Reccomend me Bluegrass/Blues/Old-time/Roots

chanson · #1 03-22-2010, 11:26 PM

I recently starting getting into Americana/Roots music such as bluegrass, old-time folk, and old school blues. Can anyone recommend me some albums to get started on? It doesn't have to be old, it can be modern.

Edit: This should probably be moved to "Miscellaneous", on second though.

Noak2 · #2 03-23-2010, 11:10 AM

The High Lonesome Sound by Roscoe Holcomb is a great album in that category. I'll admit my knowledge in this style of music is minimal but I like that album.

http://rateyourmusic.com/release/alb...onesome_sound/

JayB · #3 03-23-2010, 11:16 AM

If you want the "bible" of pre-war American folk music, I'd urge you check out the 6-disk Smithsonian Anthology of American Music. A truly great resource for anyone interested in American roots music.

As far as contemporary old-timey artists, look at The Carolina Chocolate Drops. One of my favorite new bands of any genre.

MIJ-VI · #4 07-12-2010, 03:14 AM

Henhouse Prowlers
http://www.reverbnation.com/henhouseprowlers

MNAirHead · #5 07-12-2010, 03:29 AM

For just listening alison krauss, tony rice and keb mo are easy entres into the genre..

When I asked this question, folks were hogpiling all over Bill Monroe, the Carters, Bob Wills etc.. Not "bad" advice.. the recordings are commonly super low fi and many times tough to hear.

Overall..
Can you get to some americana type jam sessions or festivals with good players? Find your local acoustic music store that caters to this type of instrumentation. Many will host a jam session. At these you can find a song book of about 200 of the "must know" songs being played.

Also.. check your local public radio (not NPR) the public jazzish type stations...they're on the left hand side of your FM dial... many will host americana stuff late at night or Saturday mornings..

In napa area, I'm sure there are some guys back in the arts communities in the Redwoods that are all over this.

Ben Wilkie · #6 07-12-2010, 04:51 AM

Watch 'O Brother Where Art Thou?' and buy the soundtrack... it's a brilliant soundtrack.

Deathblade Eric · #7 07-12-2010, 05:27 AM

Almost any Clifton Chenier album. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JPZy53D5GxY

praisebass · #8 07-12-2010, 05:36 AM

I believe that 'The Bluegrass Album Band' is esssential - one of the best bluegrass 'super groups'. They cover quite a bit of mainstream bluegrass and in a powerful way. I would say this band is in the center of mainstream bluegrass - the recordings are a few years old but hold up to anything I hear recorded today.

Ruckus_Instrmts · #9 07-12-2010, 05:57 AM

I've been digging New Grass Revival lately. Bela Fleck and Sam Bush in the early part of their careers.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uk-jn9AMlCE