Bluegrass to Southern Rock - what are your favorites?

[soccermama]

I'm pretty much all over the place when it comes to the type of music that I like. I was introduced to Bluegrass last year and fell in love with it. I was also introduced to a southern rock group by the name of Drive By Truckers and fell in love with them, too. My top favorites are: Drive By Truckers, Band of Horses, Vampire Weekend, The Shins, My Morning Jacket, Yonder Mountain String Band, The Infamous Stringdusters, and Crooked Still.

What are your favorite groups and what have you been introduced to recently that you would like to share?

[Thalia the Muse]

I'll have to check some of those bands out!

I'm not sure if any of these are what you're looking for, but I really like Grant Lee Buffalo, Neko Case, Southern Culture on the Skids, Reverend Horton Heat, Emmylou Harris' stuff that was produced by Daniel Lanois, and John Prine.

[erinwestpoet]

THE AVETT BROTHERS. Music does not get better than this!

[myjo]

Great subject!

I love Band of Horses, soccermama. I also like:
The Wailin' Jenny's http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=00dWtcTds24,
The Be Good Tanyas http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MHNAFRg6jYA,
Alison Krauss (of course) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sdRdqp4N3Jw
Nickle Creek http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yWx3GlsqAnI

And Kate Rusby is more Celtic, but I think you would like her:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JgidfxhVAFU

There is a new Southern Rock band called One Flew South. They sound similar to the Eagles, but more country. They're very good.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SXonxsvDG34

[JessicaS]

I was named after...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WfM6n...eature=related

I Love Reverend Horton Heat!


Béla Fleck, but he's kind of obvious.

I heard this group recently on NPR, I kind of like them...and their story is amazing.

http://cherryholmes.musiccitynetworks.com/

[riverscout]

Originally Posted by erinwestpoet

THE AVETT BROTHERS. Music does not get better than this!

You mentioned them on another thread, something about how your dd knows all the words, so I went and checked them out on iTunes. I am so hooked. You'd think I would have heard about them before since I am in NC. I'm so out of the loop sometimes.

[soccermama]

Originally Posted by myjo

Great subject!

I love Band of Horses, soccermama. I also like:
The Wailin' Jenny's http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=00dWtcTds24,
The Be Good Tanyas http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MHNAFRg6jYA,
Alison Krauss (of course) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sdRdqp4N3Jw
Nickle Creek http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yWx3GlsqAnI

And Kate Rusby is more Celtic, but I think you would like her:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JgidfxhVAFU

There is a new Southern Rock band called One Flew South. They sound similar to the Eagles, but more country. They're very good.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SXonxsvDG34

Oh, yes! I totally forgot to mention The Wailin' Jenny's and Alison Krauss (just saw her recently with Robert Plant - great show!)

Great taste, myjo!!

[eastkygal]

Being from the home of Bluegrass I have to recommend The Stanley Brothers and the creator of the genre Bill Monroe. Also take a listen to Jimmy Martin. To hear what the music of the southern mountains sounded like before it was combined with jazz to create bluegrass, you'll want to check out Roscoe Holcomb, Roan Mountain Hilltoppers (who have a myspace), Hazel Dickens, etc...

In the light of the bands already thrown out one might like Gillian Welch and Iris Dement.

Also, on myspace you might want to look at some lesser knowns like Matt Kinman, Brett Ratliff, The Travelin' Snakes, Clack Mountain String Band, and Rich and the Po' Folk, and Sarah Wood.

[myjo]

Gillian Welch is great!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i7knB...eature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zXf-S...eature=related

[pixiepunk]

yes, *love* Nickle Creek and Gillian Welch! and Rev Horton Heat and Southern Culture on the SKids an Alison Krauss.

if you're looking for hilarious Bluegrass, check out Hayseed Dixie. They have an entire album of AC/DC covers oh my gord is that funny!

the soundtrack to O Brother Where Art Thou has some good bluegrass in it. and lately i've been digging some Willie Nelson and Johnny Cash, which aren't exactly in the realm of what we're talking about, but sort of are IYKWIM.

and all this from a girl who's favorite band is the Pixies. Don't tell my punk rock friends

[jighead]

Old Crow Medicine Show - all albums except their latest, I don't know what happened . They are an incredibly talented string band. Here's a version of The Weight they did with Gillian Welch and David Rawlins that is just awesome.

Carolina Chocolate Drops - a three piece African-American string band that has preserved and revived a very raw version of bluegrass.

Lucinda Williams is one of my favorite artists that falls into that alt country genre. Car Wheels on a Gravel Road and Essense are the albums I listen to over and over.

[eastkygal]

Originally Posted by jighead

Carolina Chocolate Drops - a three piece African-American string band that has preserved and revived a very raw version of bluegrass.

OH! Yes, they are really good at what they do. They make awesome music.
I wanted to add Dock Boggs, George Gibson, and The Fatted Calf String Band to the mix.

Want to find some really awesome music visit www.appalshop.org and look for JuneAppal recordings.

[lorijds]

We're a bluegrass family! My youngest dd plays banjo and is learning harmonica, older dd plays fiddle, dh plays guitar and washboard, I...have no musical ability, so I earn the bucks for the lessons! We love the variety of bluegrass--you can get the traditional, the rockabilly, the southern rock style, gospel, and everything in between.

In addition to the ones mentioned above, here are some that we love listening to:

The Wiyos
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_qhVYPKBxWw

I have to second the recommendation of Old Crow Medicine Show. I haven't heard their lastest album, but man, their older stuff is fantastic!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O2vJUadjdmo

The Wilders
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n55_Hnp9QOU

Split Lip Rayfield (they are still around, even though Kirk is no longer with us)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cZr9BxW2R_k
It's all good (and this is the first of several parts), but one of my favorites starts around 6:38

The Byron Berline Band with Barry Patton on the bones
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H2FUFuz96aA
Barry starts in at 2:30--I always love watching him play live--it's just crazy!

Earl Scruggs (The Godfather of the Banjo) on David Letterman with many other musicians including Steve Martin--who is a bada$$ banjo player as well
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=icMTVV5Lwaw
We pretty much worship at the alter of Earl Scruggs in this family. He's just freakin amazing.

Tony Triska and Bela Fleck are great, too.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1jn3K...eature=related

My dh is also into Django Reinhardt and Stepham Grappelli's Gypsy Jazz. Here's a group I think called the Stephanie Valentine Trio doing a fine job at it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uBw49...eature=channel

Where do you live? Bluegrass is best live. We hit a major festival in our area every year (Walnut Valley Bluegrass Festival in Winfield, Kansas) and see so many acts. The best is the informal stuff that happens on the off stages at 1am, or around the campfires after a little too much to drink. Here's some action at the Carp Camp a couple of years ago at Winfield.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v3Mit7jiTzU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GdOSK...eature=related
The cool thing about the different campgrounds is that you just wander around with your kids and your instruments and/or your favorite (usually alcoholic) beverage, listening to music, joining in if you want. Next year we're getting walkie talkies (our cell phones didn't have the best reception) so that the kids can just run around without us. Honestly, it's a wonderful event, and there are hundreds just like it around the country.

[lorijds]

Wanted to add--Old Crow, Split Lip, the Wilders, the Wiyos--all of them put on GREAT live shows. A recording/CD/video just doesn't do them justice. I recommend that you check out some of the live music venues in your area or some of the recommended band websites to see if you can see them live.

The other great thing about bluegrass is that most of the shows are extremely family friendly. Little kids will be dancing in front of the stage, everyone is singing along and having a good time. It's so much fun! We've taken our kids to all sorts of outdoor venues and indoor ones, too; they are always welcome at bluegrass-style shows.

[jighead]

lorijds posts about local live music, and live music in general are spot on.

Some other bands to watch for live are Hot Buttered Rum, Steve Earl, and Del McCoury.

Most of this music is also easy to play, approachable, and fun. I get together with my brother and some friends about once a month with a few guitars, mandolins, banjos, and the occasional fiddle that no one can really play. We don't sound great, but it's a blast. Everyone should start a family bluegrass/folk band.

[eastkygal]

Larry Sigmon (an) and Barbara Poole are great too. They make awesome dancing music.

[Birdie B.]

Originally Posted by jighead

Old Crow Medicine Show - all albums except their latest, I don't know what happened . They are an incredibly talented string band. Here's a version of The Weight they did with Gillian Welch and David Rawlins that is just awesome.

Man, you are so right about that! The new album is so bad!

I'm also a big fan of all the bands listed so far. You mamas have great taste!

[Mihelinka]

I love
Dan Zanes, love him because of the kids, think he's funky, his music isnt too babyish & love his wacky hair doo
bbl... uuh everyone is so needy near bedtime

[pixiepunk]

i can't believe i forgot to mention a friend of mine Todd Burge check him out www.toddburge.com he's got some free downloads on his site.

also, for some great bluegrass, you can tune in via the internet to the bluegrass show hosted by Ray Davis on WAMU (DC public radio station, American University radio). ooh - just found that WAMU now has an HD radio station devoted to bluegrass! sweet! http://bluegrasscountry.org/

[honeybee80]

I love Hot Buttered Rum--they're my favorite touring band right now! Their mandolin player recently left the band, and Matt Butler (Everyone Orchestra) has been touring with them on drums a lot lately, so their sound has changed a bit, but they still sound really awesome And their CO tour in April will be with the Traveling McCourys

Some other favorites are:

Head for the Hills
Cornmeal (just saw them last night!)
Elephant Revival (they have a bit of a celtic sound)
Greensky Bluegrass
Railroad Earth