JOHN BALCH WITH JACK PEARSON: ~HOT~ Biscuit Jam

John Balch with Jack Pearson

~HOT~ Biscuit Jam

© 2004 John D. Balch (643157331421)

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Fresh ~HOT~ string band music. Features: old-time, clawhammer banjo, mandolin, fiddle, bass, guitar and voice. New music plus newly arranged classics.

notes

"Fresh ~HOT~ string band music" featuring: Old-time clawhammer Banjo, Mandolin, Fiddle, Bass, Guitar. Slide Guitar and Vocal.

Comments from BLUEGRASS UNLIMITED Magazine July 2005...

This is 45 minutes plus of delightful string band music. John Balch is a clawhammer player, but hold on, this music is as close to newgrass as it is old-time. Jack Pearson's mandolin and Shad Cobb's fiddle don't go anywhere Balch's banjo can't go. This makes for one fine musical journey...

If you like your music more muscular than the gift store variety but still sensitive and full of creative energy, this project will fill your needs. If you do not like that "one tune" the old-time players always play, but you like fiddle music, this one is for you. If you are a fan of the new mandolin music with its sweet jazzy edge, you will find plenty to please you here. If you think that old time clawhammer banjo is boring, you haven't heard this recording. This one is a keeper (Bluegrass Unlimited July 2005.

~HOT~ Biscuit Jam is a collection of traditional tunes and innovative new music composed by John Balch for the Clawhammer style banjo w/ string band. It includes: six (6) familiar selections (Needlecase, Whiskey Before Breakfast, Be Thou My Vision, and a medley of: Cuckoo's Nest/ Cherokee Shuffle/ Bonaparte's Retreat), and eleven (11) new original pieces.

Produced by Jack Pearson and John Balch for Pure Mountain Records, November 2004.

Original music composed by John Balch.

Contributing musicians:
John Balch (clawhammer style banjo, guitar)
Jack Pearson (mandolin, guitar, National steel body guitar),
Elizabeth Pearson (upright bass, two-finger style banjo),
Shad Cobb (fiddle),
and Debbie Vaughn (vocal).

John is a veteran of the old time music scene. He has served as Chairman of Judging for the Uncle Dave Macon Days Old-Time Banjo National Championship for more than 20 years. ~HOT~ Biscuit Jam is John's second CD. See also: Carry On John (released: 2001 Whippoorwill Records). Visit www.johnbalchmusic.com for more.

Jack is well-known as a former member of the Allman Brother's Band. He is recognized as a world-class blues and jazz guitarist. However, his interests and musical talents are far broader. Jack's late father was an old-time banjo player. Consequently, he has a deep appreciation for old-time and bluegrass music. Indeed, Jack is a fantastic mandolinist with a unique original style. See: www.jackpearson.com for more.

Elizabeth plays bass with her husband in the Jack Pearson Band. She is also both an accomplished classical guitarist and a fine banjoist. In addition to awesome bass lines throughout this project, Elizabeth contributed an authentic two-finger banjo track on "Needlecase".

Shad is a regular on the Grand Old Opry as a member of the Mike Snider String band. He previously played with bluegrass legends, the Osborne Brothers. He is simply one of the best fiddlers and all-around musicians working today.

Debbie is an accomplished and inspired vocalist. She conceived this arrangement of Be Thou My Vision in her request for "Celtic" sounding banjo accompaniment. The approach was to tune the banjo in a unique way (EEAEE)

reviews

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  • Very pleasing to my ears
    author: Joe Morrow

    This is a great work, from the choice of tunes to the seemingly flawless instrumental work. Also enjoyed the vocal tune. Want to hear more stuff like this.

  • Awesome material!
    author: Derek Linn

    Thoroughly enjoyed it!

  • ~Hot~ Banjo for sure!
    author: Steve O

    John is a master clawhammer man. WOW! Does he ever hit a wrong note? (I didn't here one). I would love to play banjo like this. Fiddle/Mandolin/Bass accompaniment is very tasteful, and well done. The CD has a very relaxing, soft sound, and seems to take you away for reflection. I could drive for hours listening to a CD like this. I really like the listing of the banjo tunings with each tune. A lot of great original material here. Excellent job!

  • Hot club du America!
    author: Frans Schoonen

    When I heard this Music (M!) on NPR, my Dutch heart went mery. I think this is hot club du America! To make it possible to hear all songs on this site is also very friendly. High class! Frans

  • most excellent
    author: V. Perdue

    The best mountain music I've heard in a long time. Just can't stop listening to it.

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