The Punch Brothers

Finally, some sweet tunes are coming to Santa Barbara. The music scene here on the edge of LA has left me with something to be desired, but every once in a while I'll turn up a nice little nugget of live music. This time, it's the Punch Brothers - a new effort featuring Chris Thile. Chris is fresh off the disbanding of Nickel Creek and has gotten together with some premier pickers from Nashville, including Noam Pikelny, acquaintance of yours truly, and a fellow Blockus player. Punch Brothers play some sweet bluegrass and folk music, but seem to have taken the effort in a new direction, by playing some long form compositions, that are more common to Bach than Bill Monroe. The virtuosity from this group is going to be fantastic and the new take on composition is sure to be interesting. But, don't take my word for it, check out a couple sources:

Punch Brothers on Myspace
Article on Billboard.com
Articles from our friends at the Bluegrass Blog 1, 2

The Punch Brothers have an album coming out February 26th simply titled Punch and will be playing at the Soho Restaurant & Music Club in downtown Santa Barbara, CA on March 1st. I'm sure looking forward to checking it out. In the meantime, here are a couple live clips to you can get an idea of their sound.

Live from the Station Inn!

AG

AG Webcast: Episode 7

Bluegrass

Ricky Skaggs, belting it out

For your listening pleasure, here's my seventh webcast and my second guest on KGB. I've always enjoyed bluegrass and the virtuosity of its musicians, but never had a good enough familiarity with its rich history or its contemporary directions to really hold my own. So, this time I tapped into the bluegrass knowledge of Doug Gerdon to afford myself and all my faithful fans a good look and a fair listen to bluegrass and all the variations therein. Doug has been playing mandolin for a few years, but only a few years, so I think its still fresh in his mind what it's like to listen to some of these songs for the first time. So, settle back, listen up, and let those beautiful harmonies and that high lonesome sound wash over you.

>>>>>AG Webcast - Aug 2007 - E7 <<<<<

1. Ricky Skaggs - Get Up John, Bluegrass Rules (1997) - written by Bill Monroe

2. Blue Highway - In the Gravel Yard, Lonesome Pine (2006) - written by Malcolm Pulley

3. Uncle Earl - Warfare, She Waits for Night (2005) - Traditional

4. Tony Rice - Church Street Blues, Church Street Blues (1983) - written by Norman Blake

5. Lonesome River Band - My Sweet Blue-Eyed Darlin, Carrying the Tradition (1994) - written by Bill Monroe

6. Rabbit In a Log - Nine Pound Hammer, Late Night Feast (2006) - Traditional

7. The Dreadful Snakes - Lonesome Whistle Blues, Snakes Alive (1983) - written by Hank Williams

8. Tim O'Brien - A Few More Years, Fiddler's Green (2005)

9. Leftover Salmon - Ain't Gonna Work, Euphoria (1997)

10. John Prine - Paradise, John Prine (1971)

11. Old Crow Medicine Show - Caroline, (*Can't figure out where this song came from, any help?)

12. Townes Van Zandt - No Deal, High Low and In Between (1972)

13. Grateful Dead - Dark Hollow, live - written by Bill Browning

14. Lonesome River Band - Little Birdie, Head On Into Heartache (2005)

*Like what you hear? Doug suggests Ricky Skagg's album, Bluegrass Rules [buy it here or here]

AG

Nashville Pickers

Tony Watt with Alecia Nugent at the Opry

Now that I've left Nashville I seem to be hearing about all kinds of great bluegrass news and events taking place back in Tennessee. Here's some news from KGB-buddy, Tony Watt. He's still working on that PhD, but is also finishing up a record with Cages Bend and has just recently been taken on to play guitar for Alecia Nugent and her band. Furthermore, to kick the whole thing off Tony stepped up on stage at the Grand Ole Opry for the first time last weekend. I hear the whole thing went pretty well, so congrats to Tony.

In addition, Tony and roommate Andy Falco were recently interviewed by Flatpicking Guitar Magazine and featured in their most recent webcast. The webcast includes a little discussion, a little jam between Tony, Andy, and third roommate Noam Pikelny (pretty smokin), then a unreleased track off Andy's up and coming record. Check out Flatpicking Guitar Magazine and the webcast here!

You can keep up with everybody at myspace too:

Tony Watt
Alecia Nugent
Flatpicking Guitar Magazine
Andy Falco

AG

IBMA Music Festival - Nashville, TN

Howdy folks, Nashville has yet another treat lined up for all you bluegrass fans out there. The International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) will hold their World of Bluegrass festival on October 1-7th some where round the convention center (downtown). There looks to be some great acts taking stage, including Emmylou Harris, Doyle Lawson, Larry Sparks, Mountain Heart, and many many more. And let's not forget the load of pickin that bound to be taking place in every dark corner of that place. Ah, to be back in Nashville. So, if you live in the area, check it out and report back to make me jealous!

Here are a few links:
Paste Magazine Announcement
IBMA Website
IBMA Myspace Page

And here's a tune or two to get you warmed up:
Emmylou Harris - Sister's Coming Home [buy]
Mountain Heart - I Want To Live Beyond the Grave [buy]

AG