ear•tyme

Thanks, Tim! Look forward to checking out Sorry C...

2011-10-27T07:44:43.195-05:00

Thanks, Tim! Look forward to checking out Sorry Cousins when it's done.

This is THE blog to get all the good banjo stories...

2011-10-27T07:32:15.779-05:00

This is THE blog to get all the good banjo stories. Thanks Dustin, happy to find the interview with Noam.

That was Janeen, by the way. My blogger account is...

2011-10-25T20:09:11.887-05:00

That was Janeen, by the way. My blogger account is ancient.

That's fabulous! Noam gives great interview. N...

2011-10-25T20:03:13.564-05:00

That's fabulous! Noam gives great interview. Nicely done, Dustin. Can't wait for the next installment.

This is a mind-boggling piece for a first time out...

2011-09-30T07:29:16.953-05:00

This is a mind-boggling piece for a first time out. In earlier similar first timers-Mark's Fiddle Concerto & Edgar's first Concerto- integration of the orchestra with the soloist was not striking. Bela used many of the instruments of the orchestra (even the contra bassoon)for small-group interactions.

The difficulty with the banjo is that it has a limited dynamic range, which Bela compensates for by using increased number of notes per measure.

A large part of the year that Bela devoted to this was not spent writing, but in listening to symphonies. As a result the scoring for the orchestra shows considerable sophistication.

Dustin: I recorded this from the simulcast. If you don't already have a copy and would like one, contact me at wendell.norman@comcast.net.

Hi! Sorry I wrote you via comments, but I could n...

2011-08-03T10:00:41.511-05:00

Hi!

Sorry I wrote you via comments, but I could not find a contact e-mail or feedback form on your site.

My name is Sean Schrader and I work for 100% Records. We are a DIY label that seeks out unique voices like yours in hopes to share our releases and get your honest feedback. I would love to send you the materials for the Barry Brother's latest folk rock release "Yawnin' in the Dawnin'." Please email me at press@100records.com and I will make sure you get a copy ASAP.

Thanks!

-Sean

P.S. Please, delete this comment.

I am so totally jealous. I couldn't make it to...

2011-08-01T19:41:56.985-05:00

I am so totally jealous. I couldn't make it to Bonnaroo this year, and the main reason I wanted to go was to see Loretta Lynn. sigh

Dustin, I have just discovered your blog through T...

2011-07-23T09:32:28.949-05:00

Dustin, I have just discovered your blog through Ted Lehmann's "Bluegrasm books and Brainstorms" blog. I appreciate your list of "best albums of 2011" and I look forward to hearing more of the listed recordings. I have had the opportunity to hear both the CCD and Thile and Daves recordings and I concur that they are superb. I've also had the pleasure of hearing both groups in concert this year and they have been among the concert highlights of my year so far. I would like to suggest another great roots recording - Della Mae's brand new "I Built This Heart". The album is full of beautiful harmonies and superb musicianship. Della Mae's music is solidly based in tradition, heartfelt and high energy. These women are great musicians, above all. I had the opportunity to see them a couple of times at the Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival and their dance tent performance, especially, was one of the highlights of the festival.

Thanks, Anson. Well said, and I agree on all count...

2011-06-21T13:07:42.103-05:00

Thanks, Anson. Well said, and I agree on all counts!

Great review! I think the Farewell Drifters are an...

2011-06-21T12:42:45.855-05:00

Great review! I think the Farewell Drifters are an incredibly talent group. One of the more refreshing things is that they have no inhibitions about taking their music in whatever direction they want. While the instrumentation is firmly rooted in bluegrass, they feel free to write songs that push genre boundaries.

The band also has a pop sensibility about their songs in that they know the value of a hook. The music is catchy and easy to sing along to. Listen to "A Bed of My Own" and tell me that mandolin line doesn't stick with you all day.

A great release from an up-and-coming band. I highly recommend seeing them live too.

Thanks for dropping in and for your kind words, Te...

2011-06-18T12:00:48.243-05:00

Thanks for dropping in and for your kind words, Ted. Although I think Bonnaroo is intense and overwhelming, I didn't do myself any favors with my poor planning, etc. I think plenty of people found ways to get a reasonable amount of rest. However, there is no avoiding the crowds; they are intense. I'd bet a seasoned festival goer like yourself could make a successful go of Bonnaroo, but whether you want to mess with it is another matter! Cheers, and thanks again.

Dustin - Thanks so much for this lively and intere...

2011-06-18T08:35:23.109-05:00

Dustin - Thanks so much for this lively and interesting experiential piece of writing. And thanks too for making it come so alive you demonstrated conclusively to me why I don't want to experience Bonnaroo. You almost caught me with Dr. John and the Second Line, as I've been eagerly awaiting each episode of Treme as it hits my DVR, but save me from the crowds and the total sleep deprivation. Hope you've recovered. - Ted

Thanks, Devon. I'm a big fan of Pikelny mysel...

2011-05-19T14:22:41.949-05:00

Thanks, Devon. I'm a big fan of Pikelny myself and couldn't agree more. I've heard through the grapevine that Noam is working on his second solo album right now. Hope that's true!

Very well written review. I'm a fan of Noam&#...

2011-05-19T14:18:08.371-05:00

Very well written review. I'm a fan of Noam's and this is a movie I would love to see.

I have the bands first album and am interested to see where they go. I say give the reins to Noam a little more; his solo album is brilliant and more banjo is never a bad thing (except when it is).

Thanks, Janeen. Hopefully the film will make it y...

2011-05-19T11:43:05.925-05:00

Thanks, Janeen. Hopefully the film will make it your way soon.

Nice review! I am so envious that you got to see t...

2011-05-19T09:44:01.779-05:00

Nice review! I am so envious that you got to see this. I have been waiting so long for the chance, and now am even more excited. I'm curious what the guys would say after a few years have passed, the release of Antifogmatic, etc.

That's been on my "to read" list for...

2011-05-04T12:24:32.076-05:00

That's been on my "to read" list for a while now, Robert. I just saved it in my library queue. Thanks!

(Late response here, Skip.) That's interestin...

2011-05-04T12:23:18.196-05:00

(Late response here, Skip.) That's interesting to know; I didn't realize John didn't care for NKWYD. Hey, even a genius like Hartford is wrong occasionally.

Read: This Wheel's On Fire. You will be too! O...

2011-05-03T21:59:05.150-05:00

Read: This Wheel's On Fire. You will be too!
Odysseus

That's interesting, Ted. I'm guessing the...

2011-04-25T13:16:32.022-05:00

That's interesting, Ted. I'm guessing the Chris Pandolfi piece was especially of interest to you given the context/content question. Look forward to hearing your thoughts when they're up!

Nice work, Dustin. Been thinking about the issue o...

2011-04-25T04:46:33.928-05:00

Nice work, Dustin. Been thinking about the issue of context vs. content and supposing that perhaps the context of the various musics called bluegrass is even more important than the content. Look for something new from me in a day or so. Merlefest is nearly all consuming, but this conversation is too important. - Ted

I think you touched on some great stuff. For the ...

2011-04-23T03:20:21.623-05:00

I think you touched on some great stuff. For the record, John did not hold NKWYD in high regard as he got older. I disagreed with him. I love that record.

Totally jealous, JD! I hope to see them at Bonnar...

2011-04-19T20:28:09.924-05:00

Totally jealous, JD! I hope to see them at Bonnaroo this summer myself!

Love the review. We had the pleasure of seeing th...

2011-04-19T19:47:18.160-05:00

Love the review. We had the pleasure of seeing them perform live Sunday night. I had not heard the album and didn't know they would play all together - it was fantastic. What great musicians and showmen.

Thanks, Jon. Would love to hear your thoughts and...

2011-04-19T10:28:40.525-05:00

Thanks, Jon. Would love to hear your thoughts and look forward to some brainstorming!