I was 11 years old when i first heard this orange blossom special. Today Im almost 40 and i feel the same happiness to hear this song again with such very talented musicians. Greeting from Mexico...
this music is true America , i feel so much pride in my country , that we can make music like this,, so deeply heartfelt and genuine,, and real.. thanks for putting it up here,, a great classic,, thanks
Even with your eyes closed, you can always recognize Vassar's playing amongst all the other players. Truly one of the greatest to ever pick up a fiddle.
My Uncle Gilbert played the fiddle and he could play this with his eyes closed. My Uncle Jack played the banjo and the dobro, and my mama played the guitar and the banjo, argue with that! I love my family!
Unreal...double shuffle to a cosmic level lol lol...I mean Alison Krauss is just one of these fiddlers..omg...how incredible this must have been to be there live....wow!!!
meet him at the belle starr in 81,picked him up at dever airport with reco for show in steamboat springs co. 85 seen him again in mayville ny in2002 i think.he still remember me.just a poor hippy boy.what an gentelman.miss ya
I'm 66 yares old and that's the best differential I ever red between a fiddle and a violin. And I got to write this while listening to this great rendition.
My good friend Jeff West who now lives in Tenn played with Vassar, he acted like he just wanted to play with friends at a local jam session. Very good people, those bluegrasser's.
Vassar got that white soul thing going on. Saw him once at a club in the '80's, doing this kinda cheesy fusion thing. As a change-up, Vassar did "Listen to the Mockingbird" complete with bird calls & we all went nuts. Thanks for preserving this.
“O.B.S.” (Fiddle Players' National Anthem) CMT managing editor Calvin Gilbert shared with readers a favorite quote about Vassar Clements - from MARTY STUART one of the featured commentators on “PBS Ken Burns Country Music.” Marty was speaking at the time of Vassar Clements' death, age 77, of lung cancer (2005) and recalled the first time he heard Clements playing on a recording: “It was the most lonesome, scary sound coming out of a fiddle I’d ever heard. I played the mandolin, and once I heard this music, I ditched everything I ever knew and went back and tried to play mandolin like Vassar played fiddle. Years later, I played the Opry, and I saw this man playing fiddle. He stood straight, with his eyes closed and he was playing the prettiest music you could ever imagine. It froze me on the spot. This man is probably my favorite fiddle player on earth.” So what's the fuss about the late Vassar Clements? If you can spare five-and-one-half-minutes, this video featuring an 'orchestra' of some of the world's greatest fiddlers, will tell you all you need to know about “The Isaac Stern of Fiddlers” (as he was dubbed by a classical music critic). From an April night at the Opry in 2003. Almost every living fiddle great on stage with him - with subtitles introducing each by name - including a young Alison Krauss - as well as a fiddler I'd just been wondering about this week -- featured in the PBS Country Music (2019) video - Stuart Duncan - in the all-star band accompanying Hank's grand daughter Holly on “I'M SO LONESOME I COULD CRY.” At the 2:55 mark (after Ricky Scaggs' "Kentucky Thunder" fiddler Andy Leftwich) comes Mr. Duncan (not then associated with any band - just another great 'Nashville Cat' sessions musician). Each fiddler takes barely 15 seconds or less to contribute some signature licks of their own. Be advised: As this progresses you may experience waves of goosebumps. Thanks for sharing, "brewhead."
Vasser Clements, one of the Best if not THE Best .Micheal Cleveland is a close second. And Del McCoury is another of my favorites, no to mention all the rest in this video.
3 years ago I had the rare opportunity to play bass while Vassar and a couple of close friends played this song.......A 6min rendition I will never forget. I miss him dearly.
I mean... he's up there playing with all of those young, well-practiced fiddle mo sters and he's in a stratosphere all of his own. The rules and conventions are there to be dismissed at any second, and he's never out of place. Sweetness.
If you want to hear proper, 'hot' fiddle playing then check out the CZcams clip of 'The Country Sisters' doing 'Orange Blossom' and marvel at their fiddle player, Linda, doing this tune some justice. She is just amazing.
Vasser Clements was one of the finest fiddlers and one of the finest people i ever had the chance to meet. He let me hold his fiddle and told me to "just keep playin". I understand this video is on vassers 75 th birthday! So before you start talkin smack and comparing fiddlers, LETS hear YOU play!! Jerusalem Ridge is not difficult. And if you want to hear a fantastic version listen to Mark O'connor and Kenny Baker playing a Twin fiddle version of jerusalem ridge on Mark O'connors "HEROS"CD.
Fiddling Dick (aka Richard Alfred Paquette) was the best fiddle player to ever live. He can play Orange Blossom special better than all these other players combined...
@nailswood exactly. I've tried playing this with a couple of friends, and it just about makes my arm just be like "alright. I quit. have fun without me". but what a great song!!!
No matter what type of music is your favorite, your can't help but appreciate the massive amount of talent on this stage. WOW, we miss you Vassar
I count myself fortunate that I got to hear Vassar live in a small club about 25 years ago.
Imagine being 80 years old, taught everyone on the stage to play, and still are the best.
I was 11 years old when i first heard this orange blossom special. Today Im almost 40 and i feel the same happiness to hear this song again with such very talented musicians. Greeting from Mexico...
this music is true America , i feel so much pride in my country , that we can make music like this,, so deeply heartfelt and genuine,, and real.. thanks for putting it up here,, a great classic,, thanks
I'm a mostly classical violinist - but I sure do like this country fiddlin'!!!
Raphael Klayman
Me too!
Awesome, great American classic
Vassar made sound no one else ever has. Wonderful bunch there playing and honoring one of the very best of the best. May he rest in peace.
Even with your eyes closed, you can always recognize Vassar's playing amongst all the other players. Truly one of the greatest to ever pick up a fiddle.
Brilliant! Remember listening to this tune before I had hairs on my chest.
From a UK steam railway fan
I learned to play this when Vassar himself taught me - and it's been my big show stopper ever since - just wish I could've been part of this evening.
Fantastic! Awesome! The fiddle is the 8th wonder of the world!
My Uncle Gilbert played the fiddle and he could play this with his eyes closed. My Uncle Jack played the banjo and the dobro, and my mama played the guitar and the banjo, argue with that! I love my family!
I had the pleasure of meeting him many years ago at a jam session. I hid my fiddle under my chair, and he and Doc Watson blew me away.
Born and raised in the north but I love this music
Unreal...double shuffle to a cosmic level lol lol...I mean Alison Krauss is just one of these fiddlers..omg...how incredible this must have been to be there live....wow!!!
meet him at the belle starr in 81,picked him up at dever airport with reco for show in steamboat springs co. 85 seen him again in mayville ny in2002 i think.he still remember me.just a poor hippy boy.what an gentelman.miss ya
lookin at his face is awesome. the way he is thinking it out as he plays. he's feeling it, listening and in the moment..
My papas favorite ..orange blossom special
The BEST, Bless Vassar Clements RIP dear sir!
So awesome it brings tears to my eyes.
+Dave McKenzie Glad to know I wasn't the only one LOL
me too
this is just lovely, rediculous fiddling mayhem!!! I love it!
Oh to have been there to see it live.....le sigh....
Miss ole Vassar. Love his style. (Thanks).
I wish I could give them TWO thumbs up!
this was my dad's favorite songs RIP daddy
I'm 66 yares old and that's the best differential I ever red between a fiddle and a violin. And I got to write this while listening to this great rendition.
My good friend Jeff West who now lives in Tenn played with Vassar, he acted like he just wanted to play with friends at a local jam session. Very good people, those bluegrasser's.
Vassar got that white soul thing going on. Saw him once at a club in the '80's, doing this kinda cheesy fusion thing. As a change-up, Vassar did "Listen to the Mockingbird" complete with bird calls & we all went nuts. Thanks for preserving this.
A little more than two years before he died, I guess he did not slow down much. What a master.
Now this people is how a fiddle is suppose to be played, watch and learn from the Master himself, perfection at it's finest :-)
“O.B.S.” (Fiddle Players' National Anthem)
CMT managing editor Calvin Gilbert shared with readers a favorite quote about Vassar Clements - from MARTY STUART one of the featured commentators on “PBS Ken Burns Country Music.” Marty was speaking at the time of Vassar Clements' death, age 77, of lung cancer (2005) and recalled the first time he heard Clements playing on a recording:
“It was the most lonesome, scary sound coming out of a fiddle I’d ever heard. I played the mandolin, and once I heard this music, I ditched everything I ever knew and went back and tried to play mandolin like Vassar played fiddle. Years later, I played the Opry, and I saw this man playing fiddle. He stood straight, with his eyes closed and he was playing the prettiest music you could ever imagine. It froze me on the spot. This man is probably my favorite fiddle player on earth.”
So what's the fuss about the late Vassar Clements? If you can spare five-and-one-half-minutes, this video featuring an 'orchestra' of some of the world's greatest fiddlers, will tell you all you need to know about “The Isaac Stern of Fiddlers” (as he was dubbed by a classical music critic).
From an April night at the Opry in 2003. Almost every living fiddle great on stage with him - with subtitles introducing each by name - including a young Alison Krauss - as well as a fiddler I'd just been wondering about this week -- featured in the PBS Country Music (2019) video - Stuart Duncan - in the all-star band accompanying Hank's grand daughter Holly on “I'M SO LONESOME I COULD CRY.” At the 2:55 mark (after Ricky Scaggs' "Kentucky Thunder" fiddler Andy Leftwich) comes Mr. Duncan (not then associated with any band - just another great 'Nashville Cat' sessions musician). Each fiddler takes barely 15 seconds or less to contribute some signature licks of their own. Be advised: As this progresses you may experience waves of goosebumps.
Thanks for sharing, "brewhead."
Vassar, you can count on him to lead the pack in the fiddle department. I learned from him first, everyone else after that.
Vasser Clements, one of the Best if not THE Best .Micheal Cleveland is a close second. And Del McCoury is another of my favorites, no to mention all the rest in this video.
3 years ago I had the rare opportunity to play bass while Vassar and a couple of close friends played this song.......A 6min rendition I will never forget. I miss him dearly.
Wow! What a collection of talented fiddlers! And a great classic too!
Even the Irish fiddlers love playing "The Orange Blossom Special!"
a truly american heritage of very beautiful music,i-moving my feet along with my heart
A SPECIAL fiddler!!!!! The others guys are SPECIAL too!
So SWEET to the ears.
Who in the hell doesn't like this?
Vasser Clements, one of the Best if not THE Best .Micheal Cleveland is a close second.
Always awesome to hear a fellow fiddler player, Fiddles for life!!!!
Logan Barlow It is my opinion that fiddles only reign destruction. Ive never seen a fiddle player not destroy.
I was just talking to my Dad on the phone and he mentioned his favorite song. Of course I had to come listen. :) What a great song.
This just brings tears to my eyes. Such a wonderful musical moment.
This is one of the most amazing pieces of music I've ever heard... it's like walking among the gods...
I love the way you talk!
Good ole Vassar Clements.
i've only just discovered vasser,what a musician.cant stop playing this.thaanks vasser.frank from england
Wow, Great song! My favorite! I love how they all play it at the same time as they go into part B. !
Vassar Clements I first discovered in Old and in the Way album on Rounder Records label. with Jerry Garcia, David Grissmam, Peter Rowan.
thanks,
fabulous vidéo
many thanks
That's some sure fire fiddlin'! One better than the other.
FABULOUS FIDDLES!!!
My Dad's favorite song...thanks.
most excellent Captain!
this vidio is a national treasure
Wooooooooooo Hooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!! That was GREAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Chill right up and down my spine.
Magic.
Love the video. My stepdad found one person who could keep up with his fiddling this. The guy played in a rock band.
This fabulous video makes me weep.... How fantastic can it get????? We miss you, Vasser!!!!
Great Sound/Song ! Magical violins !
RIP VAssar ! died in 2005...
The greatest!!!
Remarkable song, nailed to perfection.
IF EVER WAS A MEANING TO THE TERM "FIDDLING AROUND", THEN I GUESS THIS WOULD BE IT! FINE JOB ON ALL PARTS!
I mean... he's up there playing with all of those young, well-practiced fiddle mo sters and he's in a stratosphere all of his own. The rules and conventions are there to be dismissed at any second, and he's never out of place.
Sweetness.
OMGoddess...words are not capable of describing how amazing that was...Thank you so much for posting this!!!!
Great Music❤
great job luv it
ahieeeeee!!!!! Help me....I just heard heaven aloud!!! Oh that Vassar. Woweee
Dang that's the real stuff. Dancing with tears in my eyes... Thank you.
i love this sound/song ! Magical violins !!!
That poor bass player! Hang in there, man!
Wow....what a convergence of such awesome talent. This really is what it's all about!
Great music!!!!!
Wonderful!
vassar. oh my. what a legend. this is amazing.
im the only 16 year old that loves this it seems like.
One of my grandaddy's favorites. RIP
That was awesome! So many great fiddlers up there.
Great version. Always someting new to learn.
YAY - lots of fiddles! Thanks - this is just a great performance.
Awesome 5 stars
These guys are GREAT!
there IS SOME AWESOME FIDDLING TALENT ON THIS STAGE. THANK YOU FOR POSTING GREAT VIDEO.
Rhonda is the best fiddle player out there. If you've never heard her in person, you should
Shame they confused Rhonda and Allison Krauss in the on screen graphic
AAHHHHHH banjo and fiddle !!!!!!!!!!!
my grandmas favorite song
An American classic!
Fabulous...
Thanks for posting
absolutely amazing that would have been a great show.
If you want to hear proper, 'hot' fiddle playing then check out the CZcams clip of 'The Country Sisters' doing 'Orange Blossom' and marvel at their fiddle player, Linda, doing this tune some justice. She is just amazing.
just wonderful ... congratulations ... greetings from mexico
Vassar is the master!
Thank you for knowing who really wrote this song!
I love the way tyhe girl on the fiddle jumps up and down as she plays!
WOW!!! Awesome!
It's 'proper' enough for me. All fiddle players do their own thing with this number.
this is officially the best piece ever, :O
Vasser Clements was one of the finest fiddlers and one of the finest people i ever had the chance to meet. He let me hold his fiddle and told me to "just keep playin". I understand this video is on vassers 75 th birthday! So before you start talkin smack and comparing fiddlers, LETS hear YOU play!!
Jerusalem Ridge is not difficult. And if you want to hear a fantastic version listen to Mark O'connor and Kenny Baker playing a Twin fiddle version of jerusalem ridge on Mark O'connors "HEROS"CD.
Fiddling Dick (aka Richard Alfred Paquette) was the best fiddle player to ever live. He can play Orange Blossom special better than all these other players combined...
+William P Did he make any recordings? I would like to hear him.
vassar?
This is amazing.
vassar,bobbby hicks,glen duncan are my favorite. when you heard vassar you knew it was him!!
awesome.
the most awesome strings players alive today!
Hell yeah!
Desde Spain me emociono viendo this video. Thanks
@nailswood exactly. I've tried playing this with a couple of friends, and it just about makes my arm just be like "alright. I quit. have fun without me". but what a great song!!!