MetaChat - Banjos and fiddles.

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13 June 2006

Banjos and fiddles. I really really rly like the Dixie Chicks' "Home" album. Are there any other rootsie pop/bluegrass albums I should, hmm, obtain? No overly pop- or rock- or alt- country, please.

post by: signal at: 17:22 | 15 comments

Nickel Creek are supposed to be the fresh new things, although I'm not fond of them. They kick ass live, I've heard.

posted by Lipstick Thespian 13 June | 17:24

I would check out Allison Krauss and Union Station.

"Lonely Still Runs Both Ways" is even better than Home.

Serious bluegrass though.

posted by Lola_G 13 June | 17:25

You might like Tres Chicas' Sweetwater or their new one Bloom, Red & the Ordinary Girl. Caitlin Cary (ex-Whiskeytown, plus she has excellent solo records) -- her fiddle breaks my heart.

posted by frances1972 13 June | 17:34

The Be Good Tanyas? Not really bluegrass, but old-timey sounding. Jolie Holland's solo stuff too.

posted by matildaben 13 June | 17:35

Asylum Street Spankers, mebbe.

posted by Specklet 13 June | 17:37

I still always get a little thrill whenever I hear Ray Stevens' bluegrass/banjo version of 'Misty'. Lovely.

posted by essexjan 13 June | 17:39

There's a new duet album out by Emmy Lou Harris and Mark Knophler (of Dire Straits) called "All the Roadrunning". I just got it at Target, and I like it a lot. Might be a little country, but the harmony is striking.

posted by redvixen 13 June | 18:01

matildaben: I really like Jolie Holland, as well.

posted by signal 13 June | 18:09

I also really like Jenny Lewis (of Rilo Kiley) and the Watson Twins but I'm pretty sure that falls under Alt-Country...

posted by Lola_G 13 June | 18:34

I was going to recommend Nickel Creek, too. They do, in fact, kick ass live. I've also heard a few songs from Old Crow Medicine Show that I thought were cool, but I'm not super familiar with them.

posted by jrossi4r 13 June | 20:16

Nickel Creek's live show was one of the best I've ever seen, but I'm not terribly fond of their albums. They're on tour now. Catch them if you can.

As for recorded music, Triode introduced me to Crooked Still, for which I'm eternally grateful. Banjos, fiddles, and a cello! Here's their version of Orphan Girl. (Thanks, Triode!)

And speaking of Orphan Girl, don't forget Gillian Welch. Or Sam Bush.

posted by mudpuppie 13 June | 21:18

Ricky Skaggs has some wonderful wonderful music out there.

Also, Dolly Parton's bluegrass stuff is pretty great. I particularly like Halos and Horns.

You might also like some the Patty Loveless album Mountain Soul. There are also a couple bluegrass songs on her last two country albums. She's really put out some good stuff the last few years.

Nickel Creek is really enjoyable live - echoing what other have said in this thread.

What songs do you particularly enjoy of Home? That will give me a better idea what to recommend.

posted by fluffy battle kitten 13 June | 22:21

Female five string banjoist shouting at her boyfriend in a crowded shopping mall: "Don't forget, sweetheart, I need a new G string."

*runs and ducks*

posted by danf 13 June | 22:21

What songs do you particularly enjoy of Home? That will give me a better idea what to recommend.

Long Time Gone
White Trash Wedding
Truth No. 2
Lil' Jack Slade
Landslide (studio version)

Thanks for all the recommendations so far, y'all!

posted by signal 13 June | 22:48

You might also want to try Patty Griffin (she wrote a couple of the songs on Home), Rhonda Vincent, and if you have GAC on your cable systen you should also check out the Opry some Saturday (or one of the repeats through the week). And if you don't have it - you might actually try the O Brother soundtrack + Down from the Mountain (live performances) and maybe even O Sister (The Women's Bluegrass Collection).

Jerry Douglas the dobro player in Union Station is also a stellar musician and his solo stuff is worth checking out.

posted by fluffy battle kitten 20 June | 21:49

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