ROCK-!!
You know, I really think it's great that such a famous person promotes our instrument. Funny stuff included, he really shows it off every chance he gets! Good on ya boy! Don't ya rock on daddy-o!!!
It isn't very old in itself, but it's roots are in traditional folk music, which is a very old tradition. The tune Steve is playing is an old Scottish folk tune for instance. Bluegrass's roots is in folks sitting around playing music with simple instruments for enjoyment & camaraderie. And that aspect of music is timeless.
Steve Martin has got to be one of the most wonderfully multi-talented people on earth. He is so gifted in so many ways. (He's not exactly hard to look at, either!). I just LOVE him!
Steve is a brilliant banjo player.He plays the same clawhammer Appalachain style that came from the scottish highlands hundreds of years ago;anyone notice that U2 uses the same clawhammer style,just with an electric instead of a banjo...still nothing beats clawhammer bluegrass,I grew up with it here in New England.
a lot of the sound comes from the fingerboard too,combining the flatpicking,clawhammer picking with fingerboard pulloffs,having tried it it's extremely hard to do,takes a lot of practice.phoenix you're right,clawhammer does originate from africa but folk music's what it is,nothing I've heard compares to it,complicated yet a sound you never forget.Nothing today compares at all with it.
Banjo genius is not so much being able to play it, but to find reasons to among other people. For this, Steve Martin's genius continues to reign supreme. OK, so being able to play it a good start...
Steve Martin is a Great Banjo Player. Plays both Scruggs and Clawhammer, and wrote the tunes on his CD "The Crow", which as someone already mentioned, is a Must Have. Check it out.
Just like the two people before me said, he got really serious. If you look at his bluegrass video, he's not serious at all. That's what, I think, is really special about old-time music. It's a whole different world.
Steve Martin seems to be a true Renaissance Man. He's a comedian, an actor, an author, a musician, and the acknowledged creator of his particular method of banjo playing. Is there anything this man can't do, and do well??? (Besides bear a child, I mean. LOL )
I have this whole show on tape... it is magnificent. So good. Steve Martin you were so good, we forgive you for all the rubbish you've made recently. We will always love you for this!
I hear a lot of stuff in this..more notably Legend of the Johnson Boys, and of course Loch Lomond and Sally Anne. But those are the three main ones I hear. He is a great banjo player! 5 stars
I always wanted to be steve martin when I was a kid, but I couldnt do any of the tricks or jokes per se... But I learned how to ramble and to put a buick into my nose. Now I feel complete
@Myrnir It's in the title. ;) It's a medley of "Loch Lomond" and "Sally Anne," played in the drop-thumb/clawhammer style. It appears on Steve's third album "Comedy Is Not Pretty."
Awesome post...I didn't know Steve played Clawhammer too! He's pretty darn accomplished at it!!! I wonder if Steve would show up at some of the 150th Celebrations for the C.W.! Steve, we have a pot of coffee for you at the 15th Arkansas Camp, Battle of Carthage, Missouri, a sesquicentennial Event!
Видеоклипы
This has to be one of the most aesthetically delightful and flawlessly executed clawhammer version of these two timeless melodies. Played to absolute perfection. Thanks, Steve.
waveegravee There are actually four tunes in this medley: Loch Lomand, Sally Ann, Johnson Boys, and Simple Gifts.
@@bluedanbob the SImple Gifts part never fails to give me chills
Steve Martin has won two Grammy awards with the banjo.
+Ed Greene The only Grammy that really matters is the Lifetime Achievement Award. There are some who have multiple Grammy's when they shouldn't have one and there are some who have no Grammy's when they should have multiple.
It's always so interesting to see the paths people take, especially when they have more than one option. I think Steve could just as easily have made it in Nashville as he did in Hollywood, and it's nice to see him getting more recognition these days for his amazing playing.
Steve said that there's no happier sound than a banjo.. And he sure does make people happy playing it. Kudos to you for posting this. I knew he was awesome, but I had no clue this good solo..
Hats off to Mr. Martin for doing an awesome adaptation of an old Highland tune...wanna hear more!
I always wondered if it was an original or not. One thing's for sure, he definitely is multi-talented! He says he learned to play the banjo by listening to old bluegrass albums on slow speed and gradually increasing until he could do it at full speed.
Class act. An inspiration to all of us noob banjo players. Keep the tradition alive.
I've watched this one at least 20 times. It gives me chills every single time!
Most actors don't have this wonderful other side of their talent... Bravo! Rare treat to know of both sides...
I've always thought Steve Martin was a talented comedian. But his skill with the banjo impresses me more. He must've put in a lot of practice over the years.
His recent tours playing the banjo, and his work with Earl Scruggs, have made him very well-respected in the country music world.
I went to Loch Lomond yesterday, its about 30minutes drive from my house. Beautiful.
Wow an actor thats got a direct line to my funny bone, now a musician that's got a direct line to the soul with that masterful banjo playing.
I love how completely serious he is during the entire time he's playing it. Steve you are the greatest!
That right-hand technique is nothing short of master-level. Amazing.
Incredible clawhammer technique. He nailed it
I have loved Steve Martin's Banjo playing for decades!
SImple gifts is a nice touch and lots of depth with chordal subtext washed in all kinds of places is a wonderful surprise .Glad to see he is such a very wonderful clawhammer GUY .. All the best Guy (wolff)
Steve has shaped so many of my memories. This is one of the best.
Love Steve since I was a kid. I was really impressed when he came to see the soldiers during Desert Storm 1991. Thank you Steve!
I didn't know Steve Martin could play clawhammer and frailing styles of banjo as well as Scruggs or bluegrass style! I'm impressed.
Some people are just born to entertain and Steve Martin is one of them.
So lovely, so lovely......
It seems that those who are aware of Steve's banjo playing are tuned into his bluegrass work.....as amazing as that is, this little clawhammer example is simply stunning.
His right-hand technique is the star of the show here, folks.....
LOVE how he forms the left-hand chords even if he's not striking those particular strings.
I SO wish he'd release an album of all-clawhammer...!!
I remember the white suit tour when he'd pull out his banjo, everyone would be waiting for the joke that never comes, until you'd realize that you'd just been treated to some of the best banjo on the planet. "The Crow" is a must have.
Steve is a true master, and what an national treasure of a human being!
I grew up on his comedy. He'd hit the scene when I was a teenager and was the hottest and most cutting edge of his day.
A good part of his repetoire was, of course, his banjo playing. But I've never heard him play a number as sweet as in this vid. Thanks very much for the upload.
I liked the drum track version, but it's nice to have the original footage back again. Thanks.
As serious as you see him concentrating on his Banjo playing here, that is the level of concentration and control he has an all aspects of his act, he really takes comedy and performance seriously. It's a testament to how good he is that it seems like he's making it up on the spot.
At 1:24 he starts playing an arrangement of the shaker hymm 'simple gifts' which is also used as the main theme for Aaron Copland's 'Appalachian Spring' and it's of my favorite tunes. Beautiful rendition.
That was awesome. I don't think I've ever heard a banjo sound quite like that. It had almost a Celtic flavor to it.
Every generation has a handful personalities that define its humor, feeling, mood and meaning.
Among the comedians / actors / entertainers from the mid-'70s to the present day, Steve Martin will always be remembered as a staple of comedy and culture during a time that so desperately needed him. He is unique.
We all love this and NEED to know how to play it. Well Steve understands the needs of banjo players and,together with Tony Trishka, has tabbed out the whole of his new album 'The Crow'. One of the tunes on that - Clawhammer melody', is essentially the same as this (but with a different ordering of the tunes). Take a look on Amazon for the tab book and enjoy! This is the first time I have tuned my frailing banjo to open D (aDF#AD) and I just love it - I want to play everyting in this tuning now!
'The Steve Martin Brothers', 1981, was an LP with one side of nothing but his banjo playing (with others, of course). It didn't get nearly enough attention. Well worth checking out!
Still takes your breath away.
Agreed. Come to Australia!!! We need more banjo love here!
Love this video so much! I think it’s one of Steve’s best performances.
In regular clawhammer playing, you strike the strings with the back of the fingernails, which gives the characteristic "door knocking" motion, and the thumb alternates between the the high G and the low D string. In frailing, the thumb only strikes the high G string.
Steve is just awesome, blows me away when hes playing serious. Im no musician but that is one of the classiest banjo numbers ive ever heard-!! Maybe this isnt correct for the banjo, but it truly does ROCK-!!
A pure entertainer, his gift flows out of him and into our hearts.
jeeze he is extremely multi-talented
Steve's the man...amd also as far as I know the only person tho win Grammy awards for both comedy and music...
I love Steve Martin. What a multi-talent. Just terrific !!!!!!
Good doesn't describe this it is briliant he is one of the best Banjo players ever
brilliance on display and a wonderfully funny man
You know, I really think it's great that such a famous person promotes our instrument. Funny stuff included, he really shows it off every chance he gets! Good on ya boy! Don't ya rock on daddy-o!!!
I love this style - and Steve does it very well!
It isn't very old in itself, but it's roots are in traditional folk music, which is a very old tradition. The tune Steve is playing is an old Scottish folk tune for instance.
Bluegrass's roots is in folks sitting around playing music with simple instruments for enjoyment & camaraderie. And that aspect of music is timeless.
There is a tab book of Steve's CD by Homepun tapes, and this is one of the tabs. This song is the reason I want to learn clawhammer.
Steve Martin has got to be one of the most wonderfully multi-talented people on earth. He is so gifted in so many ways. (He's not exactly hard to look at, either!). I just LOVE him!
Every few years I forget how well he plays, and then I trip over something like this...
That's incredible. Beautiful Steve... Wring it out...
Does anybody else hear the 'simple gifts' tune and the tail end of 'Sail away ladies'? I love how old time tunes all sound alike.
thank you a million times over for this. he's so awesome. :D
Steve is a brilliant banjo player.He plays the same clawhammer Appalachain style that came from the scottish highlands hundreds of years ago;anyone notice that U2 uses the same clawhammer style,just with an electric instead of a banjo...still nothing beats clawhammer bluegrass,I grew up with it here in New England.
Thank you for posting this, I listen to it just about everyday! Steve makes the banjo sound like far more than a "half-barbaric twang"! Cheers!
Thanks for putting this back up.
Boy, a lot of ire being drawn out over this lovely bit of music. On a lighter note, who knew this guy could clawhammer!? What a happy surprise!
a lot of the sound comes from the fingerboard too,combining the flatpicking,clawhammer picking with fingerboard pulloffs,having tried it it's extremely hard to do,takes a lot of practice.phoenix you're right,clawhammer does originate from africa but folk music's what it is,nothing I've heard compares to it,complicated yet a sound you never forget.Nothing today compares at all with it.
How much talent can one man have...??
Steve is just so awesome and multidimensional
Although I'm not big on his comedy, his banjo skill is undeniable. Bravo!!!!
Wow I love this man. He is Funny and can play the banjo with the best of them!
Wow! I didn't know Martin frailed - and he sure is playing great.
What a talented man I love this.
Like a lot of people, I had no idea Steve Martin could play banjo. I heard him on NPR and was amazed. This is the first video I've seen.
I love it!
the real deal, a true genius at everything he does
Damn,I love good banjo music! And this certainly IS!
I love the banjo too and will soon have one.
great post here. he is certainly a realy great musician
Banjo genius is not so much being able to play it, but to find reasons to among other people. For this, Steve Martin's genius continues to reign supreme. OK, so being able to play it a good start...
Steve Martin is a Great Banjo Player. Plays both Scruggs and Clawhammer, and wrote the tunes on his CD "The Crow", which as someone already mentioned, is a Must Have. Check it out.
steve martin is a emmer effing beast. thanks for upload.
Nice! Steve Martin is the man!
Woohoo! way to go Steve! I love it!
Just like the two people before me said, he got really serious. If you look at his bluegrass video, he's not serious at all. That's what, I think, is really special about old-time music. It's a whole different world.
man of many talents
Genius! He is incredible.
Love that mountain banjo sound
Love claw hammer love Steve Martin
i hate how his banjo playing will never bee seen as serious because he's a comedian. he is an incredible musician.
He's really good, wish he'd record, Love the old time music!
Steve Martin seems to be a true Renaissance Man. He's a comedian, an actor, an author, a musician, and the acknowledged creator of his particular method of banjo playing. Is there anything this man can't do, and do well??? (Besides bear a child, I mean. LOL )
A talented man .
@BRVMusic1970 I knew he played, but didn't know he played clawhammer. That's a totally different style. Not many cross over! Very cool indeed!
I have this whole show on tape... it is magnificent. So good. Steve Martin you were so good, we forgive you for all the rubbish you've made recently. We will always love you for this!
Steve Martin rocks my world
Never knew Steve could play banjo, he really plays brill too!
This man is my banjo hero yeaah
I LOVE STEVE MARTIN
Brilliant!
I hear a lot of stuff in this..more notably Legend of the Johnson Boys, and of course Loch Lomond and Sally Anne. But those are the three main ones I hear.
He is a great banjo player!
5 stars
I remember the one with the drum track. I actually thought it was cool and would like to see it again.
Steve Martin is the prime definition of "entertainer."
This is so nice :D
I always wanted to be steve martin when I was a kid, but I couldnt do any of the tricks or jokes per se... But I learned how to ramble and to put a buick into my nose.
Now I feel complete
COMING BACK 4 MONTHS LATER FOR THIS AWESOME MUSIC YEEAAAHH
@Oshkonoggin
So much talent wrapped up into one "WILD and CRAZY GUY!!!"
So good.
@danbolub He definitely still plays and is really good!
@Myrnir It's in the title. ;)
It's a medley of "Loch Lomond" and "Sally Anne," played in the drop-thumb/clawhammer style. It appears on Steve's third album "Comedy Is Not Pretty."
I had this on the album "Comedy is not pretty" my favorite part of the album although "The Cruel Shoes" is very close
Did you know he wrote a book "Cruel Shoes?"
Awesome post...I didn't know Steve played Clawhammer too! He's pretty darn accomplished at it!!!
I wonder if Steve would show up at some of the 150th Celebrations for the C.W.!
Steve, we have a pot of coffee for you at the 15th Arkansas Camp, Battle of Carthage, Missouri, a sesquicentennial Event!