VIDEO: Artis The Spoonman - The legendary busker behind the Soundgarden song

When it comes to Seattle busking legend, Artis the Spoonman, Pete Seeger said he was "the best spoonplayer in the universe."  After watching the video below, we agree.

Artis the Spoonman has been playing spoons as an art form since 1972, many years before Soundgarden had their 1994 hit about him.  He's collaborated with Frank Zappa, David Sandborn along with many others, too. 

Today, you'll probably find him performing on the streets at Pike Place in Seattle, busking alongside fellow musicians.

After watching the video below, check out ArtisTheSpoonman.net for more spoon goodness.  Note: Artis is performing with Reggie Miles in this video.  Reggie is playing a homemade dobro he built himself.  Some internal parts include a wooden baseball bat.

Views: 1638

Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Awesome ! I remember my parents, who grew up during the Depression trying to explain "Playing the Spoons" when I was a kid. For years ,I believed it must only been an English thing but it may have originated in Ireland as "Playing the Bones" ... Which I have always associated with Minstrelsy .

Anyway , great video and if you like this, check out Don Flemons of the Carolina Chocolate Drops. He plays bones & is also an awesome banjo player :-)

See also Abby the Spoon Lady.

Pretty awesome stuff! Abby

As a kid i related spoons playing to appalachian music heritage. But its background is more complex than that i now know.

RSS

The Essential Pages

New to Cigar Box Nation? How to Play Cigar Box GuitarsFree Plans & How to Build Cigar Box GuitarsCigar Box Guitar Building Basics

Site Sponsor

Recommended Links & Resources


Forum

Busking Songs...

Started by Nomad Jack in Performances, How to Play, Lessons, Concerts. Last reply by J. D. Woods on Wednesday. 7 Replies

crossover guitar.

Started by Timothy Hunter in Other stuff - off topic, fun stuff, whatever. Last reply by Timothy Hunter Apr 10. 14 Replies

Tune up songs

Started by Ghostbuttons in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Timothy Hunter Mar 9. 5 Replies

Duel output jacks

Started by Justin Stanchfield in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Taffy Evans Mar 8. 6 Replies

How to Get Your Own Music on Spotify

Started by Cigar Box Nation in Feature Articles. Last reply by Southern Ray Feb 21. 2 Replies

Latest Activity

Southern Ray replied to J. D. Woods's discussion Are metal frets necessary?
" Any other questions, just ask. "
20 minutes ago
Southern Ray replied to J. D. Woods's discussion Are metal frets necessary?
" Hello JD, welcome. I'm a fifty year failed six-string player that got into building and…"
21 minutes ago
BrianQ. replied to J. D. Woods's discussion Are metal frets necessary?
3 hours ago
Doug Thorsvik commented on Crazed Fandango's photo
Thumbnail

Frethound 4 String

"Burn baby burn! Top looks hot Crazed; sporty headstock too. Excellent build."
4 hours ago
Doug Thorsvik commented on Ghostbuttons's photo
Thumbnail

Four projects

"You are a busy guy Warren! Outstanding builds and each one unique; well done."
4 hours ago
AGP # commented on Crazed Fandango's photo
Thumbnail

Frethound 4 String

""Sweeeeeeeeet", love the burning on the Body, have a Build on the Bench at the moment,…"
5 hours ago
AGP # liked Crazed Fandango's photo
5 hours ago
J. D. Woods replied to J. D. Woods's discussion Are metal frets necessary?
6 hours ago
Glenn Kaiser commented on Glenn Kaiser's video
Thumbnail

GK less Paul Diddley Bow

"Often quite true Uncle John :) -Glenn"
8 hours ago
Gary O'slide posted videos
9 hours ago
Uncle John commented on Glenn Kaiser's video
Thumbnail

GK less Paul Diddley Bow

"Ha, Ha.  Less is more."
9 hours ago
Uncle John commented on A.D.EKER's video
Thumbnail

Up the Hill A D Eker 2024

"Sounding good, A.D. Great looking git."
9 hours ago

Music

© 2024   Created by Ben "C. B. Gitty" Baker.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service

\uastyle>\ud/** Scrollup **/\ud.scrollup {\ud background: url("https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/963882636?profile=original") no-repeat scroll 0 0 transparent;\ud bottom: 25px;\ud display: inline !important;\ud height: 40px;\ud opacity: 0.3 !important;\ud position: fixed;\ud right: 30px;\ud text-indent: -9999px;\ud width: 40px;\ud z-index: 999;\ud}\ud.scrollup:hover {\ud opacity:0.99!important;\ud}\ud \uascript type="text/javascript">\ud x$(document).ready(function(){\ud x$(window).scroll(function(){\ud if (x$(this).scrollTop() > 100) {\ud x$('.scrollup').fadeIn();\ud } else {\ud x$('.scrollup').fadeOut();\ud }\ud });\ud x$('.scrollup').click(function(){\ud x$("html, body").animate({ scrollTop: 0 }, 600);\ud return false;\ud });\ud });\ud \ua!-- End Scroll Up -->