Bluegrass music suggestions

[Airhog]

I've been thinking about picking up some Bluegrass music, but I dont know much about the genre. Can anyone suggest some good blugrass bands? I would prefer a band that plays mostly upbeat faster music. Thanks.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Start here, do a little reading, the reviews are usually decent at worst
http://www.bluegrassmusic.com/index.php?issue=11085

From there, I'd suggest that you keep an eye open for groups that might get labled
"New Grass" (apparently that phrase, which goes back a couple of decades, may be replaced by "southeastern-style" -- which suggests that they're a little less traditional (i.e. Bill Monroe, Flatt & Scruggs, etc) and more prone to being adventurous with their selections.

Of the items in the current CD reviews, you could probably do a lot worse than
Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver - A School of Bluegrass
http://www.bluegrassmusic.com/index.php?em192=11110_0__0_~0~443~484_-1&issue=11085

Unless the genre has changed a lot in the past few years, it's probably worth noting that you aren't likely to find too many projects that really specializein a particular tempo -- a typical 10-song CD will have something like 3-4 mid-to-up tempo songs, 3-4 mid-to- down tempo songs, maybe an instrumental or an acapella or two, and it's not uncommon to find a gospel/spiritual song thrown in for good measure.

Of the albums/groups listed on the current chart -- I'm not familiar with all of them, but III Tyme Out is always very good, as are Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder, and the Nashville Bluegrass Band (although this album is apparently very bluesy).

This might be a situation where sampling some things at places like Amazon.com might be helpful for you.

I can't promise to be much help on specifics since I've been kinda removed from the bluegrass scene for several years now, but I'd be happy to try if there's something you want to ask about.

[JonInMiddleGA]

And, although it's far from mainstream or traditional, I'd be remiss if I didn't point you toward "Hayseed Dixie" ... a bluegrass group that specializes in covering rock & metal classics. Tribute CD's to near-namesake AC/DC & KISS, and rock love songs, are not to be missed. Their musicianship is very good, but their sense of humor & the bizarre combination of banjos & Back In Black is hysterically entertaining.
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/search-handle-form/103-6634623-9349452

[sachmo71]

Erasure?

EDIT: sorry, misread the title.