how is it that we don't have a thread about the father of bluegrass?
just came here to post this, b/c it's been in my head for days.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lIuuI00XY_Y
it's hard to overstate how revolutionary this was in 1940. it's still unbearably exciting. punk rock!
― wizzz! (amateurist), Sunday, 8 May 2016 05:22 (ten years ago)
I know very little of bluegrass. Why was this revolutionary? It's a good song, but why is it punk? Genuinely curious.
― octobeard, Sunday, 8 May 2016 05:46 (ten years ago)
the man is above an ilm thread, really
― alpine static, Sunday, 8 May 2016 06:48 (ten years ago)
octobeard -- bluegrass was a significant departure from the "old-time" string band music that preceded it. bluegrass utilized faster tempos and emphasized or even prioritized instrumental breaks with players taking turns playing the tune.
― ian, Sunday, 8 May 2016 17:08 (ten years ago)
also just the breakneck, fierce speed and intensity with which the band is playing on this tune (even though monroe isn't playing his usual mandolin here i believe)
if you compare this version to the jimmie rodgers version, the differences should stand out:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cjO_OK03UNY
― wizzz! (amateurist), Sunday, 8 May 2016 20:05 (ten years ago)
bill monroe's mule skinner blues : jimmie rodgers's mule skinner blues :: elvis presley's blue moon of kentucky : bill monroe's blue moon of kentucky
discuss
― wizzz! (amateurist), Sunday, 8 May 2016 20:06 (ten years ago)
although jimmie rodgers was, frankly, more of a punk than either bill or elvis
― wizzz! (amateurist), Sunday, 8 May 2016 20:07 (ten years ago)