"Billy in the Lowground" from Joe Val Fest 2010

[@1bosshog42010]

It Don,t get better than this!

[@AllenGarvin]

I've enjoyed this tune a gazillion times from many players, but this version just makes me grin, grin like crazy!

[@mitchmatthews6713]

Kimber will always be one of my favorite fiddlers, there's just something about her style.

[@fredlyr1]

Great improv on one of my faves. Thanks!

[@Aleeecstasy]

Good stuff

[@timcelley8114]

Oh man!! That's good stuff.

[@chantlerbc]

Fantastic (I'm giving up the mando) and sounds great in C. Great to see the finest jam away!!!

[@ronaldrvvanhook1437]

Outstanding

[@tradecraft46]

Back in the day, I was in Amarillo and ask a band to play this one, and all they knew was the Orange Blossom Special.

[@timcelley8114]

I enjoyed your playing very much. I'm working on -swallow tail jig now. When I'm further along I'd like to learn this one. Again nice playing!!

[@jackmagee]

loved this... wanna come jam with y'all!

[@clacker26]

a good example of the class of music by the young guns in Boston.

[@pacificpolyrythyms]

Joe rules..love his style..I try to lift a few phrases from him and pull them across the aisle onto guitar..

[@Dloomis494]

I wish that I did this.

[@SarkisHD28]

Courtney Hartman magnifique.

[@8mmkyle865]

They way they take turns taking the lead and just jamming out is like the equivalent of jazz for folk music

[@ProfesserLuigi]

Jazz for folk music is what we call Bluegrass.

[@BillyGarland]

Great job ! The Hank Garland Family

[@mountnmonkey]

That's some great pickin' and fiddlin'!!...

[@SkepticalLlama]

Nice!

[@portagehog]

North Country in the house!

[@JulianZeezer]

When a musician reaches a virtuosic level of skill, we can't expect them to just play the same ol' melody over and over again. They're not performing for a paying audience, they're just jamming. They can do whatever the need to do to keep their interest level up. Times are changing and for many people, bluegrass is not a historical preservation society, despite what some thing. I'd much rather have it this way than deal with the sort of snobs who infest the "old time" music world.

[@moragmacgregor6792]

JulianZeezer ~ I think of folk music like those clean flat river rocks that have been perfected through their contact with abrasives in the water. The improvisations that are kept in the song when it's handed down...the unexpected chord...the Bob Wills swing in Texas bluegrass...those things bring folk music to its perfection.

[@Mandolin1944]

JulianZeezer Yes very true and even more to the point this tune existed long before Bill Monroe and bluegrass -- it is an old time tune that the bluegrass community adapted or stole ( you pick) -- so if you are saying that someone is insisting on a bluegrass kind of performance for an old tune like this they are both out of line and/or ignorant.

[@tradssalesone6334]

I much prefer traditional bluegrass and old time. As far as I'm concerned this wasnt too far off the beaten path. At least I could still hear the tune in it easily. And , although its not what I prefer, if someone wants to get progressive with it like Thile has ,thats none of my business and I dont think it'll ruin the traditional styles. I just wont listen to it much.

[@Illneverremember1]

I love what Joe and Co do with these tunes..

[@mikeyL67]

Guess maybe life really HAS been good to him so far!!

[@KennethWilliamElkington]

Oh... Heck YEAH! Tasty fare being served up here.

[@stevesprinceofsteaks]

I 1st saw Doc in 60s when he was still doing some rock. I have most of his albums. But you'd have to be a contest fiddler in TX to understand. Guitars are there to back us up. Also have all Tommy Emmanuel, Chet , Leo Kotke, Dan Crary, and many others. Love them all but fiddler 1st and always! Get over it. Berline, Chancellor, Thomasson, Frankilin, Wise, Morris Family, Orosco, and too many others are the ones I bow to.

[@jacksondemarre8057]

Is that a LaPlant mandolin?

[@mshirley99]

Doc Watson was "just another guitar man"? Wow. Just wow.

[@paul29671]

I think Joe Walsh takes the place of the late great Dempsey Young (RIP, Dempsey).

[@CalmedByNature]

I spy Courtney Hartman

[@StringForJoy]

LOL, no I probably couldn't. I don't have the best ear out there. Thanks for the clarification on Doc. I can't say I agree with all of your comments, but I suppose nobody said I had to. Regards.

[@mshirley99]

None of the great fiddlers you list would have called Doc "just another guitar man" even in jest.

[@dawgj99]

fine pickin

[@mikeyL67]

Sounds great, but Joe Walsh sure has changed a lot!!!! (sorry, just couldn't resist that one!!)

[@tradecraft46]

They look my cousins who did the same.

[@secondcousincurly]

This will be my one and only response to Steve "Prince of Mistakes". You are wrong about the key-- they are playing in the traditional key of C. You are wrong to attack other users. You are wrong to make obscene comments about departed musicians. Three strikes, you're out. I'm sincere in saying that you should seek help. There may be counselors out there who can assist you in rejoining the social sphere in a civilized way.

[@rueridge7597]

secondcousincurly He was right. Fucked up version cept girl on guitar. This guy is crap mandolin player. Gibsons booted his ass for Jesse Brock a true picker.

[@StringForJoy]

What is your problem? Just enjoy the music man! And a little more respect for Doc Watson would be nice. The guy was one of the best guitar players of all time, and blind at that. He was a true musical pioneer and a wonderful human being. And you are a bitter man who tries to get attention by posting rude comments on KZbin. Also, you clearly have very little musical acumen if you can't see that this song is being played in C. Regards.

[@stevesprinceofsteaks]

What key is that in. Doesn't sound right. And too fast. Great pickers. Any time a Ludiker doesn't sound great something has changed.

[@kishintuchis4133]

IT DOESNT MATTER WHAT THE LEVEL A MUSICIAN IS. OR HOW OLD THE TUNE IS , WHEN YOU PLAY A TUNE IT SHOULD ALWAYS BE RECOGNIZABLE . WALSH AND LUDIKER PLAYED THEIR BREAKS SUCH THAT THE MELODY WAS VARIED, BUT IT WAS ALWAYS BILLY IN THE LOWGROUND . HARTMAN COULD HAVE BEEN PLAYING ANYTHING, AS IT WAS NOT THE MELODY TO BILLY. IN THE LOW GROUND. IT WAS JUST ANY BUNCH OF NOTES.

[@honzakrcil7454]

very true

[@TypingHazard]

WHY ARE YOU YELLING

[@stevesprinceofsteaks]

fu

[@stevesprinceofsteaks]

Doc wasn't a fiddle player. Great guy but still just another guitar man. She looks like she's out of tune or something . Making faces. National Champs don't sound that bad.

[@LukeLittle-rt6sn]

I mean improvising is great but sometime just stay on the melody

[@rueridge7597]

Glad the Gibsons got rid of this hack. Jesse Brock much better player and attitude.

[@battlehrfred]

There is such thing as "a bad day or gig" or are not on the same page.I am most sure EVERYONE has them. yes EVERYONE.

[@stevesprinceofsteaks]

I have all the respect in the world for the late great Doc as well as his son. Ever see him play an axe???? NO. So piss off. I'm not bitter. Just came on and said this is crappy version on Billy by some great pickers. Others have agreed. You couldn't tell High C from high noon rock ear.

[@Targetteer1]

You are welcome to your opinion if you like it than listen to it,certainly it is not virtuosic it is a jumble of notes thrown in to the point of ruining the melody just because these players are "bored".This has nothing to do with it being bluegrass or not and is not a matter of old verses new.The tune as played is not the tune as described therefor it is poor musicianship.If these players think so highly of themselves than rename the tune as there own and see if they can sell it.I wont buy it.

[@Targetteer1]

They in my opinion ruined a great old tune by trying to stick in as many notes as possible with this never ending improvisation cack.The reason the fiddle player is making faces is because she doesnt know what more crap to squeeze into the tune in order to keep up with Joe.This poor musicianship is everywhere,its getting to the point I cant listen to alot of the stuff many top mando pickers do.Fantastic pickers of course,I just cant stand to listen to them.Dont mean to be rude,I'm disappointed .

[@SkepticalLlama]

Targetteer1 so wait, they have "poor musicianship" and are "fantastic pickers?" Which is it?