This is the first time I have ever heard of this group. The moment he sang the first words a chill went up my spine. What an amazing voice. What beautiful music.
My favorite male voices in the whole world are Charlie Waller and John Duffey, followed by Lester Flatt. Two best bands ever, imo, are the Country Gentleman and the Seldom Scene.
I gotta say..the most interesting man in this band is the handsome bass player, Tom Gray. This was a hobby for him. He was a cartographer for National Geographic. Probably better known for being in the Seldom Scene. Now there was an interesting group =)
Charlie Waller is the lead vocalist. On the mandolin is John Duffy, who was a an original member of the Country Gentlemen, then left in 1971 to form the Seldom Scene.
Duffy's pants! That just goes to show just exactly how much personality that he possessed. Only he could pull that off while standing beside Charlie with a coat and tie. Also, Johnny Cash has a pretty mean rendition of this song, too.
Definitely different from J. Cash's.. more smooth... a crooner if you will. if that's your thing. I'm not sure it fits this song. Great vocals and harmony no doubt.
The 2 in the middle, John Duffey on mandolin, & Charlie Waller on guitar, belong to the ages. I saw Eddie Adcock (banjo) & Tom Gray (bass) last fall performing. In tandem with his cheerful, also talented wife, Eddie Adcock was rising above some pretty serious physical challenges & was on oxygen most of the time, but his determination to put on his best performance was more than laudable. Tom Gray, who must be the cleanest living man on the planet, looked like he was about 25 & has remarried since losing his wife, who I saw with him many years ago @ another performance @ the Birchmere with the Seldom Scene when Ben Eldridge was still performing. This is THE BEST performance of Merle Travis' song I have ever heard.
There is a beautiful rendition of Dark As a Dungeon on the Seldom Scene's, 15th Anniversary Celebration, also with Charlie Waller singing lead. There are lots of special guests on that album.
my dad and his band opened up for the country gentlemen almost twenty years ago in MI. i was about ten and i not only got to meet the band backstage but dad got them to play matterhorn, my absolute favorite song at the time. one of my best memories ever!
This has always been one of my favorite songs by The Country Gentlemen, but this live version is just awesome. The slower pace makes it so much more meaningful. God bless our coal miners.
It has been thrilling for me to be able to say that I saw all these players in person at one time or another and I certainly miss Charlie and Duffey, their voices really blended.
One day after hunting with a friend, my granddad left the loaded Browning 12 gauge leaning against a dresser. My then 5 year old dad saw the gun, picked it up, and walked into the hall near the stairs. BOOM, off went the shotgun tearing out the (original) banister. The man grandfather was hunting with was in a nearby bathroom, and came running out in lightning speed to see what happened, AND forgetting to pull his pants up... my dad would laugh in delight when he recalled that man standing in his “all together”, as dad called it. “What happened to you” I asked? “Well, I was knocked backwards, and I was so scared; it’s a wonder no one got killed. If anyone had been on the stairs they would have been killed”. “My Dad took me to the dungeon and shut me in as punishment. We walked past all the prisoners in their cages, and then through a large heavy door from the basement area and down a long ramp, and then entered another huge heavy door to get there. It was a windowless very dark, frightening cold damp space. I don’t remember how long he left me in there, I was so scared.” To this day, my father says hearing that old heavy door clank shut in the damp darkness was the most frightening lonely noise he has ever heard... And that says a lot since he is a Pearl Harbor survivor witnessing the horrific Japanese attack of Sunday, Dec 7, 1941.
Remember those that forget, you don't have to.sit in the brick and motor, to see your walk as Christian, look at the TV you'll see the honky tonk players.. from Disney Erwin style like Danville Virginia, to tv style Christianity. Money look good. YET SIMPLICITY FORGOTTEN.. even leaders turning to paganism. .. yet Jesus sent Holy Ghost to protect his own Galatians5. EPHESIANS 4, 1 PETER 5.
Love Charlie Waller's lead vocal. I know this song from the Weavers' 1980 concert version, so now I'm checking out the other versions here, and so far this is my next favorite.
haha i think its really funny how everyone else is wearing a suit but john duffie has some rediculous outfit on him. the more videos i watch of him on youtube the more upset i am that i never got a chance to see him perform
I was lucky enough to see em back in 2001 at the Barbican in London.What a day that was J.D.Crowe and The New South also The Nashville Bluegrass Band, all in the one show!
this is a great band and possibly the best singer with charlie Waller. They are among my inspirations as a banjo player and bluegrass fan. R.I.P Charlie Waller and John Duffy.
i am glad to see the great comments; i wanted to hear some of my grandfather's music- it just puts me in a good mood- even when a song has some pretty heinous/depressing lyrics he always made those words sound so sweet....! charlie is my grandfather; i am randy's oldest daughter- my dad plays a mean guitar- or bass, fiddle, piano, drums, etc - he knows his way around some music, too be sure! n charlie n the various country gents had such awesome fans- it's a real blessing to have all the old footage and so i wanna say thanks to anyone who ever documented my grandfather while he was alive and shared that gift with us all- it's so special to see the decades of bluegrass festivals and whatnot... good times..... thanks again y'all!
thanks! I am definitely proud of my Charlie n my dad- it was so amazing to see Charlie could still tear it up n lay it down even despite the stroke n health problems later on; he was still touring n you are totally right about his righteous guitar picking being underrated! it's such a gift to have all these live performances at my fingertips; thanks again to all the county gentleman fans for documenting so many great concerts!!
When I walk past, as you see into my eyes. My lord have mercy it is no disquise.. , as I call upon thee, He has walked all along with thee ,Jesus know that im free, not apart of thee. LET THE DEMONS GO AWAY. . AS sent away by the Holy Ghost no more to stray yet still I'm true after childhood to which I was raised. Train up a child in the way. As I walk through, know today, that Jesus Christ is the way. Know and this my heart true. I love all of you..today.. The same yesterday today. And forever...
Besides a praise song-could there be a more perfect song? This should speak to many people who slave away while thiers lives are passing them by. There's work but then there is greed.........
please keep this video. DARK AS A DUNGEON ------- Being a coal miner's son, the song "Dark As A Dungeon" always runs chills up my spine.--- It tells young men to listen to this song, and not to seek their fortune in a dreary coal mine My dad, Clarence Paul Martz, Sr. was an engineer.---- Often referred to the inside of a mine as the "bowels of the earth," ----- I was born in the mining town of Lykens Pennsylvania, and delivered at Harrisburg Pennsylvania.
My father was a coal miner in Drift, Kentucky. I always vowed to never work in the mines. It takes a special breed of people to go deep into the bowels of the earth to mine the deep coal seams.
Thank you so much for sharing this video. I saw them in Lavonia, Ga years ago and he stirred my soul there too, as he is so gifted to do even on film. Amazing.
Please keep this video i use it on my space. DARK AS A DUNGEON ------- Being a coal miner's son, the song "Dark As A Dungeon" always runs chills up my spine.--- It tells young men to listen to this song, and not to seek their fortune in a dreary coal mine.---- My dad, Clarence Paul Martz, Sr. was an engineer.---- Often referred to the inside of a mine as the "bowels of the earth," ----- I was born in the mining town of Lykens Pennsylvania, and delivered at Harrisburg Pennsylvania.
That's the late, great, John Duffy, he may wear what ever pants he wants. RIP.
Listen at the hermonies when they sing the chours! AMAZING!
Good to see Mr. Charlie Waller on the screen since I haven't seen his Image in a great while. Charlie succumbed to cancer about three years ago.
Best version by far, the harmonies are delicious.
My god Charlie sounds good on this song. And with Duffy as harmony….doesn’t get better than that.
Charlie's voice is SOOOOO amazingly unique!! This is beautiful! Thanks so much for the post - I grew up with them! :))
This is the first time I have ever heard of this group. The moment he sang the first words a chill went up my spine. What an amazing voice. What beautiful music.
My favorite male voices in the whole world are Charlie Waller and John Duffey, followed by Lester Flatt. Two best bands ever, imo, are the Country Gentleman and the Seldom Scene.
I gotta say..the most interesting man in this band is the handsome bass player, Tom Gray. This was a hobby for him. He was a cartographer for National Geographic. Probably better known for being in the Seldom Scene. Now there was an interesting group =)
Night time on 13th of February 2021.. not a sweetness.. to know.. yet the walk may be cold.. heart true Royal like Ben roots style.. Fidelity
Eddie Adcock on the banjer....one of the best!
who is singing ? and on the mandolin ? these guys are awesome !
Charlie Waller is the lead vocalist. On the mandolin is John Duffy, who was a an original member of the Country Gentlemen, then left in 1971 to form the Seldom Scene.
Thanks
Thanks I'm new to these guys, but I love em !
@jimncheryl I think of John's voice as an angel singing. Really miss him here as well.
beautiful & haunting
Duffy's pants! That just goes to show just exactly how much personality that he possessed. Only he could pull that off while standing beside Charlie with a coat and tie. Also, Johnny Cash has a pretty mean rendition of this song, too.
Duffey was a true original...one of a kind!
Mandolin player must have woke up late.
Oh...Those pants..
Acan hardly spake..... stan the hair on a yukon wolf.
Definitely different from J. Cash's.. more smooth... a crooner if you will. if that's your thing. I'm not sure it fits this song. Great vocals and harmony no doubt.
I think grey is the only living one...
Eddie Adcock is still performing at this time
there is no excuse for the mandolin player's pants
No excuse needed, and he had lots of pairs like that!
NO MENTION OF THE K.K.K. RALLY AT THE SAME TIME AND PLACE.
John Duffy blasting away, sure love his voice. I love this band!
First tenor foghorn in the history of the world.
The 2 in the middle, John Duffey on mandolin, & Charlie Waller on guitar, belong to the ages. I saw Eddie Adcock (banjo) & Tom Gray (bass) last fall performing. In tandem with his cheerful, also talented wife, Eddie Adcock was rising above some pretty serious physical challenges & was on oxygen most of the time, but his determination to put on his best performance was more than laudable. Tom Gray, who must be the cleanest living man on the planet, looked like he was about 25 & has remarried since losing his wife, who I saw with him many years ago @ another performance @ the Birchmere with the Seldom Scene when Ben Eldridge was still performing. This is THE BEST performance of Merle Travis' song I have ever heard.
There is a beautiful rendition of Dark As a Dungeon on the Seldom Scene's, 15th Anniversary Celebration, also with Charlie Waller singing lead. There are lots of special guests on that album.
This is as good as it will ever get. Ever
Country music has never seen a better voice than the voice of Charlie Waller.
Absolutely one of the best!
Only voice as good or, better is Larry Sparks
This isn't country music, but you're right tho. Country will never be this good.
@stephen hancock Duffy, Stanley, Monroe, & McReynolds my 4 all time great tenor harmony singers. and that is what makes the great high lonesome..IMO.
That's to total truth, right there.
Charlie Waller had one of the greatest voices of all time: country, rock whatever. He was great and I miss seeing him .
I was there, and it is one of my most treasured memories.
As a huge Duffey fan, I must say Charlie really nailed this one! He did the same with "The Fields Have Turned Brown"--check it out.
my dad and his band opened up for the country gentlemen almost twenty years ago in MI. i was about ten and i not only got to meet the band backstage but dad got them to play matterhorn, my absolute favorite song at the time. one of my best memories ever!
This has to be the best version of this song I've ever heard.. Lovely singer...
This has always been one of my favorite songs by The Country Gentlemen, but this live version is just awesome. The slower pace makes it so much more meaningful. God bless our coal miners.
My goodness, Charlie Waller had such a WONDERFUL voice.... And combined with Duffy's tenor, it is perfection.
It has been thrilling for me to be able to say that I saw all these players in person at one time or another and I certainly miss Charlie and Duffey, their voices really blended.
Sure do miss those two great voices. It's wonderful to be able to see and hear John and Charlie again.
I miss Charlie and John so much.
I met this band 43 years ago at a little bar in georgetown thay were also great than...
In my most humble opinion, only two versions of this song ever did it justice. Grandpa and Romona Jones' version, and this one. So beautiful.
Beautiful vocals and song fabulous permanence thanks for sharing :))
Prettiest version I ever heard.
Yeah Duffey and Waller are two voices I dearly miss in bluegrass. They were one of a kind.
One day after hunting with a friend, my granddad left the loaded Browning 12 gauge leaning against a dresser. My then 5 year old dad saw the gun, picked it up, and walked into the hall near the stairs. BOOM, off went the shotgun tearing out the (original) banister. The man grandfather was hunting with was in a nearby bathroom, and came running out in lightning speed to see what happened, AND forgetting to pull his pants up... my dad would laugh in delight when he recalled that man standing in his “all together”, as dad called it. “What happened to you” I asked? “Well, I was knocked backwards, and I was so scared; it’s a wonder no one got killed. If anyone had been on the stairs they would have been killed”. “My Dad took me to the dungeon and shut me in as punishment. We walked past all the prisoners in their cages, and then through a large heavy door from the basement area and down a long ramp, and then entered another huge heavy door to get there.
It was a windowless very dark, frightening cold damp space. I don’t remember how long he left me in there, I was so scared.”
To this day, my father says hearing that old heavy door clank shut in the damp darkness was the most frightening lonely noise he has ever heard...
And that says a lot since he is a Pearl Harbor survivor witnessing the horrific Japanese attack of Sunday, Dec 7, 1941.
Remember those that forget, you don't have to.sit in the brick and motor, to see your walk as Christian, look at the TV you'll see the honky tonk players.. from Disney Erwin style like Danville Virginia, to tv style Christianity. Money look good. YET SIMPLICITY FORGOTTEN.. even leaders turning to paganism. .. yet Jesus sent Holy Ghost to protect his own Galatians5. EPHESIANS 4, 1 PETER 5.
Mine, too. I have a CD called Classic County Gentlemen Reunion. it's really great.
Love Waller & Duffy.
I love this song... Done this way
Love Charlie Waller's lead vocal. I know this song from the Weavers' 1980 concert version, so now I'm checking out the other versions here, and so far this is my next favorite.
haha i think its really funny how everyone else is wearing a suit but john duffie has some rediculous outfit on him. the more videos i watch of him on youtube the more upset i am that i never got a chance to see him perform
Really good stuff, we should have more of the original Country Gentlemen Videos
God Damn that's some really gorgeous banjo work, really makes the song...
I really enjoy this song. Charlie and Joyhn Duffy sing some great harmony. The banjo and mandolin playing is also very good.
These guys can make any song beautiful, so pretty, they had one of the best shows that I ever attended, ( personal appearance). Love that show.
Never heard better singing than Charlie Waller with John Duffy. What a team.
I was lucky enough to see em back in 2001 at the Barbican in London.What a day that was J.D.Crowe and The New South also The Nashville Bluegrass Band, all in the one show!
this is a great band and possibly the best singer with charlie Waller. They are among my inspirations as a banjo player and bluegrass fan. R.I.P Charlie Waller and John Duffy.
Charlie died of a heart attack, not cancer.
Yes, although he had liver cancer when he passed.
i am glad to see the great comments; i wanted to hear some of my grandfather's music- it just puts me in a good mood- even when a song has some pretty heinous/depressing lyrics he always made those words sound so sweet....! charlie is my grandfather; i am randy's oldest daughter- my dad plays a mean guitar- or bass, fiddle, piano, drums, etc - he knows his way around some music, too be sure! n charlie n the various country gents had such awesome fans- it's a real blessing to have all the old footage and so i wanna say thanks to anyone who ever documented my grandfather while he was alive and shared that gift with us all- it's so special to see the decades of bluegrass festivals and whatnot... good times..... thanks again y'all!
you should be very proud,young lady! Charlie had the best bluegrass voice ever!!!! And a very underrated guitar second!
thanks! I am definitely proud of my Charlie n my dad- it was so amazing to see Charlie could still tear it up n lay it down even despite the stroke n health problems later on; he was still touring n you are totally right about his righteous guitar picking being underrated! it's such a gift to have all these live performances at my fingertips; thanks again to all the county gentleman fans for documenting so many great concerts!!
Don't get any better than this... Is this video available for purchase???
AMong other top performances was their version of Fox on the run
Nice pair of pants mr. Duffy :)
When I walk past, as you see into my eyes. My lord have mercy it is no disquise.. , as I call upon thee, He has walked all along with thee ,Jesus know that im free, not apart of thee. LET THE DEMONS GO AWAY. . AS sent away by the Holy Ghost no more to stray yet still I'm true after childhood to which I was raised. Train up a child in the way. As I walk through, know today, that Jesus Christ is the way. Know and this my heart true. I love all of you..today.. The same yesterday today. And forever...
I just love the pants John Duffy sad both gone Bluegrass music sings of the Death
Great version.
Seldom seen there's a reason why their name is seldom seen Charlie Waller is the same lead singer the band is doctors and lawyers
Charlie was never a member of the Scene.
Johnny Cash is the man behind that song But I have to still give you guys a Big ten on that song !!!!!!
This song was written by Merle Travis. Cash recorded it many years after the Gents.
This is great song !!! You guys sing it so good !!!
Charlie Waller's voice was a gift.
Is that Eddie Adcock on banjo?
Duffey's loud clothing was part of his persona...
charlie waller is bluegrass music
amazing we can still access this
Besides a praise song-could there be a more perfect song? This should speak to many people who slave away while thiers lives are passing them by. There's work but then there is greed.........
greatest song ever written! Honestly, this song must have been inspired by G-d himself.
Anyone recommend a particular fast version of this? Faster than the original?
please keep this video.
DARK AS A DUNGEON ------- Being a coal miner's son, the song "Dark As A Dungeon" always runs chills up my spine.--- It tells young men to listen to this song, and not to seek their fortune in a dreary coal mine My dad, Clarence Paul Martz, Sr. was an engineer.---- Often referred to the inside of a mine as the "bowels of the earth," ----- I was born in the mining town of Lykens Pennsylvania, and delivered at Harrisburg Pennsylvania.
RIP Ben Eldridge.
My father was a coal miner in Drift, Kentucky. I always vowed to never work in the mines. It takes a special breed of people to go deep into the bowels of the earth to mine the deep coal seams.
Thank you so much for sharing this video. I saw them in Lavonia, Ga years ago and he stirred my soul there too, as he is so gifted to do even on film. Amazing.
thanks
a legendary composition from a legend himself
Best ever.
This one of the first 2 songs I heard by the Gents..the other was Paradise.
i believe his pants are battery operated.
My god is this beautiful.
Twill ner be bettered.... never sur never.
One of my most favored Charlie Waller songs. Thanks
WINDOWS MEDIA PLAYER
I miss you so much Charlie! R.I.P.
Nice mandolin pants...
great voice..miss his music!
@whozis2 Yes'r it does.
without equal
Beautiful
DAMN STRAIGHT
Please keep this video i use it on my space.
DARK AS A DUNGEON ------- Being a coal miner's son, the song "Dark As A Dungeon" always runs chills up my spine.--- It tells young men to listen to this song, and not to seek their fortune in a dreary coal mine.---- My dad, Clarence Paul Martz, Sr. was an engineer.---- Often referred to the inside of a mine as the "bowels of the earth," ----- I was born in the mining town of Lykens Pennsylvania, and delivered at Harrisburg Pennsylvania.
Un timbre de voix unique!