Bluegrass has its roots in northern Britain according to my ear. The chord patterns of early country music from Appalachia follow those of Scottish and Irish reels. In the immigration wave of the early 1800’s, the Scottish and Irish tended to venture southward, away from the constrictions of the north, to where they could work their own land. No wonder that early southern recordings sound similar to those of Ireland and Scotland.
Bill Monroe & his Bluegrass Boys popularized it and gave the style it’s moniker: Bluegrass. This song (video from 1956) is a tribute to Pendleton Vandiver, Monroe’s uncle. Monroe joined his uncle Pen’s band as a kid; his sound dates back to the turn of the century.
Lester Flatt & Earl Scruggs put Bluegrass on the popular map as pickin’ speed demons.
The Dillards were the Darlings clan on the Andy Griffith show. The Dillards decided that L.A. had more to offer than the Missouri Ozarks, and advertised themselves on the streets in the early 1960’s.
The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band were influenced by the Dillards, and took Jerry Jeff Walker’s “Mr. BoJangles” for a ride.
What I was really looking for when all this linkyness began was New Grass Revival‘s version of “Steam Powered Aeroplane,” one of the prettiest bluegrass songs I ever heard:
"Well I went away on a Steam Powered Aeroplane. Well I went and I stayed and damn near didn't come back again. Didn't go very fast on a steam powered aeroplane, The wheels went around, up and down, and inside and then back again. Sittin' on a 747 just watching them clouds roll by, Can't tell if it's sunshine, if it's rain. Rather be sittin' in a deck chair high up over Kansas City, On a genuine old fashioned oil finish Steam Powered Aeroplane. Well I'd could be PILOT on the Steam Powered Aeroplane. I'd pull that pilot wheel 'round, then back again. And I'd wear a blue hat, YEAH, on the Steam Powered Aeroplane, With letters go 'round the brim and then back again. Sittin' on a 747 just watching them clouds roll by, Can't tell if it's sunshine or if it's rain. Rather be sittin' in a deck chair high up over Kansas City, On a genuine old fashioned oil finish Steam Powered Aeroplane."
Here’s the songwriter, John Hartford, with Tony Rice, Vassar Clements and others. (Yeah, his vocals don’t do justice for the song.)
Great pre-sunrise morning roadtrip music, just like Pat Metheny’s “New Chataqua Highway,” or anything by Django Reinhardt and Stephan Grappelli.
[Bunk’s compiling his roadtrip list for next month. Lemme know your favorites.]
Tacky Raccoons 