Cornish Dance No 1 - Cammeyer - New Weaver Banjo

This is an oddball composition by banjo standards -- it's complex, subtle and intriguing. Reminiscing about his late teacher Alfred Cammeyer, Bernard Sheaff wrote:
"In this group I regard the "Cornish Dances" already mentioned as the composer's highest achievement - and I think Cammeyer did too. We both played them often - but not publicly, as far as I can remember.


Of the "Dances" Cammeyer said more than once, "I know I've gone 'way above their heads this time but, anyway, they don't tread on anybody's toes." - the second part of his remark meaning that this work owed nothing to any other composer."

I chose this piece as the first of a series of recordings to showcase the capabilities of my new banjo -- a brand new "Weaver" banjo, made by Garry Silvert for the revived Clifford Essex Company. Based on the Classic banjos by the legendary luthier Alfred Weaver most famously played by the legendary Joe Morley, it has a 12" rim with block construction, made out of English oak and with a Chakte Viga tone ring, a mahogany neck and an ebony fingerboard. Strung with heavy nylon strings it is an absolute cannon with a crack like a whip, but it can also be subtle, quiet and extremely musical, with an almost zither-banjo like voice, when called for.

Rating:
  • Currently 5/5 stars.

Views: 116

Comment by Dave Houle on March 8, 2013 at 16:16

Sounds Great! Looking forward to more songs to show the range you get from your new Weaver.

Comment by thereallyniceman on March 8, 2013 at 18:21

This is a spectacular piece of playing Mike. You really do have that thing which is missing from my performances... musical talent!

The Weaver has that great sound that you have described as "nasal" and it rings as clear and true as a bell.  The bass growls through too.  It will be good to hear it when you play a more "banjoistic" type of tune. How's about a bit of Ragtime?

7******* stars for this one.

Comment by German David Patarroyo on March 9, 2013 at 3:44

Glad to hear you again Mike. The Weaver sounds amazing! I bet I will hear great stuff soon!

Comment by marc dalmasso on March 9, 2013 at 19:07

beautiful tune & playing , Mike

Comment by Richard William Ineson on March 23, 2013 at 9:46

Very well played and interpreted, this is a difficult piece to put across, but you have done it magnificently; the banjo sounds very good in this supreme test of musical sensitivity. Cam certainly wrote a gem with this Cornish Dance, I can almost  smell the fish and chips when I hear it. I am not too sure about  Dance No.2 which is rather strange to my ears.

Comment by Mike Moss on March 23, 2013 at 17:23

Thank you, all! I agree, Richard, the second one is definitely a strange piece. Getting a passable piano accompaniment done for the first one already took me too much time as, played in strict time, this piece doesn't have all that much going for it.

Were these ever recorded by Cammeyer and Sheaff?

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