"Walking in the Parlor" by Lee Hammons, clawhammer banjo

[@BrianHammons-sv3cf]

Lee Hammons is my grandfather, He cut the end of his thumb off working in his shop but it didn't hurt his ability to play music. Thanks for posting.

[@bradleftwich]

I remember visiting with him after it happened, had a big bandage on his thumb but he played anyway and it sounded as great as ever.

[@davidfraley8770]

Just a great musician ❤

[@Oldpiper73]

We owe the Hammons family a lot for their music and down through Dwight Diller.

[@johno9754]

Gosh how I love these recordings! All of you collectors did such a great service for the history of American music and tradition. Great work!

[@peter4Flags]

Beautiful just beautiful.

[@bradleftwich]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@ArkRed1]

Sounds a lot like the Johnson Boys. Clean as a hound's tooth.

[@johnschneider4160]

More!! MORE!!

[@rattyfingers8621]

So that's how it's supposed sound!! Yes! Gets better every time you hear it.

[@dcdc139]

Someone sent me Lee Hammons' "complete" banjo recordings by mail. It is a true treasure trove. Thanks for uploading. The world is probably a better place just for getting some of the Hammons' music out there

[@bradleftwich]

I sure think so! Someone sent me that "complete" banjo collection a few years ago (not complete, because it didn't include my few recordings!), and now I can't remember who was the kind soul who did it. Was that ever released commercially?

[@dcdc139]

@@bradleftwich Not that I know of. A friendly person on the Banjo Hangout sent me a private message, after I posted a message looking for the recordings. I'm glad because I finally found a copy of the Hammons compilation released by Rounder Records for less than $50 (2 cd's and book, not too bad I guess) I love the work that you did with Round Peak banjo and that music is wonderful, and melodic clawhammer seems to be in vogue these days. Even the Kentucky two finger styles are gaining traction thanks to the amazing Clifton Hicks. But the Hammons' style of music doesn't seem to get much attention. Although I'm up in Canada, I always try and be a good ambassador of the Hammons' and Dwight Diller

[@delhatton]

@@bradleftwich "Complete" meant all of the recordings made by Dwight Diller and Wayne Howard. Your recordings were intentionally not included.

[@delhatton]

The Lee Hammons collection was part of the "Hammons Legacy" series. Out of print.

[@dwightdiller]

Just saw this. Thanks. Its all there

[@bradleftwich]

Thanks Dwight, and thank you for taking me and David up there to visit all those years ago!

[@amydavis8067]

Beautiful! I had learned this from Dwight, but such a treat to hear Lee Hammons. Thank you

[@BenSHammonds]

enjoyed this, reminds me of the old days, when all old neighbors would gather round and we'd have music

[@bradleftwich]

I'm guessing you must be related to them. It's a heritage to be proud of, for sure.

[@eytonshalomsandiego]

what a treasure. so glad to hear this...thank you very much!!! home recordings are so often the best...

[@bradleftwich]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@FireOakFive]

The previous comments are so on point! What can I add? Here goes: I love that hat!

[@MarkWYoung-ky4uc]

Now that's some fine old time clawhammer banjo playing! 😄👍👍

[@judyhyman]

This is beautiful. Thanks for recording it. Thanks for posting it. Thanks for all you do and have done.

[@bradleftwich]

Thanks Judy!

[@atawolobongo]

All time favorite right here!

[@moonoggin]

Yay you got me listening to the good ole days .. love this

[@theblueridgerounders3710]

Always loved this version, nice to hear this recording.

[@bobalessio6339]

Love the O-T Sound! I hear a bit of '8th of January' and 'Betty Baker' melodies in this tune.

[@bradleftwich]

Yeah, Lee is about as O-T as it gets! I hear a little of Johnson Boys in it, too.

[@extanegautham8950]

wow, what a gem!!! thank you thank you~

[@bradleftwich]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@johnschneider4160]

Thank you, Brad, for this piece of history!

[@bradleftwich]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@marklaskey3891]

Beautiful!

[@traviswright52]

this is great...one of those tunes you sit down and learn right away. maybe one of the few times I've taken it a half step down from double C :) love it...thanks for sharing this

[@dorindacontreras1094]

Superb...just superb

[@bladerunner9646]

Never give up your culture!

[@autismhangout]

Thanks for this Brad. A gift that keeps on giving. :)

[@maryk4588]

Thanks!

[@bradleftwich]

You bet!

[@williampalmer6296]

Love it!

[@bradleftwich]

Thanks!!

[@Ex_Machina]

This is so beautiful. Thank you for uploading. I'm currently in the process of researching my lineage :)

[@davidkelly1220]

Super

[@delhatton]

sublime

[@clawhammer704]

Looks like he’s playing an old harmony banjo in the photo.

[@bradleftwich]

You nailed it! And he makes it sound like a million bucks!

[@BrianHammons-sv3cf]

It's a old Melodier, it's still being played

[@bradleftwich]

@@BrianHammons-sv3cf Glad to hear that! Being played by you?

[@mikbang]

Sounds like double C? Theres somthing to live up to 😎

[@bradleftwich]

Yes, double C, or double D. He played mostly by himself, so as long as the second string was high and the fourth string low, I don't think it mattered much to him what the actual pitch was.

[@dwightdiller]

He usually kept banjo a step or step and half below the pitch of double "C". Fiddle was usually a step to step and half below "G" in so called "cross tuning". He called it "logger key". Btw, Lee's father Steven was from Whitley Co Ky . mid 1800s; other Hammons family grandfather Jesse was from Whitley Co same time. Just recently found out from Lee's grandson, my age. Lee b 1883.

[@dwightdiller]

Lee didnt have a banjo or fiddle from the early 1920s until the late 1960s.. His banjo was a new Harmony w/ bakelite rim & came with hide head and Black Diamond strings. His fiddle was a new one from Japan w/ Black Diamond strings. He had stopped playing any music during those 46 years. Said, "Nobody wanted to hear it anymore." = radio and records.

[@willmarona4188]

Ive been stuck in the double C/ double D for some time now . Didn’t get G tuning ( “that Italian tuning” !) until recently. I still like the CC for that Appalachian sound. The Hammond family were a national treasure! Thanks for posting this.

[@mikbang]

@@willmarona4188 I really love the CC myself, the sound is haunting. But i never heard the name "italian tuning" for the G tuning - where does that come from?