I Am A Pilgram, Soldiers Joy

[@MWSevened]

My father. 😭❣️Clarence White and uncle Roland

[@BadBoiFilms]

Really? That’s crazy if you’re telling the truth

[@MWSevened]

@@BadBoiFilms 😂it’s the truth

[@BadBoiFilms]

@@MWSevened I’m sorry you had to lose your father in such a tragic way. He touched so many and there’s no question if his career went on longer he’d be regarded by most as one of the greatest guitar players ever. Best wishes!

[@MWSevened]

@@BadBoiFilms thank you 🙏🏼 Michelle

[@travis8947]

I love the commemorative guitars you signed off on with Martin. Hope to find one someday Your dad’s music is incredible

[@brian_nirvana]

This content is culturally significant. Posting it on KZbin will ensure that future generations will have access to it and appreciate it. Thank you for sharing it.

[@slownoman]

As as lifelong kinda pro player myself, I'm awestruck by how original Clarence's timing is. It's like Billie Holiday is to jazz singing. You cannot teach this. God know we have a lot of brilliant blue/new grass players now- Tony huge among them- but they all owe an unpayable debt to Clarence White. RIP.

[@adamschlenker]

Every flat picker should watch Mr White often. That way we can be reminded of what we are really trying to accomplish. Phrasing just doesn't get better than this.

[@johntrik]

His spirit is alive in every flatpicker in the world from Rice to Sutton ,from Grier to every lone ranger picker who is chasing after THE sound...Amen

[@122048trainman]

A tremendous classic, performed flawlessly. And there's 18 thumbs down on this; they must be deaf, dumb, and blind. Jeez! They walk among us, folks.

[@baldridgeft]

Allison cross

[@amandas1270]

maybe they find less is more? i mean, sometimes what we don't play is jst as important as what we actually play? i can't understand anyone giving this a thumbs down either... but the guitar in this version sounds too busy? Just saying. . .

[@dumbcat]

@@amandas1270 sometimes people accidentally click thumbs down instead of thumbs up. it's true

[@GenXstacker]

@@amandas1270 It's a fiddle tune. The guitar sounds busy because it's mimicking the melody as originally played on a fiddle. I think it sounds perfect. Makes you want to get up and dance.

[@bgbreakdown]

Billy strings fans! :)

[@TheTimothyjtaylor]

Clarence's taste, timing and economy stagger the mind. He said so much more with half the notes that a lot of today's hot pickers throw into a simple fiddle tune. He was a musician first and foremost, and a picker second. You always hear music, never his ego. Rest with the Saints, mr. White. I hope to meet you in that Happy Land.

[@DustyThorburn]

Clarence White, Norman Blake, Tony Rice . . . We listeners are so blessed!

[@richardperkins5046]

Doc Watson

[@drewby613]

Is that Alan Munde on banjo?

[@prof5string]

@@drewby613 Yes, that's Alan. And Byron Berline on fiddle.

[@drewby613]

@@prof5string Thanks for confirming! And Byron Berline! What a collection of talent.

[@austenrobinson2747]

Clarence, Tony , Doc and Norman are the ones that paved the way for everyone after.

[@RH421939]

one of the best guitar players of all time and somehow barely anybody these days has even heard of him

[@kalalothar]

Ok, Tony Rice has 2 references : Doc Watson and Clarence White * , they were both geniuses ; Doc was born in 1923 ... Clarence in 1944 , there is a short recording where they play together - at Newport Folk Festival I think, #1963 ; Clarence is a French Canadian originally ,his real name was Clarence Leblanc ("thewhite"...)

[@mandernu]

One of the Greatest Bluegrass Guitar Players of All time. Even Roger McGuinn ( a great guitarist in his own right) was intimidated by him!

[@PHJimY]

I think Clarence is is pretty well known among bluegrass fans. Even guitar players in their 20s seem to be aware of Clarence's picking. Perhaps his Tele playing is not quite as well known.

[@flautalee3090]

He died too soon.. may he RIP.

[@flautalee3090]

This is so sweet. Awesome!

[@austenrobinson2747]

God gave us recording of Clarence to give us inspiration and what we could strive for but never attain. Thank God recordings of him live on to keep us trying.

[@BrandonAdkins44]

You can do it with enough practice..

[@dukeofearlbanjo]

I've been fortunate enough to make a little music with Roland, Byron, and Alan Munde. I've spent a bunch of time with Byron and Alan. Proud to call them friends! Those guys can still wear it out!!

[@540rollerman]

I have heard no one play a guitar better. Thank you.

[@tommyboy1525]

Clarence always had a way of playing perfectly out of time and still kept everything together. a true master of the instrument for sure.

[@graciebee6554]

It’s not out of time it’s still keeping time just off beats

[@chrisdaw25]

I could listen to this all day... what a picker, electric or acoustic. He changed the guitar forever.

[@Tbonerocks2112]

My Dad Slim Richey had a record label back in the 1970s called Ridgerunner Records and I was just a kid but I got to hear up close many times Roland White,Sam Bush, and Alan Munde play, I am sad to say I never got hear or meet Clarence but I will see for me he is the greatest bluegrass flatpicker there has ever been, Roland is also amazing and I was to young to realize that I was in the presence of the best bluegrass players in the world and now I know how lucky I am to have heard them

[@deanmary1969]

Excellent Point This is Truly what Drunk driving Took Away !!!!! An American Treasure ! Goodness Grace Happiness and good Health ol couple way down in TX

[@NiftyGriftySwifty]

Absolute class. No one else plays it quite like Clarence White - syncopation, stops, the lot, just when you think he's going to lose the timing, bang he's right back on it. And you know it's all deliberate - it sounds that way because that's just how he wanted it to sound. I could watch this all day. Thanks for sharing.

[@752brickie]

Clarence White was one of the very best. Can you imagine had he not been killed by that driver what he along with Tony,Norman and the others could have done?

[@joeroccocalabria]

Clarence was a prodigy and died trajicly when hit by a drunk driver,,,,,he started it all for guitar players taking the guitar to new heights as a lead instrument. I am grateful to have seen this one...thanks

[@austenrobinson2747]

All these years later he’s the best flatpicker I have ever heard. Lord knows what Tony’s sound would be without have heard and met Clarence. His influence on Tony was massive and you can hear it plain as day.

[@wesbrashier5022]

Aye!

[@hfader]

Also, I just bought this Nashville West CD which he's really great on. Bill Frisell sounds a lot like him at times. I didn't realize how influential Clarence White was. All I remember is the Byrds suddenly getting all twangy.

[@brucetoo3294]

You gotta pay your dues if you want to play the blues, and remember it don't come easy--Ringo Starr Thanks for making this msuic!

[@babbchuck]

All I can say is: Clarence White - damn! The Jimi Hendrix of flatpicking.

[@oldtimetinfoilhatwearer]

Jimi Hendrix played with a flatpick too lol. And they both played electric

[@edwarddaly5544]

Totally agree - innovative at lightning speed

[@junkie4vids]

Clarence White is a bluegrass legend. His work with The Byrds, as well as his studio work with artists such as Jackson Browne, were just examples of this musician's incredible talent.

[@davidgainey3448]

I first saw Clarence White on an episode of Andy Griffith called The Music of Mayberry. He was a young buck then. I was about 5.

[@TheFizz40]

True genius at work. Just revel in it and be thankful it is preserved for generations to come

[@mooselips9442]

Michelle - your father shined. Bright White. Been listening to him on my players all week. Constant rotation.

[@wesbrashier5022]

Your father is a hero of mine. God bless you.

[@bcp5296d]

The first 25 seconds of this video should go in a museum

[@Byrds1967]

MAN, Clarence rocks the house!

[@JimmyDeLocke]

What great footage! And the sound is awesome. Clarence was one of those rare geniuses who put on a clinic every time he picked up the guitar.

[@panamintjoe]

I never tire of watching this video, and see something new every time. Clarence is still quite with us in spirit. Thanks.

[@clampittandgaddis]

The best!!! I'll never get over his technique.

[@polksaladan]

are you kidding? clarence white is unbelievable. i can't think i've heard anyone play like that. that fast and clean

[@beniceorbegone]

This clip is part of the Ark. This the best bluegrass guitar you'll ever hear. The White brothers and Byron Berline on fiddle. Thanks!

[@ray8up]

RIP Clarence you changed so many lives for the best

[@Siralantoon]

What a joy, Soldier's or not! I cant believe I have stumbled across this; The Sierra discs arrived this morning (All the way across the Atlantic to me in Nottingham) Played them both twice. Now I get to watch too...Brilliant, Many Thanks.

[@annehutchinson7531]

I reckon their. Was none better than Clarence white

[@austenrobinson2747]

Clarence was a massive talented guitarist taken from us way too soon. Listening to him is a joy. Clarence didn’t know it at the time but that 58957 aka “the antique” is the holy grail of acoustic guitars. Every flatpicker owes a debt of gratitude to Clarence. They all learned something from him even if they weren’t influenced by him. The GOAT.

[@oldtimetinfoilhatwearer]

That guitar is a mark whitebook with rosewood braces. He hadn't had the '35 for almost a decade when this video was recorded

[@Mandotwang]

Clarence was a genius. I have met and picked with his brother, Roland. Nice, nice man and a fine picker.

[@easguitar]

Bob Baxter was a fine acoustic guitarist and teacher who wrote a popular column in Guitar Player magazine named "Easy Guitar" in the 1970's before retiring from music reportedly to join a perfomance/therapeutic acting group.

[@lwlambert7018]

The guitar Clarence is playing is not a D-18, it's not even a Martin. That guitar is a custom made Roy Nobel D-28 copy. It is unique in that the top braces are made of rosewood. I first came in contact with the guitarin the late 90's or perhaps the year 2000, when it came into my pawn shop. The owner at that time had these vcr tapes and the guitar, and offered it for sale at $25,000.00. It was beyond my reach and I passed on it, but I did copy the vcr tapes. It was sold several years later to a dealer in Louisville KY, and I believe it is now in the hands of a Japanese collector. I played that guitar along with these videos and I still get goose bumps thinking about playing his guitar along with him on the tapes.

[@70goldtop]

You're full of shit boy.

[@alexmiller0050]

wrong lol. tony rice owns it now

[@snakecharmerqc]

alexmiller0050 This is not the the D-28 that tony rice now owns, which was sold by Clarence in 1965.

[@MrAuell]

alexmiller0050 Wrong. It is a D-18 if it's a Martin, which I believe it is. He played the D-18 more than the 28.

[@justinjarflie]

Wow that's a hell of a story! I would love to play that guitar!

[@robertajohnston7619]

Absolutely a-freakin' amazing!

[@imonwalton1325]

Some reallygoodn picking ilove goodn good guitar picking keeping up buddy first soldiers joy for a while injoyed much

[@justinjarvis7112]

I know I will never be as good as Clarence. I can only hope my son will be.😊

[@fabiandiddi2965]

Gracias maestros Clarence y Roland White ¡¡

[@slownoman]

clarence white was one of the most original, inventive, poetic guitarists in the history of American music. Any bluegrass or country player that followed his all too brief life owes him a debt- and that includes me, with a bluegrass (sorta) gig in about three hours. We'll play this song, and I'll have Clarence in my ear, if not my fingers! Genius.

[@billlowe6883]

Lead acoustic, and Parsons - white pull string. No one will ever be in Clarence Leblanc's league. He was a once-in-a-lifetime musician.

[@hfader]

Funny that you and I were just talking about this guy last night and here I see your comment!

[@verdecolor6]

Fine art, a honey-melted accoustic guitar sound I would say. To be heard again and again

[@saullouis]

Grandfather, wow. I am a pilgrim is so beautiful. Ill try and learn it.

[@tennisbumojai]

Clarence and Roland were the "next generation" way back when. Clarence joined the Byrds and lo, there was 'country rock"

[@knopflerado]

Yes, zamfed, that is Alan Munde. I saw him in 1979 (w/o the mutton-chop sideburns) with Country Gazette alongside Roland, with Joe Carr doing a fine job of covering many of CW's solos in the Ky. Colonels songs they did.

[@grandcanyonmaster]

God bless the ghost of Clarence White. .

[@Gods2ndFavoriteBassPlyr]

Obviously someone's not getting the point here - this guys are Acoustic Royal-T, and I can guarantee, the timing is EXACTLY as they wanted it to be ; ) Thanks for sharing this.

[@fitnann]

Clarence was the man!!!

[@zencaper]

Beautiful What a loss to us, and what a gain for Heaven......... Roger Stone

[@southrules]

Great camera angles on the finger work, way to cater to us guitar players!

[@callbill2]

I have been a Clarence White fan since 1966 or 67 when I was in college and working a summer job in an aerospace plant in southern California. The secretary in the lab where i worked was named Samantha Bush (yeah THAT in itself is confusing "Sam Bush") but anyway her husband, stationed in Vietnam at the time) was a friend of members of the Kentucky Colonels and she turned me on to the band. I've been trying to figure out how to flat pick like Clarence ever since! Miss you Clarence - what a loss!

[@ginawyatt163]

and this is what drunk driving took away. Whatever it takes, there are other choices. Please don't be impaired & drive!

[@KCBarr1]

Yup, every time I think about how Clarence was killed, it just makes me boil all over again. I would give anything to be even 1/4 as talented as Clarence White was.

[@monsterzero1965]

1/4?? try 1/1000

[@zuppedepeche]

Amazing and sad at the same time.... Amazing and inspirational guitarist. Tragically taken way too soon.

[@webgnome1]

Another funny tape I have is Country Gazette, recorded in October 1973 with Roland White on guitar. (with Byron B, Alan M and Roger B) This was recorded on a Akai CC directly from a line out from the mixer I used at Boddy's music inn. (the same concert was send in Dutch radio) Oh and yes - I tried that guitar and I learned a few things :-) These are great memories to have. Paul

[@Mr_Lightheart]

What i would have given to see him play live in a small venue. i've seen and heard some of the greatest players but sadly I never got to see Mr White before his untimely demise.

[@SergeUnplugged]

Thanks for sharing!

[@RossM3838]

Actually slightly earlier. White played with the Byrds on their Younger Than Yesterday album which was recorded in november of 1966. He can also be heard throughout The Notorious Byrd Brothers, from 1967. He joined the group full time for Sweetheart of the Rodeo in 1968 and then played with McGuinn's latter day Byrds. This group was a very underrated band. An amazing addition in an accurate statement.

[@Rory99M]

The better I get at guitar the more I appreciate the expertise of his playing

[@RossM3838]

Clarence White played on many of the origional Byrds recordings. His ringing guitar graces such songs as Time Between, The Girl With No Name and Wasn't Born To Follow. His tone is instantly recognizable. His loss remains a tragedy.

[@Raymantico]

on the very short list of world's greatest guitarists

[@atomiglover]

Musical genius. The best guitar player I've ever heard. All due respect to Tony Rice and Norman Blake

[@CFMD28]

I have to say this, it's amazing that I too have learned some tasty licks from watching this video. It makes you feel good to know that even after being gone for 35 years, Clarence is still teaching people like us to really "play" the guitar. Indeed he was "THE MAN." Thanks Clarence White. Your elegance and style are still very much alive.

[@rbracch]

Man, that's some clean and clear flatpickin' boy!

[@bertlau569]

Clarence could say more with an unexpected pause in his playing than great flatpickers who play every note on the fretboard super fast. He and Charles Sawtelle were the ONLY two flatpickers whose playing brought me to TEARS, surprising and exhilarating. RIP CLARENCE AND CHARLES.

[@CaptainPickalot]

Clarence White was an incredible picker !

[@Byrds1967]

Fricken Awesome Man!!!!

[@NoiseMostBeautiful]

I believe this is the sound we all crave. Many try to attempt and so few get there. Thank you for sharing this wonderful music!

[@GenXstacker]

Amazing. As a lifelong amateur I have no idea how people get that kind of smooth speed on the frets of a steel string guitar. Even with calloused fingertips that would hurt after about 5 minutes. The action has to be perfect.

[@leocrossfield]

Clarence tragically died in 1973 - can you believe that someone so young could have played flatpicking like that back then - he is truly an inspiration as is his brother Roland on Mandolin. Many of us are still trying to learn from these guys all these years later.

[@dlparker]

Wow! Now that I've seen a video of Clarence playing Soldier's Joy using a capo I can understand his technique a little better. I first heard it on the Muleskinners album and tried to play it without a capo. I had it pretty much note for note and could get it up to almost 1/4 speed on a really good day. Using a capo I might be able to get it up to almost 3/8 speed on a good day!

[@TruegrassBoy]

Go Clarence and Roland!

[@stellingbanjos]

i would love more stuff on clarence,a hero on the guitar!

[@johnnywo33]

Hey..... that's Byron Berline on the fiddle! I jammed with him just this past weekend. What a great video! I really enjoyed it.

[@richardperkins5046]

R.I.P. Byron

[@altadena57]

Great playing, so beautiful and smooth; an inspiration for playing the acoustic guitar. Thanks for posting !!!

[@hutchflash]

ive learned tons of licks from this one video...cw was the man...

[@RandySchartiger]

OUTSTANDING!

[@StringForJoy]

If you are breathing you should be able to appreciate this guy's music.

[@mosrite60]

I've heard version of Soldiers Joy by Doc, B Sutton and others but Clarence beats thenm all with this version. Flat- top at its best w/o doubt. RIP Clarence

[@panamintjoe]

Scotty was terrific, my favorite too. Some friends of mine used to see the Colonels all the time at the Ash Grove, often with Scotty showing off his trick fiddling techniques. I wish we could hear more of him.

[@BlueBassBoss]

The guy playing rhythm is not JD Crowe and I dunno Eric Idle... but he looks at Clarence in utter amazement, especially on Soldier's Joy. The loss of Clarence White was an indescribable tragedy! Who knows what guitar magic he would perform today?!?

[@jakewiegandt1072]

Hot damn I love me some Clarence White picking!!! Yee-Haw!!!

[@sonorgeek44]

all these guy are badass!

[@austenrobinson2747]

Clarence’s rhythm back up in Soldiers Joy is just so good. Is he the best flatpicker ever? Yes. Tony a close second.

[@flylotusfly]

wow, this is great!!

[@jasonodell79er]

Love ya, Clarence.

[@eaglewheels1995]

Clarence is my favorite guitarist!

[@AndreTusques]

'Forgotten legend'? Not forgotten by me!

[@FascistStatement]

What a fantastic jam, and they all seemed to be enjoying it. To know this must have been one of the last recordings the one Mr. White recorded adds meaningfulness to an already astounding session of music.

[@FiddlinMikeRolland]

Clarence White is such a killer picker. People often forget about him, but he was one fo the original creators of the bluegrass guitar style. I love that he played a classic fiddle tune like Soldier's Joy too. I teach this tune for the fiddle on my channel. I post a new lesson for fiddle, guitar, and mandolin there every single week! You can also get the full lesson and the sheet music on my website, including transcriptions of Clarence White!

[@jeanmitchell8]

Beautiful!!❤

[@adamschmalenberger]

roland sounds so good here.

[@billlowe6883]

Lead acoustic, and responsible for B Bender on telecaster. Clarence was in his own league.

[@flautalee3090]

He sure was! His fingers moving so cleanly over that fretboard is terrific. Glad we have of Clarence playing. He was the real deal. I’m glad Marty Stuart plays Clarence’s B Bender to this day. Sort of like Clarence is still with us ~ and of every time Marty Stuart refers to this guitar as “Clarence,” he is honoring him.

[@johnr.8275]

Somewhere I read an article about how Clarence and the other guy (forgive me, I forget his name) designed the B-Bender and worked it out through trial and error. It was pretty fascinating stuff. I wish I could remember where that article was.

[@erniejohnson4364]

@@johnr.8275 The "other guy" you refer to is Gene Parsons, who was in the Byrds with Clarence. Gene was a multi-instrumentalist and professional tinkerer who happened to play drums with the Byrds.

[@TheTinker6871]

Baxter published a book with the music of these sessions that included Doc, Linda Rondstadt, Mason Williams, Byron,, and lots others. Bought it in 73 or 74 and still have it