Who is

[newblue]

OK I know who Sam Bush is, I purchased the Ice Caps cd earlier this year. But I sense there is a significance to this man that, as a newbie, I do not have a full understanding of.

[mandofiddle]

One of founding members of Newgrass Revival. Part of the Bluegrass Sessions recordings. Part of Strength in Numbers. Session musician in Nashville. Master of many styles. Ice Caps is definitely not is best work, but is more of what he's doing lately... his own thing.

[John Flynn]

I recognize he is a great player, but my interests lie elsewhere so my answer will not "gush" like some other folks' might. He seems to be one of Monroe's main torch bearers. I think I read that Monroe, in the last few years of this life, named Bush the best of the young players. Bush is one of the innovators who helped create the "newgrass" genre. He is also one of the innovators in electric amplification of the mandolin. He seems to be very versatile and well thought of. Most people would probably say he is one of the top ten mando players performing today.

[newblue]

Tell me about the good stuff. What is the "must have" cd?

[BluegrassPhilfromFrance]

he's probably the most VERSATILE mandolin player in the world ! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

[doc holiday]

In my opinion, the real must have stuff is anywhere that Sam Bush plays on anyone else's records....Norman Blake, Randy Howard, Tony Rice etc. SB is a tremendous player, for lack of a better phrase. That's where you'll find some of his incredible depth as a musician. If you had enough rock and roll as a kid, & unless you are an extreme mandoholic, you may found his own recordings a little on the thin side.

Doc http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/coffee.gif

[Atlanta Mando Mike]

get Tony Rice manzanita (mostly trad grass)or bela Flecks "Drive" (super cool newgrass album). Both showcase his mando style very well and both are must have classic albums that really never get old.

[Atlanta Mando Mike]

Also Sam is known to have best chop of any mandolin player ever-I mean it is like a thunder clap. Mike marshall told me is is impossible to imitate-and thats from the master.

[doc holiday]

I forgot to mention my most recent favorite traditional bluegrass album with great players on it. Aubrey Haynie's "Bluegrass Fiddle Album" with Tony Rice on guitar, Barry Bales on Bass and Sam Bush on mandolin. The sound mix is very even which gives the mandolin lots of presence on it.

Thanks
Doc

[Dfyngravity]

If you ever get a chance to see him...DO NOT give that chance up. It will be one of the greatest concerts you will have ever seen. There is just so much energy with Sam Bush. I have seen him twice and still can't get enough of him. Although it is kind of weird, I don't really like to put in one of his CD's and listen to it all the way through. He is just someone you have to see live. If that makes and sense. The first time I saw him was in a small venue that held probably 150 ppl..200 max. I was right up against the stage, about 3 feet from him. It was just and insaine show. Although I really really enjoy watching him play the fiddle. He is just so smooth and clean. He can really do it all. And of course there is that chop. Especially when he does those bob marly tunes.

[Magnus Geijer]

I'm not that great of a fan, but I really, really enjoy the Sam Bush & David Grisman - Hold On, We're Strumming album.

/Magnus

[Christopher Howard-Williams]

The ablbums mentioned above are good ones (where he plays with others - Manzanita, Drive, ...), but you should also check out New Grass Revival in their two phases: Courtney Johnson and then Bela Flek on banjo. Plus Sam's solo album (Late as Usual). He was also, I seem to remember, on some of the early Alison Kraus (more Bluegassy) stuff.
In video, his master lesson on Bill Monroe's playing is great stuff. And there are many, many more.
Live, he is really exciting as has been posted above.

[Lefty&French]

This album,circa 1972, opened a whole new world to mandolin...

[cbogle]

A great recording (should you be able to find it) is Sam Bush & Al Munde's "Together Again For The First Time". Such inventive, spectacular playing, with good doses of Sammy's outstanding fiddle work too. The ONLY downside of this album is the annoying electric bass playing.

[zeke]

And helping to complete your Bush discography there's his place in Emmy Lou Harris's Hot Band and Lyle Lovett's Large Band.

[AlanN]

He absolutely cooked on Mark O'Connor's Guitar LP, and on a Bobby Hicks record called Texas Crapshooter.

[Wadefox]

One of my favorite albums he's on is Emmy Lou Harris's Live at the Ryman Auditorium album. His playing is great. And Bill Monroe shows up briefly.

[ira]

all cuts with sam on recording are great, but live sam bush is where its at! he rocks!!!!!

[psann]

Great video of Sam to download here


http://www.woodsongs.com/showlist.asp

It is No. 179

[Nathan Sanders]

Sam Bush is one of my favorite mandolin players. He's got a style all his own. I wouldn't exactly call him the "torch bearer" of Bill Monroe though. His style and ability is way beyond Monroe. I saw Sam Bush live a few years ago at the Oklahoma International Bluegrass Festival in Guthrie, Oklahoma. WOW!! At one point it was just him and Jerry Douglas on stage jammin'. Later, Emmylou Harris came out for a song. One particular album I like Bush on is Mark O'Connor's New Nashville Cats. Of course Bush's own Howlin' At the Moon and Glamour & Grits have some great moments. For example, on Howlin' At the Moon is a great recording of "Take Me Out To the Ball Game", with the late Roy Husky, Jr. on bass.

[jim simpson]

Finally got to see Sam with Bela Fleck's Bluegrass Sessions tour a few (or so) years back. Great sound, chops, energy, and great entertainment value. He is like the energizer bunny with a mandolin. I also prefer Bela Fleck in the bluegrass context.

[mando bandage]

Saw Mr. Bush with Lyle Lovett's Large Band a few years back. ALso had the pleasure of seeing his own act as well as 4/5 of Strength in Numbers (sans Mark O'Connor) at Telluride last year with many other configurations. Albums are nice, but do NOT miss the chance to see him live.

R

[doc holiday]

Newblue: since you asked what the must haves are...."Bluegrass Mandolin Extravaganza" features Sam B. I am sure there are a few folks out there who got the urge to play mando after hearing it. Sam plays a great version of "Cattle in the Cane" among other tunes.

Doc

[MandyLynn]

psann--THANK YOU so much for that link!! I had no idea that existed. how cool!

[John S]

The title of the thread begs for haiku:

Sam Bush plays mando
Head shaking like a mad man
How does he do it?

[levin4now]

Would others vouch that Sam's work on Dan Crary's "Guitar" cd is great too? he refers to it alot on his 'repertoire and technique' cd set. Cotton PAtch Rag etc...

I'd also say Bluegrass Mandolin Extravaganza CD set is awesome b/c you get to hear him alongside some of the other greats of late. you really can pick him out with his style.

[beanbass]

Sam is a workhorse, like no other. When you see a Sam Bush show, you get more than your money's worth. Count on not going anywhere for awhile because it's going to be a long and enjoyable show. You can count on laughing at his stage banter as well. I see him as the grand MC of acoustic music. It must have been painful for him to have his set cancelled after 2 minutes last year at Newport Folk Festival.

[newblue]

Why? What happened at Newport?

[beanbass]

At last summer's Newport Folk Festival, there was a downpour that delayed the music; when it resumed, Sam was 20 minutes into his set when they told him to wrap it up. He just dropped his fiddle bow over his shoulder in disgust. This is the story that I had heard.

[futrconslr]

He is at the Ryman tomorrow nite. I wasnt going to go but I am now re-thinking that position

[futrconslr]

Bought my tickets. Also get to see Alecia Nugent. Any other folks going? IF so and you see a tall bald guy with a tall redhead, flash me the Secret Mandocafe handsignal and say hello.