When we were in college at American University, we saw The Seldom Scene and Emmylou Harris a few times at the Red Fox inn and The Cellar Door. We were there at the taping of their Cellar Door album...what a night! I wish they'd release every tune they played. One time at a Cellar Door Seldom Scene show..it was a tiny place.. the beautiful lady sitting at the table on the floor next to me got up and sang a few tunes with the band on stage a few feet away from us. We melted into our seats. It was Emmylou Harris. Lucky us.
The main singer's voice is absolutely bone chilling. His voice draws in the listener and makes the song into a story. He makes the song/lyrics painful and real. This is an amazing talent, for sure! What an amazing singer!
You're description is exactly spot on ... put in words I would not have come up with, but entirely accurate! You can listen to a thousand similar bluegrass singers and never find something to match his authenticity and gravity. Great soul, great singer, well said, my friend.
Missing you John Duffey.I can without doubt think that your singing with an " ANGEL BAND, WITH MIKE AND JOHN STARLING AND BILL Monroe singing tenor along with you, like the first time I heard you sing the song that nearly brought the house down back on July 4th 1957 when you did one of Monroe's song " A voice from on high " That was your first gig along with Charlie Waller, Bill Emerson on the five string, and a base player I don't recall. But that night at the Cross Roads Bar & Grill in northern Virginia that you filled in for Buzz Buzby and his bayou boy's that had car problems making it to their gig is not known by so many of the urban Bluegrass fans that followed you and Charlie for decades, as I recall you mentioning to me later on when you Charlie, Eddie, and my friend Tom Gray at the Shamrock bar & Grill in Georgetown on M Street, by saying you know that first night at the cross roads gig, I don't think we even had decided on a name of our band to be, until a lady asked if we were from the mountain country near by, and I told the lady that we weren't really from the mountains, that we were just gentlemen that played this music together, so I guess you could just call us " Country Gentlemen" and it just stuck by that name. A decade or so later as I recall after really making a name for their selves in Georgetown, Bethesda and various local pubs having the following of the college's in D.C. John and Charlie broke away with Charlie continuing as the head of the country Gentlemen, and Duffey opening a shop where he repaired instruments, as well as building some. It wasn't until about 1971 or so that while at their monday night get together in Ben Eldridge basement, Ben is the 5 string banjo player, when the subject of them playing together at a venue, that Charlie Waller said you guys playing in the basement will be known as the band that's Seldom Seen; and after they did their first gig together the name somehow had the cohesion to take on just that name, of the " Seldom Scene " that to this day remains, but without Duffey, Mike, John Sterling, whom have tragically decesed, starting with Duffey in 96 of a heart attack, followed by Mike Auldridge, and John Starlings death in 2017 or 18 as I recall. All an all the urban Bluegrass band known and remembered as the SELDOM SCENE will never be forgotten by anyone that truly loved the humor and unequaled talent of the greatest urban Bluegrass band that I could ever hope to listen to the unequaled vocals that could nearly put their audience in a momentary trance as they listened to the perfect harmony in vocals and instrumental perfection. I can only imagine that Duffey, mike and John have already began, what I would have to think, another " ANGELS BAND " Folks, they were that talented. GOD'S SPEED guy's. The way I remember the Scene. Allan Ritch Sr.
Every time I see a video or hear them I am put to missing the late John Duffy. He was so much the heart of the groups he played with, and of course, always in style
@@sammccormick3796 Privilegffeyed indeed!!!! I was stationed in the DC area for several years and saw them at Birchmere as well. Was very fortunate to be at the Cellar Door for that recording, what a great experience!!John Duffey was a SHOWMAN for sure, never knew what to expect from him. RIP Mr Duffy, you are truly missed
@@samallen828 “Live at the Cellar Door” was the CD that introduced me to Bluegrass. It is super-cool that you were there for that. What a fantastic recording! I’ve been hooked ever since.
He held me as a baby as swore to my nanna and poppop that id be a hell of a mandolin player and after years or metal guitar I feel I've become technical and music loving enough to finally pick up the instrument to be musically good enough to learn. God I can't wait to get a mandolin in my hands. We'llnever have another like him
Fell in love w/ this song from their Live at the Cellar Door album and saw them do it at two or three of the Birchmeres. Johns vocals are not of this world.
True to his music and kind always to his audience. I had just sunk all into a Marantz recorder that day. We went with friend to a venue ... this was ... 1982 ... early lovely Spring in Bedford. Some where on the Ct line; prob illegal for Joy.
Loved his vocals. At the core of their classic sound with mikes dobro and starlings vocals. ( his mandolin playing though? Well, it was part of the sound!!)
I love these videos from this show but YT is just going to take it off like they did when this other guy had on here. Also, If you find the vid's of TSS and that guy who sings Sunshine go away today put them back on they were good too.
I beg pardon to every John Duffy fan for what I'm writing, but I think that John has not the right voice to sing this Gram Parson's MASTERPIECE. Try to imagine it sung by the other seldom Scene lead vocalist John Starling...
This Is One Of The Best Bands Who Ever Played Bluegrass!!!!
Absolutely Correct the band has changed since this but they still are awesome
That was John Duffy's ethereal voice before he passed away in 1996.
When we were in college at American University, we saw The Seldom Scene and Emmylou Harris a few times at the Red Fox inn and The Cellar Door. We were there at the taping of their Cellar Door album...what a night! I wish they'd release every tune they played. One time at a Cellar Door Seldom Scene show..it was a tiny place.. the beautiful lady sitting at the table on the floor next to me got up and sang a few tunes with the band on stage a few feet away from us. We melted into our seats. It was Emmylou Harris. Lucky us.
Just gorgeous!
John Duffy has the best bluegrass voice
John Duffey at his finest
They're in a whole different league than the other greats of Bluegrass. John and those harmonies touch us in a stronger way.
100% - Such a good band.
The main singer's voice is absolutely bone chilling. His voice draws in the listener and makes the song into a story. He makes the song/lyrics painful and real. This is an amazing talent, for sure! What an amazing singer!
You're description is exactly spot on ... put in words I would not have come up with, but entirely accurate! You can listen to a thousand similar bluegrass singers and never find something to match his authenticity and gravity. Great soul, great singer, well said, my friend.
Definitely agree with you
I agree with you
Yes...the late great John Duffy. Listen to the harmonizing in the song Open up the window Noah
I knew John well. His dad was professionally in the chorus of the Met Opera and taught him a lot about singing.
Yes, him and Starling went together so well.... and today, they're back together again. R.I.P. Mr. Starling .
Takes me back to my childhood when we climbed oak trees and rode the wind on a limb
This band is who got me deep into bluegrass. I revered John Duffey, and remember where I was when I heard that he had died.
Gramm Parsons would be proud.
Let's do a count. Best mandolin, dobro, banjo, EVER! John's exquisite voice! Wow!
it's 2024. Only Ben and T.Michael remain.. A band like this wont be seen for a long time again..if ever..
If you are speaking of Ben Eldridge, he just passed on April 14, 2024. Sorry RIP Ben !!
Ben Eldridge passed 4/14/2024
Missing you John Duffey.I can without doubt think that your singing with an " ANGEL BAND, WITH MIKE AND JOHN STARLING AND BILL Monroe singing tenor along with you, like the first time I heard you sing the song that nearly brought the house down back on July 4th 1957 when you did one of Monroe's song " A voice from on high " That was your first gig along with Charlie Waller, Bill Emerson on the five string, and a base player I don't recall. But that night at the Cross Roads Bar & Grill in northern Virginia that you filled in for Buzz Buzby and his bayou boy's that had car problems making it to their gig is not known by so many of the urban Bluegrass fans that followed you and Charlie for decades, as I recall you mentioning to me later on when you Charlie, Eddie, and my friend Tom Gray at the Shamrock bar & Grill in Georgetown on M Street, by saying you know that first night at the cross roads gig, I don't think we even had decided on a name of our band to be, until a lady asked if we were from the mountain country near by, and I told the lady that we weren't really from the mountains, that we were just gentlemen that played this music together, so I guess you could just call us " Country Gentlemen" and it just stuck by that name. A decade or so later as I recall after really making a name for their selves in Georgetown, Bethesda and various local pubs having the following of the college's in D.C. John and Charlie broke away with Charlie continuing as the head of the country Gentlemen, and Duffey opening a shop where he repaired instruments, as well as building some. It wasn't until about 1971 or so that while at their monday night get together in Ben Eldridge basement, Ben is the 5 string banjo player, when the subject of them playing together at a venue, that Charlie Waller said you guys playing in the basement will be known as the band that's Seldom Seen; and after they did their first gig together the name somehow had the cohesion to take on just that name, of the " Seldom Scene " that to this day remains, but without Duffey, Mike, John Sterling, whom have tragically decesed, starting with Duffey in 96 of a heart attack, followed by Mike Auldridge, and John Starlings death in 2017 or 18 as I recall. All an all the urban Bluegrass band known and remembered as the SELDOM SCENE will never be forgotten by anyone that truly loved the humor and unequaled talent of the greatest urban Bluegrass band that I could ever hope to listen to the unequaled vocals that could nearly put their audience in a momentary trance as they listened to the perfect harmony in vocals and instrumental perfection. I can only imagine that Duffey, mike and John have already began, what I would have to think, another " ANGELS BAND " Folks, they were that talented. GOD'S SPEED guy's. The way I remember the Scene. Allan Ritch Sr.
Many a night at the Birchmere and the Red Fox in Bethesda where Emmy Lou got her start. Great memories.
Every time I see a video or hear them I am put to missing the late John Duffy. He was so much the heart of the groups he played with, and of course, always in style
You said it so well, Stephen. My wife and I were privileged to see them many times at the old Birchmere while John was still alive and performing.
@@sammccormick3796 Privilegffeyed indeed!!!! I was stationed in the DC area for several years and saw them at Birchmere as well. Was very fortunate to be at the Cellar Door for that recording, what a great experience!!John Duffey was a SHOWMAN for sure, never knew what to expect from him. RIP Mr Duffy, you are truly missed
Has to be the greatest high tenor of all time!
@@samallen828 “Live at the Cellar Door” was the CD that introduced me to Bluegrass. It is super-cool that you were there for that. What a fantastic recording! I’ve been hooked ever since.
He held me as a baby as swore to my nanna and poppop that id be a hell of a mandolin player and after years or metal guitar I feel I've become technical and music loving enough to finally pick up the instrument to be musically good enough to learn. God I can't wait to get a mandolin in my hands. We'llnever have another like him
This group is so great, their harmonies, voices blend, wow!
I was lucky enough to meet the scene in Blackburn 1995. Spoke to all of them and thanked John Duffey for bringing his band over. Never forget that.
I Think every hair on my body stood up in respect for the best performers i have been allowed to hear God Bless From Nova Scotia Canada
John Duffy, WOW! The best version I've ever heard of this song.
Duffy was so great! Sure miss Mike Auldridge too, my favourite dobro player... so tasteful. Guess I’ll dig out all my old Scene albums .....❤️
john is one of only a few with an unmatchable voice
I agree with you, his voice sounds like a rusty nail across a blackboard.. unmatchable for sure!
This was then and still today a class bluegrass group. Miss johns tenor and mikes dobro .
Is that T. Michael back there? Nice
My favorite band. Love John Duffy voice.
Love this version of Graham Parsons's song!
Can’t get enough of this song. I’ve listened to it 5 or 6 times back to back
Oh boy we live in Ireland and my daughter was in Joshua Tree in the snow around Christmas Day.Gram would love this song and the snow I bet.
I love John Duffey
Nice, i bet Gram would have liked it.
Fell in love w/ this song from their Live at the Cellar Door album and saw them do it at two or three of the Birchmeres. Johns vocals are not of this world.
Miss these guys.
GORGEOUS! SO GORGEOUS!
Duffy and starling beautiful!!
RIP John Starling
Absolutely beautiful and very beautifully done!!💕👏👍👍✝️✝️🌹🌹❤️🛐🛐💓💗🔯🔯🕎🕎🇺🇸🎆🇱🇷
The Best of The Best !!!
Now, if you would say that to Duffey, if he were with us now, guess what he'd say ?, "Of Course"
I love his voice
Larry The Legend on Dobro
Only appreciated them later due to access to them, Duffy was great
Absolutely love this song love always seldom sing
Absolutely Beautiful singer
Absolutely awesome 😎
saw the Seldom scene many times at Red Fox
True to his music and kind always to his audience.
I had just sunk all into a Marantz recorder that day. We went with friend to a venue ... this was ... 1982 ... early lovely Spring in Bedford. Some where on the Ct line; prob illegal for Joy.
John Duffy had the BEST voice ever!
Only god himself could put a group like this together. just think about.
So well said. This just before Starling left. Phil filled in well.
Actually, it's when Starling returned for the "Like We Used To Be" album around 1993 or so.
swampassoutfitters
Amend, that comment says it all.
That would be about right Jake, as I think about it, as John Sterling' vocals was the only and final elements to greatness.
John was from Arlington va
He was actually from Bethesda & lived in Arlington.
John Duffy (were you there when they crucified Lord? ) The best vocals and mandolin playing ever.
Loved his vocals. At the core of their classic sound with mikes dobro and starlings vocals. ( his mandolin playing though? Well, it was part of the sound!!)
I never like his singing style much.
@@txmacartist Please Seek Help...
WOW!!
That is right purty!
Jesus memories 😢
Good stuff ;-)
Great cover. Very sweet.
Yes sir!!
Yep
Very nice.... It seems like it might be earlier than the mid 90's though....
When John Starling rejoin the group it was in 1994
Total pros.
this is for Peter T
I thought Grievous Angel was Gram Parsons' signature song...
UNEQUALED!
big time
Hi John
MANY OF THE BEAUTIFUL VOICES IN MUSIC ARE GONE NOW, SO THEY ALL GOT REPLACED WITH RAP CRAP!
I love these videos from this show but YT is just going to take it off like they did when this other guy had on here. Also, If you find the vid's of TSS and that guy who sings Sunshine go away today put them back on they were good too.
Sorry, I don't have a vid of Sunshine Go Away.
Thank you.
I beg pardon to every John Duffy fan for what I'm writing, but I think that John has not the right voice to sing this Gram Parson's MASTERPIECE. Try to imagine it sung by the other seldom Scene lead vocalist John Starling...
John Starling wasn't in the band when they worked this up & recorded it.