I
have a CD. Over half
the tunes are traditional and the others are new. I
recorded with great musicians like Geoff Seitz, Chirps Smith, Garry
Harrison, Fred Campeau, Steve Rosen, Marc Rennard, Jim Nelson, Pat Egan, Tamara
Lowenthal and Catherine Cathers. If
you buy it I know you will not be disappointed.
A review:
One
of the best old-time CDs of the past few years
Reviewer: John Salmon, Sugar in the Gourd (click
for website)
"I ordered Dave Landreth's CD Chairs on a hunch, based on his oddball
website. Sounded like something I would like but I didn't really know what
to expect. Since the CD arrived it has become one of my favorite old-time
releases of recent years. Dave's skill on banjo is immediately evident, but
there's much more than technique here -- it's a very musical collection of
tunes, some new some old, but all memorable and toe tapping, and some
surprisingly funky. Enough reading -- go order a copy! You'll be glad you
did."
A note from a fan:
"Just got back to Racine and I had to write immediately to express my
thoughts on your CD. WOW.... It blew me away. For my entire drive home, nearly
5 hours straight, I just let it recycle in the CD player every time the last
tune finished so I could hear it again. I mean it man, your CD is AWESOME. And
you my friend, are a total freak. I loved every track, I didn't think there
was one that was so-so or mediocre in anyway. The production value is
excellent and the whole things just kicks!!! - J. Riley Worrell"
To buy the CD you can order it via PayPal or make a check/money order out to Oceana
Productions for $15
(plus $2 S&H) and send it to:
Dave
Landreth re:Chairs
1531
Washington Av 8D
St.
Louis, MO 63103
You
can also order the CD on line at the following locations:
"Landreth,
a new name to me, plays a fine old-time banjo here on an excellent 18-tune
program (no vocals). Apparently out of the mid-west. He is accompanied by
several fine old-time musicians including Jim Nelson, Chirps Smith and fiddlers
Gary Harrison and Geoff Seitz. A fine enjoyable old-time album. DEVIL IN THE
HAYSTACK, JUNE APPAL, FISHING TIME, GOODBYE GIRLS, CHINQUAPIN HUNTING, LITTLE
DOE RUN etc."
"Dave
Landreth CHAIRS
Here's yet another world-beater of an album from the rich soil of
Illinois/Missouri; some of those ol' boys down there are apt to make us forget
about those "other" mountains! This time it's the debut of youngish
Dave Landreth, an old-time style banjo picker who sounds like the ghosts of the
elders are channeling through his hands, and he's ably accompanied by some of
the finest musicians in the region: Fred Campeau, Lynn "Chirps" Smith,
Geoff Seitz and a whole array of Ill-Mo boys and girls. Some old chestnuts are
mixed in with obscure tunes and some convincing originals;
it's a great new album from an exciting young talent."
"This is
high energy Old-time music with 10 traditional and 8 original tunes all in
old-time string band style. It has just a bit of an edge while staying true to
form. You CAN see the forest for the trees."
Clawhammer banjo wiz with many friends
including Geoff Seitz on fiddle, Chirps Smith, Steve Rosen, Fred Campeau, Pat
Egan and other favorite Midwestern old-time musicians.
Welcome
To Dave's Page Of Old-time Clawhammer Style Banjo!
I have purpose.
This
is Mike Ramsey's first banjo. Mike makes some of the finest banjos I have ever
played. I got this one from him when he was having a weak moment. Kenny Jackson
used to own it but traded it in for a new one. Very cool headstock.
I hope you find something of interest here. I have spent along time learning and writing these out.
I've tried to display the tunes in a way that is easy to understand and
not muck them up with my own tricks and moves. Everyone has their own way
with a tune. I know I do so I left it all out.
Interpreting a tune is also a controversy so I tried to leave in enough notes
to make it interesting but not so many as to make it for an instrument other than a banjo.
It is, after all, a rhythm instrument.
Nothing is free so I've considered my time, cost of the
page and the time it has taken to learn the tunes, then called my psychic made a good guess and came up with two bucks a tune.
This list will always be added to. I have a bunch of tunes in my head
that I'm writing out as I remember them and find time to do it.
Again, the tunes are written out for intermediate players but I think
a persistent beginner would get thru some of them. I try to not put my style
into the tunes but rather try to simply present the tune. My style is my
style and I try to avoid the "my way is the only way" thing. Everyone has their own way of getting around.
Here's the deal. For $2 a piece I will send the tune(s) you want. Just
print out and send this
letter
with the tunes checked
that you are interested in along with your name, address and a check, and when I get your order in the US mail
I'll send them to you pronto. (Soon I will be able to e-mail them to you
upon receipt of the above info.)
Thanks for your interest and I hope to hear from you soon. - Dave Landreth
What you've all been waiting for! Now
available in 8 and 16 oz. sizes
(to
order, click on the bottle)
Back
and better than ever - in popular demand - every home should have some - just in
time for the holidays!
stay tuned
for the upcoming jingle . . .
Banjo
Boy's Bath and Body Soap contains an exceptional blend of:
Marshmallow
Root, Nettle Leaf, Jasmine Flower, Alfalfa Leaf, and the essential oils of
Patchouli, Black Pepper, Cardamom, Clary Sage and Vetivert blended into an exhilarating
base. Banjo Boy's Bath and Body Soap is made locally at Cheryl's
Herbs in St. Louis, MO and exclusively
available at www.banjoboysbrain.com
And Now......
About men wearing skirts...
After some
serious soul searching I still think this is a bad idea. Plus it scares new
comers to dance. Think about it boys...it's not all about you.
And don't kid yourself, it has nothing to do with the
Scots or
being a well adjusted male. And you guys just have poor taste.
This is a drawing done by my lovely
gal pal Catherine Cathers.
This is a photo take of me in my formative years while
living in the woods. Photo courteously donated by Big Foot.
Dave Landreth, Chirps Smith, Tim Foss, Andy Gribble,
Dot Kent and our mentor and cook who is not pictured here, J. Riley Worrell.
The Combine
Chirps Smith,
Dave
Landreth, Fred Campeau and Steve Rosen have formed The
Combine.
An
extremely hard driving band. A collection of some of the best power in old-time
musicians today.
Here
is another one.
The
Vigortones -- Lynn "Chirps"
Smith, fiddle; Dave Landreth, banjo; and Jim Nelson, guitar -- are
veterans of the midwestern old-time music festival and dance circuits.
They are a no-nonsense, high energy trio from Chicago (Chirps) and St.
Louis (Dave and Jim) who specialize in playing traditional dance tunes
that they've collected over the years from senior fiddlers in Southern
Illinois and Missouri, and old-time songs they've learned from old 78
records.
People send me things.
Sometimes strange things like this:
What
are you gonna do?
You are visitor
#
Because I of my friends and
thier kooky minds I am adding different kinds of links. One that a banjo
player will probably never need. You can never tell though. So, because I
care, here is some other cool stuff I
stumble across. For those of you who find this
either offensive or inappropriate...I don't really care...have a little fun.
One
of the best old-time CDs of the past few years
The
Vigortones -- Lynn "Chirps"
Smith, fiddle; Dave Landreth, banjo; and Jim Nelson, guitar -- are
veterans of the midwestern old-time music festival and dance circuits.
They are a no-nonsense, high energy trio from Chicago (Chirps) and St.
Louis (Dave and Jim) who specialize in playing traditional dance tunes
that they've collected over the years from senior fiddlers in Southern
Illinois and Missouri, and old-time songs they've learned from old 78
records.
