I’ve always liked American Country
music and in particular, Bluegrass. Last year I discovered a free-to air
Bluegrass radio channel that plays a good mix of old and new and now I
frequently have it on in the background if I am reading [but not writing; I
need silence for that] or relaxing.
Yes, it’s simple with simple chords and
makes few demands upon you but the best Bluegrass can compare with the best of
anything; Jazz, Folk, Blues, Soul. The best Bluegrass has lyric composition,
subtle melody and arrangement but most of all, some of the loveliest singing voices
you will ever hear. Just to take one popular example: Jolene. Wonderful tune
but they could have done it in twenty different ways: slower [there are many
slower cover versions]; on piano, bluesier; in harmony; more country, even
faster with banjos . But someone knew enough to keep it straight and simple and
let Dolly’s fantastic rendition of her own song shine through.
Listen to Patty Loveless here. She is sixty years old; been singing Country
all her life. Every phrase, every inflection brings out the warmth of her tone.
She needs no vocal trickery to get her message across. Or try Gillian Welch here or
Tim O’Brien here. Beautiful
cadences showcased by the very best American instrumentalists. It’s in their
DNA and when it’s great, it’s great.
We were lucky enough to get tickets for
Tim O’Brien’s second-last date of his UK Tour last Sunday. Sold out in 24
hours. It’s like being in the presence of a God; he is so magnificent, such a
master of his craft. It is rare you get that now.
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