Customer Reviews

The Crow New Songs for the 5-String Banjo (Amazon.com Exclusive)

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
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Remember Steve Martins'banjo revelation when he hosted SNL?He stated that it is very hard to play a sad song on the banjo(pain&woe&misery,etc.)He picked up the banjo as a hobby,and it is very apparent that he has mastered it with much skill and is ready to show the world.So,now we see another facet of a very talented performer.If you are a fan of "bluegrass"buy his new album,and enjoy yourself.

I have to say, as many have already, that you will be surprised by what you hear. Everyone knows who Steve Martin and I actually knew that he could play the banjo, but I didn't know he was this good! The songs are amazing and you can't help but smile as you listen. Many wonderful singers have joined him on this album and it adds a testament to his talent. I personally am not a big country fan, but this breaks genres and is just fun happy music. Next I want to see him play!

this man can do anything! i was expecting a comic, instead its a remarkable musical talent! very pleasant to listen to.

Anyone who has even tried to play the banjo knows that to learn the instrument, you're going to have to spend a lot of time alone.

To undertake to compose for clawhammer banjo is like the very definition of solitary confinement.

So when you hear this album, you are really just getting a little window into a lifetime of dedication to music, a special kind of music. If you happened to read Steve Martin's recent book, "Born Standing Up," you got a glimpse of a man who is obsessed with his craft, who pays his dues as the price of perfection.

When I first heard the tune "The Crow" about two years ago, I was blown away. I consider it one of the finest banjo tunes ever written. There are now several versions, including the Tony Trischka album, the Letterman performance of 4/26/07 (see YouTube) and this one. They are all slightly different and all very good. I believe other musicians will be playing it in their own versions for years to come.

I practically never write fan letters, but I wrote to Steve Martin in praise of this song, and I will repeat part of it here.

On occasion, I spend a lot of time with a great piece of music. For instance, I got to know Beethoven's "Ninth Symphony" when I was quitting smoking in 1984. I listened to it every evening for about two months and even had a little pocket score of it so that I could sing along in German.

When I decided to spend time with Pachelbel's "Canon," I came to think of it as equal to the "Ninth" in its own way, being almost a complete symphony in a composition of only six or seven minutes. (Of course it is overplayed nowadays, but that doesn't diminish its timeless beauty.)

I think "The Crow" is to bluegrass what the "Canon" is to classical music. It is a complete and joyful expression of bluegrass. It is both innovative and traditional. I play it often and it never ceases to sound fresh. I believe it, too, is timeless.

That's just what I think of "The Crow." But now we have the rest of this album, and it is a treasure.

We are blessed to have Steve Martin!

Steve Martin reveals the depth of his musical talent in this rich slice of Americana. Long-time fans experienced a sampling of his wilder banjo during 1970s comedy sketches, when "happy feet," irreverent songs about grandma and grandpa, and the insanely popular "King Tut" vied with the occasional--and serendipitous and beautiful--bluegrass diversion. But did anyone expect this Saturday Night Live staple would ever reach inside, find this wonderful product, and take the additional risk of transporting his wares into the studio?

The album begins with an ethereal, breezy song about a banjo: how its discovery and magic brings a father and son together. Next Martin kicks out the jams in "Pitkin County Turnaround," where the musician/songwriter displays remarkable alacrity with his instrument, not to mention a keen ear for sound and an ability to write layered music that evokes strong emotions. His tunes evoke reveries of 19th century barges, hoedowns, and warm summer nights, and all this is coming from a 21st century studio in New Jersey--a time and place where Martin clearly found his muse awaiting.

Nevertheless, I felt the album lost its way in "Late for School," where Steve Martin's jocular voice, while appropriate for him, lacks musicality. It works, in a sense, precisely because it's so whimsical, but it's also a tad grating; the effort would have worked better on a comedy album. The same cannot be said for vocal appearances by Vince Gill and Dolly Parton, of course, so it's not a flaw of vision or production. Maybe no one had the heart to tap Martin on the shoulder and say hey, your picking's sublime but your voice...hey, may we edit this?

All is forgotten in "Tin Roof" and elsewhere, where the music soars and inspires. And except for the issue of Martin's voice, this undeniable masterpiece easily belongs in the high canon of American art. Thank you, Steve Martin and friends. A wonderful effort.

My Country/Bluegrass Novel

Snooker Glen

My Other Titles

Shadow Fields

Dasha

I remember Steve Martin bringing his banjo on stage back in his stand-up days with a bit something along the lines of "you never, ever see a sad person playing the banjo". Well, both his composition and his playing (as well as that of his band-mates and guests) has certainly made me happy. I'd have never guessed that Steve Martin could play so well and I've been very pleased to learn that he is that good. There are several really compelling and intricate melodies on this CD - the instrumentals are my favorites - along with wonderful story telling in most of the vocal tracks. I believe Steve has shown himself to be more a master of the bluegrass banjo than he has as an actor or comedian - and he's certainly quite good at both of those. Highly recommended for bluegrass music fans.

I saw Steve on Letterman playing and ordered this CD that instant.Then I decided I wanted to learn to play and started doing that.I have along way to go,but having fun with it.Martin is a truly talented person.

I heard the interview with Pete Wrenick on NPR today with some album excerpts. And, they had interviewed Steve Martin a few days back. So, with that background, I bought this album. Worth every penny. Particularly being from Colorado and Pete Wrenick/Tim O'Brien contributions. What a fabulous colaboration. With John McEuen in there, it is a winning composition.

Steve has made a fun banjo album. I am hoping for many more.

Only one problem with downloading it. NO LINER NOTES. I'm on a Bluegrass radio show and would like to play this album and increase sales hopefully but I hesitate. If a listener calls up and wants to know "who played the mandolin on that cut?" I can't answer them. Amazon, want to beat ITunes? Send out the liner notes in PDF with the songs. Liner notes generate MORE interest in an album not less, that is why they write them.

After listening to Steve Martin's banjo shtick back in the day, I'm not surprised at his musical virtuosity, but this work goes beyond silly comic routines using a banjo as a prop. Sure there is at least one funny song (Late for School) on the CD, but there are a number of touching songs as well. I'll be listening to this in the woodshop a lot.

Enjoyable review in the NYTimes today:

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/02/arts/music/02banjo.html

Definitely worth it if you like bluegrass, Steve Martin or Steve Martin playing bluegrass.