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Guide Picks - Top 10 Roots Music
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With all the stir that the "O Brother Where Art Thou" album has made, there has been a lot more interest in a more "Roots" oriented country music. With this in mind, we have compiled some of the best in "Roots" country, along with reviews.
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1.) O Brother Where Art Thou - Various Artists
This album started a huge interest in Bluegrass music. The soundtrack has sold over six million copies all with virtually NO radio play. The song Man of Constant Sorrow and the album have won Grammy's, CMAs and ACM awards in 2001 and 2002.
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2.) Down From The Mountain - Various Artists
"Down From The Mountain" was recorded live May 24, 2000 at the historic Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee as a benefit concert for the Country Music Hall Of Fame. This concert came to be because of the immense popularity of the "Oh Brother Where Art Thou" movie and soundtrack.
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3.) Mountain Soul - Patty Loveless
Patty ventured into new territory in recording this album of rootsy bluegrass music. While not embraced by radio, her video for "The Boys are Back In Town" is a favorite on CMT.
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4.) New Favorite - Alison Krauss
New Favorite is an acoustic Bluegrass album released off the Uni/Rounder label. It features some great instrumentals by some very talented artists. Alison has an incredibly pure voice and is one of the best fiddle players I have heard. She is joined by Union Station - Barry Bales, Ron Block, Jerry Douglas, and Dan Tyminski. This is a good album to pop in while you are relaxing - it has a very soothing feel to it.
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5.) This Side - Nickel Creek
As with their debut album, Alison Krauss produced This Side and everything sounds so perfect. Every note, every instrument, every lyric just fits perfectly with Chris, Sara, and Sean's voices and abilities to play their instruments.
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6.) O Sister 2 - Various Artists
O Sister 2 continues what was started with O Sister. It continues to take an in-depth look at the many talented female performers over the past few decades in the field of Bluegrass music. Up until recently, when Alison Krauss more or less opened the door for mainstream female talent, you would almost never see a woman on the stage at a Bluegrass show. If you did see one, they were most likely either married to a performer or family. Now you have headlining females such as Alison Krauss, Rhonda Vincent and many others. It is no longer just a male 'thing.'
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7.) The Storm Still Rages - Rhonda Vincent
Rhonda Vincent has moved to the forefront of the contemporary bluegrass field. On this album she has an impressive roster of supporting musicians. She pays tribute to the roots of traditional bluegrass while adding her own distinctive touch.
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8.) Halos and Horns - Dolly Parton
It was hard to pick out favorites from this great CD because everything was awesome. This is a definite must for any album collection. Dolly is definitely on top of her game and she sounds spectacular.
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9.) Ralph Stanley - Ralph Stanley
Ever wonder what would happen if you were to mix youthful energy and bluegrass? Nickel Creek would be the result. The three members of Nickel Creek consist of Chris Thile on mandolin and lead vocals, Sara Watkins on fiddle and lead vocals, and Sara's brother Sean on acoustic guitar and background vocals. Chris and Sara take turns singing the leads on different songs.
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10.) Carry Me Across The Mountain - Dan Tyminski
Being the singing voice of George Clooney in "O Brother" introduced us to the greatness that is Dan Tyminski, but "Carry Me Across The Mountain" shows everyone that he is just as great solo as he is with groups such as Union Station or even the "Soggy Bottom Boys."
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