Pete Seeger Ripping on Mandolin

[RustyMadd]

Just stumbled across this video and thought I would share it in case any of you are interested. Pete really plays mandolin surprisingly well on this version of Woody's Rag. Enjoy and blessings.

[AlanN]

For some of us, Woody's Rag was a real inspiration.

[RustyMadd]

For some of us, Woody's Rag was a real inspiration.

I can sure see why, but being new to the instrument and genre I wasn't even aware of this wonderful tune. I will be learning it soon. Got to get it into my minds ear first. That A4 sure sounds good and resonant. I love the bass lines that are being added by the guitars. Old Timey. Play all night Pete. God Bless

[Jimmybikes]

That is a great video!
I started playing the Banjo at the age of 14 because of Pete Seeger. I've seen him on the Sloop Clearwater on the Hudson many years ago. I switched from folk to bluegrass since but he always has a special place in my heart.

[Northwest Steve]

That is not an A4 mandolin that appears to be a flat top or bent top mandolin - Martin maybe? Great tune.

[Jeff Mando]

Great video of people just having fun playing music! Thanks!

[JAK]

"How little we know, so much to discover."

[brunello97]

Maybe change a few minds about Martin mandolins?

Mick

[journeybear]

Great video of people just having fun playing music! Thanks!

Indeed! Though this looks like it's from Pete's TV show, so they may have just been putting on a show for the camera.

OK, kidding! But oh, how I wish I'd known about his show back then. The clips I've seen on youtube are amazing - the music and musicians are top notch.

The closeups on right hands are very instructive on picking technique, especially Jack's/ Note to set dresser - Move the dang coffee pot! We want to see the left hand, too.

[AlanN]

Woody's Rag was one of the first tunes presented in the Jack Tottle tome. Maybe Jack used this performance as a guide, as the transcription laid out the basic riff, plus a variation. Pete played both here. He had a nice, relaxed wrist.

[fernmando]

This brings fond memories of the Jack Tottle book.

[Don Grieser]

Wonder why we don't play this tune more often?

[FredK]

I remember seeing this video a while back and it's good to see it again. This is a great tune and I, too, like the close-ups (sans the coffee pot). Pete's having fun.

[pops1]

Sounds a lot like Brown's Ferry Blues to me. Great old video. Sure looks like a Martin mandolin too.

[chuck3]

Great video! Loved the close-up of the toes tapping - Woody's shoe is a style I haven't seen in decades. Seriously - fun stuff, just sittin' and pickin' around the coffee pot. I wonder where that was shot.

[Jon Hall]

Thannks for sharing this video! Ramblin' Jack Elliott played a very respectable guitar!

[RustyMadd]

Thannks for sharing this video! Ramblin' Jack Elliott played a very respectable guitar!

Yes he did. I love those old timey bass lines.

I can't get enough of this tune. It's quite good and yet obscure enough. Blessings all.

[Bill McCall]

And Mandozine has a tab! Www.mandozine.com��

[HCooke]

Thanks for posting this. I have been a fan of Pete Seeger since the early 60's. I did not know he played the mandolin. I am in Tulsa OK today and visited the Woody Guthrie Center. On display is a Gibson mando which Woody played. I have a lot of Woody's recordings and was unaware that he played the mandolin.

[Jim Yates]

Indeed! Though this looks like it's from Pete's TV show, so they may have just been putting on a show for the camera.

OK, kidding! But oh, how I wish I'd known about his show back then. The clips I've seen on youtube are amazing - the music and musicians are top notch.

The closeups on right hands are very instructive on picking technique, especially Jack's/ Note to set dresser - Move the dang coffee pot! We want to see the left hand, too.

Yes this was from Pete & Toshi's Rainbow Quest TV show. We should be very grateful to the Seegers for all of the wonderful music that came out of that show. The show was done on a very slim budget with two cameras and one microphone. There were very few, if any, "do overs". I recall one show where Pete accidently knocked over the milk bottle and said, "There goes the milk. Oh well." and continued playing. Another where Mike Seeger kept playing when the others had finished.

In this tune, Pete grabbed the banjo to join the NLCR and noticed that Mike already had a banjer, so he grabbed mike's mandolin.

[Jim Yates]

Pete put out a book of tunes in tab, mostly guitar and banjo, but it did contain a transcription of Woody's Rag. It was called The Goofing Off Suite. I bought it in the mid-sixties and I can't seem to find a source for it these days.

I just listened to the last video and that's the one where Mike keeps playing.

[David Lewis]

this is a great video. Thanks for posting.

[Jimmybikes]

I remember the red Pete Seeger “ How to Play the 5 String Banjo” book. Got me started down this path.

[Jim Yates]

Pete put out a book of tunes in tab, mostly guitar and banjo, but it did contain a transcription of Woody's Rag. It was called The Goofing Off Suite. I bought it in the mid-sixties and I can't seem to find a source for it these days.

I just listened to the last video and that's the one where Mike keeps playing.

Here's the record that went with the Goofing Off Suite.

[Michael Gowell]

Great video. Pete's half-brother Mike was a genius; if you haven't heard it his last recording 'Southern Guitar Styles' is worth getting - a staggering piece of scholarship and musicianship.