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It started with a few Dead Tunes and a free CD from a coworker who's in a jam band. Then I checked out some of the more modern jam bands like Phish and String Cheese Incident...which eventually led me to Yonder Mountain Sting Band...which led me to an interest in traditional Bluegrass. I never thought I'd like any aspect of country music again after the CB kick in the 70s, but there I am at work, grooving to Earl Scruggs and Ricky Scaggs.
I'd be interested to hear from other hard rockers, if any, who have a bizarre taste for bluegrass, and what artists you like.
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It's a strange taste indeed: I love bluegrass.
I find it to be a very expressive form of music. Musicians with obscure talents (mandolin, upright, fiddle, banjo, etc.) can rock out in their own right.
I found bluegrass by accident. In guitar class in school, there was a field trip. Only me and my friend went, the rest of the class didn't bother. The teacher didn't even show up. It was a bluegrass showcase, and I was entranced. Coming from my musical background, I was surprised with myself - i had walked in with a Slipknot sweatshirt and a Tool tee.
The mandolin player handed me his handmade instrument, and showed me how it was tuned, and the band started. I just sat there looking dumb, and they laughed. They told me to play, and I did. I solo-ed over a professional bluegrass group, completely green. I'm still mystified...
I now hold a huge respect for country-bluegrass musicians =]
Apologies for the long post, but it's a fun story.
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Nice story. It sounds like it ended up being more interesting and personal since nobody else showed up.
Like you said, I think I like how bluegrass musicians know how to jam, as well as the acoustic aspect of it. They seem to have a laid-back, underground vibe that sets them apart from much of the country genre, which seems obsessed with rednecks and steel guitar.
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I'm a big bluegrass fan. Love the banjo which is the usual instrument.
Steve Martin performs with a band which is really great.
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I live in the heart of the bluegrass and love the music.
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Is the grass there actually blue ??
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I think I really love bluegrass too. But I only know songs from video games like Mario Kart 64 (the song from
Moo Moo farm and
Choco Mountain) and Stunt Race FX (
King Forest ,
Sky Ramp ,
easy ride) who have some intrumental bluegrass songs amongs the soundtrack. But I really like these kind of songs. Please listen to the links to tell me if I'm right about these song being bluegrass! I almost forgot, there's this Mike Oldfield song too,
Moonshine.
So I would be very happy if someone could give me some instrumental suggestions of blue grass albums or bands that have the banjo as the principal instrument; something sounding like the links I provided but by real musicians.
It's a music style that is long overdue for me to explore more! I'm waiting for your suggestions.
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Try Karl Shiflett "Salty Dog Blues" on Youtube. One of my favs.
(Don't know how to post links)
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Tiggi Wrote:Is the grass there actually blue ??
Sorry Tig, just saw this.
Bluegrass when allowed to reach it's full growth length will develop a bluish tint flower at it's peak.
You don't really see it that often because it is usually mowed.
When you see an unmowed field reaching maturity it is a very pretty sight.
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15-05-2010, 10:22
(This post was last modified: 15-05-2010, 10:24 by Emillu.)
Just listened to Yonder Mountain String Band - who I had never heard of before - and really enjoyed it. Another one for my collection! Thanks to kvincent.
