1952 Vincent Black Lightning

Carson McKee (guitar) and Josh Turner (banjo) perform the Richard Thompson classic.
From the Swannanoa Gathering on the beautiful campus of Warren Wilson College near Asheville, NC.

[@CudavidO1123]

Excellent, gentlemen. I've been listening to your version for several years now and I'm always moved by your vocals and music.

[@petepete8556]

12 years and still my favourite version of this tune.

[@12banjojim]

I did the same thing today! This was the first video I saw of them 12 years ago! And it’s still my favorite! I really love the creativity that they bring to their music. Josh is a phenomenal musician, and he brings other emergent talents along with him.

[@Bertyification]

Wow... 2 American kids playing an absolutely astounding version, even the vocal twang sounded awesome... left speechless. Keep it up guys guys - that was wonderful :-)

[@mariebelsham6700]

😊😊😊😊😊😊a1

[@wompton]

Unreal boys! Absolutely floored and motivated to get this

[@standardranchstash221]

I’m 67 but I can’t believe it’s been 8 years since Josh posted this wonderful cover. 8 years!!

[@darwinawardcommittee]

They were babies!

[@daweshorizon]

I will maintain my opinion that this is the best version of Thompson's song. Carson's and Josh's rendition captures the drama and tragedy of the song perfectly. Enough said.

[@HMDickson]

You might want to listen to Del McCurry first :)

[@pauliebots]

Sean Rowe.

[@murraystewart8472]

Agreed with pauliebots - Sean Rowe’s version kicks it out of the park. A violent lament and love sing. He does a great job.

[@billythedog-309]

l've not heard one that approaches Richard Thompson's original.

[@orangemonsoon1883]

Not better than Richard Thompson's original but my my these boys are talented 🎸🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🇬🇧👌

[@user-mq5ih7tl4s]

There are many professional covers of this song youtube and who can't like Del McCoury's version? But many of the other covers sound like imitations of Richard Thompson. In opinion, nobody, I mean nobody -- not even Richard Thompson himself -- beats these two guys sitting in park and singing this story. Singing their hearts out. Kudos!

[@barredok]

+Josh Turner I hope you land a contract lads. You and your friends are magnificent. You have a new subscriber. Its hard to find great musicians these days.

[@nards656]

+barredok Sad part for many music fans is that when guys and gals THIS GOOD land contracts, the music companies often RUIN the music.

[@georgemcelroy3058]

These guys are great, but go see RT. He is the best!!

[@WalterHolokai]

You're right about all.

[@grb1184]

Del is just a noble spirit and excellent, reverent performer. His band gives great "regional" credit to Richard T's elegant original. I love both of them but really can't imagine a Vincent Black in the Tennessee hill county. Regardless, if you can go see Richard T, do it. But these songs are meant to be learnt, played and live on. Like "these two guys sitting in (a) park".

[@kimcampbell8480]

This is the most fabulous version of this classic song. Love it boys.

[@HeadstockFilms]

I always come to youtube to watch Josh and Carson when I need to cheer myself up.. :)

[@dlbstl]

Me too! Sometimes I think it won't help, and it always does anyway!

[@user-bm7uu5mm5n]

Every time!

[@julianwilsonsongwritermusi9413]

Really great version of a really great song. Respect big time guys! Jules

[@dstone3241]

Man I love this. I've watched it probably 15 times over the past few days. Banjo work is great. Harmonies in sync. And Carson has a great voice. Amazing that they are so young.

[@JTSunriseMusic]

One of the best versions I have heard, well done

[@richardmclaren8549]

I stop and listen to anybody covering this iconic song and this version is just great. Loved it. Well done. 🐟

[@005jgabriel]

Well done. One of a few songs that still chokes me up

[@donfranks3159]

A timeless treasure from two extraordinary musicians! I agree, best version ever. They captured all the emotion and soul of a great song.

[@mcgeo52]

Just found this through a facebook posting by my friend, Nancy Covey (a.k.a., Mrs. Richard Thompson). High praise indeed and well deserved.

[@ES_335]

To see young guys of this generation playing music like that just makes me smile :) Well done!

[@peteremsley5677]

how can this video not make you smile. well done fellas!

[@brianthompson3165]

Been Riding over half the time I've been on this planet. This song always sends shivers up my spine. Even now I'm feeling them. Great job you guys. Puts a smile on a old mans face

[@pjrtech4141]

This is what music is all about. Talent exudes from every pore. Wow!

[@quentinfernandez4673]

Every cover of these two is just awesome. Love their style

[@murrayscheuerman5900]

How have I not seen this before today, love the song love the rendition, brought a tear to my eye!

[@jacquelinejorgensen3245]

Watching these two young men singing and playing their instruments so serious and dedicated to their music has lifted me from a sadness of the world today. I pray to the Lord to keep them safe from all evil. Our country needs more young people to appreciate life the way these two young men do. More power to them. Keep on strumming! I love you!

[@philipcorbould7376]

bloody marvellous gentlemen! just bloody marvellous !

[@alan4sure]

Excellent version! I can't believe it took me so many yrs of surfing youtube to stumble across this great talent.

[@wheezyfridge]

This song has made me cry every time I've ever heard it and this was no exception, bloody glorious

[@tpkennedy33]

I just stumbled on this video. WOW... completely blew me away. Fantastic job!

[@daleludewig6475]

Excellent guys. kick ass.

[@fionnbharro]

Josh, Carson -- you've done a fantastic job on this; RT should be proud you've done the song justice -- a rare feat. Keep making music. You two are excellent.

[@rydereaston6464]

I look up covers of pretty much every song I like. I listen to tons of covers of each of them, and I don't think anything touches this cover of this song. It's just amazing

[@barrym4079]

These guys never cease to amaze me. Joshs guitar skills are amazing as well, even though hes playing a banjo. This was eight years ago. Incredible.

[@secretarysmith3307]

they did it in concert! kzbin.info/www/bejne/qqaXd5Klp95qbdU

[@fubarsnafu4994]

Don’t think I have ever seen this much raw talent in a group of young people in one place in my entire life. I love this channel and love all you all do!

[@MultiJeffb]

Well done. These two gents have a bright future.

[@chipgary858]

You guy blew me away . I'm 35 I've been playing since I was 13 I was so glad to see two young guys like yourself playing a song like this gives me hope for the future. You guys keep jamming you guys were awesome. Now me and a buddy of mine AR going to make us a video just like this one same song I'll let you know when it's uploaded. Y'all killed it

[@billsedge7360]

These two guys are frighteningly talented.!!

[@MarvRoberts]

Carson McKee is the spitting image of Buddy Holly.

[@joerocky87]

Wow this is great! I love listening to youre music!

[@neilvorano8032]

I just found this song recently, and I love it, and searched on KZbin, and cam across you guys. This is an absolutely wonderful rendition of this song! You both are awesome!

[@poopface011]

These guys have a bottomless well of good music. Have fun!

[@xXXinfonlightXXx]

Glad to see some modern love for this song. Epic. GJ guys.

[@larrygeetar9309]

Somethin' about Asheville just sounds so sweet. Is it the air or somethin' pure in the water? Wonderful timing, harmony, playing together to make one fine sound. Well done, very well done. Real Americana from two young men. Thank you, boys.

[@kij100]

Makes a change, 2 very talented young Americans covering an English song by an English singer/player/writer about an English bike! One of the best versions I've ever heard (I'm Scots by the way incase anyone thinks I'm being too pro English!)

[@robertleecamp]

+larry geetar Come to Asheville and see for yourself!

[@gdfggggg]

larry geetar love Americana from GB.

[@surfpete31]

Your comment says everything that is wrong with (a minority) Scotland’s relationship with the English. Shame on you. You have a population just the size of London yet you expect so much from our our government, ridiculous. These guys are great and I have been following for some time. Guys, most English people are proud of our relationship with our Scottish neighbours (as we are with our American friends) despite some comments to the contrary. You boys rock......copied your version of Don’t Think Twice.....thanks for the arrangement, more please.

[@kirkdenny7011]

It's the people. We are sweet and like to to help others. We were taught to be gracious. then there is the love of mountain music.

[@dovets]

Brilliant. Great to see the younger generation enjoying some classics... and doing it so darned well!!

[@TheKen2658]

that was just beautiful beautiful beautiful beautiful.. I've heard this song covered many times but that was one of the best.... superb..! very well done lads.. there be stars in the making in you two :-)

[@MissBeavis10]

I originally stumbled across this channel while searching for an acoustic cover of "Take It Easy". You have exposed me to music I never dreamed I would be enjoying. Thank you. You have an incredible talent. I love "1952" so much that I use a 20 second snippet as my ringtone.

[@scott53]

My favorite version of this song!! So much talent, thank you for sharing

[@adamkeenan5707]

harmonies are amazing

[@KevinFlanaganQuinn]

Kickass job guys! 76 months and still getting likes! I fell in love with this song while boarding a Green Tortoise Bus in San Francisco at 10PM in 1991, bound for La Paz with a gang of 27 international travellers. I had never heard of Richard Thomson at the time. On top of everything else that I love about this cover is that the two of you look like you are still looking toward the age of 21 rather than seeing it in your rear-view... I hope Richard Thomson himself has had an opportunity to see this!

[@RichardFeynmanRules]

Terrific cover -- authentic, real, pure. And some tremendous picking! Bravo, guys!

[@bernhardnizynski4403]

Great playing, great harmonies - love it!

[@stevoschannel4127]

This is the best thing I have ever heard.

[@boblowndes9613]

This is just wonderful guys - thank you

[@Pangael]

I've never been particularly impressed with the bluegrass covers of this song until I saw this one. Really fine job guys, both in the instrumentation and the vocal harmonies. And hey, 'Knoxville' works as well as 'Box Hill'. Go with what you know!

[@teaohar2]

Wonderful ! This is one of the gift that social media gives us , the chance to see such up and coming young talent .

[@mattmemo06289]

I already commented but god damn I just got the chills listening to this.

[@kevinbou1]

Guys, I think you are great in all your songs that you do, but this is one I cannot stop watching. It picks me up, great instrumental and harmony!

[@rodsreel]

Revives my faith in young music big time. More power to your music - just book some gigs and people will follow you.

[@leahschneider5060]

You guys are awesome! Much admiration from Houston, Texas!

[@issacyoung7373]

This songs makes me so happy even though the lyrics are so sad, great work guys, I love this cover!

[@rockdog2584]

No many how many times I see this vid...it still sends shivers up my spine.

[@joaniejeet7521]

Oh why can't we buy this on I-tunes so love this wee tune Your version is awesome It's beautiful well done young gentlemen

[@ericdeetz4185]

Wow! you guys have a very distinctive sound. A monumental task with the confines of traditional music.

[@FloridaRobTreasureHunting]

Just discovered your channel about a week ago. Fantastic! Love this song and other songs that the two of you do together. Martha my dear is incredible. I'm not through all your posts yet but working on it. Good luck on your future. You appear to be following your dream.

[@ralphmalph8316]

What Sleepy LaBeef used to call "goosebump music," because it's so good it gives you goosebumps. Great stuff, guys!

[@skiman451]

to all the people who are up in arms over the boxhill, knoxville issue just remember. its folk music. organic, growing, folk music, always changing with every musician that touches each song. it is this oganic nature of folk music that has kept songs like maddy groves alive for the past three or four hundred years on both sides of the pond. let it grow don't throw salt on it. and maybe this song to will live on for hundreds of years.

[@walterfreeman7963]

Great Job guys keep up the fantastic music.

[@sharpygsxr]

Found the channel from the Sultans of Swing cover and been hooked ever since :)

[@NWChickenDad]

I could listen to this all day long. This may be my new favorite version of my favorite song.

[@MikeMatzke]

Awesome session. Sounds great guys.

[@Timelessthought]

Awesome. Thank you.

[@charliewood4158]

You guys rock

[@Cardgar]

Fantastic, really felt this one. Thanks for sharing.

[@vanu49]

The best cover I've heard so far. Well done guys!!

[@banjopops67]

I must've played this 100 times.....best version ever! Great cover!

[@peter_draws]

Ahh it's confusing, the stereo channels are backwards on this one. Carson sounds like Josh and his Guitar sounds like a Banjo and Josh sounds like Carson and his Banjo sounds like a Guitar. But it still sounds great! :)

[@BostonSportsGuy567]

lol

[@chrisk6469]

...flips headphones around

[@duanesparks1022]

His banjo is drop tuned for this one nothing is switched lol

[@DonHortelli]

This just may be the Weed talking... Hope you live in Canada now.

[@appalachianoperator]

When you listen on a studio setup

[@kenwdick]

Absolute best version of this song I've ever heard! And there's a bunch out there.

[@ShantyTones]

God This is Great!!!!

[@CrawfishParish]

wow, awesome. That is so cool..

[@bobfenster]

Holy crap, unbelievably impressive arrangement and harmonies.

[@blueturtleman1]

A fine job indeed gentlemen. Thank you.

[@mackwood2164]

Well done, boys.

[@barendbillekoek9061]

The fact that it is not played in a sterile, professional fashion but spontaneously, sitting on a park bank, that is what makes this performance so sympathetic. Carry on guys !!

[@dlbstl]

I still love this song!

[@andybridges9701]

You guys are so talented it's not even funny!!!

[@billrogers8901]

Excellent! Absolutely excellent!!

[@peterdarley6491]

Those 2 young guys are unbelievable. Best version of that song I love it. If I could play my banjo half as good as him I would die happy😊

[@macedindu829]

lol, no shit. When I hear someone going HAM on the banjo, I always think 'god damn, I wish I could do that."

[@BHAF4163]

Buddy Holly, and Rick Moranis rock!

[@rhodesplayer]

you guys play above your years. wonderful playing, tasteful.

[@pepperx96]

sounds awesome !! =) What is the tuning of the banjo ? I cant figure it out...

[@TheonlyHeffy]

Exciting to guys your age appreciate this classic by Richard Thompson. Nicely done. Love how you threw Knoxville in there too. lol 👏🏼

[@DavidBlain4377]

I could listen to this all day. Just beautiful.

[@steby123]

Fine rendering of a classic tune. Roll on down that bluegrass highway!

[@laurastokes4777]

Beautiful playing and harmonies

[@MrCroaky]

Wonderful performance guys! thank you!

[@sbrink711]

Knocked it out of the park. A very fine version and I love the harmonies.

[@michaelfinn1317]

Just super playing guys and I like your taste in songs.

[@rcbimmerc4340]

Just came across this all I can say is Wow! Wonderful to see young people jamming to this. One of my favorite songs.

[@MegaPoopeye]

Awesome job guys! Reminds me of myself and my friend Mike playing together in High school in the 70's. Mike is gone now....miss him a lot. rest in peace my friend, I know you are sitting in with Prine now.

[@NoSpringChick138]

Wow 😄 You guys were so young here, still. Precious video ❤️

[@dpetervan]

I tabbed their playing out in Tabledit and PDF format and posted it on the BanjoHangout website. A link to it is www.hangoutstorage.com/banjohangout.org/storage/tabs/other/tab-1952-vincent-bl-17039-3020163132012.tef or www.banjohangout.org/tab/browse.asp?m=detail&v=17039 It took a long time, a lot of work, but it was definitely worth it! Great song! Peter Van

[@lucasmasek1410]

man! I really appreciate your effort, it's perfect!

[@dpetervan]

Hey! Thanks so much for the comment! 8 years later…..glad you are finding it helpful!! Their arrangement is just great.... Hope you can put it to good use!!

[@smilingvulture]

double C tuning ? recording banjo tuned down again ? f Bb F Bb C excellent tabbing it

[@wknclover]

ah such a fresh breath of air. this puts a smile on my face.

[@dereklorimer1914]

Wonderful music

[@mistymacdriver]

The love of music lives on!! PLEASE... KEEP ON STRUMMING!