Looking for some 'grass

Gee thanks much…

I’m not terribly keen on Ralph Stanley’s vocalizations, but his content and contributions go without saying as being awesome.

When I think about the Stanley Brothers the Osbornes come to mind along with any number of other formative and inspirational contributors to the Bluegrass genre itself… like The Carter Family.. Clinch Mountain boys, John Hartford, The Whites, and Bill Monroe.

Rhonda Vincent crosses over some, but the statements and social issues she addresses with her music are outstanding and spot on. She has good range and a powerful voice.

Melonie Cannon follows in her footsteps with still more biting topics and insightful tracks ranging from the music business to drug addiction, on her self titled initial disc, and now the latest one, “And The Wheels Turn”.. cuts off that one not to be missed are “Cactus in a Coffee Can” and “The Day before You”.

I was sort of surprised no one had yet mentioned the Chieftans… “Down the Old Plank Road, and Further down the Old … Rd.” come to mind as pretty good albums, notwithstanding the pop musicians that come on board as contributors on the reprise album similarly titled.

Earl Scrugs did a compilation which included the Likes of billy Bob Thornton, Sting and Elton John called “Earl Scruggs & Friends”

“The Foggy Mountain Breakdown” cut on that CD is one of the best I’ve heard to date. In lieu of the pop influence, with a celebration of musicians giving up instrumental solos by Steve Martin, Vince Gill, Randy Scruggs, and marty Sturart, just to name a few. There is a dobro, organ, and piano solo in it as well! There are several other worthwhile tracks… A pretty good CD overall, with a well recorded senseibility and professionalism! A great sampler CD for the uninitiated or the aficionado.

Robin & Linda Williams CD “Sugar for Sugar” is a Folksy ‘grass album with a few outstandingly contrived tracks with ‘The Cheapest Kind’ being my overall fav.

From the same locale that brought us Patty Loveless, The Judds and others, Dwight yoakam continues to spring up on any number of Bluegrass comps contributing his insightful and traditional styling’s to the intended mix of country twang and roots music.

Two of his CDs came to mind as almost ‘must haves’ … 'acousticdotnet’ and Dwight’s Used records… the latter provides a combination of takes on John Prines “paradise” which are just exceptional! As with most of Dwight’s Cds, they are also very well recorded. The intended solo acoustic effort covers as great a slice of life as any other musical album I’ve experienced thus far.

Cajun ‘grass too is interesting and lots of fun too… What do they call that style? Zydygo?

Clearwater, and Summervilla don't get much press as with many indipendant local groups... one from the Birmingham area with rock roots is called "A Roll in The Hay".. good stuff.

For an excelent DVD, a must see is "High and Lonesome". Wonderful historical documentery about the origins of Bluegrass with an emphasis on Bill Monroe.

Blindjim, there are a couple of good internet bluegrass stations that are good resources for bluegrass music. Two that come to mind are the Bluegrass and Newgrass channels at RadioIO.

Cruz123

That's an outstanding idea. i usually leave the cable box on the music channels now and then, so I can see who's doing what, IF something ear'catching comes on.

Some of the online radio joints don't show their NOW PLAYING selection though, oddly enough... and still more require subscriptions lately.

iTunes includes a lot of these in varying genres by default.

I'll check out the one you noted. Thanks.

I usally don't respond to these things but I will put in my 2cents for what it's worth because bluegrass in one of my passions.

If you are looking for knowlege in the roots of the music and how the sound was formed over it's first few decades go to 'the father' and 'the king'. Bill Monroe and Jimmy Martin should be at the top of the list. Any of the first generation players are worthy. As far as recordings, the Bear Family has a great catalog of box sets of a lot of the classics. More that you can probably stand. Flatt and Scruggs alone has 3 box sets that are 4, 5 and 6 discs each. You will find Monroe, F&S, Martin, Osbornes, Country Gents, Mac Wiseman, etc. They do a great job and the quality is as good as you can find out there...not cheap though.

As far as modern day, I will have to agree with Cruz123 in that most of the things on the radio would not be considered bluegrass. The new term is 'contemporary bluegrass'. It is kind of the same thing that happened to classic country music. I am by no means saying that there is anything bad about it, it's just not bluegrass. The albums I tell people to listen too, if they are unfamiliar with the genre, is the 'Bluegrass Album Band'. Any and all of the 6 volumes. Tony Rice, Doyle Lawson, JD Crowe, Bobby Hicks, Jerry Douglas, Todd Phillips and one even has Vasser Clemens for the twin fiddles. All covers of great traditional tunes played they way they were ment too. Killer from start to finish.

For those that are keeping that tradition sound alive today... here are some of my favs. Jame King Band, Michael Clevland, Del McCoury, Mark Pruitt's new band 'Balsam Range', Brian Sutton, Blue Highway, Doc Watson, JD Crowe and the New South, Doyle Lawson...to name a few.

The internet radio thing is also a great tool. I will ad a plug for our local radio station WNCW. You can stream it. Saturdays they play 8 hours of bluegrass music, straight from the heartland.

Hope this hels you on your quest.

Hope this helps.