On Banjo—Recollections, Licks and Solos
Ben Eldridge was the banjo player for the iconic Washington, D.C. area band the Seldom Scene for 45 years. During that period of time he proved himself to be one of the most innovative and unique banjo players in the history of bluegrass music. The Seldom Scene drew from a very wide range of musical influences and presented bluegrass music in a style that was all their own. Necessarily, the musicians in the band had to redefine some of the traditional expressions of their voices and instruments. Ben did so masterfully.
Eldridge developed a keen sense of how to support the other musicians and singers in this band and he elevated each song with his backup and his solos. His backup work on slow songs was particularly exceptional. His playing was often intricate and complex, yet sounded straight forward and simple. Béla Fleck was once asked to sit in with the band on an occasion where Ben couldn’t make the gig. In the forward to this new book Fleck states, “…I thought: I’m really going to kick some butt! But the night I sat in I discovered I could not do what Ben did in the Seldom Scene. I did not have what he had. I mistakenly thought it would be easy—but it was far from that, and I learned a valuable lesson. We had a great time, but I certainly walked away humbled.” That probably sums up what many banjo players have thought after trying to learn a Ben Eldridge solo…they walked away humbled.”
If you have been one of those players, Ben—with the aid of Randy Barrett—are here to help with this new book. In addition to Ben writing a wonderfully interesting and captivating recollection of his years as a banjo player—which includes not only his memories of the various aspects of his banjo playing life, but also an insightful section titled “My Banjo Philosophy” and another section detailing the history of his banjo, nicknamed “Harvey,”—Ben also provides a variety of his favorite licks and banjo solos.
The list of tunes that Ben has decided to provide in this book will be instantly recognizable to Seldom Scene fans, including “Eight More Miles To Louisville,” “Appalachian Rain,” “Girl In the Night,” “Doing My Time,” “Hail To The Redskins,” “Heartsville Pike,” “Muddy Water,” “By The Side of the Road,” “Joshua,” “Pickaway,” “Last Train From Poor Valley,” “Mean Mother Blues,” “My Little Georgia Rose,” “Pan American,” “Panhandle Country,” “Rider,” “Working On A Building,” “Smokin’ Hickory,” “Scarborough Fair,” “Tennessee Stud,” “Walking the Blues,” “You Don’t Know My Mind,” and “New Camptown Races.” With each tune Ben provides some brief comments and mentions the recorded source for the arrangement.
A Ben Eldridge discography is included in the back of the book and wonderful photos are included throughout. This book will be a welcomed and greatly appreciated addition to the library of any bluegrass banjo player. Thank you Ben and Randy! Highly recommended.
