Railroad Earth
Shady Grove Band
Crooked Still25. Railroad Earth: Long Way to Go
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vp7MkRyRUIQ
Out of all the songs from the progressive bluegrass segment this song does the best job of incorporating traditional bluegrass with hints of new trends. This performance from 2004 is centered around jiving banjo picking and violin solos. However, one can also hear a solo voice that is accompanied only for the harmony by soft background vocals. It also reflects tradition in terms of its lyrics, which are about traveling and life experiences. Both of these themes are at the heart of traditional bluegrass music.
26. Shady Grove Band: Streamline Canonball
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N9dPnJ0i0lI
The Shady Grove Band is evidence that traditional bluegrass bands still exist in the age of progressive bluegrass. Through all of these selections it is clear that there have been many transformations in the genre. However, this group uses banjo, bass, mandolin, and guitar in a simple classic four-piece set. The group also utilizes the quartet for all of the harmonies.
27. Crooked Still: Railroad Bill
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fh5zmCcrRAA
This song by Crooked Still is taken from a performance in July 2007. The selection is notable for multiple reasons. First of all, the group takes the cello and it puts it at the forefront of the bluegrass formula. Although the banjo has many solos in this song, the cello dominates with fast-paced and creative solos that including stroking and plucking. Another unique element of this band is that the vocals are all left to the female singer. The vocals also take on a much bigger role in this song than they usually do in other bluegrass tracks.
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