I came across this Mike Seeger video on YouTube a couple of months ago and immediately fell in love with the melody.
Then my copy of the Fonotone Records box set arrived over the weekend. Much to my delight, it includes the 1964 recording of "Cumberland Gap" by Birmingham Bill (aka Mike Seeger). Here's what Mike says in the box set liner notes about this song:
"I picked up this way of playing this well known fiddle and banjo tune mostly from Maybelle Carter during a time when we toured with her in Spring 1963. She picked banjo from childhood and continued playing into the 1960s. She brought some banjo feeling and rhythm into her guitar playing. I also heard Frank Hutchison's recording of this tune, which he played similarly."
Then my copy of the Fonotone Records box set arrived over the weekend. Much to my delight, it includes the 1964 recording of "Cumberland Gap" by Birmingham Bill (aka Mike Seeger). Here's what Mike says in the box set liner notes about this song:
"I picked up this way of playing this well known fiddle and banjo tune mostly from Maybelle Carter during a time when we toured with her in Spring 1963. She picked banjo from childhood and continued playing into the 1960s. She brought some banjo feeling and rhythm into her guitar playing. I also heard Frank Hutchison's recording of this tune, which he played similarly."