acconav, if you’re in western North Carolina in late April, swing by MerleFest 2002 for some high-end pickin and grinnin honoring Doc Watson’s late son and long time accompanist.
Another recomendation for Hot Rize.
well it looks like Bill Monroe will be the first cd i pick up, since he was recommended 4 times (hey! there were about 30 diff groups/compilations recommended here, i gotta prioritize somehow! :)). i’ll probably pick up one of the compilation cd’s listed here at the same time, too. after that, i guess i’ll start working my way from the next-most recommended down.
i’ve bookmarked this thread, and definitaly plan to use it as reference in my next few (dozen) music purchases. thanks all!
I must recommend Nickel Creek.
Well, if you can’t afford the box set THE MUSIC OF BILL MONROE 1936-1994, try the MCA compilation BILL MONROE AND THE BLUEGRASS BOYS: IN THE PINES.
I still claim that “easing in” is the best method, no matter what these others wahoos claim. I don’t want you to fling in a CD and say, after five minutes, “What is this HAYSEED shit?”
ok, Ike you win. i’ll grab some new grass too.
uh… can somebody spot me 15 bucks?
Free Aussie bluegrass.
I think it’s only a matter of time before people discover country music, and then bluegrass is next. Good on you acconav for making the leap.
I agree with most of what’s been mentioned, but can I recommend a couple of very modern sounding rippers:
Dolly Parton - The Grass Is Blue. One of the best records of the last ten years, and one I can play over and over again. Her latest one, Little Sparrow has elements of bluegrass too, and is fantastic.
Paul Kelly and Uncle Bill - Smoke. A fine record by someone who’s covered a wide range of singer/songwriter and country styles over the years. Happy bluegrass, rather than the more downbeat Dolly records.
If you want the very best bluegrass there is, Bill Monroe is the man, followed by Lester Flatt & Earl Scruggs. The Stanley Brothers are probably the purest “mountain-style” bluegrass. Some great Stanley Brothers songs are The Fields Have Turned Brown, Rank Strangers, and the original Man of Constant Sorrow. Ricky Skaggs has done some very excellent work. Find (I think the title is)“Country Rocks, But Bluegrass Rules!”, and his tribute album to Bill Monroe that was out last year. It features duets with some modern country stars, including the Dixie Chicks and Travis Tritt, and also Joan Osbourne, for some reason. My Little Georgia Rose by Ricky Skaggs and Travis Tritt is wonderful, and Tritt plays banjo himself on the song. Also good is Patty Loveless’s new bluegrass CD, Mountain Soul. She can really sing bluegrass with all the full emotion and depth the music needs to be fully appreciated. A duet between her and Ralph Stanley(one of the Stanley Brothers) on the song “Pretty Polly” is a wonderful song. It’s on another album, though, a Ralph Stanley album. Don’t forget Grandpa Jones, the guy who’s been an “old man” for 50 years! He was a more “cornball” and comedic singer, and he spent most of his time on the Opry, but he did some great music, too. Somebody mentioned the Dolly Parton CDs before, and they’re good, but they seem a little too “slick” for me. Good bluegrass doesn’t sound as slick and over-produced as Dolly’s bluegrass. Good bluegrass has a more raw, spontaneous feel to it, and Dolly’s CD didn’t appeal to me as much as I hoped it would. But that’s just my opinion.
I reveived this thread because I have one more compilation CD I want to recommend: Blue Ribbon Bluegrass.
This CD should resonate with fans of “O Brother.” Lots of great tracks, and it’s ridiculously cheap, too. “Train Carrying Jimmie Rodgers Home” is my favorite.
[Charlene Darlin]That one makes me cry, Paw.[/Charlene Darlin]
Good discussion.
Please see related thread: Bluegrass Musicians?
Thanks.