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As much as I love Bill Monroe, Mike Compton, and a host of other "traditional" bluegrassers, the sole reason for getting into bluegrass--as well as playing music in general--was the New Grass Revival. I first saw NGR around 1983 or 84 as a 15 year old and immediately wanted to start playing banjo and mandolin. To me, there was no collective entity greater than NGR other than the Beatles. I also find myself, after an intense self imposed traditional bluegrass reeducation, returning to a study of newgrass. I've missed playing (or attempting to play) that style of music.
Any case, I've never really checked Google video much (i've focused more on YouTube) but found this absolutely stellar NGR clip I've never seen circa 1983. The tune is Sam Bush's incomparable Sapporo and it's back when Fleck was still playing his top tension with the bowtie neck. Finding this clip has made my day. Other than the Beatles, this is a perfect example of why I taught myself to play music.
NGR-Sapporo
Jim
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Great stuff! I've been a NGR fan for years. It's too bad that Pat's guitar solos didn't come through a little better in the mix.
Google just bought You Tube, by the way.
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Awesome! Thanks for the link.:blues:
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Jim,
Thanks a million for that link. A great 20 minutes! I heard the band play that tune quite a few times and this seemed like an especially good version. I don't recall Sam ever using a slide on this or the echo box, so that was new to me. John Cowan is phenomenal. It's such a simple tune harmonically that a boring bass player could drag the thing down in no time but he kept it fresh.
John G.
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When you said classic NGR, I thought you meant Curtis Burch and Cortney Johnson; the first line-up I saw in that band.
Perhaps I'll go borrow someone's high speed connection and check out the clip...
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John, I agree, the Courtney and Curtis line-up is the "classic" line up. Courtney (and Butch Robins) are the top of the heap for me as far as banjo pickers. I meant classic more in the way of "vintage."
Jim
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Wow! Awsome! Thanks for the link.
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Thanks man! I almost didn't recognise Sam!
