Flying Fingers

Joe Maphis | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 25, 1997)
• Original Release Date: February 25, 1997
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Bear Family
• ASIN: B000001B4Y
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #549,691 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Flying Fingers

2. Lorrie Ann

3. Guitar Rock and Roll

4. Randy Lynn Rag

5. Sweet Fern

6. Twin Banjo Special

7. Fire on the Strings

8. Bully of the Town

9. Town Hall Shuffle

10. Floggin' the Banjo

11. Tennessee Two Step

12. Katy Warren Breakdown

13. Bye, Bye

14. Early American

15. The Rockin' Gypsy

16. Hurricane

17. Short Recess

18. Moonshot

19. Del Rio

20. Navajo (War Party)

See all 24 tracks on this disc

Editorial Reviews

Along with Chet Atkins and Merle Travis, Joe Maphis was one of the most widely heard session guitarists from the 1940s until the 1980s, but his solo recordings weren't nearly as popular -- which doesn't mean they weren't good. The 24 brisk, crisp instrumental tracks on Flying Fingers (running under one hour) were cut mostly for Columbia between 1955 and 1960; the 1955-1957 stuff was recorded between sides by Rose Lee Maphis, and she is present there playing guitar, with Larry Collins (featured on four numbers, on top of which his sister Lorrie is the subject of the title of the Maphis original "Lorrie Ann"), Johnny Bond, and Leon Silby joining the guitar accompaniment on the later sessions. In addition to guitar, Maphis himself plays banjo and autoharp on various tracks. The best showcase to date of Maphis' work, the music features what seem like superhuman feats of dexterity, reminiscent of Jascha Heifetz's 1930s recordings on the violin, only better -- every note is hit spot-on, but the playing never loses its warmth or seems mechanical. Listeners may swear that the masters of "Flying Fingers," "Fire on the Strings," and "Floggin' the Banjo" must have been sped up, but they weren't. While they may constitute highlights, they're not alone. Other high spots include "Katy Warren Breakdown," by session fiddle player Fiddlin' Kate Warren, and the cover of "Sweet Fern" by A.P. Carter. There's also a lot of variety, especially with the presence of the four Collins sides, which rock pretty hard; "Early American" shows some strong blues elements. ~ Bruce Eder, All Music Guide --This text refers to an alternate Audio CD edition.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars FANTASTIC COUNTRY PICKIN', March 22, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Flying Fingers (Audio CD)

What a great disc, full of Maphis instrumentals backed by the Town Hall Party band in the main. Listen to "Flying Fingers","Del Rio",and the great multi-guitar"Water Baby Boogie".ESSENTIAL!!

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Remembering Joe Maphis with this CD, January 1, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Flying Fingers (Audio CD)

Hearing this CD takes me back to the late 50's and early 60's when I would go see him perform. This CD is the best recordings I have found of Joe Maphis.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Essential, January 30, 2010

By 

Di Campli Sandra "Sandra Dee" (ITALY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Flying Fingers (Audio CD)

If you're reading this, it might mean you are thinking of buying this record. Well, stop thinking, your record shelf will acquire a certain lustre with the addition of this cd, which is pure fingerpicking guitar style guaranteed to please you for the years to come. Joe Maphis is the master every country guitarist strive to emulate, and lots of fun too!!! A must have.