Today's broadcast of American Pastimes features an in-studio live performance by the Sweetwater String Band, a cello driven "soulgrass" band founded in the Eastern Sierra town of Mammoth Lakes, California in 2008. The band features a cello, bass, guitar and mandolin and their music often deals with serious issues such as mountaintop removal coal mining, workers rights, and finding middle ground in today's divided political arena. This seriousness is balanced by ghost stories, drinking songs, improvised jams, and tales from the long, lonesome road.
PLAYLIST:
Tony Rice Unit “Stony Point” from Manzanita on New Rounder
The Farmer's Daughters “Little Sadie/Sail Away Ladies” from Farmer's Daughters
Henhouse Prowlers “Why Is the Night So Long?” from Breaking Ground on Henhouse Prowlers
Johnny Staats and the Delivery Boys “Catch Me If You Can” from IBMA Bluegrass Ramble
Lindsey Lou and the Flat Bellies “My Side of the Mountain” from IBMA Bluegrass Ramble
Bill Monroe “Sweetheart You Done Me Wrong” from 1945-49
Barbwire “Charlie Walker” from IBMA Bluegrass Ramble
Earl Brothers, The “Hard Times On the Road” from IBMA Bluegrass Ramble
The Sweetwater String Band “What Goes Up” from Live in the KZFR studio
The Sweetwater String Band “Flood” from Live in the KZFR studio
The Sweetwater String Band “Million Miles” from Live in the KZFR studio
The Grass Cats “Life in the Mines” from IBMA Bluegrass Ramble
Mr. Sun “Mole in the Ground” from IBMA Bluegrass Ramble
Bryan Bowers “Red River Valley” from Friend for Life on Flying Fish
The Steel Drivers “Good Corn Liquor” from Restless
The Steel Drivers “Ghosts of Mississippi” from Restless
The Steel Drivers “Guitars, Whiskey, Guns and Knives” from Restless
Joyce Andersen “Who's Gonna Shoe Your Pretty Little Foot?” from Right Where I Should Be on Joyscream Music
Richie Havens “Follow the Drinking Gourd” from Songs of the Civil War
Joan Baez and Bill Wood “Careless Love” from Folksingers 'Round Harvard Square
Sons of the West “Panhandle Rag” from Panhandle Rag
The Tune Wranglers “El Rancho Grande” from El Rancho Grande
Spade Cooley “Detour” from Detour
Barry Solomon “All of Me” from Flatpicking Guitar Festival on Shanache
Tony Rice Unit “Sally Goodin” from Unit of Measure on Rounder
Natalie Merchant “Down on Penny's Farm” from The House Carpenter's Daughter on Myth America
John Fahey “Sail Away Ladies” from Sail Away Ladies
