[Ashleyj]

Originally Posted by Martinman

Hi Ashley

If I have it correct, you belong to alltunes don't you? I went on to Sparks to just see what were popular sellers. An album I found that would be good for you to check out would be Earl Scruggs, Doc Watson and Ricky Skaggs 'Three Pickers' 2003. Another I read about, but haven't listened to is Nickelcreek, 'Nickelcreek'. 2000. Alison Krauss became involved with them. (See: allmusic ((( Nickel Creek > Biography ))).) I noticed on mp3sale they have Nickelcreek but not this album; you do need to read the allmusic.com review. Mp3sale doesn't have much for a selection at all.

The other artist on mp3sale is Dan Tyminski. He's a very safe bet and only has one album on there which I can't comment on. My feeling is if you like, or dislike, the Three Pickers album or Dan Tyminski, then you've got a feel for Bluegrass. Do let me know if you get anywhere with these. Bluegreass, by and large, is pretty up-tempo, up-beat and fast paced music. That's a generalisation, but one to follow.

Vince Gill 'These Days' might be a worthy listen if you have alltunes access. With Nickelcreek, you've got to do the 2000 album because I listened to there greatest hits to compare and it's not really true Bluegrass.

Best of luck,
Martinman

Thanks Martinman. Yes I do use allTunes so I will have a look.

Rolly has kindly pointed me in the direction of a selection of Bluegrass which I am going to listen to and see what I think of it.
To be honest what I have listened to so far is not really to my taste, but it might be that i have just not listened to the right artists.
I am not going to dismiss it without giving it a fair try, so there's hope for me yet.

[petra.blanke]

Bluegrass is my least favourite aspect of Country !

[Nightfly]

Originally Posted by petra.blanke

Bluegrass is my least favourite aspect of Country !

Well petra, why don't you give some of these name a whirl anyways,
and let us know what you think.And maybe one of them will possibly change your mind......

[Nightfly]

One of my favorite alternative/country bands is
The Drive By Truckers.... excellent band.

[Dave C]

A band who I have listening to a lot recently are Absentee and their excellent new(ish) album Victory Shorts. This can only very vaguely be put in the Alt country genre (probably fits better in alternative / indie), but if you are this way inclined and fancy something new I would certainly try it (most of the stores have it). Dan Michaelson, the lead male singer, even manages to pull off a good Elmer Fudd impersonation during several of the tracks (particularly Love Has Had It's Way..). Anyone who can do this will always get a thumbs up from me

[Ashleyj]

Originally Posted by Dave C

A band who I have listening to a lot recently are Absentee and their excellent new(ish) album Victory Shorts. This can only very vaguely be put in the Alt country genre (probably fits better in alternative / indie), but if you are this way inclined and fancy something new I would certainly try it (most of the stores have it). Dan Michaelson, the lead male singer, even manages to pull off a good Elmer Fudd impersonation during several of the tracks (particularly Love Has Had It's Way..). Anyone who can do this will always get a thumbs up from me

Just had a quick preview of a few of the tracks on mp3sale and I would not have described it as my type of country. But as you say if you are looking for something a little different then this is one to go for.

It's not for me though.

[Nightfly]

Bella Fleck and The Flecktones ..He is a Jazz/Bluegrass banjo player
who is very creative.

And Dorbro player Jerry Douglas has out a new one out called Glide
that I have, which is comtemporary BlueGrass and Country Pickin.
He is one of the best acoustic slide players aound today.

[Martinman]

Originally Posted by Nightfly

Bella Fleck and The Flecktones ..He is a Jazz/Bluegrass banjo player
who is very creative.

And Dorbro player Jerry Douglas has out a new one out called Glide
that I have, which is comtemporary BlueGrass and Country Pickin.
He is one of the best acoustic slide players aound today.

Excellent artist, indeed, Nightfly. The album 'Glide' is very, very good. He also did one in 1992 called Slide Rule that is also very good. Getting more into the banjo is J.D. Crowe; two albums are 'Come On Down To My World' and 'Lefty's Old Guitar'. I prefer 'Lefty's' a bit more but that's me; they're both good. I came across a band called New Grass Revival, and all I've been able to listen to is a Best of from 1994, but they are quite a mild Bluegrass and could even fit easily just straight into easy Country. Maybe a listen for you Ashley?

I think one of the greatest names overlooked so far is Vassar Clements who has played with artists such as Hank Williams, Paul McCartney, Vince Gill and Bonnie Raitt.

Martinman

[Nightfly]

Originally Posted by Martinman

Excellent artist, indeed, Nightfly. The album 'Glide' is very, very good. He also did one in 1992 called Slide Rule that is also very good. Getting more into the banjo is J.D. Crowe; two albums are 'Come On Down To My World' and 'Lefty's Old Guitar'. I prefer 'Lefty's' a bit more but that's me; they're both good. I came across a band called New Grass Revival, and all I've been able to listen to is a Best of from 1994, but they are quite a mild Bluegrass and could even fit easily just straight into easy Country. Maybe a listen for you Ashley?

I think one of the greatest names overlooked so far is Vassar Clements who has played with artists such as Hank Williams, Paul McCartney, Vince Gill and Bonnie Raitt.

Martinman

Big fan of Vassar Clements he was also in "Old and In The Way"
with Garcia and Grisman.

[makbo]

Originally Posted by rolly

With the exception of Alan Jackson,George Strait,Brooks & Dunn,Dwight Yoakam,Randy Travis,Ricky Van Shelton,the country of today I don't like at all.
It's not country music anymore.
I actually hate it very much so it annoys me.

Now put on some real country of time passed by,and I'll have a good enjoyable listen.
Those include:

Merle Haggard,
George Jones,
Conway Twitty,
Jim Reeves
Marty Robbins
Waylon Jennings
Willie Nelson
Charley Pride
Ferlin Husky
Sonny James
Mel Tillis

I can listen to Johnny Cash for a little while,just don't push it.

I always tell people who ask, "I like every type of music except country & western". It's not entirely true, but at least it's a line in the sand (one meant to be washed away by the tide, I guess),

I have only my mom to blame, she like C&W, so I have a few embedded in my mind:

Slim Whitman (a yodeler)
Marty Robbins "El Paso"
Gene Autry "In a Little Spanish Town"
Patsy Cline "Walkin after midnight"

I remember the name Ferlin Husky but not the music, although I see I can get it at Alltunes.

Then there is alt-prog-country of the 70's, such as Marshall Tucker Band, Poco, New Riders of the Purple Sage, etc. Mostly I heard on the radio, but did not buy (except Marshall Tucker hits).

Now here is my perverse contribution from recent releases:

Mikel Knight "Saddle Up (Club Mix)"

"Its a little bit of country with a hip hop twist". In other words, line dancing music. Hee Haw, Saddle up Shawty!