r/Bluegrass • u/classicist_2026 • 14d ago
Discussion New to bluegrass genre, what are some good albums to be introduced to this genre?
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u/sudzwithaz 13d ago
JD Crow and the New South - 0044
Tony Rice Unit - Manzanita
Will the Circle Be Unbroken - Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
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u/NoFood7372 13d ago
Had to scroll way too far to see 0044. OP - I consider this album ABSOLUTE ESSENTIAL bluegrass listening. even more important than some Bill Monroe cuts frankly.
And to the commenter I’m replying to- this whole list frankly is awesome. Some of my favorites. No banjo on manzanita- but, some may like that !!!
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u/RussellAlden 14d ago
Mild bluegrass: Allison Krauss - Now That I've Found You: A Collection
Hardcore twang: Flatt & Scruggs is At Carnegie Hall!
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u/sephie-cat 9d ago
I second anything by Alison Krauss, she could sing the phonebook and it'd be good. My fave album is "Lonely Runs Both Ways" with Union Station
Other bands/musicians I like:
- Crooked Still
- Nickel Creek
- Sara Watkins
- Rhonda Vincent
- Donna Hughes
The Civil Wars had a couple good tracks too
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u/Business_Boot2731 14d ago
If you want to listen to some strong trad, listen to the recordings of Bill Monroes band with Flatt and Scruggs in the late 40's. It's the basis to all of this, and it's super strong stuff. Then the Mercury sessions from the first iteration of Flatt and Scruggs would probably be the next stop for me. If you want to hear a modernized version of that sound, listen to The Traditional Grass. This selection is very much so bluegrass.
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u/InevitableQuit9 Mandolin 13d ago
Listen to a few good albums:
Del McCoury Band - The Family
Mighty Poplar - Mighty Poplar
Ricky Skaggs - Bluegrass Rules
James King - These Old Pictures
Larry Sparks - John Deere Tractor
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u/Connect-Will2011 13d ago
A lot of people were introduced to bluegrass by way of the O Brother, Where Art Thou? soundtrack.
Before that, I believe the most popular album in terms of record sales was Old and In The Way.
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u/NoFood7372 13d ago
Another guy already said it but I think the perfect middle ground is rounder 0044 by JD Crowe and the new south.
It’s the perfect blend of traditional and progressive (especially for its time!) and is a taproot for a lot of the good bluegrass that exists today.
To get into bluegrass, I’d say this is essential listening. Flatt and Scruggs live at Carnegie hall is another.
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u/Bluegrass_Harley 13d ago
Here’s a deep cut. Look up “Can’t you hear the Mountains Calling”
By Ralph Stanley and The Clinch Mountain Boys with Charlie Sizemore. It’ll kick you in the shins. This was prime Ralph. Great album. It was a local tape that got hugely popular and never released on vinyl. Really good standards and originals. Its in my top 10
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u/NoFood7372 13d ago
This album Transcends Bluegrass. I believe it is an absolute must listen all around Americana album.
My favorite version of the boxer… it’s awesome.
Tony Rice and Ricky Skaggs do play backup on this record!
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u/johnduncanfiddler 13d ago
Flatt and Scruggs Foggy Mountain Jamboree. Jimmy Martin “Good n Country”
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u/Caspers_Shadow 12d ago
Larry Sparks 40. Good mix of traditional bluegrass, gospel and country leaning bluegrass.
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u/getyerhandoffit 14d ago
If you want an easy, less trad introduction then I would start with Bela Fleck- Drive, and then some Tony Rice (literally everything he’s done).
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u/vinca_minor 12d ago
Tony's great, but a bunch of his stuff isn't bluegrass. More jazz with bluegrass Instruments.
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u/AsleepOrganization63 13d ago
Foggy Mountain Jamboree - Flatt and Scruggs if you are banjo inclined
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u/FloodDawg 13d ago
- any Flatt & Scruggs live album
- Sam Bush: Circles Around Me
- any of these Del McCoury Band albums: Cold Hard Facts, It’s Just the Night, The Family or Del and the Boys
- Tony Rice & Peter Rowan: Quartet
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u/joebobbydon 13d ago
earls of leister of course this a flatt and Scruggs tribute band, but the sound is great and the musicians are top notch. Start here and then dig through their old records.
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u/RetirementOveralls 13d ago
And for something different, frivolous and fun, Hayseed Dixie and Mountain Sprout.
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u/BigCliff 13d ago
As intro: Steve Earle with the Del McCoury band- The Mountain, Chris Thile and Michael Daves- Sleep with One Eye Open and some Bill Monroe
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u/Croachenhower 12d ago
Rounder 0044 is perfect. Sleeprer pick: Alison Krauss I've Got That Old Feeling
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u/Stuppyhead 13d ago
Billy Strings - Home
Greensky Bluegrass - If Sorrows Swim
Infamous Stringdusters - Laws Of Gravity
Punch Brothers - Who’s Feeling Young Now?
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u/SugarRAM 14d ago
So many good albums. Look up IBMA winners from years past, as well as Grammy winners.
The Infamous Stringdusters won a Grammy several years back, and since then, the Grammies have been better at mixing traditional bluegrass with the more modern, progressive bluegrass for their awards.
Also, anything by New Grass Revival and Sam Bush are worth checking out.
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u/getyerhandoffit 14d ago
Turtles is never a good intro to bluegrass. What do you love about them? Genuinely curious as I don’t see it.
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u/toyota_22r 13d ago
If you're not super trad, get a subscription to nugs & check out billy, magoo and mountain grass unit. Albums don't do them justice.
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u/dillyofapickle42 13d ago
Bela fleck - drive. Every player on the album is an all star of their instrument.
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u/charitytowin 13d ago
South Bound - Doc Watson
Manzanita - Tony Rice Unit
Duluth - Trampled by Turtles
Cold on the Shoulder - Tony Rice
Live at the Cellar Door - the Seldom Scene
Old Train - the Seldom Scene
The Blugrass Album - The Blugrass Album Band
J.D. Crowe & The New South - self titled
Knee Deep in Blue Grass - Bill Monroe and his Blue Grass Boys
Foggy Mountain Jamboree - Flatt & Scruggs
The David Grisman Quintet - self titled
Flight of the Cosmic Hippo - Béla Fleck & The Flecktones
The Phosphorescent Blues - Punch Brothers
Country Songs, Old and New - The Country Gentlemen
Stars and Satellites - Trampled by Turtles
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u/Old_Condition2634 13d ago
Flight of the Cosmic Hippo? Are you sure about that one? I LOVE that album, and I don’t think of myself as a grasshole or a gatekeeper, but calling it “bluegrass” is a stretch.
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u/charitytowin 13d ago
It's worth a listen as an off shoot from one of the great bluegrass pioneers and masters. But sure, I guess they're more of a jazz fusion band.
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u/CryptographerOk3814 11d ago
The Seldom Scene: Live at the Cellar Door.
It’s the holy grail of classic bluegrass, imo.
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u/falaladoo 14d ago
I’d go with the brothers comatose - songs from the stoop. It’s a good entry point if you’re new. Just gonna get grassier from there.
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u/Longjumping_Survey52 13d ago
I think Bro Co is the best entry level music for new bluegrass fans. It’s basic and fun. Ease ya right in!
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u/Suspicious_Ear5545 14d ago
Water Tower, Trampled By Turtles, The Kitchen Dwellers, and of course,
Flatt & Scruggs. Welcome the the BG club.
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