Rare Bird Alert
Steep Canyon Rangers & Steve Martin
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| Total: 14 Items |
iTunes Review
After proving that his banjo playing is no joke on 2009’s The Crow: New Songs for the Five-String Banjo, comedian and actor Steve Martin joined forces with the Steep Canyon Rangers for a tour, which led to their collaboration on Rare Bird Alert. Martin’s name may be listed first and he is the main songwriter, but this is truly a group effort. No mere backing band, the celebrated Steep Canyon Rangers have been together for a decade and have six fine albums to their credit and they all sound spectacular together. Martin sings on the joke-filled “Jubilation Day,” “Atheists Don’t Have No Songs,” and the novelty hit “King Tut,” but it’s mostly his banjo we hear within the context of this excellent bluegrass band. Graham Sharp is the Ranger’s top-notch banjo player and he usually takes the second banjo breaks on this album. The warm tenor of Woody Platt is the other lead singer, and there are also lead vocal cameos by Paul McCartney (“Best Love”) and the Dixie Chicks (“You”). Rounding things out are some impressive instrumentals including the title track, “The Great Remember (for Nancy),” and “Hide Behind a Rock.”
Customer Reviews
Respect for the Steep Canyon Rangers
So much focus on Steve, the Dixie Chicks and McCartney. This album is fantastic and Steve sounds great but the Steep Canyon Rangers are not just a back up band. They are an internationally recognized Bluegrass band and are keeping the genre fresh. If you like this album check out their other stuff on iTunes. You will not be disappointed. I was lucky enough to be in Chapel Hill when they formed and would watch them pick in the UNC Quad as I walked between classes. It's great to see them have such success.
I have head Steve interviewed about SCR and he feels as lucky to be able to play with them as I am sure they feel about playing with him. Go see them live with or without Steve Martin.
No Joke
My earliest memory of the banjo was the wild and crazy guy with the arrow through the head using a banjo as a prop for some musical comedy bits, but what we find here is no joke. What we do find is a very talented musician and song writer surrounded by other talented players and singers preforming some of the best bluegrass/string band music this side of the hills of Kentucky. The highlights are Best Love with Paul McCartney and You with The Dixie Chicks but the whole album from start to finish Appalachian roller coaster ride of front porch picking, foot stomping fun. Unless you just truly hate banjo music, you won't be disappointed.
Well done
You will be pleased. Steve Martin has very real talent. I think his best album is ahead of him. Steep canyon rangers are fantastic too. I prefer the instrumental like "the great remember."
Biography
Genre: Country
Years Active: '00s, '10s
Top Albums and Songs By Steep Canyon Rangers
| Name | Album | Time | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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1 |
Atheists Don't Have No Songs | Rare Bird Alert | 3:51 | $0.99 | View In iTunes |
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2 |
Me and Paul Revere | Me and Paul Revere - Single | 4:44 | $0.99 | View In iTunes |
|
3 |
Jubilation Day | Rare Bird Alert | 3:12 | $0.99 | View In iTunes |
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4 |
Rare Bird Alert | Rare Bird Alert | 2:39 | $0.99 | View In iTunes |
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5 |
King Tut | Rare Bird Alert | 3:06 | $0.99 | View In iTunes |
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6 |
Best Love (feat. Paul McCartney) | Rare Bird Alert | 4:21 | $0.99 | View In iTunes |
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7 |
You (feat. Dixie Chicks) | Rare Bird Alert | 3:46 | $0.99 | View In iTunes |
|
8 |
The Great Remember (for Nancy) | Rare Bird Alert | 3:10 | $0.99 | View In iTunes |
|
9 |
Yellow-Backed Fly | Rare Bird Alert | 3:21 | $0.99 | View In iTunes |
|
10 |
Knob Creek | Nobody Knows You | 5:17 | $1.29 | View In iTunes |
- $9.99
- Genres: Singer/Songwriter, Music, Rock, Country, Contemporary Country, Contemporary Bluegrass, Bluegrass
- Released: Mar 15, 2011
- ℗ 2011 40 Share Productions Inc. Under exclusive license to Rounder Records. Manufactured and distributed by Concord Music Group Inc.
