quote:

Originally posted by B Woods: "Drive" just might change your mind about bluegrass banjo. And then there's Jens Kruger...

Exactly. There's more to banjo than the overwhelming, ear-piercing twang that may be associated with traditional bluegrass.

I was listening to bluegrass on XM yesterday and heard this cool version of Wabash Cannonball. An Amazon search revealed that it was Claire Lynch with some unmentioned sidemen. I downloaded the tune. 8 minutes of cool spin on this old Acuff chestnut. Anyone else heard it?

Unless I missed it, no one has mentioned David Grier's cd Lone Soldier..arguably his finest moment. Grier's cd Panorama is excellent as well.

Bryan Sutton - Ready To Go
Tony Rice and John Carlini - River Suite For Two Guitars
Tyler Grant - In The Light

Great recordings, all

Keep it coming. But, I have to tell you, we're getting close to breaking the bank.

I picked up "Drive" to stretch my ears. I saw Bela Fleck about 10 years ago sometime around his "Left of Cool" release and that was 180 degrees from "Drive" - much more jazz influenced (Which is where my musical head is at. Mostly.)

Eric - I wanna come dig through your CD collection! I like the Dale Adkins CD and I picked up "Blu du Genova" as well.

GrierRiceFan - Thanks for "Lone Soldier", "Ready To Go" and "River Suite For Two Guitars". Aside from "Drive" I was missing Tony Rice from this mad expansion of my musical horizons.

Jim,

Sounds like you've got some great stuff to listen to. Now learn all the guitar licks on those CD's, and then let us know when you are ready for more. Cheers!

B

quote:

Originally posted by B Woods: Now learn all the guitar licks on those CD's, and then let us know when you are ready for more.

Hah. Thanks. You're quite the joker B. There are a few lifetimes of guitar licks in there! But, from just the clips I've heard it's awfully damned inspiring. The journey is the reward.

Eric....that was Jim Hurst tearing it up on the guitar with Claire Lynch.

Got "Drive" (the Mobile Fidelity CD) playing right now. Required listening Bela Fleck, Sam Bush, Tony Rice, Stuart Duncan, Mark O'Connor, Jerry Douglas and Mark Schatz. Talk about a frickin Super Group.

One thing I was wondering about is Tony's solo on the first cut, "Whitewater". Great solo, but very little volume out of that guitar. Could that be the Ovation Tell me it ain't so . . . .

If it's not loud enough, it is probably not an Ovation.

Dmargo, I was kidding Don't know which of his guitars Tony was playing on that session (the Bone, Cruz, whatever), but the playing by everyone on Drive is simply killer.

As to the OP's comment regarding Banjos, if your new to Bluegrass, and depending on what your listening to (since Bluegrass covers a whole lot of styles), it may be a bit difficult to make the transition initially. However, the Banjo is so basic to Bluegrass sound that if you try to avoid it your going to miss out on plenty of great music. I agree with some of the other posters who suggested starting off with bands where the sound of the Banjo is a bit more restrained. That should get you into it, and then you may find that you come to actually look forward to those Banjo solos.

quote:

Originally posted by Doc Holiday:
Eric....that was Jim Hurst tearing it up on the guitar with Claire Lynch.

Thanks Doc.

I forgot to suggest Chris Thile's "Not All Who Wander Are Lost." IMHO, this it Thile's best offering. The melodies are just beautiful, as is the playing. I think Bela plays banjo on a couple of cuts. And there's a variety of supporting musicians.

Now for Tony Rice, if you don't want to buy the entire CD, you must download Shenandoah, High Noon, and Danny Boy from the Unit of Measure album. These tunes are some of the greatest guitar playing I've ever heard. And the tone...wow! C'mon, it's only 3 more dollars.

Eric, if he's going to go "Unit of Measure", he's GOT to get at least two more cuts . . . "Gold Rush" and "Jerusalem Ridge". As good as it gets, and no Banjos Tony at his finest.

Alright, Unit of Measure is on its way as well.

I know you guys are right about my aversion to banjo excluding at lot of good music. But... most of the recommendations here mix in just enough banjo (training wheels) to get my taste moving in that direction. Give me some time and I'll branch out. Guess my mom was frightened by a banjo when I was in the womb.