UncleClawhammer - Posted - 07/08/2014:  14:19:00

Someone has finally managed to get full episodes of the old Rainbow Quest program back on YouTube. There are two main ones I thought would be of interest to people on this forum.

Here is the show with The Stanley Bros. and the Clinch Mountain Boys with Cousin Emmy. Some great stuff. I especially like when they all play together. Also: Cousin Emmy is the only one I've ever seen make Carter Stanley laugh.

And here is one with Hedy West, Mississippi John Hurt, and Paul Cadwell, a great classic banjo player who strung his banjo with fishing line. He plays a selection of old cakewalks and virtuoso pieces. The audio on the second one is annoying out of sync, but it's better than nothing.

Pete Seeger was not a great host and I don't know if he really "gets" bluegrass and country music, but he's pretty cool, too.

From Greylock to Bean Blossom - Posted - 07/08/2014:  15:15:54

quote:

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Originally posted by UncleClawhammer

Someone has finally managed to get full episodes of the old Rainbow Quest program back on YouTube. There are two main ones I thought would be of interest to people on this forum.

Here is the show with The Stanley Bros. and the Clinch Mountain Boys with Cousin Emmy. Some great stuff. I especially like when they all play together. Also: Cousin Emmy is the only one I've ever seen make Carter Stanley laugh.

And here is one with Hedy West, Mississippi John Hurt, and Paul Cadwell, a great classic banjo player who strung his banjo with fishing line. He plays a selection of old cakewalks and virtuoso pieces. The audio on the second one is annoying out of sync, but it's better than nothing.

Pete Seeger was not a great host and I don't know if he really "gets" bluegrass and country music, but he's pretty cool, too.

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There was great Rainbow show with Johnny CAsh. You can buy these somewhere on line.

ken

Joe Connor - Posted - 07/08/2014:  16:52:31

Rainbow Quest was a wonderful show. Pete's guests were all fine musicians and many were people you would never see elsewhere on TV. Pete was also a tremendous host who seemed to have a knack for drawing his guests out.. The show's pace was nice and relaxed, in sharp contrast to the frenetic pace of the other folk-oriented show, Hootenanny. Here's an article giving a lot of the details regarding Rainbow Quest. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rainbow_Quest

Bill Anderson - Posted - 07/08/2014:  17:36:47

I love this stuff. Glad it is available for the ages.

The Old Timer - Posted - 07/08/2014:  18:01:06

I've seen that before, but it moves me deeply every time I see it again. It's the only good footage I know of for Carter Stanley. Eyes like a great white shark, no expression whatsoever, stands stock still or wiggles his guitar just a little. Gads doesn't he make so much out of singing so little, though.

Also good to be reminded of the incredibly important role George Shuffler played for so long.

And to think Chick Stripling did that butter paddle buck 'n' wing probably a million times from vaudeville to the Blue Grass Boys, Flatt & Scruggs, etc. It lived on in Buck White's stage performances, and many others too I'm sure.

This troupe was on their way to play for the USO or Armed Services in Germany when they stopped to film this with Pete Seeger. The irrepressible Chick Stripling was sent home in shame from the tour in Germany for, "ahem" having one or three too many and getting in a knock down drag out with ol' Carter.

Stunning to think Carter had about a year to live...

Monroe took Molly & Tenbrooks from Cousin Emmy (she was much older than Bill) and set it to "bluegrass time" and made it what we know today. What a TROUPER she was!

One of the most important time capsules I know of. Thank you Pete Seeger.

UncleClawhammer - Posted - 07/08/2014:  18:11:46

Thank you, Old Timer, for that wonderful commentary! I was so sorry to hear of George Shuffler's death this year. His guitar picking really set a new standard. Never knew that Cousin Emmy was the inspiration for Monroe's Molly and Tenbrooks... It always has been my favorite bluegrass song.

From Greylock to Bean Blossom - Posted - 07/08/2014:  18:41:03

Yes Dick, thanks for the history lesson.

ken

Jim Yates - Posted - 07/08/2014:  19:26:47

quote:

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Originally posted by UncleClawhammer

Someone has finally managed to get full episodes of the old Rainbow Quest program back on YouTube. There are two main ones I thought would be of interest to people on this forum.

Here is the show with The Stanley Bros. and the Clinch Mountain Boys with Cousin Emmy. Some great stuff. I especially like when they all play together. Also: Cousin Emmy is the only one I've ever seen make Carter Stanley laugh.

And here is one with Hedy West, Mississippi John Hurt, and Paul Cadwell, a great classic banjo player who strung his banjo with fishing line. He plays a selection of old cakewalks and virtuoso pieces. The audio on the second one is annoying out of sync, but it's better than nothing.

Pete Seeger was not a great host and I don't know if he really "gets" bluegrass and country music, but he's pretty cool, too.

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Thanks for that.  I thought Pete was a great host and had a good understanding of most forms of folk music, including Bluegrass and country.  I think these shows were shot with two cameras and one mic and no do overs.  In one episode, he kicks over a bottle of milk and says, "There goes the milk."  In a New Lost City Ramblers show, Mike Seeger keeps playing after everyone else has stopped. 

I have a few of these on VHS, including the John Hurt one and an NLCR one. 

Jim Yates - Posted - 07/08/2014:  19:28:56

Here's the NLCR doing a Ragtime Annie medley with a false ending.   youtube.com/watch?v=W_V5KjWy4No

UncleClawhammer - Posted - 07/08/2014:  19:34:27

One thing that I really admire about Pete in these shows is that he's complete unself-conscious about everything he does. He always had the courage of his convictions. I wasn't having a go. Pete is one of my favorite musicians - the reason I'm a banjo player.

One of my favorite episodes, Jim. Everything from Mike singing Man of Constant Sorrow on the autoharp to the grand finale is just perfect. The footage of Mike on his unicycle is great. Always make me smile. One thing I've noticed: Mike is using gCGBD instead of double C.

And I've often quoted Pete in this episode, "If someone comes over to the house to play string music, you have to spend one hour tuning."

Edited by - UncleClawhammer on 07/08/2014 19:43:34

From Greylock to Bean Blossom - Posted - 07/08/2014:  20:31:28

I read every book I could on Pete after his passing. He had many passions and convictions but it seems to me the thing that was central to his soul was love of music and being a musician. In watching the few Rainbow Quests that I have seen I come away with feeling how much Seeger appreciated good musicians. I don't think his passion for music diminished through his life: maybe some after he lost Toshi, but then I think he lost a lot of zest for life. He was a special man.

ken

ps I don't think bluegrass fully appreciates the songs he brought to life thru his Smithsonian recordings that have become mainstays in bluegrass.

Edited by - From Greylock to Bean Blossom on 07/08/2014 20:32:38

raharris - Posted - 07/09/2014:  05:35:57

quote:

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Originally posted by The Old Timer

I've seen that before, but it moves me deeply every time I see it again. It's the only good footage I know of for Carter Stanley. Eyes like a great white shark, no expression whatsoever, stands stock still or wiggles his guitar just a little. Gads doesn't he make so much out of singing so little, though.



. . . . 

One of the most important time capsules I know of. Thank you Pete Seeger.

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The Stanley Brothers on Rainbow Quest

youtu.be/C4CtLA1jC20

The Old Timer - Posted - 07/09/2014:  06:41:11

Does anyone know where Pete filmed those shows? NYC? Poughkeepsie? Boston?

chuckv97 - Posted - 07/09/2014:  06:42:20

I like the way Pete suddenly straightens up and rears back when George steps up to take his guitar break. Also the look on Carter's face and eyes when he looks into the camera ,as he sings the line "she'll be on that train and gone". Almost chilling. Thnx for posting.

Joe Connor - Posted - 07/09/2014:  07:28:48

Old Timer, I believe these shows were recorded in Newark, N.J., at the studios of a New York-based UHF station. They were broadcast on Channel 13, a New York public television station. Don't forget that at this time (1965-66), the blacklist was still in effect and Pete was persona non grata on commercial TV.

The Old Timer - Posted - 07/09/2014:  09:16:03

Joe Connor, thanks!

I remember VAGUELY seeing some of these shows in "real time" in the middle 60s on the "educational tv" network in Maine. The is when we called Channel 11, 12 and 13 "ETV" for Educational TV, supposedly intended for broadcast (no cable) into schools for lesson support. This is WAY before "Public Broadcasting System" PBS that we know today. The networks were operated strictly by local colleges. In Maine I believe University of Maine, Colby, Bates and Bowdoin were the original organization.

The ones I saw in "real time" then certainly didn't have the Stanley Brothers, but some other folk music personalities. My family would have gone nuts if we'd known the Stanley Brothers were going to be on ETV! But schedules were fluid and there was no advance publication who was going to be guesting. I can't even remember the details now of who I did see as guests.

I saw Pete Seeger live at the University of Maine while I was in high school a few years later. But I knew who Pete Seeger was, a folk singing banjo player. Which I was not "into" -- I was strictly bluegrass. I found Pete's own style of music rather cringe-inducing at the time, but in later years I came to appreciate his contributions more by reading history and tv documentaries. Seeing/hearing the contrast between Pete and Carter Stanley in the video just reinforces that to me again today. Carter didn't exactly leap to echo Pete's "lining out" of the songs, although Emmy and Shuff did, even Ralph a little.

For instance, in those publicity starved days, I used to listen intently to Oscar Brand's syndicated brief folk music show on the radio about noon time, where he'd have one guest sing one or two songs. Always hoping for some thin reed of country/bluegrass/folk music to grasp onto. Again, way before FM "public radio". This was "network AM radio".

UncleClawhammer - Posted - 07/09/2014:  16:23:42

Watching it again, I'm really getting a kick out of the way Cousin Emmy is always making sure she's looking straight into the camera. She was showbiz savvy. I love her banjo, too.

You're right, Old Timer, about Carter not really getting into Pete's lining out. This is what I meant when I said Pete was not a great host; he seems alternately over-earnest and then almost painfully awkward. When he stands up to play his banjo break during "I Never Will Marry," Carter and George look uncomfortable. I think it comes down to a difference in approach. The Stanleys were trying to do a stage-y show. Seeger always tried to draw people in. They do look like they enjoy talking to each other, though.

Edited by - UncleClawhammer on 07/09/2014 16:34:23

The Old Timer - Posted - 07/09/2014:  16:50:45

Carter was using all the language from their stage show, for sure, including the lame "jokes" with Chick (notice there was no one laughing about the woman sticking her head out the car window to yell at him?).

I have a recording of the band at Antioch College with Chick Stripling, preserving every word of the routines, with Carter as the ultra-straight straight man. The college kids didn't get 1% of it, "crickets" as they say, but they plowed right along anyway! Near the end Chick was starting to get a bit "lewd" and Carter told Ralph to start playing the closing theme so they could get Chick away before there was any trouble! He was teasing the college girls a little rough.

Carter introduced him as "Chick Stripling, clean from Georgia where they raise peanuts and good red hogs!" In addition to the butter paddle buck 'n' wing, Chick played decent fiddle and sang and brayed "Johnson's Ol' Grey Mule (His Name was Simon Slick)". Chick was quite a dude!

It's forgotten pretty much that the Stanleys always had a comedy player in the band like Tennessee Mort, Big Wilbur, etc. As did Monroe, F&S, etc. Too bad we've lost that I say.

INFP47 - Posted - 07/09/2014:  19:57:49

I enjoyed Dick's reference above to Oscar Brand's radio program. Oscar's program has been on the air continuously since 1945!  Oscar Brand's Folksong Festival is on WNYC in New York City every Saturday from 10-11am.  You can listen to it online at WNYC.org. 

The Old Timer - Posted - 07/09/2014:  19:59:03

Well I had to go YouTube cruising for Rainbow Quest and was completely fascinated by the first one I picked, with June Carter and Johnny Cash as guests. Now this is before they got married. John doesn't appear to be in good health. But the chatting and music is fine!



youtube.com/watch?v=GDBtrzka2X4

Edited by - The Old Timer on 07/09/2014 19:59:54

Doconc - Posted - 07/10/2014:  07:33:33

That Stanley Brothers show is amazing!  I have never heard of Chick Stripling but he's great.  I actually laughed out loud watching him dance.    Ralph and Carter seem so uncomfortable up there, almost like they're not sure what they should be doing.  Ralph Stanley always looks like that to me though.  The expression on his face, or lack  of, makes me think he wants to be anywhere else but up on the stage.  And Clinch Mountain Backstep with close-ups on the right and left hand!  What a great video!

Jim Yates - Posted - 07/10/2014:  12:37:20

I think most of the Stanleys' discomfort was probably the fact that there was no audience.  The jokes seem to fall flat with no audience feed back.  Probably the humour should have been left for a live show.

oldwoodchuckb - Posted - 07/10/2014:  12:45:09

quote:

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Originally posted by The Old Timer

Well I had to go YouTube cruising for Rainbow Quest and was completely fascinated by the first one I picked, with June Carter and Johnny Cash as guests. Now this is before they got married. John doesn't appear to be in good health. But the chatting and music is fine!



youtube.com/watch?v=GDBtrzka2X4

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He was either hung over or strung out - or both.

chuckv97 - Posted - 07/10/2014:  12:57:23

Johnny's really twitchy and weird on that one. Those were his crazy pill days

UncleClawhammer - Posted - 07/10/2014:  13:21:24

quote:

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Originally posted by oldwoodchuckb

quote:

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Originally posted by The Old Timer

Well I had to go YouTube cruising for Rainbow Quest and was completely fascinated by the first one I picked, with June Carter and Johnny Cash as guests. Now this is before they got married. John doesn't appear to be in good health. But the chatting and music is fine!



youtube.com/watch?v=GDBtrzka2X4

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He was either hung over or strung out - or both.

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The latter for sure. The former, maybe. Johnny Cash was heavily on drugs when this was filmed. Seeger wanted to withhold this episode's release on VHS for that reason. I have that one on DVD. It's coupled with an episode featuring Roscoe Holcomb and Jean Redpath.

A much better video of Johnny and Pete is from when Pete was on the Johnny Cash Show. The absolute worst I ever saw Johnny Cash was in some country music movie I can't remember the name of, but he sang "The One on the Right was on the Left," a pretty stupid song, and was so rawboned and strung out that even the movie magic couldn't hide it. The saving grace of his segment was "Were You There When They Crucified My Lord?"

Edited by - UncleClawhammer on 07/10/2014 13:34:59

chuckv97 - Posted - 07/10/2014:  13:46:47

I've got that " Everybody Loves A Jerk" LP, that has "The Folksinger"and other humorous songs.
Also had his Orange Blossom Special LP. He sounds especially rough on that one .eg "Wild Colorado".
Shook his and Marty Robbins' hand at the back door of the Ryman in 1970,and chatted a bit. They were taping Marty's segment for Johnny's TV show. The back door was open,no security ,we just hung out and watched. I was over the moon- I had albums of those two guys for years. (sorry for thread drift)

Buzzbomb - Posted - 07/10/2014:  15:13:49

quote:

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Originally posted by The Old Timer

I have a recording of the band at Antioch College with Chick Stripling, [snip] The college kids didn't get 1% of it, [snip]



It's forgotten pretty much that the Stanleys always had a comedy player in the band like Tennessee Mort, Big Wilbur, etc. As did Monroe, F&S, etc. Too bad we've lost that I say.

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For anyone interested there is an nth generation copy of the Antioch College show in the Doc Hamilton collection at Fred Robbins site: frobbi.org/audio/hamilton/Stan...ioch.html The quality isn't as good as the tracks that have appeared on the Antioch bootleg LP, and a few of the cuts also appear on the Rebel "Legendary Live Vol. 1/Vol.2" LPs.

I haven't heard it in a while, but I think the college audience did get the Stanley Brothers humour... The concert was acknowledged as being a success (compared to the Osborne Bros appearance a little earlier), and Ralph's medley of Cripple Creek/Cumberland Gap sounds like it got a standing ovation. (picosong.com/PzgJ).

Chick Stripling also played with the Stanley Brothers at the University of Chicago 3,4,5 Feb 1961 & on the recordings of that, Carter bows to crowd pressure, getting Chick to demonstrate his dance, even though they were getting towards the end of their set.

Chick also appears in this video of Rank Stangers, which is damn fine: youtube.com/watch?v=I16YOPmmZbs (where is this from - is it on DVD?). It's from the European tour, as the fiddle player is Don Miller (who also appears in the Rainbow Quest show - and earlier played on the Ed Cassady & The Hidden Valley Ramblers - "From The Heart Of Bluegrass Country" LP (aka Ed Cassady & The Georgia Corn Stompers  - "Bluegrass Banjo")).

I too miss the humour... but then the only time I saw Ralph & Co (and my first proper bluegrass show) c2008, they did the "Climate" gag that goes way back :)

The DVD's of the Rainbow Quest series are well worth getting IMHO. it's a shame that the one with Donovan & Reverend Gary Davis didn't get released on DVD - I'd have loved to have seen that one.  I like the fact that the shows are pretty raw, what you see is what you get - and where else would you get Mississippi John Hurt, Elizabeth Cotton or Johnny Cash (completely out of his box). Pete Seeger was the Johnny Appleseed of the banjo.

Banjo Lefty - Posted - 07/20/2014:  08:57:49

That was great. Thanks for posting. Mississippi John Hurt has always been a guitar hero of mine -- I spent months learning to play Spike Driver Blues from book. It was terrific to hear an original recording. Interesting how he never changes his left hand position; in the other songs where chord changes are required, he just moves the G chord shape up and down the neck. A lot like banjo playing, I think.

I met Pete a few times when he gave concerts in Montreal -- he's the reason I have (finally!) taken up banjo.

coelhoe - Posted - 07/20/2014:  12:08:42

The Stanley Brothers and  Cousin Emmy  and Roscoe Holcomb toured Europe in Feb. of 1966 along with the NLCR.  To understand Carter's demeanor at the time, you have to understand that he was very ill with cirrhosis of the liver and died on December 1st of that year.  I met them in Denmark during that  '66 tour and he was very withdrawn and obviously in a great deal of discomfort.

There's more on his death:    banjohangout.org/archive/247210

From Greylock to Bean Blossom - Posted - 07/20/2014:  13:03:19

banjohangout.org/archive/247210

Sorry, could not get the Carter Stanley to go live.

ken

Emiel - Posted - 07/20/2014:  13:08:13

quote:

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Originally posted by The Old Timer

Well I had to go YouTube cruising for Rainbow Quest and was completely fascinated by the first one I picked, with June Carter and Johnny Cash as guests. Now this is before they got married. John doesn't appear to be in good health. But the chatting and music is fine!



youtube.com/watch?v=GDBtrzka2X4

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Absolutely fascinating...

farmy4700 - Posted - 07/21/2014:  06:48:43

Man those Johnny Cash ones... You can tell he's one something.