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Nightfall - a new composition by Steven Watson
I hope you can give this a listen all the way through, as it's a beautiful and interesting new composition for the banjo.
Views: 470
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Comment by Richard William Ineson on April 16, 2023 at 10:47
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A thought provoking piece far removed from the era of 'The Donkey Laugh'.
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Comment by Rob MacKillop on April 16, 2023 at 10:51
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Thanks for listening, Richard. I can happily live in a world which has both.
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Me too, on a similar vein, I purchased a mandolin album by David Grisman and Andy Statman, called 'Mandolin Abstractions' some years ago, which featured pieces which had all been improvised by them, and had titles such as 'Journey to the Centre of Twang'. I asked David to autograph the album when I saw him at the Cambridge Folk Festival, when I showed it to him he said, "Did you actually buy this?"
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Haha! I’m sure it had its moments, good and bad.
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I've not played it for some time, but I remember that one of the other tracks was 'March of the Mandolas' and another, "Two White Boys Watching James Brown at the Apollo".
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Sounds a hoot!
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As regards 'The Donkey Laugh' it has never been a particular favourite of mine although I have played it occasionally over the years. My first 'real' banjo was a Weaver whose previous owner (s) were obviously keen fans of the DL as the second fret on the bass string side was worn completely flat from having the fourth string pushed over the side of the neck when imitating the 'Hee Haw' sound of the donkey. Essex encouraged composers to write pieces which wore the fourth string out so as to increase sales, the DL must that made him a lot of money in its day.
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Good comment, Mike. Talking of windows, I like to say that art should be a window, not a mirror.
The internet has allowed gatherings of people around the world to define communities of different traditions - such as here - but it could also engender ossification. Every now and then we need music that asks questions.
To be honest, I half thought the video might be removed, as the technique alone is not recognised as being ‘classic’, but I’ve appreciated the comments thus far. There are few places set up to share such music.
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Comment by Karen Smith on April 16, 2023 at 15:06
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Good to see new music being composed for the instrument. I like the way you played it, Rob, and your insights, Mike.
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Well said, Mike.
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