Customer Reviews

Grass Roots: The Best of New Grass Revival

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

With tracks from their King Records debut, their stints with Flying Fish, Rounder and Capitol, as well as previously unissued live and studio tracks, this is THE definitive anthology from one of the most influential bands of the progressive bluegrass genre.

Over the course of nearly two and a half hours of music and 35 tracks, GRASS ROOTS covers New Grass Revival's history from their 1972 debut through their 1989 New Year's Eve farewell show.

"Great Balls of Fire," the first of two tracks from their debut, is a no-holds-barred romp with Sam Bush on Mandolin and lead vocal and the banjo pyrotechnics provided by Courtney Johnson. The second track is the Leon Russell-penned "Prince of Peace."

Not only did Russell take NGR as his opening act in 1973, he let them record at his Shelter studios at the end of the tour. These three tracks from 1974 are all previously unreleased. For these sessions, NGR added a drummer which further alienated them from the bluegrass community. "Casey Jones," an instrumental, and "The Dancer" are fairly typical bluegrass numbers (except for the drums); but "Doin' My Time" with its extended instrumental breaks goes on for more than six and a half minutes. [It's easy to see where bands like the String Cheese Incident and Yonder Mountain String Band were influenced by NGR.]

By 1975's FLY THROUGH THE COUNTRY, the band's lineup solidified to include Bush, Johnson and bassist/vocalist John Cowan and guitarist Curtis Burch. This version of the band would stay in tact through their 1981 LP COMMONWEALTH.

NGR Mach II would emerge in 1983 (and stay together until the band dissolved) with Pat Flynn replacing Burch and Bela Fleck replacing Johnson. Two previously unreleased tracks from an Austin City Limits appearance, "When the Storm Is Over" and "You Don't Knock," showcase the new lineup.

"Seven By Seven," from their self-titled Capitol debut, showed the bluegrass/jazz path Fleck would latter follow with the Flecktones. "In the Middle of the Night" (from the same album) illustrated that Flynn was not only a gifted singer and guitarist, but the band's best songwriter.

Two other previously unreleased tracks are from a 1987 Austin City Limits appearance. The first is a funky version of "Revival." The other is a terrific version of "Ain't That Peculiar."

The final three unreleased tracks are from their Oakland Coliseum New Year's Eve show. They include "Do What You Gotta Do," a stunning 11-minute rendition of "Singing the Blues," and "Can't Stop Now." As the applause erupts, someone in the band responds, "Thanks so much! It's been wonderful!" It certainly has been, and this two-disc set captures many of the highlights of this amazing band. [Running time - Disc 1, 74:53; Disc-2, 74:15] VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Bluegrass pureists, don't get out your poison pens yet! Nobody is more important to the overall genre than 'Big Mon'. HOWEVER, as Pat Flyn says in 'Grass Roots' liner notes: "He would never say it himself, so I'll say it for him: Sam Bush founded a whole new form of music." says (group member from 1981-1989) guitarist/songwriter Pat Flynn.

This 2 CD collection is as fitting and long overdue a tribute to one of the most powerful and creative bands to ever have graced the American music landscape. Yes, the thriving jamgrass/jamband scene today would not be where it is without the Grateful Dead, but that scene also draws heavily on the trail blazed by the pioneers of NGR.

Even for the ardent fan/collector like myself who owns all of NGR's individual albums/CDs, this collection is a 'must have.' There are many hitherto unheard live and unreleased tracks that both the fanatic and the freshman will enjoy immensely.

A 'strong' 5-Star Rating!

:)Steve Sikes-Nova
'The Virginiaprograsser'
Tidewater, Virginia, USA

New Grass Revival emerged from being Bluegrass pariahs to being the virtual creators (along with Tony Rice, David Grisman, Mark O'Connor, etc.) of the thriving Newgrass movement today. This is the best collection of their music to hit the market in one package, and it is the first to feature material from early era, the Flying Fish years, and the Capitol years. Sound quality on the older releases gets an upgrade, and the previously unreleased live and studio (with Butch!) tracks are absolutely crucial. The only thing missing now are complete live shows on CD and a DVD release of the two Austin City Limits performances. Are you reading, Sam?

The New Grass Revival defined what an acoustic band could be. The band defined a style of music. The New Grass Revival continues to influence acoustic music three decades after their modest beginning. Mandolinist Sam Bush along with banjoist Courtney Johnson, guitarist Curtis Burch and bassist "Ebo Walker" (Harry Shelor) began playing the "New Grass Style" in 1972. While their music evolved, the band changed personnel slightly through their history, adding John Cowan on bass in 1973. Bush and Cowan had met guitarist Pat Flynn at a festival in Colorado and jammed with him. Bush had known banjo virtuoso Bela Fleck for years. They were selected as the band's two new members in 1981.
Grass Roots is a 2 Cd set that will take you on a trip through New Grass history beginning in 1972 with a version of "Great Balls of Fire" like no other. This is a prime example of how the band revolutionized bluegrass music; no song was immune to being converted to the New Grass sound.
This collection is not just a compilation of old recordings re-released; there are a number of never released tracks. New Grass Revival ended their phenomenal run on New Years Eve, 1989 with a concert in California at the Oakland Coliseum. Their final show concluded with "Do What You Gotta Do", "Singing the Blues", and appropriately "Can't Stop Now", so ends the Grass Roots collection. As a long time fan of New Grass Revival, I wonder what was going on in the minds of Sam Bush, Pat Flynn, John Cowan and Bela Fleck as they burned down the Oakland Coliseum and rode off into the sunset.
This is a collection New Grass Revival songs that everyone who enjoys progressive bluegrass and acoustic music should own. It is an audio history of where this music we love came from, and a clue to where it's headed. Besides that, these boys rocked back then, and their music in this collection still does, ask Garth Brooks!

Rex Flottman

This is a great album but then I've never been disappointed with any of their albums. Side one is the older songs which I love. I just wish they had included more of the songs from the "Flying Through the Country" and "When the Storm is Over" albums. But no New Grass Revival fan will be disappointed. The album cover has a lot of good history about them also.

I've been a New Grass Revival fan since 1989. I discovered them watching a rerun of Austin City Limits. It's a real thrill to see two of the cuts from that 1987 performance on this album. But that's just the beginning for fans. This album also sports two cuts from the band's 1983 Austin City Limits performance. Other highlights are three unreleased tracks recorded for Leon Russell's Shelter Records and three unreleased cuts from the band's last gig on New Year's Eve, 1989, when they opened for the Grateful Dead in Oakland. New Grass Revival was a powerful presence live, and this album makes that case with 10 of its 38 tracks being live recordings. If you know New Grass Revival, you must hear this album. If you've missed out on one of the most exciting bands of the 70s and 80s, this album is a wonderful introduction.

I bought this because of the unrealesed live tracks.These guys are fine players with sam bush being my favorite.So I recomend this to people who want to get to know this great band who were together for 18 years.

What are you waiting for? This is the stuff you've been surfing the net to find. The music that never gets old. Buy this excellent compilation and be prepared to keep one disc in the car and one at the office. Neither will leave. It's that good!

Any New Grass Revival Fan will love this cd. It has most of their 'greatest hits' and is a pleasure to listen to. Anything that has 'Good Woman's Love' included is fine with me. I also enjoy 'Revival' and 'Fly through the Country' especially. Thanks to whoever was responsible for putting this together. I still have the vinyl, but the cd is great to have.

this is a great buy for newgrass fans . and even if you arent . it was a great journey to go back to the start with them up to when they disband . i love theses guys ......