Don't even try to advocate for Billy Strings. When he plays Bluegrass it's pretty good, but 3/4 of his set is effects-driven Rock-Fusion set to an annoying EDM lightshow. It's Nightmare Hippie Chick music, not Bluegrass.
But Billy Strings has the best jamgrass going these days hands down. Saw him for the first time at the Edgefield last month and it kicked ass and lived up to the hype. All the intense shredding jamgrass of the Infamous Stringdusters but with way more grit and soul. He had a killer light show to boot.
I'm not an expert on all the bluegrass bands around, but McCoury is still the best one I know of, and a drummer? Yeah, that's not bluegrass, that's jumping the shark to play bigger venues.
In my personal taste for bluegrass I'd say the Billy Strings band would be right at the top, if they had a fiddle player.
And lost the rock star light show.
But that's also part of playing the bigger venues.
But that's not really a music thing. If/when he brings in a drummer we'll know know he's jumped the bluegrass/newgrass shark as well.
IMO traditional bluegrass is a very unique, very brilliant sound, and it can be manipulated and re-worked and broadened or whatever, and that's all fine, but a damn good traditional bluegrass band is it's own special, improv, harmonies, ensemble group thing, and has been for a really long time.
And almost certainly will be for a really long time to come.
>>>>If Tony Rice had done that in the 70's he would've been tarred and feathered by the trad crowd.
Saw a Rice/Bush/Grisman show once and these two old geezers nearby got up disgusted and stormed out complaining "This ain't like any bluegrass I have heard before."
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: fishcane fishcane
on Tuesday, October 26, 2021 – 09:23 pm
They have a drummer?
They have a drummer?
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Sigmund SeaMonster
on Tuesday, October 26, 2021 – 09:41 pm
Snare, high hat and bass drum
Snare, high hat and bass drum Would that make them Folk?
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Philzone Refugee Herbal Dave
on Wednesday, October 27, 2021 – 12:45 am
That would be The Del McCoury
That would be The Del McCoury Band, with Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder a close second.
If it has drums, it ain't Bluegrass.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Philzone Refugee Herbal Dave
on Wednesday, October 27, 2021 – 12:52 am
Dry Branch Fire Squad for the
Dry Branch Fire Squad for the show.
Don't even try to advocate for Billy Strings. When he plays Bluegrass it's pretty good, but 3/4 of his set is effects-driven Rock-Fusion set to an annoying EDM lightshow. It's Nightmare Hippie Chick music, not Bluegrass.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Ken D. Portland_ken
on Wednesday, October 27, 2021 – 02:06 am
There are some good local
There are some good local bands. Check out these guys if they come around to your neighborhood:
https://www.bandofcomerados.com/
But Billy Strings has the best jamgrass going these days hands down. Saw him for the first time at the Edgefield last month and it kicked ass and lived up to the hype. All the intense shredding jamgrass of the Infamous Stringdusters but with way more grit and soul. He had a killer light show to boot.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Lance minimum goad Newberry heathentom
on Wednesday, October 27, 2021 – 04:44 am
I'm with Dave on this.
I'm with Dave on this.
I'm not an expert on all the bluegrass bands around, but McCoury is still the best one I know of, and a drummer? Yeah, that's not bluegrass, that's jumping the shark to play bigger venues.
In my personal taste for bluegrass I'd say the Billy Strings band would be right at the top, if they had a fiddle player.
And lost the rock star light show.
But that's also part of playing the bigger venues.
But that's not really a music thing. If/when he brings in a drummer we'll know know he's jumped the bluegrass/newgrass shark as well.
IMO traditional bluegrass is a very unique, very brilliant sound, and it can be manipulated and re-worked and broadened or whatever, and that's all fine, but a damn good traditional bluegrass band is it's own special, improv, harmonies, ensemble group thing, and has been for a really long time.
And almost certainly will be for a really long time to come.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: aiq aiq
on Wednesday, October 27, 2021 – 10:26 am
Many today that claim the
Many today that claim the bluegrass title don't use a banjo. Monroe would thumbs down that, but he also said no lead guitar.
As a music becomes niche and time marches on things splinter.
Like in another niche genre, jazz, there will always be the trad fans and those pushing boundaries.
Strings on Kimmel the other night was a very strong contender for best trad.
Funny because the last time I heard him he was playing electric guitar with WSP.
If Tony Rice had done that in the 70's he would've been tarred and feathered by the trad crowd.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Ken D. Portland_ken
on Wednesday, October 27, 2021 – 10:42 am
>>>>If Tony Rice had done
>>>>If Tony Rice had done that in the 70's he would've been tarred and feathered by the trad crowd.
Saw a Rice/Bush/Grisman show once and these two old geezers nearby got up disgusted and stormed out complaining "This ain't like any bluegrass I have heard before."
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Blue Rose Task Force Rock And Roll Goddess
on Wednesday, October 27, 2021 – 11:39 am
I dig these guys.
I dig these guys.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EI9oVs4julc
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Mice elf Bss
on Wednesday, October 27, 2021 – 11:45 am
Hot Rize
Hot Rize
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: MarkD ntfdaway
on Wednesday, October 27, 2021 – 04:37 pm
Not the "best", but
Not the "best", but Horseshoes and Handgrenades are pretty good. I dig their single mic thing too.