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Topic: Dolly's bluegrass band |
John Steele
From:
Renfrew, Ontario, Canada
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Posted 1 Mar 2000 2:07 pm |
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I was channel surfing before bed the other night, and was surprised/confused/pleased to run across a bluegrass band.
It turned out to be Dolly Parton's appearance on the Letterman show. I understand she was flogging a new bluegrass disc.
Anyway, the band was hot. Nice modern sound, uncluttered, and very smooth. I can't help but wonder if they were an existing group which was picked up for the job. I've never gotten really excited about Dolly Parton, but I enjoyed this. Who were these unmasked men ?
-John |
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Jon Light
From:
Saugerties, NY
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Posted 1 Mar 2000 2:26 pm
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Interesting! I never cared for the whole Dolly phenomenom, jokes and all, and the Hollywood thing, but I've always been knocked out by Dolly. I love her voice, I love her singing. And when you hear her sing Mule Skinner Blues you know she can handle the material.
I was watching a hockey game last night, Nashville vs. NJ
---an aside--the year NJ won the Stanley Cup the local news dudes went to the man on the street asking how excited the fans were (going into the finals) and one person said "oh, I never could root for a team named after the anti-Christ" (New Jersey Devils).
Anyway, Ricky Skaggs was in the booth between periods plugging Nashville and plugging his latest CD. He made reference to how country music was losing market share but Bluegrass was fast picking up the slack.
For sure, with Del McCoury (my man) and Ricky working it, not to mention Ralph Stanley seeming to be everywhere you look, there could be a real roots revival, commercially. |
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John Steele
From:
Renfrew, Ontario, Canada
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Posted 1 Mar 2000 5:13 pm
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A roots revival. You might be right, and that'd be ok with me. I spent my teenaged years roaming from bluegrass festival to festival, playing a certain unmentionable 5-stringed instrument resembling a drum on a stick.  So I can dig it.
At the moment I tuned in last night, the camera angles were great, panning the whole band one by one, as they were lined up in a row in the rear. It wasn't until after the dobro solo that the camera pulled back to show D.P and her backup singer positioned alone together, closer to the audience. It was then I realized it was just Dolly, continuing her longstanding tradition of putting two way up front.
(sorry Jon, I just had to...)
-John
[This message was edited by John Steele on 01 March 2000 at 05:15 PM.] |
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Jason Odd
From:
Stawell, Victoria, Australia
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Posted 2 Mar 2000 5:51 am
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Actually Dolly's 1970 version of Muleskinner Blues was pretty cool.
I really like her 1967-1974 sound, before it got too y'know Holl-eewood meets Vegas.
Hey Jon Light, Del McCoury is a big fave of mine too!. Have you got a copy of his first album on the Arhoolie label from 1968?
He sounds more Bill Monroe than Monroe!
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Jon Light
From:
Saugerties, NY
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Posted 2 Mar 2000 1:12 pm
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Hey Jason--just to clarify--it was indeed the old Muleskinner that I was referring to. I have no idea if she re-did on this new project.
No, I've never heard that '68 McCoury. My introduction to him was a few years ago with "A Deeper Shade Of Blue". I don't know if it's because it was my first CD of his or because it is so good but that, to me, is his best work. His fiddle player, Jason Carter is as good as they come, too. |
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Jason Odd
From:
Stawell, Victoria, Australia
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Posted 3 Mar 2000 5:34 am
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Jon, I figured you meant the 1970 Muleskinner. I haven't actually heard the new C.D at all, but the word is it's very good.
Regarding Del, I don't think he's ever done a bad album ever. the new stuff is so crisp and exciting. With better technology can come some sterile performance sounds, but they sound so raw and yet have such a tight organic sound. The 1968 CD is out again on Arhoolie. It was cut with next to no budget and still sounds like gold. I only got it a couple of years ago on a whim having liked his then latest offrings.
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Mike Dennis
From:
Stevens Point WI.
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Posted 6 Mar 2000 4:15 pm
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I kept hearing this great new song on the radio but couldn't place the artist...
finally realized it was Dolly with her bluegrass band...
to lay me down.. something...
with a great Dobro intro |
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Jon Light
From:
Saugerties, NY
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Posted 6 Mar 2000 4:22 pm
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just did a CDNOW search on this--assuming that this is the album we are talking about, here's the vital info---
01. Travelin' Prayer
02. Cash On The Barrelhead
03. A Few Old Memories
04. I'm Gonna Sleep With One Eye Open
05. Steady As The Rain
06. I Still Miss Someone
07. Endless Stream Of Tears
08. Silver Dagger
09. Train, Train
10. I Wonder Where You Are Tonight
11. Will He Be Waiting For Me
12. The Grass Is Blue
13. I Am Ready
Barry Bales : Bass, Harmony Vocals
Steve Buckingham : Guitar (Rhythm)
Sam Bush : Harmony Vocals, Mandolin
Jerry Douglas : Dobro, Harmony Vocals
Stuart Duncan : Fiddle, Harmony Vocals
Alison Krauss : Harmony Vocals
Keith Little : Harmony Vocals
Patty Loveless : Harmony Vocals
Claire Lynch : Harmony Vocals
Jim Mills : Banjo
Louis Dean Nunley : Harmony Vocals
Alan O'Bryant : Harmony Vocals
Dolly Parton : Harmony Vocals
Bryan Sutton : Guitar
Dan Tyminski : Harmony Vocals
Darrin Vincent : Harmony Vocals
Rhonda Vincent : Harmony Vocals
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Mike Petryk
From:
Waterford NY USA
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Posted 12 Mar 2000 8:00 am
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This CD's a keeper. Great vocals and backup through out. Stuart Duncan shines. Crank up the volume for 'Silver Dagger'.
Mike |
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