Bluegrass music - Where should I start? Question for aficionados.

SquireJapan

I've always liked the sound of bluegrass and general "fancy folk" (by which I mean it's quite technical).

After finally buying a Martin D18 (which took me 20 years after first playing and wanting one) I've decided to put some real effort into learning some good entertaining stuff on the thing - by which I mean that when someone says "go on then, play something" I could pick it up and entertain a room for 10 mins or so.

I like Doc Watson, which is what I'm listening to at the min. Also enjoying Billy Strings, but his stuff seems to lean more towards a group of musicians rather than just one man with a guitar.

I'm interested in bluegrass examples of "just a bloke with a guitar" - any suggestions?

phil_b

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCy9CXl0iFafrcBA953Iqd0Q

I dont know much about bluegrass but I did come across The Petersens on youtube. might not be a bad pace to start

VimFuego

My personal fave is Norman Blake. Tony Rice is a must, as is Clarence White. Tim O'Brien is fantastic, more folky/old timey than pure bluegrass I guess, though there's a lot of crossover. From there, well the options are legion.

SquireJapan

VimFuego said:

My personal fave is Norman Blake. Tony Rice is a must, as is Clarence White. Tim O'Brien is fantastic, more folky/old timey than pure bluegrass I guess, though there's a lot of crossover. From there, well the options are legion.

So I've had a selection of Norman Blake stuff on, but it seems a bit maudlin ... can you point me at a specific album?

brucegill

More of a modern twist, Mandolin orange. Willie Watson. Jeffrey Martin

maybe heading more country though I guess

fob

58957 - Tony Rice.

fob

That was meant to be a link for the playlist of the album - easy enough to find though.

Moominpapa

I'm interested in bluegrass examples of "just a bloke with a guitar" - any suggestions?

She sure isn't a bloke, but Molly Tuttle can bluegrass flatpick & clawhammer with the best of them  - in fact better than most. Absolute killer guitar player. Exhibit A:

SquireJapan

Holly shit, that’s impressive.  

fob

fob

May as well have the original

koneguitarist

Mile Twelve is a great band 
also check out the SteelDrivers plus the amazing Midnight Skyracers an all girl Bluegrass band from Oxford area I believe, featured them on my show a few times. Awesome. 

koneguitarist

https://youtu.be/pZdaUy8uwu4

https://youtu.be/7gA1b03eono

https://youtu.be/VkeFJ4xcsKQ

koneguitarist

Molly is wonderful, as good as it gets, Billy Strings gets all the plaudits in states due to his speed of flat picking, yet Molly is far superior with a more melodic approach. Even up against Tommy Emmanuel, she is holding her own. 

https://youtu.be/LygU365fbos

Her solo after Tommy’s first solo about 2 mins in is breathtaking pace and dexterity.