Ragtime Pickings - Vess Ossman - Rob Mackillop - Gut-strung Banjo

A fun ragtime piece recorded first by the great Vess Ossman. This is my first attempt - excuse the minor mind blank. I will record it again in the future at the correct picth - this one is a minor third lower than it is meant to be.

[@TheSecretmuseum]

No stopping this guy! MVP for all-around Best string music on the internet!

[@mrgreenmeat]

Rob -- My, my that is just absolutely beautiful. Guy strings sound so good especially when you are playing them. an old friend Eddy

[@RobMacKillop1]

Great to hear from you Eddy! This is nearly ten years old - I'd forgotten about it. I hope you are welland thriving!

[@banjalien]

Great playing, enjoyed the dynamic contrasts.

[@michaelpreston233]

Very smooth picking.

[@five12gal]

That was great. Something to aspire to, for me. Thanks for posting it!

[@JustClaude13]

Bravo! I missed the mind blank; I thought it sounded good all the way through. It was an excellent performance. I can see how it would sound sharper in the correct pitch, but I like the key you played it in, too.

[@ricktemmen6272]

Simply AWESOME

[@texican65]

Man that sounds soo good! I love Vess' style. Keep on picking that stuff man...you've got it down! Dow

[@Schillingsanders]

Exellent!! Dear friends! Clap your feet, stomp your hands and push the feller in front of ya! As i fumble along with various instrument, i´ve cracked tunes like "At a Georgia camp meeting", "Smokey moaks" on the five string banjo. I´m about to start a a serie of clips from my silly record collection. Have a look at "Edison cylinder concert". All the very, very best from another ambassadeur of forgotten music. Andy from Sweden

[@siddyx]

Mackillop Mastery !!

[@jessecrain7518]

Not sure if you'll see this comment, Mr. MacKillop, as it's been years since the video was posted, but I'm throwing this out there, anyway. I'd be interested in what year Vess Ossman recorded this piece. Fred Van Eps recorded it 1-31-1911 for Victor (#16934), and many years later, he told my father (his last student) that he'd been given the piece by an unnamed guitar player in NYC. My dad just told me the story today while we were discussing your fine work, and he pointed out that in the "A" theme, 5th measure, the "F" note at the chord should actually be an "F#", and that Fred had used a pencil to correct it in my Dad's book. Thought you might find that intriguing!

[@RobMacKillop1]

Hi Jessie. Sorry I've missed your post until now. I haven't played banjo for a few years, but bought one again just two weeks ago. I can't answer your question, I'm afraid, but if you read this then please email me robmackillop at gmail dotcom. Thanks for the f/f# change!

[@RobMacKillop1]

By the way, I got it wrong. I should have said Fred Eps, not Vess Ossman. Sorry.

[@RobMacKillop1]

Jesse, I've shared your comment (I hope you don't mind?!) with the good people at the Ning Classic-Banjo site: classic-banjo.ning.com/forum/topics/fred-van-eps-related-comment - I really hope you read this, and perhaps you can get in touch. I'm sure some members would be interested in your dad, and his time with Van Eps. But if you'd rather just contact me at the email address I gave, that would be cool too. Best wishes. Rob

[@jessecrain7518]

@@RobMacKillop1 No, I don't mind at all, that's wonderful. Thanks so much for responding! I will relay your email to my dad. He's 90 now, but loves to trade emails about the music and the banjo.

[@RobMacKillop1]

Brilliant, Jesse. Thank you very much!

[@joeshea1010]

whoa

[@harrisonlimpert8201]

Rob do you teach lesser skilled banjo pickers?

[@shanewright2772]

I think compared to Rob, almost every banjo picker is a lesser skilled banjo picker!

[@Schillingsanders]

@Schillingsanders