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

"Walking in the Parlor," played by Lee Hammons (1883-1980) on clawhammer banjo at his home in Pocahontas County, W.Va. Dwight Diller took me and my friend David Winston up to visit the Hammonses -- Sherman, Maggie and Burl -- in the summer of 1973. Lee Hammons was a friend of theirs, but was not closely related.
Recording and photo by Brad Leftwich.These are presented for your enjoyment -- no commercial use, please.

[@johnschneider4160]

More!! MORE!!

[@Oldpiper73]

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

[@peter4Flags]

Beautiful just beautiful.

[@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!

[@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.

[@rattyfingers8621]

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

[@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!

[@ArkRed1]

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

[@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.

[@MarkWYoung-ky4uc]

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

[@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.

[@theblueridgerounders3710]

Always loved this version, nice to hear this recording.

[@autismhangout]

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

[@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

[@marklaskey3891]

Beautiful!

[@moonoggin]

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

[@atawolobongo]

All time favorite right here!

[@johnschneider4160]

Thank you, Brad, for this piece of history!

[@bradleftwich]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@clawhammer704]

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

[@delhatton]

sublime

[@dorindacontreras1094]

Superb...just superb

[@bladerunner9646]

Never give up your culture!

[@Ex_Machina]

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

[@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?