Where The Bluegrass Grows

10/12/2007 Stephen L. Betts There are plenty of great things to enjoy about the World of Bluegrass conference each year. For me, this year’s conference was one of reconnection. Reconnecting with old friends, with visiting family, and with music that I’ve enjoyed over the last several months (and in some cases even longer), and was reminded of through live performances at Nashville’s convention center throughout the week. With that in mind, thought I’d take the opportunity to spotlight a few recent CDs any bluegrass fan can feel confident about having in his or her collection. Claire Lynch Crowd Favorites Although the title (and cover art) might make you think this is a live collection, it’s not. Still, if you have ever seen Claire Lynch and her sizzling band in live performance, any one of the top-notch tunes here will remind you why they’re one of the most electrifying acts working today. Now just close your eyes and take in all the intense, angelic beauty each of these exceptional tracks has to offer. Not live? Maybe not, but it sure is the next best thing.   Grass Cats Home to Carolina Chugging along with great musical gusto (and some mighty fine – and HIGH – lead singing), this five piece North Carolina outifit makes for some totally cool, unexpected bluegrass. Check their spiffy covers of Pete Townshend’s “Let My Love Open the Door” and a shouldn’t-have-worked-but-it does take on ‘90s pop hit “How Do You Talk to An Angel,” if you’re in doubt. Dale Ann Bradley Catch Tomorrow It was a long time coming, but Dale Ann Bradley finally snagged the IBMA Female Vocalist award this year. And it’s about time. Whether she’s putting a soulful hard-country stamp on - then grassin’ the heck out of - “I Can’t Stand the Rain,” or applying a lighter, sweeter touch to story songs such as “Memories, Miles, and Tears,” you believe every word and hang on every note.   ********* And speaking of the IBMA Awards, Sam Bush did a terrific job as first-time host, and he also had the added bonus of being one of the night’s winners, for Mandolin Player of the Year. While Sam has won the award previously, this year marked the first time he took the honor and was able to be in attendance to accept it. In years past, he was generally busy on European tours with Emmylou Harris, so it was doubly thrilling for him, no doubt, to host the show and take the honor again (for the fourth time, and his first since 1993). I spoke to Sam earlier in the week, before the big night, and among the topics we discussed was the influence the 55-year-old is having on young musicians today. “I feel exactly like I did when I was 18 years old and I started playing bluegrass for a living out of high school,” says Sam. “It's incredibly gratifying if young musicians say that I've been an influence on their playing. But I know what Bill Monroe used to mean when people came right up to him and played just like him. [A friend of mine] played a tune for Bill and Bill said ‘Well, that’s really good but what can you do on your own?’ I heard that. I was standing back listening to it and I realized he wants people to be aware of his playing, but he wants them to be their own musician too.”  Want to check out some of Sam’s influential playing? His joyous DVD, On the Road, is out now.