Classic-Banjo
A Site Dedicated to all enthusiasts of Classic Style Banjo
The Policeman's Holiday - Ewing, Oakley arr. - New Weaver Banjo
So here I am, playing Olly Oakley's arrangement of the classic tune "The Policeman's Holiday" in honour of our resident Banjo Bobby and arranger extraordinaire on Classic-Banjo.Ning, Steve Harrison. You can also listen to the "genuine article" -- played by Oakley himself on his zither-banjo, one hundred years ago -- here on Youtube.
Oakley was one of the most prolific and popular banjoists of his time. He cut countless records during the early days of sound recording and his skill in spontaneously improvising on solos or making up "variations" on the fly -- some would say making mistakes! -- means that he hardly recorded a solo in the same way twice.
He played the zither-banjo in a brash, strident fashion and pulled a brilliant tone from it, in contrast to the popular perception of the ZB as a soft, subdued instrument.
Unlike Oakley, I have recorded this on a regular (nylon-strung) banjo similar to the one Joe Morley would have played.
Views: 104
-
Comment by marc dalmasso on March 30, 2013 at 15:22
-
très beau morceau , Mike ;
-
Comment by thereallyniceman on March 30, 2013 at 15:46
-
What an arresting performance Mike, lots of beat and just what we have become to inspector your performances. I believe that it was so warm when Mike recorded this that he took his shirt off to play, but Steve said he should be under a vest.
:-)
-
Comment by Mike Moss on March 30, 2013 at 16:03
-
I could have slept late this morning instead of playing the banjo, but I was resisting a rest!
-
Comment by Steve Harrison on March 31, 2013 at 11:34
-
Was I ever that young?...Great performance of a rarely played tune. Oakley was a fellow Brummie (someone born in Birmingham, England) and the very first classic tune I learned was his Dashwood Quickstep...Steve.
Add a Comment
© 2025 Created by thereallyniceman.
Powered by
You need to be a member of Classic-Banjo to add comments!
Join Classic-Banjo