Bluegrass recommendations

propel · #1 11-07-2010, 04:23 PM

Hello everyone,

I have recently picked up the banjo and I'm really in love with the instrument (also getting good at it too

). As a result, I've started to get interested in bluegrass. The problem though is that where I live, Quebec, there isn't much of a bluegrass scene and I don't know anyone who listens to any. I have listened to Bela Fleck and John Hartford and I really like their sounds; I'm keen on instrumentals and bands where the banjo plays a big role in the sound.

So, can you southern folk (or bluegrass fans from anywhere) suggest a few bands to this resident of the Great White North?

Thanks!

bass_snake · #2 11-07-2010, 04:26 PM

Heard there are some bluegrass scene in Ottawa. I'm getting in to bluegrass myself. Good luck!

Fred

Phalex · #3 11-08-2010, 06:32 AM

Check out Old And In The Way. Great band and a great album!

Also, if you dig Bela Fleck, look into some New Grass Revival.

perogato02 · #4 11-08-2010, 06:45 AM

Well, I know, I am an European so I am supposed to know nothing about bluegrass ... but I had the luck to get my hands on an album of 'The Du-Tels', named 'No Knowledge of Music Required'.

MalcolmAmos · #5 11-08-2010, 08:30 AM

Ask that at www.ezfolk.com

bass_snake · #6 11-08-2010, 08:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MalcolmAmos

Ask that at www.ezfolk.com

Cool site.

bassbully · #7 11-09-2010, 09:03 AM

Old Crow Medicine show..young cats that kill it.

bound'n'blocked · #8 11-10-2010, 05:06 PM

I'm a bluegrass DJ so here are a few of my faves....

Lonesome River Band
IIIrd Tyme Out (3rd Time Out)
The Grascals
JD Crowe and the New South (the older stuff is much better than his newer IMO)
Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver
EDIT FOR: Boone Creek (early Ricky Skaggs bluegrass band)
Balsam Range (a new band)
Larry Cordle and Lonesome Standard Time (Larry is a songwriter in Nashville and has written some big country hits)
Ernie Thacker
New Grass Revival
Tony Rice (the best acoustic guitar picker EVER in my opinion)
The Steeldrivers (very bluesy sounding band)
Josh Williams
Dailey and Vincent
Rhonda Vincent and the Rage
Carrie Hassler

I could sit here and name bluegrass artist all day. I'm more of a fan of the newer more progressive sounding style of bluegrass. I am not a big fan of the older stuff like Ralph Stanley or (dont shoot me) Bill Monroe.

If you have or can get Sirius or XM, they have a good Bluegrass music channel or two that can feed your fix.

BnB

zachoff · #9 11-10-2010, 06:34 PM

Greensky Bluegrass is probably my favorite newer band of the genre. I have a Bluegrass station on Pandora as well & always seem to hear something good.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mALVvMmgGUs

**edit

Oh, and I might get crap if I didn't mention the Yonder Mountain String Band... They're from here.

mmbongo · #10 11-10-2010, 09:41 PM

If you want some banjo pickin', you want Punch Brothers.

http://www.ilike.com/artist/Punch+Br...ck/Rye+Whiskey

propel · #11 11-11-2010, 06:56 AM

wow thanks for all the replies guys! looks like I got a nice evening of listening ahead of me when I get home from work

Floridabwoy · #12 11-11-2010, 07:15 AM

Trampled by Turtles is from Michigan I think. They are killer. Arent the Duhks from Canada? Old Crow Medicine Show, Hackensaw Boys....

All these bands can be found on archive.org

For the old stuff. Jimmy Martin & The Sunny Mountain Boys, Bill Monroe Bluegrass Band, and Old & In the Way can't be beat.

R.I.P fellow floridian Vassar.

tommy gilstrap · #13 11-11-2010, 07:36 AM

Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder

Blue Highway (Produced by Ricky)

Passinwind · #14 11-11-2010, 11:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by propel

I have listened to Bela Fleck and John Hartford and I really like their sounds; I'm keen on instrumentals and bands where the banjo plays a big role in the sound.

Check out my buddy Tony Furtado. He a smokin' banjo player, and plays many other styles besides old school bluegrass.

Mikhail1 · #15 11-13-2010, 03:02 PM

You got a lot of good suggestions, may I also suggest The Del McCoury Band? Good straight ahead bluegrass!

peterlucas · #16 03-20-2011, 12:54 PM

The Punch Brothers are where its at man. They are virtuoso players and really cool guys willing to share a drink after a show.

shadowtippy · #17 03-20-2011, 01:24 PM

Try Doc Watson. He mostly plays guitar but is pretty good on banjo, if I remember correctly.

recreate.me · #18 03-20-2011, 01:27 PM

haha blue grass in montreal ? I have never heard french bluegrass before, you could pioneer that scene!

The Ottawa bluegrass thing intrigues me cause im there now, ill have to check it out.
Can I ask why you decided to pick up a banjo ? and how easy is it to learn?

Also the new trampled by turtles album is insane.

Brian Clark · #19 03-24-2011, 12:11 PM

Great new band - Snap Jackson & the Knock on Wood Players -
SNAP JACKSON & THE KNOCK ON WOOD PLAYERS

propel · #20 03-24-2011, 03:15 PM

Thanks go the recommendations, I'm really enjoying the Punch Brothers; those guys sure can play.

To be perfectly honnest, ever since I saw Deliverance I've wanted to play the banjo. Probably not the first person to start out that way lol. I'd say that from what I've seen so far, it's all in your right hand; the chords are quite simple and the frets aren't tiny. The tuning takes some getting used to, however.

One note: if you want to make friends, bring a banjo. People go nuts when they see one and go even crazier if you can actually play it.