New Grass Revival (Starday SLP-482, 1972) is the debut album from the Louisville-born quartet that would redefine what bluegrass could absorb. Emerging from the remnants of the Bluegrass Alliance, Sam Bush (mandolin, fiddle, vocals), Courtney Johnson (banjo, vocals), Curtis Burch (guitar, dobro, vocals), and Ebo Walker (bass) pressed forward under a new name that declared their intent. Their debut blended rock, jazz, and blues into the acoustic frame — long hair, informal stage clothes, Beatles covers — and at least one major mail-order outlet refused to review it. Bill Vernon of Muleskinner News praised Bush's extended improv showcase "Lonesome Fiddle Blues" as evidence of a player who could "jam for hours without repeating a lick." The record planted the seed for the newgrass movement that would reshape the genre through the next two decades.
Tracklist
- 1 Pennies In My Pocket 2:34
- 2 Cold Sailor 2:49
- 3 I Wish I Said (I Love You One More Time) 2:10
- 4 Prince Of Peace 5:26
- 5 Ginseng Sullivan alt version 3:31
- 6 Whisper My Name 2:34
- 7 Great Balls Of Fire 2:08
- 8 Lonesome Fiddle Blues alt version 3:34
- 9 Body & Soul 3:50
- 10 With Care From Someone 5:07
- 11 Body and Soul alt version
