Yellow Barber is a fairly notey reel in the key of D that is usually played quickly. Initial research shows that the tune was being played in the early to mid 1800s under at least two different names. Research also shows that is about all that is agreed upon. 

Some historians claim that this is a Kentucky tune likely named for a mixed race fiddler named William Taylor. (identified as “mulatto” in an 1850 census) Taylor was born in Kentucky in 1821, but had moved to St. Paul, MN sometime prior to 1849. Taylor was a barber by trade, but also led a popular small orchestra that was in demand for balls and parties in Minnesota. Taylor was known for his big, booming voice and called the dances as he played. He died in 1862. 

Light skinned/mixed race Black people were often called “Yellow” or “High Yellow” in the vernacular of the day, and it is understandable that Taylor could have been referred to as the "yellow" barber. Maybe it was to differentiate him from the other barbers in town, or maybe he even used it as marketing for his orchestra. The “Yellow Barber” melody is also very much in the notey and ornamented style of the dance tunes played by orchestras of that time. Knowing that tunes were often named for the fiddler that played them, and given the other circumstances, at least this story of the title makes sense. 

There is another theory that the tune was named for a bird called the Yellow Barber. It is unknown where or why this reference originated. This theory is weakened by the fact that the family of birds named Barbets are confined to Africa. There are yellow varieties, but again, they are not found in North America, and they are Barbets, not barbers. 

Researchers also note that fiddlers around Portsmouth, Ohio, called the tune "Arthur Berry” (Barry, Berrie), while their neighboring Kentucky fiddlers across the river used the “Yellow Barber” name. A similar origin story about a fiddler, in this case, named Arthur Berry, also accompanies this tune. “Arthur Berry” appears on the Field Recorders’ Collective album, “John Summers Master Indiana Fiddler.” In the introduction of the tune, it is explained that the tune came to central Indiana by way of Blue Lick Springs, KY (between Lexington and Maysville). As played by Summers, “Arthur Berry” seems to be a little less notey, and a little more rhythmic - and was also described as “...a very good, old dance tune.” You can listen to it in the MP3 player below.

The "Yellow Barber" and 'Black barber” references were addressed by fiddler John Hartford, who interviewed a number of Kentucky fiddlers as part of his research into east Kentucky fiddler Ed Haley. Historian Mark Wilson writes that Hartford said, "...but I believe that I interviewed every living fiddler who knew the tune directly from tradition, and none of them knew what the title meant.” Wilson adds that Hartford’s own guess was that the title represented a corruption of some other title over time, such as "Yellow Poplar.” Regrettably, Hartford never explained why he drew that inference. Hartford included a version of “Yellow Barber” in his 1998 album, The Speed Of The Old Long Bow, a tribute to the fiddle music of Ed Haley.

Hartford’s version is in the video below - and, while “Yellow Barber" is usually played quickly, his is incredibly fast. Plus, he adds lyrics ‘a la the Hank Snow/Johnny Cash song “I’ve Been Everywhere.”

The version of “Yellow Barber” that a great many players cite as their main influence comes from the 1973 recording by Lewis County, Kentucky fiddler Buddy Thomas. According to the liner notes on the “Kitty Puss” CD it was Portsmouth, Ohio area fiddler Morris Allen who taught Buddy Thomas this tune. Buddy also cites Allen as one of his biggest influences. Listen to Buddy Thomas’ version in a video below, along with a YouTube link to the entire album.

For a slightly different take on “Yellow Barber,” a video below has the Boiled Buzzards’ version from their 1990 “Salt and Grease” album that features band member Dave Rice on harmonica - playing the fiddle part note for note.

Yellow Barber

John Hartford (1998)

Very fast! With lyrics!