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Clifton Hicks
Clifton Hicks

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"The Cuckoo" | Performance

 I learned this song from George R. Gibson of Knott County, Kentucky. Banjo is tuned to gDGCD, relative. 

 

"The Cuckoo" | Performance

Comments

Howdy, everyone. I will get the discussion and close up videos for this song uploaded very soon--things have been unusually busy around here this past week and I haven't been able to get to it. Since uploading this I've traveled to Athens, Georgia and visited renowned folklorist Art Rosenbaum, spent an afternoon here at home filming with Japanese field recorder Dan Torigoe and since then I've been knocking out some long-delayed medical appointments. Expect to see more on this very soon, like, in the next couple of days. Sorry to keep yall waiting!

Clifton Hicks

when you hear the song the rhythms are intuitive, but as an intermediate player learning, those first couple of sweep picks at the start of the phrase are head to get your head around. amazing performance and beautiful footage.

Callum Lee

This is one of the most recognizable tunes in the Old Time repertoire. Thanks for saving Mr Gibson’s version for us.

R. C. Goad

Awesome

louie goodwin

I've listened to your other videos of The Cuckoo over and over for months while learning to play and sing it... and now you're going to teach it. You just made my day!

Banjo Jane

I'm almost sure i know what's comming next. And I'm pretty darn excited about it. Let the learnin begin.

Kurosh Ghodshowghi

Well, you done it again there, Sir... very nice

Justin Hoffmann

Nice like the depth of your voice and the way it fits in with the call and response with the banjo. No Cuckoo's fly in the Western Hemisphere, but this is an extremely common song among Black players like Dink Roberts, Rufus Kasey, and others often with verses associated with Stuball the race horse. This is about the purest banjo song I ever heard of. At one point I had about 14 different banjo versions, but have never ever heard of anyone ever playing this song on the fiddle.

Tony Thomas

The fire flies are a nice touch.

Ken Taylor

Are you kidding me? I think I’m going to put my banjo in it’s case and out in the garage for awhile! That was a pleasure to watch and listen to. The location, time of day, sounds of nature, and music bouncing off your banjo! Brilliant! This one is moving to the top of my to learn list.

Mike Rebitzke


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