A good follow up from Billy Strings and an excellent retrospective. I was a serious bluegrass head in my twenties but had been bored with it and in kind of a jazz coma until Billy Strings came along. He's combining what Doc Watson and Jerry Garcia brought to the table and it's glorious. I grew up on country and gospel, was a metalhead/punk as a teenager and then started switching to folk music because Metallica working with Bob Rock offended my then very purist sensibilities. That led me to the Smithsonian Folkways release of Doc Watson and Bill Monroe live recordings. That changed everything. Those guys were as fast as the best metal players and had more soul than any of them. I'd been to a few Dead shows because a lot of friends were into them but I saw it all through the jaded eyes of a punk rocker. Getting into bluegrass totally changed my attitude toward Jerry Garcia. And then there were people like David Grisman and Toney Rice who played with both Doc and Jerry often doing jazz. I sort of feel like I found my way home lately.
Very moving…reminds me of my childhood. As a PK @ home my Dad played guitar & mandolin, plus we had a piano & Hammond in a 100 yo huge historical home where many weddings were held. Had 2 cousins in a Gospel quartet that I got to travel with. They have a couple albums. I played trombone but was left out of the voices they were blessed with. What loving memories. The music offers me an escape from PTSD. In fact I was also moved deeply from the Army snipers song u posted. Been lurking awhile now & my 1st comment & joined the group today. I can’t play cause a spinal inj but I am learning so much more about music. Sorry bout the “book” Again THANK YOU so much for sharing. “Doc”
My dad was in a bluegrass band throughout the '70s, so as a kid I grew up with songs like "Angel Band". I remember thinking the music was boring and repetitive, let alone the howling singing. Then one day something clicked and I was able to really appreciate it. It's all about interesting arrangements and great playing within that strict bluegrass formula. Plus those haunting harmonies that you don't really find anywhere else!
Be still my heart, BMFS - I feel like we are on a rocket ship right now and I cannot get enough. Headed to Boston in t minus 3 hours to get to his show tonight, baby! Anything you can do to to explain his techniques and fills would be beyond appreciated!
Hope you had a great Billy show! I’m obsessed, I must say. Had the chance to play a few bills with him around MI before he went on the major tours (he was still with Don J. At the time) and I’ve followed his career since those days. His band can do it all… most traditional to most contemporary bluegrass and all things in between and beyond haha. True inspiration. Can’t get enough. So many staples on the OAITW album… a favorite of mine I used to cover on the road is midnight moonlight. So much fun to play. The lead section is a blast! Keep ‘em coming, Michael!
I really appreciate that you hold bluegrass and gospel bluegrass in high esteem. For decades, I’ve told people “if you want to be able to shred, learn how to play bluegrass.” To the untrained ear, bluegrass can sound “simple” - but that stuff is BRUTAL - so fast and always played perfectly. It’s for virtuosi only. For guitarists, flatpickin’ is a workout and those that master it are amazing.
This band has been in my heart for forty years. I still listen to it on weekend mornings with coffee. They say misery loves company, well so does joy. Thanks for sharing. Aloha buddy
Dude, thank you...BlueGrass Gospel is literally something that will permeate my soul and will carry me home some day (hopefully a very long time from now). But thank you for bringing this genre to the spotlight...and I love a variety of musical styles, but gospel and bluegrass just fit.
I remember my dad listening to and playing this type stuff when growing up. LOVE that guitar you have there. Beautiful! I didn't even start learning until age 35.
I’m been stuck on Hart Valley Drifters, Jerry playing in “The Black Mountain Boys” in 64-65 since it very first released. There’s a purposeful and intentional lag and/or latency to their playing that hits something in me. It’s loose and tight at the same time. The song “Run Mountain” is a good example. I’m a big fan of “Hobo Song” and their version of “Wild Horses” in the Old And In The Way albums. Know every moment of every song by heart. Your content is really striking a chord with me. Watched your recent Megadeth video a few times because it brought back some excellent memories 🙂👍
Jorma Kaukonen's Blue Country Heart, and Joe Diffie's Homecoming. Those 2 bluegrass albums deserve a listen. So very well done. For exceptional fingerpicking acoustic guitar and dobro with gospel lyrics.... Kelly Joe Phelps' Brother Sinner and the Whale changed my life!
Grateful dawg is one of best documentaries going. Brings it full circle for the two. They talk about the bill monroe high lonesome sound. DGQ20 was my favorite cd boxset for years hearing the evolution and all 3 discs are all equally good. American beauty, ripple, attics of my life, brokedown, friend of the devil is as closed as Dead came to this sound I also cant live without American Beauty what an album. Saw these guys, jerry douglass, tony rice, mark oconnor, dave grisman, paul kershwin at Flynn theatre in Burlington VT. Dobro is such cool instrument. FYI you might dig gillian welch and david rawlings if you love this stuff its unique. They were on O'brother soundtrack. Check out song "caleb meyer" or "miss ohio" to hear range. Good stuff
Michael your show is well done. Way above my head but your passion makes me come back. Your time with us in the bluegrass genre really is special. Living in the Blue Ridge Mountains you don’t have to go far to hear top shelf talent. If possible I would encourage you to check out Molly Tuttle. She was folk guitar player of the year. Incredible singer and songwriter. Looking forward to work my way through your library of shows.
I spent a good amount of time with the Old and in the Way album, back in the late 80's. It is to date one of my favorites. These guys are the old school real deal. I had the honor of spending my younger days with the children of these great musicians, and the quilt of energy that permeates this family is deep and unique. Fun fact: Vassar Clements played my mothers gorgeous 1973 D28 Martin on stage. My mother was a folk musician and recently passed. I have the guitar and it is beyond special. Thank you for this video!
I played traditional bluegrass dobro for 20 years. I’m now retired but played with lots of musicians. I specialized in pitiful numbers, vocals and harmonies. I loved the happy melodies with pitiful words with great harmonies!
This is very special to me too. I was badly injured in a car crash in 1996 and spent 3 months in hospital. A good friend sent a letter to David Grisman and told him one of his big fans was in a bad way. In the mail I received a beautifully handwritten letter and signed copy of the 2nd edition of Old and In The Way. I think it certainly contributed to my recovery and ongoing mandolin journey.
Many years ago when I was a young man, my friend Lonnie, a fiddle player and I, hung around after watching a Vassar concert. We snuck backstage and found Vassar’s dressing room, there was a well known, talented, young local fiddler already there. Vassar invited us in and we all had a great visit with him. He was very friendly and was genuinely happy to talk to us young, hippy bluegrass fans. He was a great talent, a nice man and a true inspiration to a group of young Canadian bluegrass fanatics.
If you don't know about them, I HIGHLY recommend you check out the Punch Brothers. It's more newgrass then bluegrass, but in my opinion "Phosphorescent Blues" is one of the greatest albums ever recorded. And it features legend chris thile with paul kowert and chris eldridge.
I saw Billy Strings in July here in Schaumburg, IL. Amazing pickers. Amazing. They’re so talented. Old And In The Way was over before it was even known about. Amazing that Jerry could pick banjo and play on a level with some of the greatest bluegrass musicians ever. All while doing JGB and of course Grateful Dead. Following your channel along with Lessons with Marcel has me playing my guitar more than I have in 10 years! Thanks for the inspiration.
Schaumburg baby! Lol, I spent a couple years on Rolling Meadows and spent a lot of time in Schaumburg over the years. Now I'm down south about a half hour or so...
Hell yeah, Old And In The Way! Always a pleasure to learn more about you Michael. Also thanks for the trick on turning a Dom 7 into a diminished. I've been practicing all of my 4 note arpeggios, and this puts words to the sound I hear when I play Dom 7.
I can't remember where I found my first Old & In The Way tape, but I'll never forget listening to it (and nothing else) for the next few months. Three tapes ruled my early years, Old And In The Way, Willie's Red Headed Stranger, and a blues mix tape from the 90's with Hooker, Hopkins, and Reed. Also, thanks for the Buzz Busby hook-up! I haven't heard that name in 24+ years and had forgotten.
Yes, of course, Jerry is in the Pantheon of all-time great guitarists, and I am oh-so glad you’re highlighting how much more than that he brought to the music. And Jerry’s singing is too often ignored or over-looked. He had a beautiful voice that was all his own.
This is the music that inspired Jerry to play in the 1st place and also brought David and Jerry and John together love it !!!! Maybe even as much as the Dead and JGB !!!
Really been waiting for someone like yourself for a long time who is articulate enough in the nuances yo deep dive into a piece I studied for years and arguably THE GREATEST HENDRIX TRIBUTE EVER- GARY MOORE RED HOUSE COVER AT THE 5OTH START ANNIVERSARY 2004!! So much for you to dive into that suits your style of critique ,beyond the guitar skil- including body language, accents, expression, pino palladino on the base!!Truly a once in a lifetime journey for the ears that brings you home safely in the end!! A performance I watched when I was 16 and continue to watch at 33. RIP Gary moore
Started playing the banjo a few years ago and got bit by the Bluegrass bug. Thanks so much for covering this kind of music. This stuff and the delta blues truly are the roots of a lot of modern music. Thanks again and keep em coming..
Late 1972, I read about this record, supposedly the Sgt. Peppers of country music. My college roommate and I put our money together and bought Will The Circle Be Unbroke. Oh my, they were right. The next summer, we hit a bluegrass festival. Standing in a circle next to Earl Scruggs as he played with everyone. Saw Doc Watson, Norman Blake, Vassar, David Bromberg, the Earl Scruggs Review, and the Dirt Band itself, numerous times over 5 days. Amazing music. But a more amazing culture. There's a great video of Doc and Earl playing with Merle and Randy. Little kid in the background on guitar. Everyone plays. Love Molly Tuttle, too. Great version of the Dead's Standing on the Moon.
So glad you got to see Billy Strings (minutes from me, but unable to attend for various reasons)! You’re the one who introduced him to me on your channel and I thank you SO much for that. I enjoy your passion which is so much like mine for so many songs and artists.
Glad you appreciate this genre. Great explanations as always. Since you like bluegrass and you also like Chris Stapleton, you should try The Steeldrivers. Chris was Lead singer, guitar, and song writer, along with Mike Henderson. This was for about 6 years before his solo career. Any song is good. "Blue side of the mountain" was grammy nominated. Adele covered "If it hadn't been for love". "Midnight train to Memphis" is great. But i've been stuck on "Sticks that made Thunder" lately. Waiting for their other album in the mail now...
My Grandfather, my GreatGrandfather and Great Uncle all played the Bluegrass Fiddle. Can you guess what instrument I play? You guessed it! The Fiddle. I love Bluegrass! Thanks for putting a spotlight on this style of music. Love your enthusiasm
Stanley Brothers for Angel Band. Was blessed to see Ralph Stanley sing this at Bean Blossom in Indiana I guess about ten years ago. I cried my eyes out. Also one of the Osborne Bros ...Kenny I think..... sang Kentucky. It was glorious.
I think that Larry Sparks has some of the smoothest and most unique "D" runs in bluegrass, it would be cool to see you break down some Larry Sparks licks!
"Ooh the winds blows cold. In the land of the Navajo." That was my first blue grass album too. Totally Awesome seeing you cover this! Edit: Might wanna check out "Not for Kids Only Album by David Grisman and Jerry Garcia"
Bluegrass is songs of the ancient, prayers that transcend time, psalms of wisdom and regret that touch the humanity in all of us. It’s form never gets old. Thank you for sharing.
You are a country-soul-mountain-valley-gospel bluegrass man at heart lol. I respect that. Emotion is the reason we search for some way some means to connect ourselves with it. So, we play. Cool video dude.
Hi Michael…..Bluegrass has been huge for me as well…. when I was a child in the late '70's my Dad had a Bluegrass band, they practiced every Wednesday night at our house. SO I grew up listening and playing Bluegrass… now those rhythms, that phrasing, those harmonies are so deeply ingrained in my musical vocabulary that I couldn't get lose them if I tried with all my soul. Doesn't matter what I play I always carry that childhood of music with me…...
I, too, came to bluegrass through Old And In The Way. Now it should be noted, Vassar Clements would tell you that what they did wasn't really bluegrass...... but man....... was it good! It came around as bluegrass was starting to go in new directions (New Grass Revival, Earl Scruggs, etc). It's evolution, and it's good - even if Bill Monroe and Lester Flatt didn't necessarily want to go along. Anyway, I love the old stuff, and I love the new stuff. Some of the best musicians in the world! Michael - if you haven't, you really need to dig in to Jerry Douglas. For my money, there's none better. Cheers! And thanks for the breakdown.
Bluegrass Supergroup is a good description. I enjoyed the 1st album in the 70's and was pleasantly surprised when "That High Lonesome Sound" and "Breakdown" were released in the 90's. The 2002 reunion "Old And In The Grey" wasn't the same without Garcia.
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!! I've been a Dead fan since about '67 or '68 and I'd forgotten all about "Old and in the Way". And I'm with you on bluegrass. When I'm down there is no song like "Uncle Pen" (gotta be Bill Monroe of course) to get my spirits up. And I'd forgotten that Vassar played with these guys!
Have you done any Yonder Mountain String Band? Or Jeff Austin Band? Railroad Earth? Leftover Salmon? All very different, but rooted in beautiful bluegrass all the same.
Dude, best fkn video I've seen of yours....period, hands down. Old & In The Way literally changed my life, and I've been playing bluegrass guitar exclusively, non-stop, ever since I heard this exact record....came to bluegrass through Jerry Garcia. Are we the same person? Thanks.
Love the video Michael. I’ve loved Old and in the Way ever since the original album was published in the late 70’s. The Hobo Song is my favorite. If you love Vassar, have you ever listened to Dickey Betts Highway Call? Great music. Kissimmee Kid!
I like this album. Great songs. Lonesome River Band “Carrying The Tradition” was life changing for me. Their arrangement of “Sittin’ On Top Of The World” was mind blowing at the time. My generations “1945” Bluegrass Boys = Dan Tyminski, Ronnie Bowman, Sammy Shelor, Tim Austin. Still my favorite band.
its been such a long time since u started doing these reacts, lessons and so on. thank you so much for entertaining throughout a pretty rough time. yet theres still no react of mark knopfler eventho he is one of the most brilliant guitarists and such a great songwriter. simply one of the most underrated men in rock & roll so id be happy to see one of him incomming :) keep up the great work!
Eye-opener! I love bluegrass gospel, too, but I have ignored Old and In The Way for years and years. Knew it was there, but because of my aversion to the Grateful Dead, steered away from it. Stanley Brothers, Bill Monroe, Doc Watson, Hot Rize, Marty Stuart and his Fabulous Superlatives, for sure. But now, I’m going back for another listen. I have the Old and In The Way albums on vinyl. Time to spin! Thank you for the wake-up call!
@Michael Palmisano Buzz Busby recorded "Lost" on the Jiffy label in 1956.The lyrics were by Cole Busbice. Buzz re-recorded "Lost" for Starday Records in 1958. Also as an aside, check out the album collection "Will The Circle Be Unbroken" which predates OAITW by a year or two.
Love it, beautiful. Bluegrass is pure. Have you ever sat thru "Will the Circle Be Unbroken Volume 1" album? Vassar is on it. I've always said it's the best bluegrass album ever made. Everybody's on it. Been one of my favorite albums since it came out '72 or '73. In the original album they explained how they tried to get Bill Monroe, (the Fathee of Bluegrass) but he declined because he "didn't wanna play with them 'longhairs'...". Always wondered of he later regretted it. Check it out, bro. Thanks a lot for this, brother, what a great job they did! It's honest music. ✌😎
Do Kentucky Colonels - Clarence White "Clarence was important in my life both as a friend and as a player. He brought a kind of swing - a rhythmic openness - to bluegrass, and a unique syncopation. His feel has been incorporated by a lot of other players, but nobody has ever quite gotten the open quality of his rhythm. Clarence had wonderful control over the guitar. He's the first guy I heard who really knocked me out." - Jerry Garcia
Hey same, was at Philly both nights. Night 1 was so good. Old and in the way is unbeaten, even by Billy perhaps. Would love to hear pig in a pen on my death bed. HLS is 🔥
Used to see The Flatt & Scruggs show on TV as a kid. The Beatles took me away from that music until I heard Doc Watson on Will The Circle Be Unbroken. Then I heard John Hartford's Steam Powered Aero Plane. Love the music when it's good.
I saw an early version of what became this band at a bluegrass festival in Long Beach, CA in the early 70s. Jerry, David Grisman, Richard Greene on fiddle (Seatrain) David Nichtern on vocals and acoustic guitar and Taj Mahal on upright bass. Peter Rowan was a perfect fit for the evolution of the band. His songs like Moonlight Midnight and Panama Red are classic.
Did Billy play "Freedom" at the concert? What other young bluegrass artist is writing music like this today? Billy is a treasure, and he is only 29....God willing, we'll have him for decades more.
Nice to know you love bluegrass. Pretty much every kind of music is great if you open yourself up to it. Honestly, though, I don't think anyone who played bluegrass ever thought about any of the theory concepts you talk about. I knew folks in my youth you played music like this on the front porch, and as you said, it was about everyone knew the melody, and they pretty much played everything else from the ear and the heart. Good one.
J.D. Crowe and the new south album on rounder or commonly know as 0044 was the bluegrass album that did it for me you should do a reaction on it. That album changed bluegrass forever! The torch was passed from the first generation to the 2nd generation of players with that album
Bluegrass is my guilty pleasure. When the LORD saved me I started listening to the genre and for the same reason you explain the beauty of the music and the lyrics. You have to love the songs and genre for all instruments and singing to come in together in a way where you dive into the music.
holy crap. while working at a health food store in the late 90's, a co-worker introduced me to "old and in the way". loved it right off. please do a video on "shady grove" the jerry and grisman album! or even "the pizza tapes"!
My parents were huge Deadheads so I grew up listening to them and I’ve gone back and forth on how I feel about them, but when I was in high school a friend of mine introduced me to Old and in the Way, he was shocked I hadn’t heard them since Jerry was in the group, and I’ve loved them ever since. Land of the Navajo is one of of my favorite songs of all time.
Michael, I completely agree....I play lots of stuff, but it's the "Old Time Gospel" as done in the appalachians that really sets so well on me. Easy to play, but hard to play well!
When this was first released on CD in the early 1990s it absolutely change my life as a guitar player. It's one of the best modern Bluegrass albums ever made that high Lonesome sound Old & in the way
