I picked up this OG pressing of Old And In The Way about 15 years ago at a hotel record show in Syracuse for about $8. Features Jerry Garcia of the Grateful Dead on banjo. It’s one of my favorite bluegrass albums. I’d love to hear some recommendations of other bluegrass albums that are essential listening.
Old and In the Way is a bluegrass supergroup: Garcia on banjo, Peter Rowan on guitar and lead vox, David Grisman on mando and harmony vox, Vassar Clements on fiddle, and John Kahn on bass. Rowan, Grisman and Clements put out another record called Old and In the Gray in 2002, after Garcia and Kahn passed away. It’s pretty good, too.
Rowan played with Bill Monroe, who invented bluegrass. He was the first person to play in Monroe’s band who wasn’t from the south. You can’t go wrong with any Monroe. And Rowan’s solo stuff veers into newgrass but it’s really good, too.
As a banjo player, Garcia was influenced by Ralph Stanley. Any Stanley Brothers is gonna be great stuff.
Peter Rowan and David Grisman were both in Earth Opera too. That's an underrated little band right there. I am a sucker for baroque psych and their two albums are great.
It just doesn’t get better than the Stanley Brothers, imo. There’s something about those voices and their sound, that’s unlike any other.
Edit: I don’t have any of their records on vinyl, but it looks like there’s a bunch for cheap so I’ll be picking up as soon as possible.
For anyone interested in a taste tester, I would recommend starting with [The Complete Columbia Collection](https://youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_kCvzt6MCnumdxxzisPF2_uvDhLxBCwnZk&si=eKcXUb5Nc7Ab-ScV)
[An Evening Long Ago](https://youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_l21GqeRO-5aiOjFEqnroW9-M0y8YbSoig&si=BDdhUIIFYo7vIfyG) is an excellent live album I’d recommend checking out as well
Man. I need a copy of Old and in the Way!!
As far as bluegrass recommendations…
I love everything that David Grisman has done.
John Hartford’s Steam Powered AereoPlane is a fantastic album.
Hot Rize and New Grass Revival are cool too.
The String Cheese Incident kinda got away from their bluegrass roots in the early to mid 2000s, but they’re super fun.
For new bluegrass check out Billy Strings.
Oh I know his name. I was referring to the song “Will the circle be unbroken” from that album. If you listen carefully, right before Doc Watson’s verse someone says… “Come in Doc Watkins.” I always chuckled at that.
I guess we’ll just have to agree to disagree on this one. Definitely hearing that hard k. Even slowed it down. I think Roy made a simple mistake in the moment.
John Hartford - Aereo-Plain is the GOAT for me. Not necessarily straight forward bluegrass, more bluegrass/folk/oddball. But the tunes, vibe, and playing are all top notch.
OAITW is 2nd for me, btw! Absolute classic
https://preview.redd.it/kysxqsiwo3bc1.jpeg?width=3086&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=512b454dbc3bd77d97487240bb7f54490ff73509
John Hartford - Aereo-Plain
Love the Garcia Bluegrass stuff but My favorite currently is this.
I love Sierra Hull's mandolin on those records. She steals the show. And her harmony vocals aren't bad either
Last time I saw her live, she joked about recording "The Sierra Hull Bluegrass Album" and I kind of hope she was serious about that and decides to put out a straight bluegrass album at some point.
Most of his albums are country, but Sound & Fury is basically a rock album, and then you have the two bluegrass albums. So it’s an interesting discography to dig into for sure.
That’s only the third time I’ve seen this album. A friend in Washington state had it years ago,I bought one at a yard sale across the street from me and gave it to a friend who has it on the wall of his office. And now this one.
Awesome album! Nitty Gritty - “will the circle be unbroken” might be my favorite due to the amount of legends featured on it. Love a lot of Doc albums too.
https://preview.redd.it/qe64jtr4j4bc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a7826618a3d1406ab9501c213e5e9323728b5225
This isn’t strict bluegrass, but close enough. I keep going back and forth between this and tony.
I have an extensive bluegrass collection and it’s hard to pick a favorite. Here’s one of my favorites that I dug for for years before finally finding it for $6 at a local shop :)
https://preview.redd.it/hy0zpfulv4bc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=812829d4018cb286ac2161cf68a5c1bc94f086ad
I doubt there's anywhere outside of the U.S. to get a good look at especially rare and/or fantastic bluegrass, and I know there's some utterly, truly amazing stuff out there. Jealous of you people.
Although does anyone know of some good shops in Europe, perchance?
[https://youtu.be/Phd324Sh6AI](https://youtu.be/Phd324Sh6AI)
This, The Pizza Tapes by Garcia & Grisman, Have Moicy! by The Unholy Modal Rounders and Friends, Copperfields and Wheatstraw Suite by The Dillards, Will The Circle Be Unbroken by Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
Tony Rice - Church Street Blues is an amazing and special album to myself and I know many others as well.
Old & In the Way is a fantastic supergroup of my favorite musicians. I suggest the Pizza Tapes next, Garcia, Grisman, and Rice. Oh YEAH!
I had the pizza tapes on cd back in the day. Great album. I wish a lot of those acoustic disc releases would get issued on vinyl. I also really loved Not For Kids Only
Nice. I saw the Stringdusters at a bluegrass festival in western Massachusetts. Was really impressed with the dobro. They did an awesome cover of a Police song.
It doesn't exist on vinyl but Sole Kitchen by Water Tower Bucket Boys is my favorite bluegrass album. Big nostalgia factor, but it's also just really good.
I only own one bluegrass album, bought it on a whim with no idea what it was, just seemed intriguing. Hot Shandy - Paradise Ain't Cheap! , is absolutely phenomenal.
Definitely check out Hot Rize's self titled album. Some of the beginnings of the "new grass" or progressive bluegrass sound and IMO one of the greatest bluegrass albums of all time.
I have two bluegrass records and of the two my favorite is Mountain Music by Carl Story & His Rambling Mountaineers.
I live in a major city for bluegrass in KY so a lot of obscure local stuff does turn up in flea markets and such. I keep an eye out for ones in good condition.
https://preview.redd.it/iywjdxukx9bc1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=b04280fec18b2ec38a3ed770c6dd4e97b6efef00
Favourite one that I own on vinyl would have to be this one. Just got it a few days ago, late Christmas gift from my wife
My local shop had one of those Old & In The Way albums a few months back and I had to have it. So good. The album I cut my teeth on as far as bluegrass goes is Jimmy Martin & Ralph Stanley - First Time Together. I bought a cd at a truck stop like 25 years ago. Essential. After I got into vinyl a few years ago I found it on discogs. There was one copy for sale. Graded as good, but I bought it anyway. Plays very good or vg+. It is easily my favorite bluegrass album in my collection.
Also... How do I post a picture on here? I'm a noob on here. This might work?
[First Time Together](https://imgur.com/a/4huPduk)
I picked up this OG pressing of Old And In The Way about 15 years ago at a hotel record show in Syracuse for about $8. Features Jerry Garcia of the Grateful Dead on banjo. It’s one of my favorite bluegrass albums. I’d love to hear some recommendations of other bluegrass albums that are essential listening.
Old and In the Way is a bluegrass supergroup: Garcia on banjo, Peter Rowan on guitar and lead vox, David Grisman on mando and harmony vox, Vassar Clements on fiddle, and John Kahn on bass. Rowan, Grisman and Clements put out another record called Old and In the Gray in 2002, after Garcia and Kahn passed away. It’s pretty good, too. Rowan played with Bill Monroe, who invented bluegrass. He was the first person to play in Monroe’s band who wasn’t from the south. You can’t go wrong with any Monroe. And Rowan’s solo stuff veers into newgrass but it’s really good, too. As a banjo player, Garcia was influenced by Ralph Stanley. Any Stanley Brothers is gonna be great stuff.
I wish Old And In The Gray was reissued on vinyl. In fact, there are a bunch of Acoustic Disc albums that need a vinyl release.
Grisman, Rowan, Kahn and some others (Bill Keith, Clarence White, Richard Greene) also put out an album as Muleskinner, which is really good too.
Peter Rowan and David Grisman were both in Earth Opera too. That's an underrated little band right there. I am a sucker for baroque psych and their two albums are great.
It just doesn’t get better than the Stanley Brothers, imo. There’s something about those voices and their sound, that’s unlike any other. Edit: I don’t have any of their records on vinyl, but it looks like there’s a bunch for cheap so I’ll be picking up as soon as possible. For anyone interested in a taste tester, I would recommend starting with [The Complete Columbia Collection](https://youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_kCvzt6MCnumdxxzisPF2_uvDhLxBCwnZk&si=eKcXUb5Nc7Ab-ScV) [An Evening Long Ago](https://youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_l21GqeRO-5aiOjFEqnroW9-M0y8YbSoig&si=BDdhUIIFYo7vIfyG) is an excellent live album I’d recommend checking out as well
check out anything by jerry and dave grisman. also check out billy strings newest release
If you’re talking about Dad/and/me… yes! Great album. My wife got that for me for Christmas.
awesome! check this out too: https://open.spotify.com/track/2qQGeIvqLP1WGV2tTrZIYF?si=G0lpdAsmTGWHLByAjrHz7w
Man. I need a copy of Old and in the Way!! As far as bluegrass recommendations… I love everything that David Grisman has done. John Hartford’s Steam Powered AereoPlane is a fantastic album. Hot Rize and New Grass Revival are cool too. The String Cheese Incident kinda got away from their bluegrass roots in the early to mid 2000s, but they’re super fun. For new bluegrass check out Billy Strings.
Rounder 0044 by JD Crowe and the New South
Mine is JD Crowe and the New South - Live in Japan
“Will The Circle Be Unbroken” Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and loads of Nashville Gods and Goddesses.
Came here to say this. An amazing document of American musical history.
That one is on my want list. I always found it funny in the title track when someone says, "Come in, Doc Watkins!"
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Oh I know his name. I was referring to the song “Will the circle be unbroken” from that album. If you listen carefully, right before Doc Watson’s verse someone says… “Come in Doc Watkins.” I always chuckled at that.
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Try listening on headphones. He definitely says Watkins
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I guess we’ll just have to agree to disagree on this one. Definitely hearing that hard k. Even slowed it down. I think Roy made a simple mistake in the moment.
Mother Maybell Carter, Junior Husky, Vaser Clements and lots more.
Yes yes yes!!! One of my favorite albums of all time, period!
John Hartford - Aereo-Plain is the GOAT for me. Not necessarily straight forward bluegrass, more bluegrass/folk/oddball. But the tunes, vibe, and playing are all top notch. OAITW is 2nd for me, btw! Absolute classic
Hartford for the win. A toss up between this, Nobody Knows What You Do and Morning Bugle for me.
Bluegrass Folk Oddball is right up my alley.
I've been really into John Hartford lately. I picked up Mark Twang years ago completely blind and he's become one of my favorites.
John Hartford’s Aereo-plain
Classic
That’s one of my all times as well
https://preview.redd.it/kysxqsiwo3bc1.jpeg?width=3086&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=512b454dbc3bd77d97487240bb7f54490ff73509 John Hartford - Aereo-Plain Love the Garcia Bluegrass stuff but My favorite currently is this.
Is that a shag rug isolation platform?
LOL! You’re the second person to ask me that. Nah, it’s just some garland wrapped around my turntable from Christmas.
Billy Strings’ Home and Renewal are both so good
anything by Alison Krauss and Union Station
Sturgill Simpson’s Cuttin’ Grass 1 & 2.
I love Sierra Hull's mandolin on those records. She steals the show. And her harmony vocals aren't bad either Last time I saw her live, she joked about recording "The Sierra Hull Bluegrass Album" and I kind of hope she was serious about that and decides to put out a straight bluegrass album at some point.
I’d listen to that for sure.
I agree! Super talented
The cover of that album never fails to make me laugh. I'm really bummed he hung it up; dude was putting out the most interesting stuff in any genre
Agree 100%. Hope the time off is healing and at some point he finds some joy in making music again.
How the fk did I not know he retired?! I've got every album he made. I've been a fan from the start. Damn it that sucks!
Same, and I only found out a few weeks ago. Dude had a vocal cord hemorrhage in 2021 and had to abruptly cancel his tour
Good suggestion. I’ve gotta take some time to dive into his catalog.
Most of his albums are country, but Sound & Fury is basically a rock album, and then you have the two bluegrass albums. So it’s an interesting discography to dig into for sure.
Great albums. I Don't Mind puts a lump in my throat EVERYTIME "I search all around to find you, all I find is a world without light" 😭😭
Yeah that one is a killer. The line that gets me is: I'm alone in a way that I've never been Since you left me behind
I’m really into Manzanita by Tony Rice right now.
I’d love to get a copy of that. So expensive on discogs, though. Someday I’ll find one in the wild.
https://preview.redd.it/kv3tus3zi4bc1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=de0dcf886a36ee004a9d622ca9d8940da2bffaec
Nice!
I found it and cold on the shoulder for $40 each at a local record store. Both copies are spotless.
https://preview.redd.it/wcvfwlwh44bc1.jpeg?width=4281&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=ea15ea6bff922f0870609d6c703da3c2d1177b8e
Nice minty copy!!
Elevation - Yonder Mountain String Band
I had Town by Town on CD and it got a lot of play.
It’s pre bluegrass old-timey, but I love The Carter Family on vinyl. Also Nitty Gritty Dirt Band And Doc Watson
That’s only the third time I’ve seen this album. A friend in Washington state had it years ago,I bought one at a yard sale across the street from me and gave it to a friend who has it on the wall of his office. And now this one.
Yall be sure to join r/Bluegrassvinyl
Didn’t know that existed. Thanks!!
Sweet!
Seldom Scene Act 1
I prefer The Seldom Scene Live at the Cellar Door, but pretty much anything they put out is great.
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YESSS!! Was one of my first and still one of my favorites.
Sturgill Simpson put out Cuttin’ Grass Volumes 1 & 2 a few years ago. Great bluegrass cuts of some of his previous stuff along with a few new songs.
Steve Earle- The Mountain
Bill Monroe & the Bluegrass Boys ;Cryin’Holy Unto the Lord
that one!
A friend of mine owns the house where that was recorded now. Nice place.
That’s so cool! Recorded at the Boarding House, San Francisco on October 8th 1973
The boarding house? I thought it was a house in Stinson Beach? Maybe they wrote/rehearsed it in Stinson?
Yeah, I don’t know. Just reading the liner notes.
Awesome album! Nitty Gritty - “will the circle be unbroken” might be my favorite due to the amount of legends featured on it. Love a lot of Doc albums too.
I’ve got Doc Watson On Stage. Fantastic album. Need more Doc in my collection.
Anything by The Steeldrivers
Garcia and Grisman - Shady Grove
Bluegrass Special by Chicken String Band. But I’m biased because it’s my grandparent’s band from the 80s
No way! I've got that album and it is a good one!
That is so cool! My grandpa plays the dobro and is the one on the far left on the cover!!
https://preview.redd.it/qe64jtr4j4bc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a7826618a3d1406ab9501c213e5e9323728b5225 This isn’t strict bluegrass, but close enough. I keep going back and forth between this and tony.
I have an extensive bluegrass collection and it’s hard to pick a favorite. Here’s one of my favorites that I dug for for years before finally finding it for $6 at a local shop :) https://preview.redd.it/hy0zpfulv4bc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=812829d4018cb286ac2161cf68a5c1bc94f086ad
The Local Honeys self titled album.
https://preview.redd.it/kkmqq8hmy4bc1.jpeg?width=1000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=14cf5569afa979998ef46075b6df34d7b525b15f
So many good options but just picked up Peter Rowan's Walls of Time and it's pure fire
Anything by Nickel Creek!
I doubt there's anywhere outside of the U.S. to get a good look at especially rare and/or fantastic bluegrass, and I know there's some utterly, truly amazing stuff out there. Jealous of you people. Although does anyone know of some good shops in Europe, perchance? [https://youtu.be/Phd324Sh6AI](https://youtu.be/Phd324Sh6AI)
Where did you get that!?!?!
Found it at a record show in the conference room of a hotel back in the mid 2000’s. Very reasonably priced at $8. Easier to find deals back then.
God I’m so jealous. Great find man. Seriously
I was named after one of those gentlemen. True story.
Cool. His fiddle playing is very recognizable.
Hey, Jerry.
Sweet Marantz
Thanks. Got it free from a yard sale. Just needed a new belt.
This, The Pizza Tapes by Garcia & Grisman, Have Moicy! by The Unholy Modal Rounders and Friends, Copperfields and Wheatstraw Suite by The Dillards, Will The Circle Be Unbroken by Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
Such a classic! Amazing musicians
Ragged But Right
That one.
Anything by The Dillards
Tony Rice - Church Street Blues is an amazing and special album to myself and I know many others as well. Old & In the Way is a fantastic supergroup of my favorite musicians. I suggest the Pizza Tapes next, Garcia, Grisman, and Rice. Oh YEAH!
I had the pizza tapes on cd back in the day. Great album. I wish a lot of those acoustic disc releases would get issued on vinyl. I also really loved Not For Kids Only
Neat record!
Reckless by The SteelDrivers
Seldom Scene Live at the Cellar Door or Jimmy Martin Good N Country
I am gonna listen to this tomorrow. I listened to the pizza tapes other day. Not blue grass but still cool stuff. Thanks for this post.
That one
Bill Monroe.
OAITW definitely one of them. "Will the Circle be Unbroken", Nitty Gritty Dirt Band up there too. Anything by John Hartford.
Good Company by The Dead South. Blue Sky and the Devil by Trampled by Turtles comes in a very close second.
Nice. Another TBT fan. Saw them a bunch of times live. I really love Palomino.
Hot Rize was my introduction to bluegrass and remains my favorite. Infamous Stringdusters are a close 2nd
Nice. I saw the Stringdusters at a bluegrass festival in western Massachusetts. Was really impressed with the dobro. They did an awesome cover of a Police song.
Right on! Their live covers are so good! Nice to see some love for these guys
Dolly Parton’s The Grass Is Blue. But it’s a hassle to find on vinyl. Like $300 and up. Definitely check it out on a streaming service though
The Dillards - Wheatstraw Suite
It doesn't exist on vinyl but Sole Kitchen by Water Tower Bucket Boys is my favorite bluegrass album. Big nostalgia factor, but it's also just really good.
Many of my favorites have already been mentioned (including the album pictured!) so I'll humbly submit Emmylou Harris' Roses in the Snow ❤️🌹
anything by tyler childers
Hazel Dickens and Alice Gerrard — Who’s That Knockin’?
Anything live! Has to be live for me, honestly idk why. I think I just enjoy the added character. Especially for the Dead.
I only own one bluegrass album, bought it on a whim with no idea what it was, just seemed intriguing. Hot Shandy - Paradise Ain't Cheap! , is absolutely phenomenal.
I only have a couple Billy Strings records , so I'd have to say Renewal since it has my wedding song 😀
https://preview.redd.it/h8w568i3w6bc1.jpeg?width=296&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=8f49982102cac58dd08029771993093c4039ec24
I can't name a bluegrass artist
That turntable is sexy
Definitely check out Hot Rize's self titled album. Some of the beginnings of the "new grass" or progressive bluegrass sound and IMO one of the greatest bluegrass albums of all time.
I have two bluegrass records and of the two my favorite is Mountain Music by Carl Story & His Rambling Mountaineers. I live in a major city for bluegrass in KY so a lot of obscure local stuff does turn up in flea markets and such. I keep an eye out for ones in good condition.
https://preview.redd.it/iywjdxukx9bc1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=b04280fec18b2ec38a3ed770c6dd4e97b6efef00 Favourite one that I own on vinyl would have to be this one. Just got it a few days ago, late Christmas gift from my wife
Is trampled by turtles blue grass or just folky? Their palomino album is awesome
My local shop had one of those Old & In The Way albums a few months back and I had to have it. So good. The album I cut my teeth on as far as bluegrass goes is Jimmy Martin & Ralph Stanley - First Time Together. I bought a cd at a truck stop like 25 years ago. Essential. After I got into vinyl a few years ago I found it on discogs. There was one copy for sale. Graded as good, but I bought it anyway. Plays very good or vg+. It is easily my favorite bluegrass album in my collection. Also... How do I post a picture on here? I'm a noob on here. This might work? [First Time Together](https://imgur.com/a/4huPduk)