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Here's a lovely 3/4 tune out of the Kate and Anna McGarrigle factory. This one concerns the whistful owners of a farm that economics has moved on from. Ignore the recited first verse from Rufus Wainwright; he's too young, and it shows.
As a 'my farm done died' tune, it's perfect for bluegrass. As a Quebecois tune, it's great for any northern or Canadian BG bands.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jrQwdvUMSrQ
https://genius.com/Kate-and-anna-mcg...he-same-lyrics
I've been a fan of Kate and Anna since their first album was released in 1976. On that same subject there are a few Stan Rogers songs that come to mind as well.
Thank you. The best Stan Rogers songs are well known. This is a song by a McGarrigle Associate; much less well known, but no less worthy. IMO.
Re: Stan Rogers.
I've heard bluegrass versions of Mary Ellen Carter in more than one bar in Canada.
Just go to youtube and watch some "The Cleverlys" videos if you want to see covers done Bluegrass style. :)
The “Pickin’ on ...” series has lots of great covers, too.
...and then there's UK based band Hayseed Dixie, who do (among other stuff) metal covers with a bluegrass band, eg:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cYJUywl7CFw
Are they UK based now? Back when the Renos were in the band, I believe they were from Tennessee and they played the U.K. a lot (and also Scandanavia and Germany), but you could occasionally catch them stateside. I have been a fan but never seen them, last time I had a chance I had bought tickets but the venue went backrupt abruptly and cancelled the show about a week ahead of time or so. Haven't seen any opportunities since then.Quote:
Originally Posted by maxr
My old bluegrass band, the Flower City Ramblers, did a bluegrass version of this song back in the 1970's. Worked pretty well; included the modulation and all.
I'd pay 99 cents to download a bluegrass cover of this.
(If you dig deep into ATF's catalog you'll find a couple of jokey attempts at Celtic trad ... but the only record of theirs to get a U.S. release was a compilation of their better new wave songs.)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vBfFDTPPlaM
I believe so, might be wrong - if their Wikepedia entry is correct, John Wheeler lives in Cambridge, UK (although I though he said something that suggested London last time I saw them). They certainly played quite a lot in UK in normal times.Quote:
Originally Posted by Southern Man
I can't get enough of this one...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r01E2GFKOh0
I have to say, sure looks that way. In fact, skimming through their tour date history, they've been playing mostly English venues plus locations around Europe going back to 2005. :disbelief: That's increased steadily until now they hardly ever play the US anymore. And when they have, they felt it necessary to put "USA" in the location. :disbelief: In other words, almost all the time I've known them, they've been a British band. :crying:Quote:
Originally Posted by Southern Man
The first bluegrass band I ever saw was Monroe Doctrine, a New Grass outfit out of Colorado. They played a show at my little college in Wisconsin in 1974, I think. They did a snazzy version of The Beatles' "From Me To You."
Looking at the track listing for that album, I see they also did Derek And The Dominos' "Why Does Love Got to Be So Sad" too. Did either of them need to be done bluegrass-style? Debateable. But even by then, bluegrass-oriented jammers had turned "I've Just Seen A Face" into a bit of a cliché. So they found another Beatles song that worked just fine. :mandosmiley:
Even the Beatles original recording of I've Just Seen a Face sounded as if they'd been listening to bluegrass.
Yep. Sho' 'nuff! ;) Bit of skiffle, too. But it really sounds like a lively Carl Perkins number. Even though it's a Paul song, and it was George who idolized Carl Perkins, there was a lot of mix-and-match in their influences. At any rate, it lends itself well to bluegrass.
That's what Arlo thought, back in the day!Quote:
Originally Posted by Bren
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=srR_lIkj3_8
Great find! :mandosmiley: Well, I guess as far as this thread is concerned, mission accomplished. For this song, anyway. ;)
Here's one I did a couple of years ago...
https://youtu.be/p6A2DrdhCVc
Good going! :mandosmiley: I like it more than the original :cool: That is usually not the case - I tend to side with the original, probably 9 out of 10 times. But those 1's, they can be pretty special. :cool: Outdoing AC/DC isn't too hard, although I'm much more into rock than bluegrass, generally speaking. But their vocalist ... nails on a chalkboard personified, he is. The rock equivalent of Gilbert Gottfried. Really detracts from the rest of the deal. Just next time ... Could you wear a schoolboy uniform? :whistling:
Thanks JB! My schoolboy uni is permanently retired though:cool:
Whew! Dodged a bullet there, I reckon. ;) Now if only Angus would do the same ... :whistling: He's almost 66, already!
Tommy by the Hillbenders. The band Iron Horse.
Here is my favorite bluegrass cover. The Grateful Dead's Cumberland Blues
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vhAjG_X8Rd4
Wow! That is really nice! Truly embodies the vision of the song as a hot bluegrass number. When The Dead did it, it was one of very few times Garcia played his first instrument, banjo, on one of their recordings. The only other time I can think of is on the single version of their magnum opus, "Dark Star." It makes a brief appearance right at the end, just in time for the fade. It was a bit of a surprise both times.
I'm not suggesting this would make a good bluegrass cover - probably wouldn't - but I'd like tp hear someone try. :mandosmiley: