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Groupe Bluegrass
US composé de John Duffey, Ben Eldridge, John Starling, Tom Gray et Mike
Auldridge.
"We try to
find material that's a little bit different, and approach the music in a little
bit broader way than most bluegrass bands do," said the Seldom Scene's Dudley
Connell to The Baltimore Sun in 1998. Since their inception in 1971, the Seldom
Scene have thrived on playing bluegrass a little differently than everyone else.
If other bands used a fiddler, the Seldom Scene used a Dobro; if others relied
on old standards, the Seldom Scene played rock classics like J.J. Cale's "After
Midnight." Through skilled musicianship and an urban approach to bluegrass, the
Seldom Scene have become one of the most influential -- if not the most
influential -- bluegrass band of their time.
In 1971, mandolinist John Duffey, banjo player Ben Eldridge, guitarist John
Starling, bassist Tom Gray, and Dobro player Mike Auldridge formed the Seldom
Scene. The band derived its name from its once a week performances, first at the
Red Fox Inn in Bethesda, Maryland, and later at the Birchmere Restaurant in
Alexandria, Virginia. Early albums like 1973's Act 1 and 1975's Live at the
Cellar Door set the pace for progressive bluegrass while defining a unique sound
that included Starling's smooth Vocals, Duffey's versatile tenor, and
Auldridge's ringing Dobro. The band's smooth harmonies, love of eclectic
material, and Duffey's colorful stage antics further separated the band from its
peers. In 1977, Starling left the group to return to his medical practice and
was replaced by vocalist Phil Rosenthal.
The addition of Rosenthal and a change of labels to Sugar Hill did little to
alter the Seldom Scene's basic sound. The group's first two Sugar Hill albums,
1978's Act Four and 1981's After Midnight, continued to draw material from
traditional sources like Jimmie Rodgers and contemporary ones like Eric Clapton.
The later album included both "Lay Down Sally" and concert favorite "After
Midnight." When performing live, the group enjoyed stretching out songs like "After
Midnight," allowing Duffey and Auldridge to take extended solos that sounded
closer to jazz than bluegrass. In 1986, after making five albums with the Seldom
Scene, Rosenthal departed and was replaced by Lou Reid. Original bass player
Gray also left, making room for T. Michael Coleman.
With the addition of two new bandmembers, the Seldom Scene recorded the
appropriately titled Change of Scenery in 1988. Some fans objected to Coleman's
electric bass, but despite this "progressive" change, albums like 1990's Scenic
Roots proved to be more traditional than earlier efforts. The band also had a
talent for turning pop songs like the Beatles' "What Goes On" into standard
bluegrass material. In 1993 Reid left the band and was replaced with ex-member
John Starling. Although Starling remained with the band for only a year, his
return proved a real treat to fans of early-'70s lineup, as did the Seldom
Scene's 1994 recording Like We Used to Be.
In 1995 and 1996 the Seldom Scene weathered more changes than several bands
combined. In 1995, dissension came to surface within the Seldom Scene because of
their light touring schedule and the feeling among certain members that the band
had lost its progressive edge. Singer Mondi Klein, bassist Coleman, and original
member Auldridge parted ways with the band to turn the progressive bluegrass
band Chesapeake into a full-time project. The Seldom Scene's remaining members
recruited Dobroist Fred Travers, bassist Ronnie Simpkins, and former Johnson
Mountain Boys singer Dudley Connell. Together, the re-formed band recorded
1996's Dream Scene.
Before the band could consolidate its new lineup, founder and spiritual leader
Duffey died of a heart attack. "John was 80 percent of the Seldom Scene,"
Eldridge told The Boston Herald, and no one, not even the band, could picture
continuing without him. "The last year has been real tough for the band,"
Connell admitted to The Baltimore Sun in 1998. "Because [John] was not only a
wonderful musician and singer, but also kind of the personality of the band."
Still, many wanted the band to continue, and the year-old lineup wanted to carry
on the work they had begun with Duffey, so they recruited ex-member Lou Reid to
help out on Vocals and play mandolin.
While Eldridge is the only remaining original member, the band continues to
carry the spirit set forth by the Seldom Scene in 1971. Their 2000 recording
Scene It All features both ringing Dobro and tight harmonies, as well as covers
by
Chuck Berry, Bruce Springsteen, and Bob Dylan, while 2007's Different Roads
anthology and the all-new Scenechronized continue the group's love affair with
melody and impeccable musicianship. In what turned out to be a reunion of sorts,
the band welcomed back both Starling and Gray to rework many of the band's most
requested live songs for their 2014 studio album Long Time...Seldom Scene, which
featured guest spots from
Emmylou Harris, Chris Eldridge, and Rickie Simpkins. It was also the band's
first recording for the Smithsonian Folkways label. The Seldom Scene continues
to garner both critical acclaim and adoration from a legion of fans, emerging at
the forefront of progressive as well as traditional bluegrass bands, continuing
to amaze fans and influence future generations of musicians.
Talents : Ben : Banjo, Vocals - Duddley : Guitar, Lead Vocals - Fred : Dobro, Vocals - Ronnie : Bass, Vocals - Lou : Mandolin, Vocals
Style musical : Bluegrass, Progressive Bluegrass, Contemporary Bluegrass
Years in activity :
| 1910 | 20 | 30 | 40 | 50 | 60 | 70 | 80 | 90 | 2000 | 10 | 20 |
DISCOGRAPHY
Singles
| 07/1972 | SP REBEL F-320 (US) | . | Sweet Baby James / Joshua |
| 1972 | SP REBEL F-321 (US) | . | Cannonball / City Of New Orleans |
| 1973 | SP REBEL F-322 (US) | . | Last Train From Poor Valley / Reason For Being |
| 08/1973 | SP REBEL F-324 (US) |
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Hail To The Redskins / Mean Mother Blues |
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Albums
| 1972 | LP 12" REBEL SLP-1511 (US) |
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ACT 1 - Raised By The Railroad Line / Darling Corey / Want Of A Woman / Sweet Baby James / Joshua / Will There Be Any Stars In My Crown / City Of New Orleans / With Body And Soul / Summertime Is Past And Gone / 500 Miles / Cannonball / What Am I Doing Hanging 'round? | ||
| 1973 | LP 12" REBEL SLP-1520 (US) |
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ACT TWO - Last Train From Poor Valley / Garden And Memories / Paradise / Small Exception Of Me / Train Leaves Here This Morning / Keep Me From Blowing Away / Hello Mary Lou / Lara's Theme / I've Lost You / The Sweetest Gift / Reason For Being / Smokin' Hickory / House Of Gold | ||
| 1973 | LP 12" REBEL SLP-1526 (US) |
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ACT 3 - Chim Chim Cheree / Little Georgia Rose / Another Lonesome Day / Willie Boy / Faded Love / Rider / Muddy Water / Mean Mother Blues / Sing Me Back Home / Hail To The Redskins / Don't Bother With White Satin / Heaven | ||
| 1974 | LP 12" REBEL SLP-1538 (US) |
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OLD TRAIN - Appalachian Rain / Wait A Minute / Different Roads / Old Train / Through The Bottom Of The Glass / Old Crossroads / Pan American / Working On A Building / Walk Through This World With Me / Maybe You Will Change Your Mind / Traveling On And On / C & O Canal | ||
| 1975 | LP 12" REBEL SLP-1549 (US) |
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California Autumn - Tony Rice with The Seldom Scene, J.D. Crowe, Ricky Scaggs & Jerry Douglas - California Autumn / Bullet Man / Mr. Poverty / Billy In The Low Ground / Red Haired Boy / Good Woman's Love / You Don't Know My Mind / Alone And Forsaken / Bugle Call Rag / Georgia On My Mind / Scarborough Fair / Beaumont Rag |
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| 02/1976 | LP 12" REBEL SLP-1547/48 (US) |
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LIVE AT THE CELLAR DOOR :
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| 1976 | LP 12" REBEL SLP-1561 (US) |
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THE NEW SELDOM SCENE ALBUM - Big Rig / If That's The Way You Feel / Easy Ride From Good Times To The Blues / Paradise Valley / California Earthquake / Railroad Man / Answer Your Call / I Haven't Got The Right To Love You / Song For Life / Rebels Ye Rest / Pictures From Life's Other Side | ||
| 1978 | LP 12" REBEL SLP-1573 (US) |
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BAPTIZING - By The Side Of The Road / Brother John / Dreaming Of A Little Cabin / Fallen Leaves / He Took Your Place / Take Him In / Hobo On A Freight Train To Heaven / Will You Be Ready To Go Home? / Were You There? / Walk With Him Again / Gospel Medley | ||
| 11/1979 | LP 12" SUGAR HILL SH-3709 (US) |
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ACT FOUR - Something In The Wind / Girl In The Night / Ride Me Down Easy / Leaving Harlan / Tennessee Blues / Life Is Like A Mountain Railroad / I Don't Know How / California Blues / San Antonio Rose / Daddy Was A Railroad Man / Walking The Blues / This Weary Heart You Stole Away | ||
| 06/1981 | LP 12" SUGAR HILL SH-3721 (US) |
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AFTER MIDNIGHT - Lay Down Sally / Hearts Overflowing / The Old Hometown / Stompin' At The Savoy / The Border Incident / Come Early Morning / After Midnight / If I Had Left It Up To You / Heartsville Pike / Stolen Love / Let Old Mother Nature Have Her Way | ||
| 08/1983 | LP 12" SUGAR HILL SH-3736 (US) |
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AT THE SCENE - A Girl I Know / Jamaica, Say You Will / Open Up The Window, Noah / Winter Wind / Heal It / The Weary Pilgrim / It Turns Me Inside Out / The Champion / Born Of The Wild / Peaceful Dreams | ||
| 07/1985 | LP 12" SUGAR HILL SH-3747 (US) |
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BLUE RIDGE - Jonathan EDWARDS & The SELDOM SCENE - Don't This Road Look Rough And Rocky / How Long Have I Been Waiting For You / Blue Ridge / Seven Daffodils / Sunshine / Back To Where I Don't Belong / If I Gave You / Honey, I Won't Be Around / Only A Hobo / God Gave You To Me / Little Hands / I Don't Believe I'll Stay Here Anymore / Don't Crawfish Me, Baby | ||
| 12/1986 | CD REBEL REB-CD-1101 (US) |
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THE BEST OF THE SELDOM SCENE - City Of New Orleans / Sing Me Back Home / Muddy Water / 500 Miles / Hello Mary Lou / Small Exceoption Of Me / Sweet Baby James / Heaven / With Body And Soul / Paradise / Darling Corey / Cannonball / Sweetest Gift / Another Lonesome Day / Little Georgia Rose / Rider | ||
| 1987 | 2 LP 12" SUGAR HILL SH-2201 (US) |
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Bluegrass - The World's Greatest Show - Seldom Scene : When Someone Wants To Leave / House Of The Rising Sun / Hickory Wind / Wild Kentucky Roan / Alabama Jubilee / Old Train / Through The Bottom Of The Glass / Out Among The Stars / Country Gentlemen : Two Little Boys / Today Has Been A Lonesome Day / Bringing Mary Home / New South : I'll Stay Around / I'm Not Broke, But I'm Badly Bent / Fireball / Why Don't You Tell Me So / Freeborn Man / Country Gentlemen : Train 45 / Fox On The Run / Waiting For The Boys To Come Home / Ages And Ages Ago / Traveling Kind / Saturday Night At The Opry / Feel Like My Time Ain't Long |
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| 09/1988 | CD SUGAR HILL SH-CD-3763 (US) |
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A CHANGE OF SCENERY - Breaking New Ground / Casting My Shadow In The Road / Settin' Me Up / Alabama Clay / I'll Be No Stranger There / West Texas Wind / Satan's Choir / In Despair / What Goes On / Brand New Walking Shoes / One Way Rider | ||
| 11/1988 | LP 12" SUGAR HILL SH-2202 (US) |
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15TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION - LIVE AT THE
KENNEDY CENTER :
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| 11/1988 | CD SUGAR HILL SH-CD-2202 (US) |
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15TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION - LIVE AT THE KENNEDY CENTER - Sitting On Top Of The World / Big Train From Memphis / Lorena / Dark As A Dungeon / Blue Ridge / Raised By The Railroad Line / You Don't Know My Mind / Drifting Too Far From The Shore / Those Memories Of You / Keep Me From Blowing Away / Wheels / Carolyn At The Broken Wheel Inn / If I Needed You / Rose Of Old Kentucky / I Couldn't Find My Walking Shoes / Working On A Building / Say You Lied / High On A Hilltop / The Sweetest Gift / Take Me In Your Lifeboat | ||
| 08/1990 | CD SUGAR HILL SH-CD-3785 (US) |
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SCENIC ROOTS - If You Ever Change Your Mind / Lost In A Memory / The Wrath Of God / Before I Met You / Red Georgia Clay / I've Cried My Last Tear Over You / Not In My Arms / Highway Of Heartache / The Long Black Veil / Last Call To Glory / Distant Train / How Mountain Girls Can Love | ||
| 08/1992 | 2 CD SUGAR HILL SH-CD-2501 (US) |
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SCENE 20 - 20TH ANNIVERSARY CONCERT :
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| 01/1994 | CD SUGAR HILL SH-CD-3822 (US) |
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LIKE WE USED TO BE - Grandpa Get Your Guitar / Let Me Be Your Friend / Like I Used To Do / Highway Of Pain / Cheap Whiskey / Philadelphia Lawyer / Almost Threw Your Love Away / Other Side Of Town / She's More To Be Pitied / Heaven's Green Fields / I've Come To Take You Home / I'll Remember You Love In My Prayers / Some Morning Soon | ||
| 09/1996 | CD SUGAR HILL SHCD-3858 (US) |
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DREAM SCENE - Dry Run Creek / Going Up On The Mountain / Willie Roy / Tulsa Chili Bop / When I Get My Rewards / They're At Rest Together / Boatman / Love Of The Mountains / Little Sparrow (Fair Tender Ladies) / Shape I'm In / Blue Diamond / Bad Moon Rising | ||
| 1997 | CD REBEL REB-CD-1103 (US) |
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Live At The Cellar Door - Doing My Time / California Cottonfields / Band Intros / Panhandle Country / Muddy Waters / Rawhide / Baby Blue / City Of New Orleans / Grandfather's Clock / The Fields Have Turned Brown / Hit Parade Of Love / Will The Circle Be Unbroken / Pickaway / Dark Hollow / Small Exception Of Me / If I Were A Carpenter / Old Gray Bonnet / C & O Canal / Georgia Rose / Colorado Turnaround / He Rode All The Way To Texas / White Line / Rider |
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| 05/2000 | CD SUGAR HILL SUGCD-3899 (US) |
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SCENE IT ALL - Rollin' And Tumblin' / Dusty / I Will Always Be Waiting For You / Blue And Lonesome / You Better Get Right / Walking The Dog / From This Moment On / When The Walls Come Tumblin' Down / Boots Of Spanish Leather / Trust In The Tide / One Step Up / Nadine | ||
| 12/2002 | CD CRACKER BARREL ? (US) |
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Creators Of Urban Bluegrass - My Little Georgia Rose / House Of Gold / The City Of New Orleans / The Small Exception Of Me / Old Train / With Body And Soul / Old Crossroads / Last Train From Poor Valley / Wait A Minute / Working On A Building / Darling Corey / Rider |
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| 04/2007 | CD REBEL REB-CD-7516 (US) |
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DIFFERENT ROADS - Different Roads / Old Train / Walk Through This World With Me / Gardens And Memories / Wait A Minute / Rebels 'Ye Rest / Last Train From Poor Valley / I've Lost You / Keep Me From Blowin' Away / Reason For Being / If That's The Way You Feel / Easy Ride From Good Times To The Blues / Pictures From Life's Other Side / Pan American | ||
| 08/2007 | CD SUGAR HILL SUGCD-4003 (US) |
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SCENECHRONIZED - Hometown Blues / Heart And Soul / This Morning At Nine / Hundred And Ten In The Shade / Katie Dear / Sweetest Love / Don't Bother With White Satin / Mama Tried / You Remind Me Of The Blues / Please Be with Me / Sad Old Train / Tomorrow Is A Long Time / Too Bad You're No Good | ||
| 04/2014 | CD Smithsonian / Folkways 740199 (US) |
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Long Time...Seldom Scene - California Cottonfields / Wait A Minute / What Am I Doing Hangin' 'round / Hickory Wind / I'll Be No Stranger There / Walk Through This World With Me / Big Train (From Memphis) / With Body And Soul / Paradise / It's All Over Now, Baby Blue / Mean Mother Blues / My Better Years / Little Georgia Rose / Like I Used To Do / Through The Bottom Of The Glass / Lorena |
© Rocky Productions 25/04/2014
