bluegrass
John Reischman has published his new CD “New Time & Old Acoustic” recently.
John Reischman has always impressed me with his soft and clear sound. On his new album John has compiled a set of new original compositions together with covers of traditional tunes.
Youtube playlist:
You can also listen to the CD and buy the CD or a digital download at bandcamp.com.
John Reischman gave an interview to the Mandolin Cafe
bluegrass
I have recently found an interview with David Grisman (Live on the Jake Feinberg Show) where he talked about the recording of the Bluegrass Album with Red Allen and Frank Wakefield in 1964. He later talks about his projects with Jerry Garcia.
This interview inspired me to look back to the early 1960s and how Bluegrass was like then.
The album was produced for Smithsonian Folkways Records. Grisman (born in 1945) was just 19 years old when he produced this record. Wakefield had a great influence to Grisman who says the he learned alle tha mandolin solos a played by Frank Wakefield.
Smithsonian Folkways about Red Allen & Frank Wakefield
Allen and Wakefield’s music ranges from strictly traditional songs like “Little Maggie” to pieces introduced by Bill Monroe to sacred material, all with their hallmark close harmonies and tight instrumental backing. Like Monroe and Roscoe Holcomb, Allen’s voice embodies the “high lonesome” sound.
Grisman had invited Red Allen and Frank Wakefield to play a concert at the Carnegie Hall before.
David Grisman especially was inspired by a song from the album “Mountain Music Bluegrass Style” – The White House Blues by Earl Taylor and the Stoney Mountain Boys. They had to drive to New York to buy records like this. He says abou when he listened to this song for the very first time: “That changed my life”
Album – Mountain Music Bluegrass Style (Smithsonian)
bluegrass
Today I read a long post about Tony Williamson. He just received the North Carolina Heritage Award.
Announced as a 2018 North Carolina Heritage Award recipient, Williamson, from Chatham County, is described as “a visionary musician, composer, musical instrument expert, teacher and mentor.” He blends multiple genres but still remains rooted in bluegrass.
The following video is a presentation of Tony Williamson.
Music is the backdrop of his life. Enjoy filmmaker Rodrigo Dorfman’s short documentary on 2018 North Carolina Heritage Awardee Tony Williamson.
Tone is a real expert for vintage instruments. He can tell many stories about the instruments and their history. He has given many presentations with vintage instruments and has recorded some great albums.
You can watch Tony Williamson and some great old mandolins in my playlist. The first four videos are from a presentation in the North Carolina Museum of History, Tony Williamson shows and plays a Gibson F5 mandolins, an F4 mandolin and a K2 mandocello.
Tony Williamson – 2018 North Carolina Heritage Award recipient
bluegrass
Valerie Smith and her Band Liberty Pike have played in Germany for several times. Valerie Smith has written several great Bluegrass songs, and she has played with many great Bluegrass musicians. Her discography lists currently 14 albums, the latest album “Small Town Heroes” will be published soon.
This year she played again at the IBMA convention.
I have compiled a Playlist with a selection of older and newer videos.
Valerie Smith-Here’s A Little Song: http://airplaydirect.com/music/HeresALittleSong/
Valerie Smith: http://airplaydirect.com/valeriesmith
Becky Buller – Little Bird: http://airplaydirect.com/Littlebird
Valerie Smith – Small Town Heroes: http://www.airplaydirect.com/music/SmallTownHeroes/