Plucking Away (Charlie Byrd)

[@1060michaelg]

I am so fortunate to have seen Charlie in "79 at a little Jazz club in Lake Buena Vista, Orlando. It turned out he loved to come there each year and he didn't bring his Brother or drummer; he loved the house trio there which was a gone piano player, a cat on drums and a middle aged beautiful lady who played the upright, pursing her lips as she played each note. I had been struck by the Byrd lightning bolt a year previous, with the purchase of "The Guitar Album", a recorded two nights of guitarists at Town Hall and included, Joe Pass, Bucky Pizzarelli and many others. But it was Charlie's set that set me free. It started of with a soft strumming (C, Fadd9) and began "You've Got a Friend". I was simply floored. I wept. This is what is possible on the guitar? How could I ever even hope to play ONE song even close to sounding like this? How does he make melody with chords? SHEESH!! Fate fixed it so that I saw an ad in a Tampa paper that Charlie would be appearing for a week engagement at Lake Buena Vista. My then girlfriend (now my wife of 42 years) and I set forth for the 90 mile drive to see the Blue Byrd (the name of his latest album I'd just bought...I brought it along just in case). The club was brick, perfect acoustics. I'd been trying to learn "You've Got a Friend" by ear, figuring out that I had to use my fingers...it was SLOW. Seated at the front...Charlie sat on a stool, put his left foot on a pedestal, and launched into "Jitterbug Waltz" (this was another song off the GUITAR ALBUM)...we stayed for every set. But the magic happened after the second set; My exuberance, and the way my eyes were glued to his hands...it must've amused Charlie in a good way because Valerie said to me, "Babe, he SMILED at you..." I looked up and sure enough...and the slightest of nods. I cannot describe how that felt. Well, I approached Charlie...in the MEN'S ROOM...BLUEBYRD in hand. Charlie was drying his hands and I started babbling, "My Byrd I'm sorry to bother you and I know this isn't the place but you're the reason I am playing fingerstyle now and would it be too much to ask--" Charlie had mercy. With his W. Va drawl, he said, "Why sure...he took the album and produced a pen from somewhere, "What's your name?" "Michael..." Charlie wrote in a slow and careful hand, "To Michael, All the best--Charlie Byrd"--beautiful cursive. He then thanked ME. He would give me a few more looks, a couple of nods. I think, or like to think, he was pleased a new generation of players were so enthused...I don't know why it might surprise him. I wish everyone could have such an encounter with their Hero. I still aspire to his standards...I've collected all of his records on vinyl from countless garage sales, Goodwill stores. All out of print now. Priceless, to me. I will always Love The Man.

[@robertleo7394]

The Byrd/Getz collaboration was the best foray into Bossa Nova in America. Byrd's fingerpicking jazz style was so unique. I am so fortunate to have seen him play with his trio, and The Canadian Brass ensemble in of all places, a high school auditorium in Commack, NY. I couldn't believe that he was packing up his own gear onstage after his magnificent performance. I went up to the stage and spoke to him to tell him that he inspired me to play guitar, and to offer to help him pack up his gear. Just couldn't imagine an artist of his caliber not being afforded stage hands!

[@johnhodges2846]

Charlie's influence has carried me through 55 years of playing music either gigging as a bass player in a jazz trio playing standards on a Saturday night, or to playing rythm guitar in a rock band through the 60's or to just sitting with by nylon string Yamaha and playing along with Charlie. I saw him several times in Montreal, either solo or with the Great Guitars. Hearing him in this interview reminds us of his humility, respect and responsibility he felt towards his talent and instrument. Although he played for another decade this interview was such an important moment in a special musical life. Well done Mr. Page and thank you Lord for bringing Charlie to us.

[@guitargod6997]

True! What is evident is Charlie's intelligence and honest self reflection paired with his innate talent and work ethic. His association with bossa nova and the music of Jobim is just archetypical.

[@surfgod509]

Amazing talent!

[@LahleWolfe]

My father took me to see Charlie at an outdoor concert in the mid 60s. I was 6 years old but knew after seeing him play that I wanted to play guitar too. Charlie was my inspiration and his music lives on in the hearts and souls of his lifelong fans.

[@MrJadePinwheel]

Do you still play

[@patriciakindsvatter9212]

My husband and I went to hear him play at a place called ,I think, The Birds Nest. This was in 1968 somewhere around Baltimore Maryland or it might have been near Alexandria Virginia. Was 50 years ago. I remember enjoying the music.

[@freedommasters3236]

Will forever kick myself for no coming to know Byrd earlier in my life. When I did find him it changed my appreciation for guitar styles...he broke the mold. No classic, no Latin, no jazz, no Brazilian...just a wondrous mix of all styles and genres. Byrd went far and wide in all his pieces...a smorgasbord of guitar flavours with undertones of vainilla, tobacco, and bourbon ...you get my point. Bless you maestro Byrd. May you be next to the Lord playing..I'm sure He asked for him.

[@dwebster50]

I so enjoyed the interview and Charlie playing ,,,such a wonderful player and human

[@YiloQuinones]

Charlie Byrd, was very influential in my style since the 72's. Thanks for share this interview!

[@josephframe185]

Wonderful interview! Besides being a GREAT guitarist - obviously very versatile - Charlie Byrd was a thoughtful, articulate, and interested / interesting person who always made people feel comfortable in his presence. Thanks for posting this!

[@guitargod6997]

Just noted this after I posted a FB share. 😎

[@martshankleman]

What a marvellous interview! Charlie is beautifully relaxed, and his personality shines through. The interviewer knows when to shut up and let his subject talk. Charlie reveals he wasn’t good enough to make it as a top class classical guitarist. The camera work captures his right hand technique exquisitely. Three cheers all round.

[@djesasono6237]

Amazing

[@NovaChristiePierRanuJoeDavidDb]

amazing stuff

[@joshuamarks1129]

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Great musician!

[@djizzah]

saw this guy in 1981 at a suburban furniture store opening in maryland about 1981, just me and one other person sitting listening to him sitting on a chair.. pretty amazing now i think back.. maybe it was his fiends store or something.

[@waynzwhirled6181]

Maybe the best "guitar" interview I've heard. Mr. Page asks really excellent questions.

[@senjinomukae8991]

What a great video. I got so much from this. Also, perfect camera work . Thank you for the amazing camera work. Clearly the makers of this video are guitarists, or certainly at least musicians - the right hand was prominent, which is what guitarists want to see. Absolutely brilliant!

[@lestrum]

A gem of an interview and the quality is excellent. Thank you. .

[@badgermost]

Agreed! Thank you very much.

[@AB-os3jy]

these are great questions. but great answers.

[@gabrielmelodia]

A good serious interview

[@mykhelderian]

As highly regarded as Charlie was, he remains under recognized and under appreciated as the great guitarist he was.

[@ozeas.carvalho]

Thank you so much, Chalie Byrd!

[@bennyjazzful]

WOW Wonderful interview of in my opinion the very best acoustic jazz guitarist of all times,playing one of my favorite tunes " Trouble In Mind " The incredible sounds he produces is fantastic. From a 71yo Aussie fan.

[@peterjaypriest]

Oh, how I miss the greats.... Joe Pass... Herb Ellis... and Charlie Byrd.... All different styles, but all true virtuosos. My heroes, really...

[@Upsunday]

17:52´ Triste, de Antonio Carlos Jobim: El mismo intro y linea melódica. Mi guitarrista favorito, que hizo dupla con Laurindo Almeida. Dios lo tenga en su Reino

[@elderstatesman9932]

Go listen to Charlie’s album ‘Blues Sonata’ along with the classic ‘Jazz Samba’ Both truly great.

[@MDMusicMan]

What is the name of the Jobim song Charlie plays at 18:00?

[@patricksauer7995]

+MDMusicMan The piece is called Triste (Sorrow or Regret, a melancholy feeling)

[@micktulk]

I`m still looking for that really syncopated original piece written by Charlie. It`s in 6 en re and is a rondo. Unfortunately I cant remember the title. I learned it from a published sheet.Any help???? I used to play it and never tired of it but I couldn`t possibly remember it now. Looking for the dots ideally.

[@theomnetwork3898]

Anyone know what type of classical guitar he is playing here? Looks like a thinner fretboard than a typical cllassical

[@smalltownmusicman]

I would like to know that also.

[@gilbertwalker3222]

Anyone know what Jobim tune he plays is?

[@glennlopez6772]

The name of the song is triste! You can experience more of Jobim's Music beautifully presented by the Sant Andrieu Jazz band conducted by Joan Chamarro. (He's a guy and the name is something like John) This piece is sung by alba Armengou with vocal backing in harmony. A beautiful arrangement. The band is excellent and has a lot to offer with brilliant solo instrumentalists! The videos and sounds are really good!

[@gilbertwalker3222]

@@glennlopez6772 Thank you man. Appreciate it!

[@pclare2716]

"Why don't you take us out with whatever you want." "How about a little Gershwin." Guitar players will appreciate how funny this is - I'll just play a little Gershwin for you. lol.

[@zankyalbo2208]

'Taking a Chance on Love'

[@henrikbunkenborg6743]

❤

[@NomDPlume]

This is why I gave up PBS when I grew up. Can't listen beyond 4:25. The interviewer is sitting with a person whose gifts are exceedingly rare. And this is our chance to vicariously experience an intimate conversation with this virtuoso. But no; our entirely predictable PBS host seems bent on ignoring the man in front of him. Instead, he is absolutely fixated on BLACK players this and BLACK players that, and is trying with all his might to twist the focus that direction. Fooey.

[@Ayo.Ajisafe]

I also didnt like the interviewer....way too stuffy...came across like an fbi agent at times.

[@MrJadePinwheel]

I learned a lot from this video, he mentioned blacks for a minute or so. I'm sorry you were disappointed

[@timgelder4263]

First it's not PBS. Second he was asking about his blues influences growing up in the south and it's a little hard to do that without mentioning that it came from black people even if it offends your racist sensibilities. Third, it's phooey and here's a phooey to you

[@melindamanthey2757]

@@Ayo.Ajisafe The interviewer never listened to the replies and was too quick with the next formulaic question. Glad I watched but what a putz.. no spontaneity or real interest.. just a job to him.

[@areguapiri]

Nome D. Plume's comment has deeply racist undertones. Charlie Byrd is glad to to talk about his black American and latin/Brazilian influences, and the interviewer wanted the viewer to understand that.