Hedy West - Little Sadie

[@siamterry]

The real deal, a fantastic musician. Met her in Leeds in the mid sixties. Very approachable. I had been struggling with the strange banjo style called frailing and after her concert I walked up as she was sitting alone. She really was delighted to show how it was done, and gave me an invaluable banjo lesson that I will always treasure. Sorely missed !

[@user-td4do3op2d]

Leeds in the UK?

[@rbdavisphoto]

Sadly, she isn't using her thumb.

[@FREKULmusic]

wow great story! shes a great singer!

[@fwah23]

such a delightful story, thanks for sharing. having musicians who share their knowledge in community like that is priceless.

[@planethamlet]

@@rbdavisphoto what's sad about that?

[@shannonpatton5640]

I cherish this video Hobart Bailey was my grandfather. To hear him mentioned by her is truly amazing!

[@paulallen3557]

I was delighted to hear her mention Hippo. It's just a few miles up the way from Hurysville in Floyd County. You're right to be proud of your kin for keeping the old songs alive.

[@MrWarrendoyle]

I wish I could hear Hedy sing again. She gives the southern Appalachian mountains meaning.

[@TransitionVision1]

One of the best proponents of traditional song in my lifetime! I saw her at the Albert Hall in the 60s and she strolled onto the stage with guitar in one hand and banjo in the other, knelt down to put one on the floor and launched into her first song without further ado and within seconds had the audience in the palm of her hand. No artifice, no stage tricks, just the thrilling authenticity that you can hear in this video. It still sends a shiver down my spine.

[@steveroberts8719]

Caught her at the Ash Grove on Melrose in Los Angeles, Calif. Went with my pop who didn't cotton to this kind of music; he prefered acts like Al Jolson, Eddie Cantor, Sammy Davis, Jr. and Frank Sinatra and even loved Elvis. After listening to Hedy, though, he fell in love with this music. Bought himself a banjo the next day and the the store owner gave him a copy of Pete Seeger's "How to Play the Five-String Banjo". In about 6 months my pop was playing like Hedy and Pete. He could practically play by ear. Now how cool is that.

[@rivmitch7181]

Mississippi John Hurt sitting there taking in the game! I love seeing these old videos with multiple artists and musicians together.

[@pinkdolly]

I’m 27 years old and just learning about this woman. I’m in awe of her. Respect!

[@Tombstone314159]

I love Hedy West: she was simply the best of the female folksingers to appear in the 60's without any equal. I'm so sorry she died and that I never got a chance to see or meet her. Everything is so direct with no tricks or gimmicks - just as folk music should be. Thanks so much for uploading this.

[@Lockole]

When I was 18 I started watching Pete seeger's rainbow quest. And when I was around 21 I watched this video and never heard a banjo before. I bought one as soon as I could and now I'm almost 29 and madly in love with this instrument. The banjo honestly gives me so much joy and it's all thanks to this womans talent.

[@Fuchsfein]

Hedy's has always been my favourite rendition of this ballad. The unusual tune is absolutely captivating.

[@multicaruana]

Hedy West was (and is) a national treasure. She eschewed all the fame and commercialism of others of that era and stayed true to her roots all those years.

[@garymorris9571]

What a spell she casts. You're instantly in the narratives of her song thanks to her absolute authenticity and that driving banjo. Wonderful, unique talent.

[@garymorris9571]

Enthralling. I only wish there was more video footage of her. Extraordinary talent, vastly underrated, as this clip shows.

[@RusnakBanjo]

One of the very best oldtime banjo players! She was a great influence on many players including me...And what a beauty too!!

[@mouldybear]

I love this version of this great traditional song and I love Hedy West's performance. I knew her quite well and admired her music. She died in 2005 and I miss her very much.

[@JosephWall117]

@TransitionVision1 I absolutely agree. As Pete so keenly observes after the performance; "That's the real thing" That's the very essence of what I think attracts people to Folk music, the ability to put on a record or play a song and be instantly immersed in the authentic experiences, thoughts, and feelings of someone who is very much like you in their normality and their humanity, yet so very different in their ability to express and interpret for you the reality of their human experience.

[@joaomiguelxs]

What a force of nature. A great musician and a superb singer, Hedy West is one of a kind..

[@dankastavrovska8300]

The voice change is too amazing

[@Thetonetemple.]

Lots of folks keeping this music alive round here!My aunt hattee is still picking a banjo at 90 and I pick too. You can play it too! Its just 1-4-5 if that! Just write down the words and start where you are. be well

[@Gratefulcassady]

expand on the just 1-4-5?

[@seelverado2492]

Hedy West is alive in my heart

[@SeanPowell-p4v]

That song,” Little Sadie” is so mesmerizing. Hedy West certainly can play a banjo! Great musician.

[@Hotzenblotz01]

Great song. Through time and space... ❤

[@ELVIS4221]

ITS SO WONDERFUL TO SEE MSJ. ITS SO NICE TO LOOK AT THE ATTENTION HE PAYS TO HEDY'S MUSIC.

[@danielamin]

Is that Mississippi John Hurt there? Man, that show was awesome...

[@jdsol1938]

yes it is

[@OthO67]

danielamin Yes, good eyes! Here's the whole episode: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bpuTgmqhbK2GpKM

[@ProfesserLuigi]

@@OthO67 It got taken down. Pete Seeger's estate is trampling all over his legacy if they take down videos like that.

[@NickleJ]

@@ProfesserLuigi New Link: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eZWZnXWHf6ame68 This show was made for you and me!

[@darrendix5163]

damn straight!

[@kourtneyallen8167]

Pete Seeger looked quite impressed.

[@michael_mack]

Amazing personality. She is absolutely outstanding.

[@jeannemartinez9524]

Love this music! My grandpa picked, fiddled, and called square dances. I miss listening to him.

[@smartalek180]

What a treasure! Thank you so much for promoting it here.

[@hombreazu1]

immediate goosebumps. wow

[@jdsol1938]

Hedy nailed this one good

[@OurEnemyScalion]

Two of my faves. She and Mississippi John Hurt

[@Coyotlify]

She was the real deal - I learned a huge amount from Hedy West

[@BLane-xr1ic]

Beautiful. Brilliant video thank you so much for sharing.

[@chriswhitworth7793]

She (and Joan Baez) created my politics. I still listen (2017)

[@pogolswood]

That was so good. Thanks for uploading.

[@TheAngryBert]

Beautiful!

[@demolitionwilliams7419]

What a great version

[@KennethWilliamElkington]

Wow... what a natural... blows me away!

[@maggiegee4171]

Saw this lady in Redcar (Teesside) in the 60's at the Cutty Wren folk club, wonderful version of an old song, still sung in the circles around here ! She was quite a mean guitar picker too. x

[@darrendix5163]

2/3 of the way through, as an avid player of this tune on guitar and banjo, HOLY SMOKES, me brother, and may the winds of the wolves always keep at yer back! this is the way it should be dun!

[@darrendix5163]

OR me sister as it might be!

[@jdsol1938]

the man in the hat is Mississippi John Hurt

[@brianmcgrane3046]

Adorable,,,,

[@Readhawk]

Thx 4 posting this..

[@umutg.8383]

Funny story onwikipedia about where the name Hippo came from: Hippo is an unincorporated community located in Floyd County, Kentucky, United States. A post office was established in the community in 1902 and named for local resident Bee Madison "Hippo" Craft. At the time "hippo," short for hypochondriac, was Southern slang for an irritable and complaining person, something Craft was apparently known for in town.[2] Their post office closed in June 1996.[3]

[@mattholden514]

Bob Dylan also did a version of the song on his album 'Self Portrait'

[@SirCoughsalot]

It's not a Woody Guthrie song. Cocaine Blues, as sung by Johnny and Woody, is a Western swing reworking of Little Sadie. It's been credited to T.J. Arnall but there are versions of it going back further. We don't know Woody's source.

[@whiskymylove]

Wow amazing

[@haojayc8364]

so wonderful video

[@mouldybear]

Superb version of this great murder ballad. I love her. She was a friend of mine.

[@patriciamartin6796]

Hans Fried i

[@rasputinsghost]

just discovered she existed. amazing. a treasure!

[@inyobill]

great audio on this great classic recording. I can't add to the great comments about Hedy.

[@kellybyrd8002]

I'm from Alabama... this goes to the heart of me.

[@michaelrickard9890]

Simple and refreshing.

[@chrisesch617642]

sick! a treasure! a jewel!

[@jimmyhudson6993]

Wow!

[@9lontoonieful1]

Excellent!

[@Crowfolk]

I love it!

[@cesteoule]

Ouch! crazy long neck banjo! Didnt knew that kind of banjo did exist.

[@clydedisney6569]

Gal speaks with a Transatlantic accent but sings his song imitating the fellow's accent when she does the song she got from him. I hope the poor fellow finally got a banjo.

[@jadealexander1887]

thats her real accent, Hedy was born and raised in the mountains of north Georgia. the transatlantic accent is her fake one, probably learned after she moved away from home.

[@alexhickey5633]

Wow this is class

[@9lontoonieful1]

Sounds good!

[@potrezeb1]

a real class act

[@JustClaude13]

The capo seems to be on the equivalent of the fourth fret, making for a rather unusual tuning. I wouldn't mind learning more about her musical style.

[@peterg9119]

Her style was absolutely unique.

[@davidfried1148]

yes this is pretty good playing and singing of a gutsy song.Heavier than heavy metal with a economy of delivery.

[@jaimejaimeChannel]

wow - what a force of nature. Never heard of her, I'm sad to say.

[@bigbosssauce7]

good call! I didn't notice that at first

[@willnot5687]

Awesome

[@christopherhendricks636]

A genius woman

[@mothbits]

mississippi john hurt just chilling like a boss

[@DeleteTheElite115]

Git it Girl!!!!!

[@saxmules5031]

check out the melody of her voice when she's speaking in the introduction! babe.

[@antisha76]

lets keep it for history!

[@DDechoes87]

Ole Hobart Bailey knew what was, As rich as he was

[@waynecampbell75]

so cool

[@morriswil32]

thats GOLD

[@emilylangedyk957]

She is the person who made me want to play banjo.

[@ilinaeternity]

Does anyone know where I can find tab for this version of Little Sadie? I've been looking and looking, and I can't find it. I absolutely love this, and I feel blessed to have found this music.

[@batshit4life]

Ho Lee Fuck.... the banjo.... and then the vocals... & both of them just chill about it all.. ?!?!?!?!! Where's the hype man in folk music?

[@siskavard]

Wow.

[@ablestmage]

In most all the other versions I've heard, the narrator went to trial but the verdict is never told -- the years were just the penalty, but doesn't say whether he was convicted =)

[@Earthdogbonzo3]

Real American music!

[@trailkeeper]

I liked how she was into it

[@formisfunction1861]

Amazing! Beautiful! I would rather she sing in her natural voice.

[@peterg9119]

She is singing in her natural voice, based on where she grew up. She is heard speaking in an artificial, educated voice, from where she later moved and traveled. All of that was part of her.

[@alexanderthegreg]

awesome. what banjo style is she using here? frailing?

[@joshuastover8862]

This is a real thing right here

[@lynettekomidar2819]

WOW

[@MrMLD1972]

❤

[@wushuenlight]

Please if someone have the tab of this song or at least the tune she use can you share it Thanks

[@the0king0of0clubs]

Lou2 ?

[@joaquimribeiro-k9m]

Genial

[@hjallewrango1528]

Pete seeger spotted! 1:33

[@laurak.3418]

is that folk music ?

[@jebshellhole4652]

No, it's progressive metal

[@littlewing5174]

Is there any sheet music for this. Where can I learn to play this?

[@skinandwire8808]

Art Rosenbaum has an adapted version based on it in a beautiful but now out-of-print book "Old-Time Mountain Banjo" by Oak Publications. I was lucky to find a not too pricey copy on the net... in France...

[@rattyfingers8621]

Clawhammer banjo for the complete ignoramus. By Wayne Erbsen. Tabs n all the lyrics

[@lynettekomidar2819]

Wow again

[@samuelhughes581]

Any idea what this is taken from? I'd love to see the whole show.

[@newwaver4754]

This is from the television program "Rainbow Quest".

[@leadzeppbelly]

What tuning is this in?

[@maliisusek321]

Ljubav na prvi zvuk.

[@multicaruana]

This is amazing, really. Such music and such an era will never return to the U.S., nor will this kind of production. Didn't Hedy West live on Long Island for many years?

[@gringo557]

Let's keep OUR history! This is awesome; so authentic and from such a rich American tradition with European roots. I'm afraid Katy Perry's got nothing on this gal or this type of (real) music . . .

[@ianmotasabuanbarriatos]

I like of that song, that's fantastic song!😃

[@waynesuggs3848]

I just want to know what kind of sick person clicked the thumbs down button on this.