These men were at the top of their abilities, and all on the stage at the same time. Don't get much better.
@frankrichards30892 жыл бұрын
Absolute peak. As good as you get
@papa-ql3xb7 жыл бұрын
These guys were, and are, some of the best musicians ever to walk this planet. This is bluegrass heaven!
@feaw38 жыл бұрын
Not only a stellar lineup, this is about the cleanest bluegrass they played live.
@MrJDP19749 жыл бұрын
From the earliest memories in my life (mid-70's) I was raised up around a style of appalachian music that my Grandpa and Great Uncles brought with them out of SE. Ky. These men had all left Martin Co. KY when they went Europe to fight in WWII sometime in early 42'. Modern Bluegrass had not really happened yet. I started playing fairly seriously when I was about 8 years old (which would have been 1981/82). Although I have returned and grasped on to the old traditional fiddle tunes and other great pieces of musical history in my adult life, I will never forget the feeling that came up in my heart when I was first exposed to modern Bluegrass. I started going back to SE KY to visit family with my "Papaw" in late Fall of 83'. I discovered that I had a VAST number of incredible pickers that were all true blood relatives. Each would teach me about playing and how the old fiddle and gospel songs translated into what we called Bluegrass. They let me know when I was hitting something right, or when I was hitting something "not right" - with a little scoff mid-jam, quickly followed by a wink and a smile. The instruments - OH THE INSTRUMENTS! I don't want to make a book out of this so I cannot even go there. Anyhow, sometime around this same time that i was quickly developing as a player across many instruments (except for fiddle - my nemesis) I got to catch dang near this exact lineup! WOW! Of course, those old family traditions, as I knew them, passed along with the God loving men that took the time to show love and let me "take one" on every tune. Although times have changed, the call of yesterday lives strong in my heart as I attempt to pass along the priceless gift that was given to me nearly 40 years ago. If you know this music, keep it alive in the youth that we are surrounded by. Tell them the stories that made your heart long for the old times. Take the time to tell them why as song does what it does and the nuances of the interplay between the musicians are so very important. Bluegrass nearly died with one generation. Let's not let that happen again!
@deanpitman33257 жыл бұрын
Bush whispers to Rice at the end of Tony's last run, "you ain't human" lol.
@Deuce_Allan10 ай бұрын
😂 probably
@gluton7710 ай бұрын
I thought he was yelling "you played 11 bars instead of 10 dummy" .... yes sir i had a good (looong) time counting the bars (not easy ooh no because the volume of the band seems to be faded down during his last run, and if you want to try to follow this run tapping on your knees, i wish you a good day) 🙃
@joykillssorrow841110 жыл бұрын
Pure bliss! Love the cameo of John Hartford too!
@teamsterbutch8 жыл бұрын
I have loved and played this music since I was about 14 yrs. old
@ncheart656910 жыл бұрын
This is such a great video...and an AMAZING festival when it started. That's my Dotty Bell at 5:27, the little blonde in red shorts, just thrilled to watch and hear her favorite musicians perform (now 30 something). She was raised on NGR and Tony Rice and Jerry Douglas via Green Acres Music Hall. THANK YOU for posting this uncut, dancers and all! It was all part of the magic of that first event...glad we were there. I had forgotten this jam and to suddenly see my little girl just blew me away. I remember how, early in the morning, when the gates opened - we raced to the stage and people started slinging their lawn chairs towards the stage ... where they landed was your spot! It was hilarious. And yes, these fellas played it THAT FAST! They were, and are still, amazing musicians, all.
@Halliday78959 жыл бұрын
I think there is audio issues the proof is in the beginning when he says " I hope not TOO extended " before the song ... you hear the audio quality give and drastically waver in pitch and clarity. THATS proof og audio tempo distortion. BY NO MEANS am I putting their skills down..They played fast as all hell and were the best and are still in my opinion the best Era or modern New Grass .... But this is so slightly sped up most people are not keen enough to notice. Sorry if thats hard to grasp.
@ncheart65699 жыл бұрын
Halliday7895 I disagree. I was there and they played it every bit this fast. Yes, there is an audio glitch at the .07, but his voice was back to normal at .010 as he finished the sentence. There is a moment at 2:46 when someone hollers "slower" and Rice responds "Sorry"... If you watch the peoples movements in the background, they are quite normally paced. And the conversation at the end further established it was not sped up. "Sorry if that's hard to grasp," but you are welcome to think whatever you want.
@ncheart65699 жыл бұрын
Halliday7895 Since it comes down to my opinion or yours, I'll trust my experience over your attempt at analysis - every time. You've had your say, and I don't agree with you. Not debating it with you either. Have a great evening.
@Halliday78959 жыл бұрын
+NC Heart I'm very impressed that your memory is better than my research haha even after over a decade your memory serves you better than scientific proof ....gravity and physics dont lie. this video is sped up. no doubt about it. most people arent sensitive enough for such slight tolerance of playback manipulation . I know though....and a few keen others as well have backed me on this. case closed .
@BlindTom617 жыл бұрын
Yes dude and that is why the dancers are looking so frantic (not). And the audience is sitting there relaxed listening up to a sped-up band. You are dumber than a door knob...
@poeta06711 жыл бұрын
oh yeahhhhhhhhhh!!!!!! great tony rice the Master of the six strings acoustic guitar. peace.
@feaw39 жыл бұрын
Likely the best lineup ever right there. John Hartford at 1:10 LOL
@troychester36864 жыл бұрын
I was about to ask if that was him. Haha
@1969mets4 жыл бұрын
This is SICK good...
@RUNNOFT712 жыл бұрын
Lmao. Seriously though..these guys are on a level most will never obtain. RIP Tony man.
@lizg65153 жыл бұрын
Wonderful clip, thank you.
@nancyduncan62094 ай бұрын
Never tire of this top classic
@brad90922 жыл бұрын
Man I've got goose bumps! Miracle workers. That's what these men are! Hallelujah!
@luigivercotti70059 жыл бұрын
Tony Rice. The best!
@haroldferguson171411 жыл бұрын
Thanks for all the - and+ comments. What you see and what you hear and see is history. If it had not been for a 2 hour video of this one time event there would never be another Merle Fest. It
@zachd524211 ай бұрын
Brings tears to my eyes love these guys so much
@davidglemboski2582 жыл бұрын
Best bluegrass band on the planet at that time. Great musicians. Outstanding......
@extrasouth12 жыл бұрын
This IS the pinnacle of bluegrass music!!
@isomaki4210 жыл бұрын
Wow! Thanks, that as hot as it gets! Wheeewww! Love it!
@guitarice12 жыл бұрын
What a jam, the best of the best blazing away. A million thanks for the upload.
@steelhead1972 жыл бұрын
Wow….just wow….🇨🇦👍🏻 Always loved the bluegrass atmosphere! Have fun!! 😋
@mf52022 жыл бұрын
ABSOLUTELY INSANE. All of them killed it.
@randyjones78187 жыл бұрын
Some of the most awesome.playin I have ever seen on tape..if you think that is fake..you don't know these guys they reinvented bluegrass music..awesome..r.jones.nash.tn.
@rockinredneck576 жыл бұрын
Hot Rize even before them. Several of these guys played with JD Sumner and New South and JD learned from Ralph Stanley. Tie that in with Ricky Scaggs playing with Tony in JDs band and Marty Stuart playing with Lester Flatt at 13 and that's a lot of bluegrass royalty. Tony started on the West coast, his father played bluegrass and they knew Chris Hillman and the Gosdin Brothers. They are all a dying breed.
@shaiguitar5 жыл бұрын
Tony rice nails it. It's also nice hearing early/young Bela Fleck around 3:05. His solo phrasing sounds like himself from the start
@clyderichardson64753 жыл бұрын
This was an excellent video of the guys doing what they love to do and what we love to hear. If you want to hear Tony at his best get the Cold on my Shoulder CD. It is phenomenal!
@bodhinug12 жыл бұрын
Thank you so much for posting this! It's amazing to see the humble beginnings of an amazing festival with some of the hottest pickers to ever bless the stage! Here's to Doc and Merle!!!
@austenrobinson27473 ай бұрын
This is sick on so many levels. RIP Tony.
@Papoliteo11 жыл бұрын
The best assembly of great pickers I ever heard!
@nidaxxyxy54954 жыл бұрын
Thank you for posting this clip that good misicial and good dancer.
@bluegrassrootstv12 жыл бұрын
Great to see high quality video and audio from "back in the day." You're lucky to have such great footage... Thanks for posting. Jack
@LoneStarTweety12 жыл бұрын
I like the dancing - it goes hand in hand with music. Good use of he legs. :)
@matthebert0072 жыл бұрын
My left ear had such a good time. thx
@milesfromneworleans2 жыл бұрын
Love the pace they keep up there... Turbeo bluegrass! The young folks dancing is fabulous!
@captbanjo112 жыл бұрын
Every one of 'em on that stage a legend now!
@rockinredneck576 жыл бұрын
They were legends then too.
@tbonej31518 жыл бұрын
No way it is sped up. get the cd. sounds the exact same. I've seen Tony play a dozen times or so over the years and absolutely no one can keep up with him. if they can, they are sweating and working hard to match him and even in at his age he has barely lost a step. saw him just a couple years ago, I love the picking and miss his voice
@jandeband Жыл бұрын
very extremely awesome ❤❤❤
@davec77595 жыл бұрын
How good will these guys be when they grow up??!!
@jonrettich45792 жыл бұрын
Some fine group especially the fiddle. Thank all of you
@nofantasyman11 жыл бұрын
What a great combination of musicians
@alanbruce86328 жыл бұрын
This was the cabin stage at MerleFest which was located to the right of the main stage.. I went two years in a row during the early 90's. They had a midnight jam which would include all of the amazing musicians you see here. Tony Rice, Mark O'Connor, Jerry Douglas, Bela Fleck, Sam (The Man) Bush, and (wow!) John Cowan? That guy can sing! I used to love Mark O'Conner hosting the American Music Shop on TV. But, you know who doesn't get enough credit - not only as a great singer/songwriter, but as a musician? Tim O'Brien. I swear he just showed up at the midnight jam and played his heart out. I never considered him to be THAT good a musician, but he is.
@rockinredneck578 жыл бұрын
Alan Bruce Good old Red Knuckles from Wyoming,Montana.
@cliffworks7483 жыл бұрын
smoking terrific!
@davidtuck77358 жыл бұрын
Bass player is John Cowan, formerly of New Grass Revival and currently with the Doobie Brothers
@antonestack61877 жыл бұрын
Oh my god so good... i agree. Tony Rice is the best new-grass guitar player. The other one are so amazing... especially the bass player. From france...
@ShineDawg Жыл бұрын
that banjo player got my attention, that some amazing strang work
@jeremysicelymusic7 жыл бұрын
This is gold...
@Earthstein4 ай бұрын
Great playing.
@MrTalentwasted3 жыл бұрын
Somebody lock up a copy of this at the national archives please...
@cliffsandifer3877 Жыл бұрын
Another slick day on the fingerboard for these fellas
@fiddlefeller12 жыл бұрын
Amazing and blazing. Woooooo!
@strawman81118 жыл бұрын
John Cowan is on bass.
@michaelmullins1290Ай бұрын
I never pass on this song. Several times, several channels. This was at a hyper speed and all of these guys smoked it.
@markatr67 ай бұрын
almost 40 yrs later, all are still seen as masters of their craft ! ( nobody does flourishes of sound in a single note like mark oconnor, eh? )
@patmccune177112 жыл бұрын
At the 1:10 mark is the late, great, John Hartford looking on.
@sklantharregulus2100 Жыл бұрын
Completely awesome
@johnhehir78766 жыл бұрын
A real treat
@guitarwithtom604111 ай бұрын
Love this but what’s with Motley Crüe’s bass player backing them 😂
@TheClassicalTodd11 жыл бұрын
Awesome!!!!
@lesbrealk437010 жыл бұрын
Stellar jam!
@unclebobunclebob7 жыл бұрын
Oh shit...what a lineup!!!
@TheMemphisSlim11 жыл бұрын
Good archive tape.. sound not good of course, but very good original tape, thanks for sharing..
@jaygatsby13 жыл бұрын
John Hartford with a cameo. And I think the announcer is George Hamilton IV (I wonder if John D. Loudermilk was in the audience). Crazy talented line up. Outside of John Cowan, who can sing with the best of em, each player had a legit claim to being one of the very best players on earth of their respective instruments.
@StephenBuckingham6 ай бұрын
What a band!!!
@spearmusic12 жыл бұрын
great memories. i was there. front row, the whole weekend. then back in the fall for the cabin dedication. the playing & energy of this supergroup was phenomenal.
@travisbryson47443 жыл бұрын
That bassist is on FIRE!!!
@TheMrCompletely11 жыл бұрын
quite incredible but I'm only getting audio in the left channel?!?
@kylelevy19884 жыл бұрын
Would’ve killed to be alive during this era
@dianalea370210 жыл бұрын
the very best of the very best! Wow.
@akiwayneukonmaanahoa15909 жыл бұрын
Sam Bush...lol. Love that guy.
@JimmyKelly-b7z Жыл бұрын
Perfecto..
@slowwaterdrifting4 жыл бұрын
❤❤❤❤
@bcp5296d2 жыл бұрын
Definitely one of the hottest live tony breaks out there
@OldMcDnald2 жыл бұрын
Tony Rice is a grasshole 😤😡😤
@bcp5296d2 жыл бұрын
@@OldMcDnald good one?
@OldMcDnald2 жыл бұрын
@@bcp5296d Tony Rice was too cool for regular clothes. Suits and ties only. 😤😡😤 Grasshole.
@davidsawyer98810 жыл бұрын
It's called John Hardy was a desperate Little Man!
@skullduggery33779 жыл бұрын
who's a better flatpicker than rice?....i can't think of anyone either.
@aebi36009 жыл бұрын
+sküll düggery O'connor perhaps?
@rexzens9 жыл бұрын
+sküll düggery Doc Watson is good, but I dont think he's better
@FANJG249 жыл бұрын
Cody Kilby is by far the best acoustic flatpicker I've ever heard.
@skullduggery33779 жыл бұрын
+Rex Zens --- oh yeah! he's like the father of all...lol.
@skullduggery33779 жыл бұрын
+FANJG24 --- yes, he's my other favorite... along with grier.
@tompeery101711 жыл бұрын
Bass was John Cowan
@АндрейГорбатов-ы5с7 жыл бұрын
BLUEGRASS --NEWGRASS == FOREVER!!!!
@turbodownwarddog Жыл бұрын
THE BEST!!!!!
@sullyb235118 жыл бұрын
Is that the New Grass Revival backing him up?
@rockinredneck577 жыл бұрын
William Sullivan 3/4 of it.
@АндрейСимеонов-т9ь9 жыл бұрын
Is that Jerry Douglas on the Dobro?
@88huckster9 жыл бұрын
Андрей Симеонов yes
@guastomaster7388 жыл бұрын
If you say Dobro, you say Jerry Douglas.
@davidlowney6347 жыл бұрын
Mark O Connor, Sam Bush, Tony Rice, Bela Fleck & Jerry Douglas. The best of the best
@re-newal6 жыл бұрын
Such a shame this recording only plays one speaker, otherwise amazing.
@kendrickprevatt78656 ай бұрын
This is what they took from us 🫤
@winkcrittenden60117 жыл бұрын
LOL 1:12 Smile John!
@uncledougie107111 ай бұрын
where was that at specifically????
@mdhbigdog7 жыл бұрын
Pretty good pickin' all around.
@frankrichards30892 жыл бұрын
Wow.
@rockinredneck578 жыл бұрын
3/4 of New Grass Revival up there. Pat is no slouch on guitar either.
@sadiehager46507 жыл бұрын
Cream of the crop! 🍻 🎵 💜 🆒 🙌 💞
@K1313993 жыл бұрын
Probably unnecessary to thank the crowd for being there. It shows gratitude to the people for showing up but in reality wouldn't you have to be more or less insane to NOT be there if you had the chance? lol. Any festival with the name Watson involved means you will experience greatness that you didn't think was possible, especially if you listened to the radio on the way and liked what you heard lol
@swabee4843 Жыл бұрын
Always in a coat and tie, no matter what. A gentleman's gentleman
@los_rubos2 жыл бұрын
Young and Reckless 🔥
@LeConquichante Жыл бұрын
Is Sam Bush the only guy on stage that hasn't changed his look 8 or 9 times before and after this was recorded?
@caroldady53523 жыл бұрын
John hartford was digging it in the green visor
@scray004 жыл бұрын
You say for the tape you sold. Do you still have this whole festival footage ??
@TheKen6810 жыл бұрын
I am stunned that someone would be that ignorant to write a post saying that?.Just listen to it with amazement like the rest of us and enjoy what your witnessing..Rice and that group was the best!..
@davec775910 жыл бұрын
I haven't read the comment you're referring to. but it must be total bullshit. All these guys play like maniacs, and how good are they?? You've only got to watch the fingers to see what's happening.
@Halliday78959 жыл бұрын
Dave C this is sped up and not the natural speed, sorry to ruin the magic for you The performance is Amazing non the Less! But the technology of the time was not as consistent as todays audio . Today pitch and tempo are accurately reproduced... this version is bad ass and all.but just a little too fast on play back. there are a bunch of audio and visual clues that give it away and verify my "claim" im not just BS'n
@davec77599 жыл бұрын
Halliday7895 It may be a little too fast but not enough to make it noticeable, else tony would sound like Alvin and the Chipmunks. Let me know the clues, I will have another look.
@Halliday78959 жыл бұрын
Dave C As Tony describes the song about to be played, speaking about the length of the tune... " I hope not TOO extended" he says around 9 seconds in... You hear his voice pitch speed up .and stay higher up just slightly more "chipmunkish" than usual..then the song begins and stays up there When they talk at the end of the song...the spacing between his and the other guys words come in unnatural , Tony then thanks and fake kisses and praises the audience . While doing this a fellow on stage interrupted Tony , the timing and words sound sped up and odd timing for typical human interaction on or off stage . When you watch the payers bop bob and dance along to what they play, it seems abnormally aggressive their hair moves too fast.. these motions seemingly defy physics at times... the bassist in particular is intense moving too radically and fast to really articulate cleanly maybe he can I duno...he looks extra maniacal The People walking and sitting in the audience do average hand motions and mannerisms that see sped up and unnatural ... Their dancing too, they all seem to have a fast twitching going on . The stage chatter and talking picked up on the microphone that isnt featured sounds but background sound has abnormal communicative timing. The first 9 seconds really solidified it for me. I listen to other versions and the difference isn't huge , but the tolerance we are talking about is so sensitive that since its bluegrass, it's more easily masked BUT when the speed reaches a certain max the change in musical pitch is insignificant compared to the physics involved in all players playing that much faster... Add all the visual clues it's plausible to Me the technology or someone intentionally sped up the audio . I still think they are burning here though.
@Halliday78959 жыл бұрын
I'm stunned that you can't conceive me enjoying this while acknowledging its a little sped up bc of technological error. His voice pitch very obviously changes when he introduced the song "hope not too extended" is the phrase. Its too fast but just slightly so most people aren't perceptive enough to tell . I'm just really glad my musicians ear and mind is so young and keen .
@MickLewis8 жыл бұрын
Who is bass player? man he's getting into it haha
@strawman81118 жыл бұрын
John Cowan
@alphacentauri80838 жыл бұрын
Did he just arrive from another gig playing in a Poison cover band?
@strawman81118 жыл бұрын
John Cowan Sir
@rockinredneck578 жыл бұрын
Mick Lewis John Cowan of New Grass Revival, along with Bela Fleck on banjo and Sam Bush on mandolin. John is currently playing with the Doobie Brothers. Very talented vocalist in his own right.
@aliwhitwell6 жыл бұрын
The best by far vocalist in that line up!
@Teleman012 ай бұрын
Anyone know why we don't see Mark O'Connor playing with any of these guys anymore? You don't see him playing with Bella Fleck, which is so wild to me. Nor do you see Marco O'Connor playing with Sam Bush anymore. I'm assuming his narcissistic attitude??
@jefffaria4 жыл бұрын
John Hartford in a green hat😇
@vitograssi34563 ай бұрын
The italian comunist love this music, is very comunist musica. Thank Bush
@TomRaw-sd6xd3 ай бұрын
yeah they get shot if they hit a wrong note
@wankatronic11 жыл бұрын
Clearly thinking "...damn, that's some fiddlin'."
@cyrus62111 жыл бұрын
Mark O'Connor (v), Sam Bush (m), Tony Rice (g), Bela Fleck (b), Jerry Flux Douglas (d), ?? (bs)