RE: Steve, Del and Ronnie
The latest issue of "Acoustic Guitar" has a good interview with Steve Earl and Del and Ronnie McCoury. Not just for guitar nerds. Um, since you mention it, there's an interview with Del and Ronnie in the current issue of Bluegrass Now. And to tie into another thread: it didn't make it in the published piece, but one of the interesting things they mentioned was that they were getting fans via Phish, which does a couple of Del's numbers. Of course, Del has a connection to the Deadheads via Grisman; they go way back together (check out Early Dawg, on Sugar Hill). Jon Weisberger, Kenton County, KY [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://home.fuse.net/jonweisberger
Re: Steve/Del in Chicago, was == Re: Better Live?
Steve looked very dapper in his gray button-down wool vest and plaid cap. Looks like the McCoury's are affecting Steve's grooming habits ;-)) Now in the Borders show at D.C. Steve was in a Black T-shirt with the white letters "The Beatles". Sorta neat. Stick
RE: Steve Del
The weakness of the DeMent/Earle duet, from my perspective (i.e., please don't yell at me), is that the classic precision of the instrumental work isn't matched in the duet parts. I don't know whether that's a result of not being able to find a key that would work for both singers in the harmony passages, or whether it simply wasn't a concern for them, but the song is so classic-sounding, and the twin fiddles are so well-matched that to me, it's jarring to hear a distinctly non-classic, non-matched approach to the harmony. YMMV, no accounting for taste, etc. *My* favorite track on the album is "Yours Forever Blue." Like anyone really cares... Jon Weisberger Kenton County, KY [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://home.fuse.net/jonweisberger/
RE: Steve Del
I haven't heard this one yet, Jon--and you know I'm looking forward to it very much, as are a lot of us--but to paraphrase inevitable future conversations around here, when you say: the song is so classic-sounding, and the twin fiddles are so well-matched that to me, it's jarring to hear a distinctly non-classic, non-matched approach to the harmony. YMMV, no accounting for taste, etc. I'd have to say: Right, there's no accounting for mileage...buty you and anybody else migh conceivably benefit by leaving some room (someplace) for the possibility that you were SUPPOSED to be jarred. Or at least--that something could be gained (and okay, maybe also lost, your tradeoff may vary) in the course of this jarring--to which I'm very much looking forward. It's the very combination and clash of these two approaches which seems most provocative about this whole deal before I get to hear it. Barry M.
Re: Steve Del
[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: and I kinda missed the "Steve Earle isn't bluegrass" thread from a while back, so if anyone can remind me of what that was all about I'd appreciate it. From what I recall, one tentative objection (Jon W?) was to earle's voice, which was thought not to be a great bluegrass tool. But this was way back when the rumours first emerged. From the trickles of responses I have come across, purists have been pleasantly surprised by the results of the collaboration Looking forward to hearing it one day myself. Stevie
RE: Steve Del
Working backwards... Stevie said: From what I recall, one tentative objection (Jon W?) was to earle's voice, which was thought not to be a great bluegrass tool. Not an objection, an observation. Which I stand by. Thinking about bluegrass voices, Earle basically hasn't got one. From which it does not follow, I hasten to add, that The Mountain is not a bluegrass album; by and large, it is. Stevie was replying to Jim, who said inter alia: It's due on February 23, I think, and contains some of Steve's best songs ever. 2/23 it is. Oddly enough, though I've had an advance for more than a month, and though I got the final a little more than a week ago, Del'n'em had not seen it until I showed them my copy yesterday. They were bemused by the cover art. The most likeable thing about it, is the looseness of it. For some folks, not for everyone g. For me, the most likeable thing about it is the songs, and Earle's dedication to really taking bluegrass seriously. I like the album. For a much lengthier discussion of The Mountain and the McCoury experience in making it, see my forthcoming article in Bluegrass Now; it should be in the April issue. Jon Weisberger Kenton County, KY [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://home.fuse.net/jonweisberger/
