I saw New Grass Revival every year back in the late 70s. They were a phenomenal band. I am a big Tim O’Brien fan too, and he and Sam Bush were two of my inspirations to play mandolin.
John Cowan performed here in Chattanooga in June with Joan Osborne, The Waybacks and the Chattanooga Symphony. They did the entire Abbey Road album (Beatles, of course). It was a one time performance and it was totally awesome, possibly the best in an entire week of many top artists. Even though I'm not a Beatles fan, I loved the show. Cowan was outstanding in vocals. He is very underrated. Always been a fan from the beginning of NGR days.
Love NGR. Glad I got to see them several times back in the good'le days! Sam Bush still one of my very favorites! Love Tim O'Brien too, who wrote this tune.
The song was written by Tim O'Brien. He produced Laurie Lewis' first solo album, and she sings this song on it. Her recording came out in 1986, and New Grass Revival covered in 1988 when it was the title cut.
Indeed. And those versions are both more than respectable (I didn't know about the Laurie Lewis one before I saw your comment, the first time I watched this video). But NGR owned it. =)
We knew all these guys when this video was made. There have never been four more talented musicians in one band and they complemented each other perfectly. And John Cowan might be the best male singer who never got the major acclaim he deserved. The best female singer in that category was Eva Cassidy. Check her music on UA-cam (especially Over The Rainbow and Fields of Gold).
Sure like to be able to sing like that !!! I know with lessons and all but you need to have the right sounding voice to begin with. I love Bluegrass music.
NGR was a fantastic band. Each member has gone his own way and made some more great music, but just like The Beatles they were transcendent together. Can you say REUNION?! Let's not go down the same road here as with The Beatles, Mr. Bush. :)Steve S-N
Anyone remember New tradition? They changed band members and hired a lead singer named Ray Caldwell I believe? His voice was a lot like John Cowan. No one beats ngr though epic bluegrass band!
It's interesting that you draw the Beatles' comparison. The Beatles are at the top of my music list, but I always have to clarify that they are from my pre-bluegrass days. Once I discovered bluegrass, NGR eventually rose to a similar status. They aren't the Beatles (nobody is), but they had a similar impact on me, just much later in life.
This is beautiful by NGR. Sam does a great job on the fiddle when his main instrument is the mandolin and I'm a big fan of Pat Flynn's guitar pickin , Bela Flick's banjo magic and John Cowan's vocals.
Sam won several fiddle championships as a teenager, and Bill Monroe told him to stick with it (though that was maybe more a comment on his mandolin playing at the time). I think he's said in interviews that he's just never felt as comfortable playing the fiddle -- I think he compared it to standing on a surfboard that he always felt was about to shoot out from under him (pretty sure that comment is in the liner notes to one of their albums). But personally, I've always preferred his fiddling to his mandolin playing.
Oh yeah, Sam is definitely one of the fiddle greats. I think I understand why he rocks the mandolin primarily, but his fiddling is timeless, masterful, unreally good (like Cowan's voice). I wish there was more of it to hear.
Are they playing along with a prerecorded drum track? I'm pretty sure they are playing live (I've heard them play this song several times) but I don't see a drummer anywhere. He may be hidden behind the band somewhere. I know they used drums regularly, although the drummers had to play sparsely, since Sam is a drum kit all by himself...
Beethoven..I meant no offense as to the musical talent..I just found the video biased against an awesome banjo player like Bela..I saw a lot of jealousy is all. I will say, I bought the CD and listen to the song time and time again,,,the duet is the best combination of musical notes as one could imagine.
Its a damn shame! Bela Fleck was the heart of the music, yet they singled him out..shame shame shame. Oh and the fiddle player, whoever he is....nice job.
An amazing band. Four of the world’s best right there.
I met John at snowshoe mountain lodge in 1989. I was 4 years old. I got to hug him and touch his hair. I told him I liked his hair
I'm a 45 year old man
...but I'd love to hug him. He's amazing lmao. That's awesome.
I could listen to these guys 24 hours a day
I've loved these guys since the early 80s...seeing them play this got me all misty-eyed...❤
I saw New Grass Revival every year back in the late 70s. They were a phenomenal band. I am a big Tim O’Brien fan too, and he and Sam Bush were two of my inspirations to play mandolin.
John Cowans pipes are unreal, love his bass playing with those split finger licks.
The New Grass Revival, were a sensational ensemble.
Saw these guys live in Knoxville when this album came in 88. A whole lot of talent in this band.
It's the first time I've seen them play this song. Pure perfection!! We are so privileged to be able to see old videos of them playing.
John Cowan performed here in Chattanooga in June with Joan Osborne, The Waybacks and the Chattanooga Symphony. They did the entire Abbey Road album (Beatles, of course). It was a one time performance and it was totally awesome, possibly the best in an entire week of many top artists. Even though I'm not a Beatles fan, I loved the show. Cowan was outstanding in vocals. He is very underrated. Always been a fan from the beginning of NGR days.
Love NGR. Glad I got to see them several times back in the good'le days! Sam Bush still one of my very favorites! Love Tim O'Brien too, who wrote this tune.
I can't decide what is better about this video. The pickin'... or Cowans haircut.
John Cowan voice is unreal so good
yes it is
great band they were
And no autotune. It's almost unbelievable.
@@marshaul and every instruments acoustic... no effects, filters etc. ;)
My best ☝👍one... With love from India🇮🇳
This brings back many good memories. 💙
The song was written by Tim O'Brien. He produced Laurie Lewis' first solo album, and she sings this song on it. Her recording came out in 1986, and New Grass Revival covered in 1988 when it was the title cut.
Indeed. And those versions are both more than respectable (I didn't know about the Laurie Lewis one before I saw your comment, the first time I watched this video).
But NGR owned it. =)
I listened to this song as a kid,,,,what could be a better nursery rhyme?
We knew all these guys when this video was made. There have never been four more talented musicians in one band and they complemented each other perfectly. And John Cowan might be the best male singer who never got the major acclaim he deserved. The best female singer in that category was Eva Cassidy. Check her music on UA-cam (especially Over The Rainbow and Fields of Gold).
Thanks for this great music wow this is a group you don't hear much about anymore since they've disbanded but their sound is one of my favorite sounds
How can this be 30 years ago? Seems like yesterday....
sooo much talent on this stage
Nice fiddle playing by Sam Bush. Nice tone..
Another song of my childhood
I miss these guys!!!
Hold To A Dream is One of My Favorites. Thank you !!!
I like how Sam, Pat and Bela do harmonies with their instruments to each other on the fills on the last verse.
I had two favorite bands in the 80's: Rush and New Grass Revival.
The greatest of all Newgrass Bands ever!
"The greatest of all -Newgrass- Bands ever!"
FTFY
My, Pat is Brilliant!
God DAMN that's fine music!!! What a country!!!
Don't curse -- but you are right.
Just Great ❤❤❤❤
A#* Kicking Bluegrass !! Love It..!!
OMG. I had forgotten that particular John Cowan look.
LOL
I love this song so much =) great to clog to!
...these guys are top drawer !!!!!!
Sure like to be able to sing like that !!! I know with lessons and all but you need to have the right sounding voice to begin with.
I love Bluegrass music.
NGR was a fantastic band. Each member has gone his own way and made some more great music, but just like The Beatles they were transcendent together. Can you say REUNION?! Let's not go down the same road here as with The Beatles, Mr. Bush.
:)Steve S-N
I'm glad John's mullet has evolved .
Great song. Great performance.
I have this album from way back then, still sounds unbelievable! New Grass Revival, I love you guys! Happy New Year!
Anyone remember New tradition? They changed band members and hired a lead singer named Ray Caldwell I believe? His voice was a lot like John Cowan. No one beats ngr though epic bluegrass band!
Sam looks great-and love john's mullet!
It was the 80's, afterall!!
Saw them in telluride 6 years straight awesome
It's interesting that you draw the Beatles' comparison. The Beatles are at the top of my music list, but I always have to clarify that they are from my pre-bluegrass days. Once I discovered bluegrass, NGR eventually rose to a similar status. They aren't the Beatles (nobody is), but they had a similar impact on me, just much later in life.
What an awesome song! They have great feel!
This is beautiful by NGR. Sam does a great job on the fiddle when his main instrument is the mandolin and I'm a big fan of Pat Flynn's guitar pickin , Bela Flick's banjo magic and John Cowan's vocals.
Sam won several fiddle championships as a teenager, and Bill Monroe told him to stick with it (though that was maybe more a comment on his mandolin playing at the time). I think he's said in interviews that he's just never felt as comfortable playing the fiddle -- I think he compared it to standing on a surfboard that he always felt was about to shoot out from under him (pretty sure that comment is in the liner notes to one of their albums). But personally, I've always preferred his fiddling to his mandolin playing.
Oh yeah, Sam is definitely one of the fiddle greats. I think I understand why he rocks the mandolin primarily, but his fiddling is timeless, masterful, unreally good (like Cowan's voice). I wish there was more of it to hear.
brillient. i love these guys
i watch this often. bravo ♪ ♫♪ ♫♪♫♪
I think Eddie Beyers is playing drums in this concert because he was also playing on Unconditional Love
The best!!!!
Amazing.
I seen this on PBS when i was younger and i was a total fan
Moron! Not " I seen "; I saw. Simple past tense. Learn English grammar.
I love NGR
Great performance
@JohnsFiddleLessons I think th drummer is Eddie Byers. He played on a lot of Ricky Skaggs country albums.
Stupidly simple song which I enjoy listening to over & over again. How about ya'll ?
NGR may be the first (and only) hair band. :-)
i think sam bush changes his violin tone to Accordion at 1:16, and the effect is wonderful
It is so strange seeing Sam without his beard.
@kotaboner42 No I think what you're hearing is Bela doubling him which makes it sound a bit different.
You must have worked at TNN. Very good video quality considering the time that has passed...no tracking issues.
Bela's lick at about 2:04 is especially nifty.
Are they playing along with a prerecorded drum track? I'm pretty sure they are playing live (I've heard them play this song several times) but I don't see a drummer anywhere. He may be hidden behind the band somewhere. I know they used drums regularly, although the drummers had to play sparsely, since Sam is a drum kit all by himself...
If you look closely you can see the drummer hid in the back from several different angles...
It's like Sam Bush shaved his beard just to play the fiddle😂
nothing like a Kentucky waterfall, or Tennessee top hat, haha
John's bass is only slightly less amazing than his hair.
killer
Would ya look at those kids!
can we say reunion
why isn't anyone dancing?
are you kidding when you say "the fiddle player, whoever he is...."
please say you are!
Beethoven..I meant no offense as to the musical talent..I just found the video biased against an awesome banjo player like Bela..I saw a lot of jealousy is all. I will say, I bought the CD and listen to the song time and time again,,,the duet is the best combination of musical notes as one could imagine.
Its a damn shame! Bela Fleck was the heart of the music, yet they singled him out..shame shame shame. Oh and the fiddle player, whoever he is....nice job.
sam bush on fiddle ! what a talented guy - might be better than his mandolin.
Hilarious hair. Drums are redundant and pointless in this music. But who cares? This is a classic song, thanks!
TheMrCompletely I think drums sound great