JigTime International
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Rural
Roots of Bluegrass - Book and CD out now
These days it is hard to throw a stone without hitting a bluegrass fan.
There is a worldwide interest in this often dark but more often exciting
music from the mountains and there are bluegrass festivals and concerts
all over the world now.
It wasn't always like this though. There was a time when the only place you could hear this music was in the back hills of Carolina or Virginia played on someone's front porch or at some sort of local celebration. With the advent of radio and television the music began to spread to new audiences and with a couple of imaginative movie soundtracks in more recent years it has practically exploded into a major genre on the music scene.
The roots of Bluegrass music are almost like the story of the mountains themselves and the people who populate them. In his book Wayne Erbsen has taken on a huge task. Not only has he given a history of the music itself and how it drew life from many cultures and musical styles but he has also included 94 songs with lyrics, tablature and a short history of each song. There are even playing tips for the musicians among us. He explores the influences from the Irish and Scots fiddle tunes to plantation music and murder ballads.
The book also includes over 100 beautiful vintage photographs of the people who made the music and as well as the history and songs there are stories which really bring to life the characters who populate this musical world. There are profiles of some of the most important musicians who have kept the music alive down through the years including the Monroe Brothers, the Carter family, Earl Scruggs and many more.
As if this wonderful collection wasn't enough Wayne has released a CD to compliment the book. Along with one of my favorite bluegrass singers, Laura Boosinger he has made an album featuring 14 songs from the book. Laura's clear and authentic mountain singing sits beautifully on top of Wayne 's banjo, guitar, fiddle and mandolin playing. The CD is certainly a wonderful addition to any collection in its own right but coupled with the book it is an invaluable and entertaining resource for anyone interesting in Bluegrass music.
In years to come when new books are written Wayne Erbsen will be a big part of that history as an important figure who has worked hard to collect, preserve, document and even perform bluegrass and historical American music.
For more on these and other wonderful goodies go to
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