Help trying to identify a genre of traditional USA music

Daemon · « **on:** 23 Apr 2006, 02:38 am »

Hi Guys,

I'm tryig to identify a musical genre, a whole style or type of music. I know it when I hear it, but I don't know what to ask for or look for in a record shop. I'd be appreciative of your help.

I'm thinking of an American folksy instrumental sound often dominated by violins (in fiddle mode I guess) and commonly but not always with melodies and structures which suggest celtic roots. An example would be the Ashakoshan Farewell. I also hear this style of music sometimes on soundtracks of American movies.

I live in a very small country town in east coastal Australia, we have only one record shop which has no records and not too many CDs. When asked, they gave me something to try which had very poor renditions of some Irish pop traditionals, and then something with square dancing inculding the caller. Not what I'm after. Having only dial up net out here, I've given up trying to hit what I'm after randomly on the net.

Since so many of you are American I thought you'd be able to help. Can any of you tell me a name for the genre I'm thinking of and perhaps suggest some CDs?

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #1 on:** 23 Apr 2006, 02:43 am »

Bluegrass....perhaps.

Link.... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bluegrass_music[/list:u]

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #2 on:** 23 Apr 2006, 02:47 am »

Try these samples.... http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00004XQ83/sr=8-1/qid=1145760378/ref=pd_bbs_1/104-8430716-1993500?%5Fencoding=UTF8

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #3 on:** 23 Apr 2006, 02:59 am »

Link to more music.... http://www.jayandmolly.com/shopping.shtml

Bemopti123 · « **Reply #4 on:** 23 Apr 2006, 03:20 am »

While no musicologist, bluegrass seems to me the most traditional non native American music form.

It seems to me that bluegrass is an amalgam of the traditional vocal music that was brought from the british isles, became isolated in the appalachian mountains and mixed with other influences.

One of the most successful outfits of bluegrass music, that does not sound too "country" is Alisson Krauss and her band, Union station? Her voice is sublime. Her records, even in Australia, I am sure are easily available.

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #5 on:** 23 Apr 2006, 03:30 am »

I was also thinking....Cajun & Zydeco Music.....

Another quick link.... http://www.bme.jhu.edu/~jrice/NewFiles/beginners.html .[/list:u]Some samples.... http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00002DDO7/104-8430716-1993500?v=glance&n=5174

Daemon · « **Reply #6 on:** 23 Apr 2006, 07:10 am »

Thanks, both of you. Instrumental bluegrass seems to be it, though alot of it appears quite pacey and happy. Perhaps now that I know where to start I can find some instrumental bluegrass that's a bit more adagio, or even a bluegrass requiem.

I appreciate your help.

honesthoff · « **Reply #7 on:** 23 Apr 2006, 01:02 pm »

I would probably label it "roots" music. Seek out The Be Good Tanyas, Old Crow Medicine Show, Open Road, Doc Watson, Del McCoury, Guy Clark, Blueground Undergrass, Jolie Holland, The Dillards, etc. Good luck, and good on ya'.

R_burke · « **Reply #8 on:** 23 Apr 2006, 05:17 pm »

A sub-genre of bluegrass considered to be similiar to celtic is Apalachian.

A good way to see if this what you had in mind is to sample "Heartland, and Apalachian Anthology"

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00005KIZP/sr=1-1/qid=1145812524/ref=pd_bbs_1/002-5307976-9796817?%5Fencoding=UTF8&s=music

Daemon · « **Reply #9 on:** 24 Apr 2006, 02:38 am »

You've nailed it for me, thanks. Appalachian bluegrass it is. I'm off to give the plastic a hammering at amazon. Thanks for taking the time to sort me out guys.

Randy · « **Reply #10 on:** 30 Apr 2006, 03:49 pm »

Daemon, stick with your Bach. I think you'll find these types of albums boring as hell and a waste of money.

Daemon · « **Reply #11 on:** 30 Apr 2006, 10:52 pm »

Why do you say that Randy? Is there something lacking in the genre in general or do you have a personal distaste for it? I didn't much like the samples I'd heard with vocals (too much like Australian C&W which I just don't enjoy alot of), but the instrumental snippets were interesting.

Randy · « **Reply #12 on:** 30 Apr 2006, 11:22 pm »

Daemon, I tried a couple of Marc O'Connor and Edgar Meyer CDs, one with Yo Yo Ma. A very few good melodies that don't go anywhere. Just going by my experience- a waste of time, and very dull. Just my opinion.

The tune you used as an example of what you were looking for, didn't it come from Burns's Civil War series, is one in a hundred.

A group you might like, though I wonder if their CDs are still available, is the Baltimore Consort. Much better than O'Connor, Meyer, and co. The Baltimore Consort is or was on the Dorian label. There have been reports that Dorian went under. They specialize in Appalacian/Celtic, and while probably not authentic they come a lot closer than the above.

Randy · « **Reply #13 on:** 1 May 2006, 12:16 am »

Some Baltimore Consort CDs are still available at Amazon. Also, at arkivemusic.com they have some available as import CDs. Apparently they come from Canada for some reason. The label used to be based in Troy, New York. Dorian CDs are noted for their exceptional sound quality.

Christof · « **Reply #14 on:** 1 May 2006, 12:49 am »

Daemon

I'm not sure it gets any more American than Jerry Garcia playing old ballads with David Grisman. IMHO the two created a musical synergy not unlike Bela Fleck and Edgar Meyer or Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelli.

You can find a live concert with them streaming at http://www.jerryradio.com scroll to bottom of playlist for the 2/2/91 concert.

You can find studio and live recordings here:http://www.dawgnet.com/onlinestore.html

Russell Dawkins · « **Reply #15 on:** 1 May 2006, 07:30 am »

Thanks for that Jerry Garcia link, Christof. Got to admire how freely the Dead shared their music, I especially liked the notion of encouraging recordings of their concerts.

Daemon · « **Reply #16 on:** 2 May 2006, 01:28 am »

Thanks guys. It's a bit late Randy, I already ordered some from the states (none of this stuff can be had in Aus), but I'll check the Baltimore Consort stuff out too I think.