I own the Guild Pilot bass John is playing in this video! I searched for it for years and finally found it in a music store in Nashville. It’s not “Whitey” but at least Johnny signed it and it was his and he is my mentor on the bass. I learned to play by watching him play in the 70’s, 80’s.
Sound quality is amazing on this one! What an inspiration to up and coming puppy dawgs! Sorry- in my opinion- there are VERY few that can pick like that style- than those 4 on that stage. Banjoistically yours, Jon Eric
This song was nominated for a grammy in 85 or 86. they broke up sometime after that.The best musically in the business.They just couldn't get a national hit.Garth Brooks used their arraignment of Calling Baton Rouge and was a big hit,They didn't even get a mention.
John Cowan is a skilled bassist. He has solid rhythm and he fits New Grass Revival perfectly. That being said, Victor Wooten could play any of John's licks with ease, but there are things that Victor Wooten can do that John Cowan cannot. If Victor had been with New Grass Revival for this performance there would have been a bass solo in addition to the rest of the instruments.
Cowan was invited to play bass as they needed a replacement. After hearing him play, Sam said we're hiring a bass player but I am no longer the lead singer. :D
It's not really fair to compare anyone to Victor. John Cowan is very solid & vocally, he's one of the greats. No comment on the haircut except, in his defense, it was the 80's. LOL
One example I always like to use is Charlie Watts with The Stones. He's probably the most simplistic drummer ever...but it just wouldn't be The Stones anymore with someone like Neil Peart drumming. Don't misunderstand me, I'm not saying Cowan is simplistic, he's awesome! But if everyone played the exact same mind bending riffs, what good would that be?
Sam Bush said this song was named from his dog drinking water He was watching his dog drink water one day. He said the dog would lap up water with his tongue seven times and stop, then lap seven more times and stop and so on.
From 1:39 to the end, all the instruments (except the bass) reach another level that, while it can still be called "Bluegrass", in my opinion transends bluegrass. When that actually happens the bass *for me* becomes annoying in that it just continues to plod. In my opinion Victor (and others, though not many others) could have made it way more interesting while still keeping the integrity of the genre.
birdstuck has a point, but if he combs his hair right no one will notice. (rimshot) Some of these guys are in the band because they can sing. Johnny rocks ok - be's no Victor but who is? I watch this and think wouldn't it be nice if Jimmy Rosenberg were on guitar instead of Rev. Pat, but you cain't always get . . Great post - vintage NGR RULES =Y
The only weak link is the bass player. Once one has heard Victor playin' with Bela one comes to expect the bass to be able to keep up. This guy plods along behind. And as for the hair cut...LOL
instrumentals suck. the only thing worse than an instrumental is the bluegrass instrumental when everyone has to do a measure and make an ass out of themself. I'm so thankful John Cowen didn't have the audacity to partake of said endeavor. Newgrass was great.. that doesn't change the fact that instrumentals suck.
A whole audience full of people, this comments section, and everyone who ever liked jazz or classical music disagree with you. In addition to that, you don't even know what a "measure" is, so you are in no way capable of being a proper critic. Stop forcing your subjective musical opinions on everyone else, and then go fuck yourself.
Superb and unmatched musicianship by all. Bela's picking was astounding and to read the compliment from Jon Eric - that says it all. Thanks.
WOW! Beat that CMT!
On rare occasion you can still catch Bela, John, and Sam on the same stage at Merlefest.
Bela Fleck wrote this and other cuts. Pat Flynn wrote quite a few of their songs. Amazing group!
I own the Guild Pilot bass John is playing in this video! I searched for it for years and finally found it in a music store in Nashville. It’s not “Whitey” but at least Johnny signed it and it was his and he is my mentor on the bass. I learned to play by watching him play in the 70’s, 80’s.
Sound quality is amazing on this one!
What an inspiration to up and coming
puppy dawgs!
Sorry- in my opinion- there are VERY few that can pick like that style-
than those 4 on that stage.
Banjoistically yours,
Jon Eric
This song was nominated for a grammy in 85 or 86. they broke up sometime after that.The best musically in the business.They just couldn't get a national hit.Garth Brooks used their arraignment of Calling Baton Rouge and was a big hit,They didn't even get a mention.
Didn’t get a mention I believe they were still the ones playing it for him.
Great musicians.
Awesome! These are some great videos you've got here, BluegrassLibrary!
@Telelikeitis You are thinking of the Sam Bush song "Laps in Seven"
Incredible. No other description comes close!
David Grisman has had bands that arguably could keep up but hey just playin Devils Advocate...this rocks
@Fortunatone Wasn't on Letterman, it was a show on TNN, looks like the set of Nashville now from the mid 80's.
We 💖 u grass sevvin Xox
❤
John Cowan is a skilled bassist. He has solid rhythm and he fits New Grass Revival perfectly. That being said, Victor Wooten could play any of John's licks with ease, but there are things that Victor Wooten can do that John Cowan cannot. If Victor had been with New Grass Revival for this performance there would have been a bass solo in addition to the rest of the instruments.
John is an amazing singer. Is Wooten?
I am not certain Cowan was there for his bass exclusively. He was also their singer and a fine one. Can Wooten sing?
Cowan was invited to play bass as they needed a replacement. After hearing him play, Sam said we're hiring a bass player but I am no longer the lead singer. :D
Agreed.
It's not really fair to compare anyone to Victor. John Cowan is very solid & vocally, he's one of the greats. No comment on the haircut except, in his defense, it was the 80's. LOL
Victor who? :o) John Cowan rules!
Was this on letterman?
Thanks for posting.. love NGR and Béla's work.
One example I always like to use is Charlie Watts with The Stones. He's probably the most simplistic drummer ever...but it just wouldn't be The Stones anymore with someone like Neil Peart drumming. Don't misunderstand me, I'm not saying Cowan is simplistic, he's awesome! But if everyone played the exact same mind bending riffs, what good would that be?
Sam Bush said this song was named from his dog drinking water He was watching his dog drink water one day. He said the dog would lap up water with his tongue seven times and stop, then lap seven more times and stop and so on.
Telelikeitis I think you are thinking of the song Sam wrote called Laps In Seven. This song is Seven By Seven named for its time signature.
@@rarebasses You are right. I remember that name now. Thanks for the correction.
Bela took banjo lessons from Tony Trischka.
How many time's you heard Bela get out of time? What? NONE!!!!
Johnny has Victor beat in one arena, though, and that is hairstyle.
Easy to say. You are used to electronic music where You push a button; Your Bad.
When it started to look like Bela might surpass them...
From 1:39 to the end, all the instruments (except the bass) reach another level that, while it can still be called "Bluegrass", in my opinion transends bluegrass. When that actually happens the bass *for me* becomes annoying in that it just continues to plod. In my opinion Victor (and others, though not many others) could have made it way more interesting while still keeping the integrity of the genre.
birdstuck has a point, but if he combs his hair right no one will notice. (rimshot)
Some of these guys are in the band because they can sing. Johnny rocks ok - be's no Victor but who is? I watch this and think wouldn't it be nice if Jimmy Rosenberg were on guitar instead of Rev. Pat, but you cain't always get . .
Great post - vintage NGR RULES =Y
The only weak link is the bass player. Once one has heard Victor playin' with Bela one comes to expect the bass to be able to keep up. This guy plods along behind. And as for the hair cut...LOL
instrumentals suck. the only thing worse than an instrumental is the bluegrass instrumental when everyone has to do a measure and make an ass out of themself. I'm so thankful John Cowen didn't have the audacity to partake of said endeavor.
Newgrass was great.. that doesn't change the fact that instrumentals suck.
Idiot.
A whole audience full of people, this comments section, and everyone who ever liked jazz or classical music disagree with you. In addition to that, you don't even know what a "measure" is, so you are in no way capable of being a proper critic.
Stop forcing your subjective musical opinions on everyone else, and then go fuck yourself.
Get a life you miserable piece of shit!