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Thread: Kenny Baker

  1. #1
    Ursus Mandolinus Fretbear's Avatar
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    Default Kenny Baker

    Good Fiddler Magazine article on Kenny Baker, recalling Roy Hall and his Blue Ridge Entertainers, one of the lost Bluegrass pioneers

    http://www.fiddle.com/_mndata/fiddle...lerWin9495.pdf

    http://www.hillbilly-music.com/artis...x.php?id=13777
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  3. #2
    Teacher, repair person
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    Default Re: Kenny Baker

    Butch Robins has posted some youtube video of his days with the Blue Grass Boys when Mr. Baker was with them.
    I watched about 5 minutes, and didn't want to go near my fiddle for a long time afterwards.
    Mr. Baker made the extremely difficult look effortless. He was possibly the best we've ever had.
    Warning to all itinerant fiddlers: If you watch any of this footage, you might find yourselves wanting to give it up for good.

  4. #3
    Registered User Charles E.'s Avatar
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    Default Re: Kenny Baker

    He was also an accomplished guitar player. He recorded an album with Josh Graves in the early 70's...

    Charley

    A bunch of stuff with four strings

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  6. #4
    Mando-Accumulator Jim Garber's Avatar
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    Default Re: Kenny Baker

    Quote Originally Posted by rcc56 View Post
    Mr. Baker made the extremely difficult look effortless. He was possibly the best we've ever had.
    Warning to all itinerant fiddlers: If you watch any of this footage, you might find yourselves wanting to give it up for good.
    Agreed, I also keep KB as the ultimate goal and though I have no illusions to be 1% as good as he was, he still gives me something to aim for. I saw with Bill Monroe a few times and he definitely made it look easy and boy it wasn't! Beautiful and powerful playing.
    Jim

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  7. #5
    Registered User Bren's Avatar
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    Default Re: Kenny Baker

    I love his waltz playing (and he played a lot of them). It has universal appeal even for those who don't like bluegrass. In fact I'd say KB is one of those musicians who transcends style and genre.
    Bren

  8. #6
    Full Grown and Cussin' brunello97's Avatar
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    Default Re: Kenny Baker

    Very enjoyable read, Fretbear.

    Thanks for posting.

    Mick
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    Default Re: Kenny Baker

    K.B . . . . I listen and the more I learn the more I hear and . . . I started with fiddle at the same age as K.B. recorded Kenny Baker Plays Bill Monroe. So ever "catching up" is well beyond me ... yet I persevere. K.B.'s fiddling is accessible to my ear, though I do have two, and I continue learning. Judicious use of The Amazing Slowdowner and a Dick and Jane level of notation reading keeps me going. Play on friends. R/
    I love hanging out with mandolin nerds . . . . . Thanks peeps ...

  10. #8

    Default Re: Kenny Baker

    His quote, "Well that's the way I *blank* heard it." Tells me he was an intuitive, instinctive player, with an ear that was extraordinary.
    IOW, if ha played what he heard, he heard tunes, in a way, dare I say, better than most anyone.
    I know this is a mandolin site, but one can't listen to KB and get his bowing, it must be seen. Blows my mind.

  11. #9
    Registered User Bob Buckingham's Avatar
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    Default Re: Kenny Baker

    He grew up in a family of fiddlers. I have a recording from a jam session at his brother's house. Everyone on that recording is a good fiddler. That helps growing up with it.

  12. #10
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    Default Re: Kenny Baker

    I had a couple of his LPs. Frost On The Pumpkin was a really great record.
    David A. Gordon

  13. #11
    Registered User Timbofood's Avatar
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    Default Re: Kenny Baker

    I LOVE that album, “Something Different” and “Bucktime” are really great showpieces for Kenny’s unending talent.
    Timothy F. Lewis
    "If brains was lard, that boy couldn't grease a very big skillet" J.D. Clampett

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