Search - Raymond Fairchild :: Plays the Classics

Hard-driving banjo to get the heart pumping

J. Ross | Roseburg, OR USA | 01/10/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This 35-minute album clearly shows why Raymond Fairchild, the "King of the Smoky Mountain Banjo Players," is one of the best banjo players around. In an interview, he once exclaimed, "The older I get, the faster I get!" In addition to his speed, Fairchild is also known for his technical skill, dexterity and plain 'ol virtuosity on the five-string banjo. With masterful precision, Fairchild adeptly offers classic banjo tunes from Earl Scruggs, the Stanley Brothers, a variety of bluegrass instrumental standards, and even a hard-driving banjo arrangement of Bill Monroe's showpiece, "Rawhide." I wish he would have put his own signature tune and classic, "Whoa Mule" on this one too. Fairchild was born on an Indian reservation in Cherokee, North Carolina. He now lives and performs regularly in Maggie Valley, North Carolina. Accompaniment on this album is first-rate and is courtesy of Josh Crowe (guitar), Arvil Freeman (fiddle), and Wayne Crowe (bass). No mandolin or dobro is offered, but the banjo and fiddle trade expert breaks throughout. While these classic tunes have been recorded a great deal, you'll be hard pressed to find better versions than those offered by banjo wizard Raymond Fairchild. Just like the first time I heard these numbers, they still manage to get my blood flowing and elevate my adrenaline level. -- Joe Ross, staff writer, Bluegrass Now magazine"

Standard banjo fare that still gets my blood flowing

J. Ross | Roseburg, OR USA | 06/15/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This album clearly shows why Raymond Fairchild, the "King of the Smoky Mountain Banjo Players," is one of the best banjo players around. In an interview, he once exclaimed, "The older I get, the faster I get!" In addition to his speed, Fairchild is also known for his technical skill, dexterity and plain 'ol virtuosity on the five-string banjo. With masterful precision, Fairchild adeptly offers classic banjo tunes from Earl Scruggs, the Stanley Brothers, a variety of bluegrass instrumental standards, and even a hard-driving banjo arrangement of Bill Monroe's showpiece, "Rawhide." I wish he would have put his own signature tune and classic, "Whoa Mule" on this one too.Fairchild was born on an Indian reservation in Cherokee, North Carolina. He now lives and performs regularly in Maggie Valley, North Carolina. Accompaniment on this album is first-rate and is courtesy of Josh Crowe (guitar), Arvil Freeman (fiddle), and Wayne Crowe (bass). No mandolin or dobro is offered, but the banjo and fiddle trade expert breaks throughout.While these classic tunes have been recorded a great deal, you'll be hard pressed to find better versions than those offered by banjo wizard Raymond Fairchild. Just like the first time I heard these numbers, they still manage to get my blood flowing and elevate my adrenaline level. (Joe Ross, staff writer, Bluegrass Now)"