Late Night Music Club with Sandy Bull
By Howie Klein Friday Feb 15, 2008 10:00pmYou've probably heard-- or at least heard of-- Carl Orff's anthemic, and much adapted Carmina Burana. It's less likely that you've ever heard, or heard of, the multi-instrumental genius Sandy Bull, who covered Orff's masterpiece with a 5-string banjo in 1963 on his debut album, Fantasias For Guitar and Banjo. I met him at the Cafe Au Go Go a few years later and persuaded him to come play a show at my college on Long Island. He astounded me by being able to locate radio frequencies on my car dial that I didn't know existed. And by playing an oud, which I had never even heard of 'til then.
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Someone forgot to turn off italics! :)
You know what sucks about the Internet. You can't ask a question without first checking to see if you're asking something completely stupid.
My first question would be "is this one person playing?" since I think I hear a group of strings being played. While at the same time hearing distinct notes / strings being played / plucked. Now I sort of remember watching Steve Martin play a banjo. With a ring like pick on his thumb to play a group of strings while he picked at other strings with his fingers...
With the Internet I can verify that a banjo is played this way using a pick on the thumb (to play the group of strings). While the fore and middle finger are used to pluck strings. Even can quickly find a page explaining how this is done.
But knowing how its done so quickly takes away from being aware of the amount of time and dedication needed to learn such skill.
Makes it harder to appreciate what I'm hearing.
More about Sandy Bull from Richie Unterberger, All Music Guide:
We saw Sandy Bull at the Ash Grove in L.A. in the mid 60's. An amazing player, however, that night he was "out of sorts" (it WAS the Sixties) so we watched him try to tune his oud for two hours. Still, a memorable experience.
Fally Ipupa - Cesaire Award Paris - Best Male Winner
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i6o79DzeLy0
Sometimes when I'm Dreaming
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=05eNtZnzfFk
A counter point to my rant against the Internet is that it allows me to also post The Third Man theme.
That was the second thought that came to mind when I heard this music. That along with the comment of the "oud". In the case of The Third Man, as here, it made me want to find a description of the instrument. (In the later case the question was, what the hell is a zither?)
Sandy Bull has always been one of my favourites. I regret that he did not record more while alive.
I met Sandy Bull when he played in Berkeley in the early 60s. He stayed at a friend's house and I feel in love with his music. I had his records on 33s and not too long ago found CDs. He was a sweet gentle person - I seem to remember that his father was a journalist? He recorded his own overlaid tracks on some pieces - which can give the illusion of more players, but he also could make one instrument sound like many.
Susan in Berkeley
Carmina Burina was commissioned by Hitler--so it's an appropriate theme for us Liberal Fascists. Finally a homier version. I can't quite see Michael Moore stomping around to the original. But this one is screaming Kucinich.
Wow! Wild. And impressive.
Sandy Bull was a 60's folk hero to whites, and to the blacks I knew, at the time. in high school.
Now a days, whites and blacks alike have NO clue as to who he is, and so be that. No wonder.
But he HAD something.
I still think of him as a sort of a John Fahey kinda hoss.
N that's some tall phreakin shoes to fill.
RIP Sandy, AND John . . . too soon, ya both.
Art Garfunkel - Scissors Cut ___ Written by Jimmy Webb http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YwVplMNpUtY
slightly reminds me of the movie Picasso Summer
Art Garfunkel - 99 Miles from LA http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNTfCDx48JM&feature=related
Art Garfunkel - Dreamland http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ztQ3sDcZwwM&feature=related
Art Garfunkel & James Taylor - Crying in The Rain http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2XAbdFNLm-g&feature=related
Art Garfunkel --- I Believe http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u5XRsROn3Xc
My husband-to-be turned me on to Sandy Bull's music in the 60's, and I would listen to it for hours. My absolute favorite is Little Maggie, a wonderful blend of a haunting slow clawhammer part and an uptempo bluegrassy part. It instilled a love of the banjo and old-timey Appalachian folk tunes and foot-stompin' bluegrass in me that I still feel today.
Highly recommend watching the whole show. Great stuff!
I always feel sad for the shills of the mass media as they drag out their pathetic ''greatest guitarists'' lists, especially as regards the 60's. never any mention of Mr Bull, Robbie Basho, John Fahey, Derek Bailey, Sonny Sharrock, Larry coryell, Renbourne, Jansch, or even Nick Drake for that matter.
They choose people like (&#^&),,...,bf,. uggh it's.,.,.hard ,..,.to.,.,typem 8 the words,,.,,.;., clapton ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha
jimmy PaaaaGe! ha haha ha ha ha ahhahah
Sandy was a monster talent, as anyone conscious in the '60s and '70s knew. In a class by himself. Thanks for this one, Howie.
In re: the Oud, the universally accepted American master is the great John Bilezikjian, who I have had dinner with many times.
larue @ 12:
He and Fahey were giants. Some of the other greats from that time are still out there, though. Just saw Max Ochs play last week, great set. Peter Walker (it's worth trying to track down "Rainy Day Raga") and Peter Lang are still kicking around, too.
The rock music was good in the 60s, but it didn't come close to the shear talent of the folkes on the edge, like Sandy Bull and John Fahey. One instrument one man.
I remember this cat from way back then.
You wanna see some badass oud? I got yer friggin' oud right here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zHmnjJJ_5No
Howie, seriously, the reliability of you introducing a song with "when I booked these guys at my college back in 1934"...
Yes
Fillmore (Avlon Ballroom) We looked at one another a little high on LSD and said this was a keeper.
jo6pac
Thanks for the memories. Funny what you forget. He sure could play.
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