Americana music

[Bryan Floyd]

Hello everyone!  As much as I really don't like to put music into genres, I guess I need to to find out more about Americana music.  In just, I gather that this is a roots driven music - but can someone please go more into detail of it?  Can someone recommend some good guitar players that fall into this category and some good listening?  Thanks.

[Jim Wing]

Well, you an go here and get started: www.allmusic.com/explore/style/americana-d2958. I don't completely agree with Allmusic's top artists/albums/songs, so here are some recommendations that will steer you to music that I really like:

Begin with Doc Watson and explore the musicians he's influenced. Norman Blake is at the root of this branch, too.

Or you can start with some of the contemporary Bluegrass musicians and follow where they have gone. Try Tony Rice or Peter Rowan.

Another branch is can be found by using the Grateful Dead as a starting point and delving into the stringband jam scene that includes String Cheese Incident and Yonder Mountain String Band.

Another approach is from the comtemporary old-time scene, a good start is Dirk Powell.

Check out anything by Chris Thile, including this CD gem with the fantastic Michael Daves on guitar: "Sleep with One Eye Open."

Do not miss David Grier!

These are more great acts: Gillian Welch, The Duhks, Old Crow Medicine Show, Goldmine Pickers, Carolina Chocolate Drops, Steel Wheels and anything else with Trent Wagler and Jay Lapp.

There are many more that are just as good. Check out past Merlefest lineups for a motherlode of great Americana artists.

I recommend you create a Pandora station with any combination of these artists as seeds. Be prepared to be amazed.

 

 

 

 

[Bryan Floyd]

Thanks Jim!!  I'll be sure to look up all the artists you mentioned...

[Derek]

One of my fav' albums at the moment is Borderland by Tom Russell. I suspect that's classified as Americana, and is well worth a listen!

Derek

[Bryan Floyd]

Thanks, Derek - I'll look that one up.

[Phil Manuel]

Check out. The Wilders, and Pokey LaFarge. It is difficult to get widespread agreement on the genre though, as it seems to encompass blues to bluegrass to western swing to folk to country western.

[Bryan Floyd]

Thanks Phil, I'll look them up.  My definition of Americana has always been bluesy folk, and that's what I like about it.  I'll most likely enjoy the above you mentioned.