Anyone Into Contemporary Folk / Bluegrass?

Z Grand · 02-03-2016, 11:44 AM

I first got turned on to contemporary folk / bluegrass when I started listening to Alison Krauss and Union Station quite a few years ago. This is the kind of music I wish I could play.

Then I heard a band called Nickel Creek. Three young virtuoso's (including two siblings Sara and Sean Watkins) who play screaming instrumentals as well as sing.

I saw that Sara Watkins had collaborated with Sarah Jarosz and Aoife O'Donovan; the latter two I was not familiar with. But their voices sure sound great together.

So then I wondered about Sarah Jarosz. Only in her early twenties -- plays the mandolin, octave mandolin, guitar, banjo, and who know what else. Very soulful voice. Doesn't hurt that she's also cute as a button.

Anyone else wish they could play like all these folks?

fizzyrider · 02-03-2016, 11:56 AM

I'm an AKUS fan, brilliant musicians and Ms. Krauss has one of the sweetest voices in the biz, IMO.

She produced Nickel Creek's first couple records, I'm pretty sure. So there's that connection. And the big dude playing upright bass in that Smoothie Song video is none other than Robert Trujillo, the currest bassist for..... wait for it....
Metallica!

I'm pretty sure Nickel Creek is on more or less permanent hiatus, has been for a number of years. Chris Thile (mandolin) has done quite a lot of collaborative stuff, and I see Sara Watkins making a name for herself as a solo artist.

Not familiar with the others, but thanks for posting the vids. Good stuff!

Z Grand · 02-03-2016, 12:05 PM

Nickel Creek did go on hiatus after their third album, but got back together and put out a new album in 2014. They are currently still playing together as far as I know. All three also play solo and with others as well. Here's a NPR set they did in late 2014 I believe.

fizzyrider · 02-03-2016, 12:06 PM

Check out a duo called Mandolin Orange, Vern.

That new guy Sam9 turned me on to them.

Todd S · 02-03-2016, 12:08 PM

A friend (I guess now a family member as he recently married in) puts on a big Bluegrass festival here in LA every year, with a few shows throughout the year. He plays in his own band, too, and even gets to play Bonnarroo every year. I've gotten to get to know a lot of people in the scene through him over the years, and it's been very cool.

Check out anything that Critter is in -- maybe start with the Punch Brothers. (Chris Thile is also in that one.)

Della Mae is a pretty amazing all-female group.

There was a group here in LA called The Cousin Lovers that was GREAT, but I don't think they play any longer, sadly. Years ago I played bass in a side project with their fiddler, Craig Eastman.

-T

Cougar · 02-03-2016, 12:09 PM

How about some Sleepy Man Banjo Boys

Z Grand · 02-03-2016, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cougar

How about some Sleepy Man Banjo Boys

Amazing!

Z Grand · 02-03-2016, 12:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fizzyrider

Check out a duo called Mandolin Orange, Vern.

Will do - thanks.

Todd S · 02-03-2016, 12:18 PM

Also, Abagail Washburn is pretty amazing, too. Beautiful voice, heckuva baritone banjo player. Married to renowned banjoist Bela Fleck. Here they are playing one of her tunes together.

I got to see her play with John Paul Jones (yes, that John Paul Jones) in a living room in Silver Lake with maybe 20 other people a few years back. Awesome.

-T

Z Grand · 02-03-2016, 12:26 PM

Very nice!

Ever heard any electric banjo?

Todd S · 02-03-2016, 12:38 PM

That overdriven tone is pretty cool.

-T

Z Grand · 02-03-2016, 12:44 PM

I'm pretty uninformed about a lot of things. The first time I heard that song, I said, "That sounds like an electric banjo!". I didn't know there was such a thing.

I also didn't know what an octave mandolin was. Here is another NPR set - this one from Sarah Jarosz.

Cougar · 02-03-2016, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Z Grand

Very nice!

Ever heard any electric banjo?

Interesting. I don't know if I've ever heard Blues & Bluegrass combined like that before.

Sam9 · 02-03-2016, 06:03 PM

I like it all, but people have taken bluegrass in many different directions and my favorites are the artists who intensify trad elements to make it even rawer, more powerful than the originals, or at least strive to.

Sam9 · 02-03-2016, 06:09 PM

Some great music from Michael in here if you can stand this idiot interviewer Ben Engel.

Crispy · 02-04-2016, 08:08 PM

WileyLogHomes · 02-04-2016, 09:28 PM

I've been trying to learn the banjo for a couple years now, and subscribe to Sirius xm solely for the bluegrass channel.

fireblake · 02-05-2016, 03:01 AM

I've listened to the first 2 song and now have my days music taken care of. Thanks guys

Mickey

Banzai · 02-05-2016, 03:30 AM

I'm loving a lot of the music posted so far but this is still my favourite Bluegrass cop of all time:

Sam9 · 02-07-2016, 04:07 PM

Old Time music:

02-03-2016, 11:44 AM	#1
Z Grand Never Grew Up Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Walnut Grove, GA Posts: 6,777	Anyone Into Contemporary Folk / Bluegrass? I first got turned on to contemporary folk / bluegrass when I started listening to Alison Krauss and Union Station quite a few years ago. This is the kind of music I wish I could play. Then I heard a band called Nickel Creek. Three young virtuoso's (including two siblings Sara and Sean Watkins) who play screaming instrumentals as well as sing. I saw that Sara Watkins had collaborated with Sarah Jarosz and Aoife O'Donovan; the latter two I was not familiar with. But their voices sure sound great together. So then I wondered about Sarah Jarosz. Only in her early twenties -- plays the mandolin, octave mandolin, guitar, banjo, and who know what else. Very soulful voice. Doesn't hurt that she's also cute as a button. Anyone else wish they could play like all these folks? __________________ 04 FZ-1 Silver/Black 06 Suzuki DR650 00 Kawasaki W650 90 Honda Hawk GT 79 Honda CBX 82 Honda CB900F Last edited by Z Grand; 02-22-2018 at 10:53 AM.

02-03-2016, 11:56 AM	#2
fizzyrider Too stupid to know better Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Jacksonville, FL Posts: 1,035,528	I'm an AKUS fan, brilliant musicians and Ms. Krauss has one of the sweetest voices in the biz, IMO. She produced Nickel Creek's first couple records, I'm pretty sure. So there's that connection. And the big dude playing upright bass in that Smoothie Song video is none other than Robert Trujillo, the currest bassist for..... wait for it.... Metallica! I'm pretty sure Nickel Creek is on more or less permanent hiatus, has been for a number of years. Chris Thile (mandolin) has done quite a lot of collaborative stuff, and I see Sara Watkins making a name for herself as a solo artist. Not familiar with the others, but thanks for posting the vids. Good stuff! __________________ "What I had, I spent. What I kept, I lost. But what I gave away is mine forever." - Some Loser

02-03-2016, 12:05 PM	#3
Z Grand Never Grew Up Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Walnut Grove, GA Posts: 6,777	Nickel Creek did go on hiatus after their third album, but got back together and put out a new album in 2014. They are currently still playing together as far as I know. All three also play solo and with others as well. Here's a NPR set they did in late 2014 I believe. __________________ 04 FZ-1 Silver/Black 06 Suzuki DR650 00 Kawasaki W650 90 Honda Hawk GT 79 Honda CBX 82 Honda CB900F

02-03-2016, 12:06 PM	#4
fizzyrider Too stupid to know better Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Jacksonville, FL Posts: 1,035,528	Check out a duo called Mandolin Orange, Vern. That new guy Sam9 turned me on to them. __________________ "What I had, I spent. What I kept, I lost. But what I gave away is mine forever." - Some Loser

02-03-2016, 12:08 PM	#5
Todd S I got into RR's pants! Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Framingham, MA Posts: 17,657	A friend (I guess now a family member as he recently married in) puts on a big Bluegrass festival here in LA every year, with a few shows throughout the year. He plays in his own band, too, and even gets to play Bonnarroo every year. I've gotten to get to know a lot of people in the scene through him over the years, and it's been very cool. Check out anything that Critter is in -- maybe start with the Punch Brothers. (Chris Thile is also in that one.) Della Mae is a pretty amazing all-female group. There was a group here in LA called The Cousin Lovers that was GREAT, but I don't think they play any longer, sadly. Years ago I played bass in a side project with their fiddler, Craig Eastman. -T __________________ Swapped the '05 FZ1 for an '17 Ariens 28 Deluxe.

02-03-2016, 12:09 PM	#6
Cougar Nerd Herder Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Richland, WA Posts: 11,552	How about some Sleepy Man Banjo Boys __________________ '06, Ivan's ECU Flash, PCIII, Scorpion Can, Airbox Mod, Wire Re-route, 16T, Speedohealer, Ivan's AIS Kit, Cat Skinned, Flies Swatted, EXUP Gone, Lower Fairings, EvoTech Fender Eliminator, Givi V35's and Top Box, SW-Motech Racks, FZ-6 Footpeg Rubber, Blind Spot's Fuel Line, Fren Tubo Brake Lines & Pazzo Levers, Luke's Seat Latch Mod, R1 Shock & Satan's Adapter, Duken4evr Fork Oil, R6 Throttle, CD Screen

02-03-2016, 12:18 PM	#9
Todd S I got into RR's pants! Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Framingham, MA Posts: 17,657	Also, Abagail Washburn is pretty amazing, too. Beautiful voice, heckuva baritone banjo player. Married to renowned banjoist Bela Fleck. Here they are playing one of her tunes together. I got to see her play with John Paul Jones (yes, that John Paul Jones) in a living room in Silver Lake with maybe 20 other people a few years back. Awesome. -T __________________ Swapped the '05 FZ1 for an '17 Ariens 28 Deluxe.

02-03-2016, 12:26 PM	#10
Z Grand Never Grew Up Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Walnut Grove, GA Posts: 6,777	Very nice! Ever heard any electric banjo? __________________ 04 FZ-1 Silver/Black 06 Suzuki DR650 00 Kawasaki W650 90 Honda Hawk GT 79 Honda CBX 82 Honda CB900F

02-03-2016, 12:38 PM	#11
Todd S I got into RR's pants! Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Framingham, MA Posts: 17,657	That overdriven tone is pretty cool. -T __________________ Swapped the '05 FZ1 for an '17 Ariens 28 Deluxe.

02-03-2016, 12:44 PM	#12
Z Grand Never Grew Up Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Walnut Grove, GA Posts: 6,777	I'm pretty uninformed about a lot of things. The first time I heard that song, I said, "That sounds like an electric banjo!". I didn't know there was such a thing. I also didn't know what an octave mandolin was. Here is another NPR set - this one from Sarah Jarosz. __________________ 04 FZ-1 Silver/Black 06 Suzuki DR650 00 Kawasaki W650 90 Honda Hawk GT 79 Honda CBX 82 Honda CB900F

02-03-2016, 06:03 PM	#14
Sam9 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2014 Posts: 924	I like it all, but people have taken bluegrass in many different directions and my favorites are the artists who intensify trad elements to make it even rawer, more powerful than the originals, or at least strive to. Last edited by Sam9; 02-07-2016 at 04:00 PM.

02-03-2016, 06:09 PM	#15
Sam9 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2014 Posts: 924	Some great music from Michael in here if you can stand this idiot interviewer Ben Engel.

02-04-2016, 08:08 PM	#16
Crispy Spreading the love Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 1,287	__________________ The first 40 years of childhood are the hardest. Don't Panic.

02-04-2016, 09:28 PM	#17
WileyLogHomes Need a Log Home? Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Roanoke VA Posts: 2,470	I've been trying to learn the banjo for a couple years now, and subscribe to Sirius xm solely for the bluegrass channel. __________________ 07 FZ1 lots of goodies www.WileyLogHomes.com

02-05-2016, 03:01 AM	#18
fireblake Don't stop me now. Join Date: May 2011 Location: Portsmouth UK Posts: 18	I've listened to the first 2 song and now have my days music taken care of. Thanks guys Mickey __________________

02-05-2016, 03:30 AM	#19
Banzai 10,000 Years Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: North of Brisbane, Australia Posts: 962	I'm loving a lot of the music posted so far but this is still my favourite Bluegrass cop of all time:

02-07-2016, 04:07 PM	#20
Sam9 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2014 Posts: 924	Old Time music:

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