The Best of New Grass Revival is a first-rate, 18-track collection of the band's output from the late '80s, when the lineup included innovative banjo player BTla Fleck. Among the highlights are "Unconditional Love," "Can't Stop Now," "Callin' Baton Rouge," "You Plant Your Fields," and they even cover the Beatles' "I'm Down." This is a nearly perfect way to get acquainted with these progressive bluegrass innovators. ~ Al Campbell, All Music Guide

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With a reputation as a crack live unit, it's perhaps surprising that the New Grass Revival only released two official concert albums (and on one of those they shared the bill with Leon Russell). Recorded at progressive bluegrass stronghold Telluride, CO, Too Late to Turn Back Now followed two fine mid-'70s studio efforts, Fly Through the Country and When the Storm Is Over. The set kicks off with an energetic take on "Lonesome and a Long Way From Home," a song that shows off the group's    [ read more ]

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By 1979, the New Grass Revival's name defined the progressive branch of the bluegrass tree. Furthermore, they had developed into a crack unit, with a good reputation as live performers and polished studio players. Both mandolinist Sam Bush and bassist John Cowan covered the lead vocals, while guitarist/dobroist Curtis Burch and banjoist Courtney Johnson filled out the band's sound. The band's eclectic song choices, acoustic/electric arrangements, and professionalism are all on display o   [ read more ]

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The New Grass Revival had proven just about everything an innovative band could prove by 1981. Not only had their name come to define the progressive branch of the bluegrass tree, they continued to adhere to high standards. On Commonwealth, the band stretches its arrangements and production to the very edge with the addition of drummer Kenny Malone and pianist Leon Russell. A jubilant "Reach" inserts a joyous mood into the music from the very start, while John Hartford's {&"Steam Pow   [ read more ]

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Live captures a boisterous, lively performance from the New Grass Revival, as they tear through their best material. The new additions to the band -- banjoist Bela Fleck and guitarist Pat Flynn -- have energized the band, and vocalist John Cowan helps spur the band on to truly remarkable performances. ~ Thom Owens, All Music Guide

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Brightly directed by legendary Nashville producer Garth Fundis (his fourth with the band), the simply titled New Grass Revival is another in their strong line of progressive bluegrass recordings. The instrumental prowess of Bela Fleck and Sam Bush take center stage on many songs, including Fleck's signature banjo piece "Seven by Seven." The Grammy-nominated composition (named for its unusual, jazzy time signature) is certainly a highlight, as is the mandolin and banjo conversation on {&   [ read more ]

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The band who originated the term "newgrass" continued their progressive bluegrass stylings on Hold to a Dream. As their work grew, the band explored new textures and instrumentation, including the use of fretless bass on Bela Fleck's jazz-inspired "Metric Lips" and the sea shanty roll of Pat Flynn's "I'll Take Tomorrow." Lead singer John Cowan is expressive but still relatively restrained (compared to some of his other recordings), and the interplay between Fleck's banjo and {$   [ read more ]

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An overlooked CD with a couple of standout tracks. Played beginning to end, this one will leave you fulfilled. ~ Chip Renner, All Music Guide

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On what would turn out to be New Grass Revival's final album, Friday Night in America, the band advanced their sound beyond their own previous pioneering. Their genre-busting brand of rocked-out progressive bluegrass is at its most rockin' -- almost bordering on hair metal with banjos. John Cowan's emotive vocals soar above the delicate picking of Bela Fleck's banjo and the occasional electronic drums or fretless bass. From this point, it is easy to see how effortlessly Fleck slipped in   [ read more ]

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Fly Through the Country/When the Storm Is Over is a two-for-one deal, representing New Grass Revival releases from 1976 and 1977 respectively. Mandolin player Sam Bush, bassist John Cowan, guitarist Curtis Burch, and banjoist Courtney Johnson form the core of the band on these 20 selections. This material separates itself from traditional bluegrass by its easy air and romantic sensibility. One has a difficult time imagining Ralph Stanley or any traditional act choosing to sing {$Townes    [ read more ]

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Unlike the single-disc sets New Grass Anthology (1990) and The Best of New Grass Revival (1994), the double-CD Grass Roots: The Best of New Grass Revival does not restrict itself to the group's major-label catalog of EMI/Capitol recordings, circa 1986-1989, but instead also licenses tracks dating back to the band's first recordings in 1972. There are selections from the debut album, The Arrival of the New Grass Revival, originally released on Starday Records; from the Flying Fish LPs   [ read more ]

CD $19.93