Bluegrass fans, I need help in choosing a song!

[hatredisnotavalue]

For my daughter to sing with her band www.abbotthillramblers.com
Anyway, the group is a bunch of high school and junior high school students who have been playing with their eighth grade english teacher for the past couple of years. They are starting to become very popular in our state. They just came out with their second CD. Unbeknownst to all of us, my daughter has apparently a wonderful singing voice and everyone wants her to record at least two songs on the band's next CD. She played fiddle on the first CD and guitar on the second. She was Bloody Mary in South Pacific this year and was truly the hit of the show. Truly none of us know she could sing.

She has a very different voice kind of like Alanis Morissette. Being a rock and roll kind of girl, I really don't know where to steer her to find a song. We liked the Dixie Chicks,"Ready to Run." She wants something fast and pop. But she is probably going to need a slow song too.

Anyway, thanks to all who can give me some help. I know this is a long winded post, and I don't expect many responses. But any help at all will be greatly appreciated. Plus if we pick your song, we will send you a free CD.
Thanks in advance.

[JimmyJazz]

1. Have you heard anything by Gillian Welsh?

Or even Allison Kraus, although purists will tell you she isn't really bluegrass?

[hatredisnotavalue]

3. Yup the other singer in the band does Allison

But I don't know Welsh. will check out, Thanks!

[JimmyJazz]

4. Here's a little something by her, but it's a duet. And, Emmy Lou Harris

is also worth checking out. Let me see if I can find some more links.

http://www.obrothermusic.com/preview.html

[hatredisnotavalue]

8. Thanks so much! n/t

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

2. Here's my recommendation if you and your daughter are online tomorrow

There is a DU'er named Progmom who hosts a jazz show on station WEMU which has an online broadcast. Her show is from 12- 2 EDT..immediately following her show is a program called Folks Like Us ..the dj's name is Matt Watroba and he plays all kinds of Americana including Bluegrass....you will be bound to get some good ideas from listening to his show.

[hatredisnotavalue]

7. I would never take any advise from you

You infidel.....I am so tired of you trying to educate the masses with your Iraq had nothing to do with 911.
Snicker....I am Tammy.. oldandintheway's wife.. your old Lesbian friend. I got kicked off of DU during the troubles, but they let me back in....How the hell are you? Did I scare you?

Seriously...you are the best darn poster on DU and I will listen to the show tomorrow. XX

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

20. Hey! Nice to see you!

I'm surprised your old man, the walking music encyclopedia hasn't suggested something good!

(and yeah.,you scared me) Listen to the show...I'll IM you the link in the AM..and the old man will love Jessica's jazz show.

[Bluzmann57]

5. For traditional Bluegrass, try Flatt and Scruggs

Remember the Beverly Hillbillies? Yep, they were on that program many times, playing Bluegrass music. Another possible source is the Dillards. They were on Andy Griffith, aka, the Darlings. For Newgrass, anyhing by the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band is good. And they are actually an old band. Hope these suggestions help. I grew up around Bluegrass music and have some knowledge of that American art form. Oh yeah, another possible source for Hill music may be Doc Watson. He is a very talented guitar player and singer. Once again, hope these suggestions help.

[JimmyJazz]

6. I think she's looking for female vocalists, but your choices are

otherwise excellent :) I love bluegrass music. :hi:

[Straight Shooter]

9. Ricky Skaggs, "Go rest high on that mountain" for a slow song.

What a beautiful song it is, I think he sang it with Vince Gill. It was a tribute to an old-time bluegrass singer. (Sorry can't think of the name of the guy.

It's been so long, I can't even remember the lyrics. But it is a haunting, lovely, and definitely bluegrass song. Perfect for a young woman with a great bluegrass voice.

[hatredisnotavalue]

10. Thanks so much...I will check it out..n/t

[Straight Shooter]

16. Warning: it's kind of a tearjerker.

But I guess that's why I love it. All I can remember is, "go rest high on that mountain, son your work on earth is done." Gives me chills to think about it.

Good luck to your daughter and her band. How exciting :woohoo:

[jpgray]

11. Sinner Man is an all-time classic

Or maybe the Wreck of the Old '97. Those are probably my two favorite traditional tunes at the moment.

[hatredisnotavalue]

12. Thanks so much, can a girl sing them? n/t

[jpgray]

14. "Wreck of the Old '97" is gender-neutral

Sinner Man is more gender-specific, but remember that unlike the Animals Bob Dylan, Woody Guthrie &c. sang the original words to House of the Rising Sun: "...been the ruin of many a poor girl, and me, oh God, I'm one." :D So there's precedent for some blurring of gender lines in traditional/folk tunes.

[ornotna]

13. Echo Mountain

now there's a song that will put a lump in your throat and a tear in your eye.

[rogerashton]

15. June Carter Cash?

On the old-time side of Grass, one of the Carter Family. "Will the Circle be Unbroken" is characteristic, but she could be down and a little dirty -- "Jackson," with her old man.

Bill Monroe (who invented Bluegrass, after all) must have recorded some songs that could be adapted for a woman's voice.

And then -- somebody else mentioned Emmy Lou, who is -- well, Emmy Lou.

Folk music (and "Fake Music" -- sounds like folk -- often goes well into Bluegrass. Anne Murray, maybe. Loretta did "Snowbird."

in a similar Country-and-Northern vein, Ian and Silvia. Sylvia Tyson, that is, still singing. I think Ian is staying home on the ranch.

I've dated myself a lot, here, but hey -- one of the neat things about Bluegrass is that it takes the old-time music and makes it hot and crazy.

[JimmyJazz]

17. "Will the Circle be Unbroken" is an awesome tune!

:)

[Tsiyu]

18. Fast and slow

Slow: "Someday Soon." Linda Rondstadt, others

Fast: "Passionate Kisses" Mary Chapin Carpenter, "Shut Up and Kiss Me" Same artist, "I Try To Think about Elvis" Patty Loveless

[dannofoot]

19. Having a hard time....

...imagining a youngster who can sing "Bali Hai" from "South Pacfic" and also sing Bluegrass. She must have quite a range, as well as be able to do dialects.

Anyway, I'd look into classic stuff like "Freight Train Boogie" (Doc Watson's is the best), "Loafer's Glory," or something like "Hardworkin' John" (check out David Bromberg's version). Anything that gets their feets tappin' and hands clappin'!

[WCGreen]

21. Keep on the Sunny Side......

[fishnfla]

22. OK, hang on

The kids may have some fun with the newer "alt bluegrass" genre: The Meat Purveyers, or Moonshine Willie (female leads, both) the strings do run quickly here so hang tight. It is fun music though

or the Gourds or Leftover Salmon, a couple of crossover groups

As far as traditional female bluegrass vocalists, its hard to beat Laurie Lewis (Blow, Big Wind is a good 'un) or get back to basics with Hazel Dickens

[Hotler]

23. "Blue and lonesome" Alison Krauss & Union Station...and

"Black Jack County Chains" as song by the Del McCoury Band.
"To Far Down to fall" Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky thunder.
Have fun, best of luck.

[LynzM]

24. My newest favorite bluegrass group

The Greencards... lead vocalist is female, so it might be worth checking out :) Good luck to her!

[Metta]

25. Try a sacred song.

There are tons of them, fast and slow, many either with or able to include harmony and what is bluegrass without harmony? What comes directly to mind: The Harbor of Love, Heaven's Bright Shore, Angel Band and White Dove.

[Redneck Socialist]

26. Oh lordy, too many to list

anyway here are a few recommendations

Check out Adrienne Young. Her second album The Art of Virtue simply kicks ass. Not straight up bluegrass, but an awesome mix of contemporary americana with a bluegrassy feel and some great old timey music. http://www.adrienneyoung.com/

As for specific songs both Art of Virtue and Hills and Hollers are great up tempo songs and Brokedown Palace (yes the dead tune) is a fantastic slower song.

If you can find it, pick up the Schankman Twins first CD Duality. They are a sister duo with good harmonies and excellent licks. Try Applejack, Waterbound, Thibodaux, and How Mountain Girls Can Love for faster tunes. Sally Ann is an oldie but a goodie too.

For a more contemporary sound check out Nickel Creek. Sarah Watkins plays a great fiddle and sings lead on many of their songs.http://www.nickelcreek.com/ Reasons Why, and Out of the Woods are both good slower songs.

Anything by Dolly Parton (Don't laugh, her bluegrass albums are awesome) or Rhonda Vincent would be great as well.

I hope these suggestions help. It's awesome that your daughter is into bluegrass. It's the greatest musical genre going IMNSHO. :hi:

[Redstone]

27. You'll NEVER believe this, but have her try it:

Stop right now, stop calling me an idiot until you have her and her band play "The Rose" as a bluegrass song.

I know, I know, it's one of those smarmy pop songs that makes you want to hurl, but I'm telling you the truth: It WORKS as a bluegrass song. Use a medium-fast cadence, with standard de-DE-dit-dit-dum banjo runs between the lines. Really.

Trust me.

Redstone

[kodi]

28. oh please let her sing "let the mystery be" by iris dement. please

You can listen to it and download for free here.

http://www.last.fm/music/Iris+Dement


The lyrics are:

Let the mystery be (Iris DeMent)

Everybody's wonderin' what and where they they all came from
everybody's worryin' 'bout where they're gonna go
when the whole thing's done
but no one knows for certain
and so it's all the same to me
I think I'll just let the mystery be
Some say once you're gone you're gone forever
and some say you're gonna come back
Some say you rest in the arms of the Saviour
if in sinful ways you lack
Some say that they're comin' back in a garden
bunch of carrots and little sweet peas
I think I'll just let the mystery be
Everybody's wonderin' what and where they they all came from
everybody's worryin' 'bout where they're gonna go
when the whole thing's done
but no one knows for certain
and so it's all the same to me
I think I'll just let the mystery be
Some say they're goin' to a place called Glory
and I ain't saying it ain't a fact
but I've heard that I'm on the road to purgatory
and I don't like the sound of that
I believe in love and I live my life accordingly
but I choose to let the mystery be
Everybody is wondering what and where they they all came from
everybody is worryin' 'bout where they're gonna go
when the whole thing's done
but no one knows for certain
and so it's all the same to me
I think I'll just let the mystery be
I think I'll just let the mystery be

(c) 1992 Songs of Iris/Forerunner Music, Inc. ASCAP

having a young voice to it brings evn more impact to the meaning of the song.

it was the background song in "Little Buddha" as the Buddhist monks arrived in the US looking for the re-incarnation of their teacher.

it is such a sweet, sweet song.

[hatredisnotavalue]

29. OMG

Had to log off of the computer last night early because of daughter's AP project. I am just so overwhelmed by the response. Heck send me your address (PM) and I willl send all of you the CD. There was too much to choose from and all of the suggestions sounded wonderful!
Some of the songs suggested we have already done. Also, I don't think Julie would do a gospel song.
Some of the songs they have done on their previous CDs include The Dead, the Beatles, and Jessie Winchester (remember him, he did That's what makes you strong.) the kids did it better than Jesse.

I am really leaning toward a woeful song...I want her to do The Dead's Box of Rain....Her voice is that haunting. She sings it around the house and it is so much better than the Dead could ever do it.
Anyway, I can't thank you enough for your input.

[youthere]

30. Keep on the Sunny Side

I think it's sung by the Whites, and it's traditional bluegrass. If you're looking for something more contemporary, try anything by Alison Krauss.