Jimmy Martin

[Chris "Bucket" Thomas]

I bought the Bean Blossom Concert (1973) CD w/ Monroe, Flatt, Martin and others on it.

I love the 12 fiddlers playing Soilders Joy and Swing Low Sweet Chariot.......

It was my first real exposure to Jimmy Martin...The Hit Parade of Love, Free Born Man and a few others....

SO, if you were searching for the best JM CD one could buy-TELL ME - so I can make the purchase.

Chris

[Tim Saxton]

By far the bear family record set is the greatest one. All the songs are on pitch and the selection is wide and varied.

of course as Clyde says "It's only my opinon but it's right"

Tim Saxton

[Pete Martin]

That Bear Family collection is a "must have" for Jimmy fans. #I own a lot of BG and Jazz box sets, and this one is played by far the most.

[flatthead]

I would agree with the Box Set. #About $85 skins from CD Wolf. #

There was a Rounder reissue about 10 years ago that's good. #Also "Don't Cry To Me" is pretty great stuff too.

As Pete said, I probably play this box set as much as any I own.

Spend the 85 clams.....you'll be glad you did....

Best to all

Jim Rollins

[Moose]

Some great posts here... ; that's why his "title" is "King of Bluegrass" - (caution: listening to JM while drinking alcoholic beverages....,MAY be hazardous to your health... ; or that of others - hee.. hee..). Yes, I'm biased.... http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[cutbait2]

the recent "king of bluegrass" cd is good if you'd like some onstage banter ala Jimmy style. the dvd is also entertaining but the songs on it are abbreviated ie cut from song to dog, cut from song to goat

[Scotti Adams]

..theres only one

[JimRichter]

I'll second Scotti that there's only 1 Jimmy Martin.

If you get the opportunity, I'd recommend a couple of self-produced videos (they're only available on VHS, to the best of my knowledge) Jimmy did. Both were filmed at BeanBlossom and one is a reunion with JD Crowe and either Paul Williams or Doyle Lawson (can't remember) and the other is with Marty Stuart special guesting. I've seen the Stuart one all the way through and it's great. I've always seen them for sale at the BeanBlossom Hall of Fame, though I'm sure Jimmy sells them at his concerts and may be available on line.

Jim

[Moose]

Scotti: ...and as Sonny Osborne once told me..."..they'll never be another like him". May God bless the King - his contributions "oft' copied...; never equalled" -Thanks for that great pic!! - Moose. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[csstanley]

I believe I read on another board that he has been put in the hospital. Am I thinking right or did read that wrong?

He does a good performance on that Nitty Gritty dirt band DVD. I have never been a huge fan of his. I really love "My walkin shoes though".

[Scotti Adams]

..Yes..hes out now and if memory serves me right he had cancer....I hear he plans to tour this year.

[Peter Hackman]

I never listened that much to Martin but I think
his best Decca LP was the one with
Steppin' Stones. I forget the title of the album.

I believe
Paul Williams was the singer on that number.

I recall doing two instrumentals featured by Martin,
way back.
One was Arab Bounce by Vernon Derrick, recorded in 68 or
69, the other was Sweet Dixie, by Bill Emerson.
Emerson wrote a very nice series
of articles about touring
with Martin, in the early days of BLuegrass
Unlimited.

A friend of mine, Thomas Haglund, traveled and recorded
with Martin in the 70s. He's on Run, Pete, Run
but he is not featured to advantage. Bluegrass
may be a somewhat limited genre, but I do find
some of Martin's stuff a bit limiting.

Thomas in the studio: "Jimmy, I believe there should be
a b minor chord there in Lost Indian"
Martin: "I don't use them fancy chords"

[Moose]

Ah!! - the King in true form! - Thanks for the story ; Arab Bounce - I believe - was "coined" by Derrick, JD or Emerson because that's the town they were 'raised up in : Arab, Alabama. Many of JM's most popular numbers were penned by - or in combination with - Paul Williams, who also happens to be Jimmy's brother-in-law(married to JM's sister):mandosmiley:

[Spencer]

The following just came in from BGRASS-L (6:22 EST) for those of you who aren't members, it was forwarded by Gary Fry, hope it is ok to post it.


"Dear Gary,

Dad would want you to know that he is in the hospital right now. His condition is very serious. He loves his friends and fans so much, and, as he always says, he will never forget you. Please keep him in your prayers, and pass the word along that he is very sick right now. We will try to send updates as we can. Thank you for your prayers, messages, and support.

Sincerely,


Ray Martin,


Ray Martin is the son of Jimmy Martin.


Gary Fry
Advisory Board Member
The Bill Monroe Foundation
http://www.billmonroefoundation.com
PO Box 86
Artemus, KY 40903

[Moose]

Thank you! - ....prayers for the King. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/coffee.gif

[flatthead]

Vernon wrote Arab Bounce, after his home town of Arab, Alabama. Chris Warner played banjo on the original cut in 1969.

Thomas Haglund played on some of the Gusto stuff later on in the 70's. Thomas is a fantastic fiddler to be sure.

Let's all keep Jimmy in our thoughts. Whether or not if you like him or his music, he's had a huge impact on the history of Bluegrass music.

Best to all

Jim Rollins

[Spencer]

Agreed on Thomas Haglund, I saw him with Jimmy Martin at a festival in about 1975, where Jimmy called him "the Swedish Boy" or something close. Thomas is still active, plays all kinds of music and is active in helping young musiciains along in Sweden. Last time I saw him was this spring here in Copenhagen. Wonderful fiddle player.

Spencer

[Moose]

Hey Spencer! - Thanks for the "update" - ...another graduate of The Jimmy Martin School of Bluegrass. He turned out some 'o the best(course, he'd probably tell you that anyhow!!) - Prayers for the King.... http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/coffee.gif

[csstanley]

Spencer, thanks for that. Definately keep him and the family in my prayers.

I thought that I heard recently that he was back in the hospital, but wasn't very positive.

[Spencer]

Again for those of you not on BGRASS-L the latest status on Jimmy Martin, sounds better than the last:

Quote from BGRASS-L

"Date: Sun, 20 Feb 2005 20:46:42 -0500
From: Freddie Harris <freddie@BLUEVELVET.US>
Subject: Jimmy Martin is improving


I know that everyone is wondering about Jimmy's condition. Today, I spoke with Jimmy's daughter, Lisa and she say's that Jimmy's condition has improved and he is suppose to leave the hospital on Tuesday. However, his condition is still very serious and only time will tell. It will be a
terribly sad day when we lose this Bluegrass legend! So, please keep Jimmy and the family in your prayers. "




Spencer

[Mountain Air Mando]

I don't know what the actual status of Jimmy Martin is, but Bobby Hicks made an announcement on Feb. 19th at a festival in Asheville, that Jimmy's Kidneys had shut down and it appeared that the end was near. I sure hope the previous post is correct and that Jimmy is improving and going home tomorrow.

[flatthead]

I spent several hours with Jimmy, as well as Lisa and Ray Martin on Saturday.

Without going into a lot of detail, I think the prognosis is pretty good, relatively speaking. #He's weak and has a lot of hurtles to overcome, but as I last heard (Saturday night) he may be well enough to go home Tuesday.

I too heard a lot of rumors throughout the week, but I think the general consensus is that he's improving, even if slightly.

I noticed that Freddie Harris posted a note on the L. #Freddie played mandolin with Jimmy in the early 70's I believe.

Keep him in your thoughts. #He needs em....

Best to all

Jim Rollins

[Moose]

Jim R. : Thanks for the up-date ; pls. keep us informed. May God bless JM.

[JimRichter]

Guys

Roland White just posted this to the CoMando List. Jimmy has been told he has 2 to 4 weeks to live and is entering hospice. If this is true, it'll be a very sad festival season. My prayers go out to Jimmy.

Jim

The email from Roland:

Hi to all BG fans,
I've had quite a number of folks e-mailing and calling me asking if I
know how Jimmy Martin is doing, and here's what I received a while ago.
I just received this a while ago.


Jimmy was told he has 2 to 4 weeks to live. They are going to keep him in
the hospital for a couple of days until they can get Hospice set up for
him at home.
Peace!
Roland

Roland White
Visit my website at http://www.rolandwhite.com
The doors are open day and night!

[Scotti Adams]

ah...Jim..you beat me to it....let keep Jimmy and his family in our prayers.