Statistiken
Biografie
Equally appealing to fans of jazz, blues, folk, bluegrass, country and roots music, prodigal Dobra player Jerry Douglas first picked up the instrument at the tender age of eight. Influenced by the likes of Flatt & Scruggs’ Foggy Mountain Boys, Douglas joined his father’s bluegrass band in his teens where he was subsequently spotted at a local festival by the Country Gentleman. The young musician spent the rest of the summer touring with the Country Gentlemen before being invited to the studio to make his recording debut. With a growing reputation as a pioneering Dobra and lap steel player, Douglas was courted by the likes of J.D. Crowe & the New South, David Grisman, Doyle Lawson, appearing on a host of albums during the mid to late ‘70s.
In 1979 the musician issued his debut solo album “Fluxology” on Rounder Records. The progressive bluegrass style of the album was subsequently replicated, albeit with varying influences, on 1982’s “Fluxedo” and 1986’s “Under the Wire”. Following the releases Douglas continued his extensive collaborations, working with Dan Fogelberg, the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, and Barenberg and Mayer. Douglas issued a pair of albums in 1987, the full-length “Changing Channels” and the Rounder Records compilation “Everything Is Gonna Work Out Fine”.
Arguably the finest Dobro player in contemporary acoustic music, in 1989 Douglas released the full-length “Plant Early” on MCA Records. The studio album “Slide Rule” followed in 1992 featuring Alison Krauss, Sam Bush and Tim O’Brien, succeeded by “Restless on the Farm” in May 1998. Shortly after the release the musician would begin his fruitful musical collaborations with Alison Krauss and Union Station, appearing on seven of the group’s albums from 1999-2011. The lap steel and Dobro player would also regularly tour with Alison Krauss when not fulfilling his own touring duties.
In 2001 Douglas earned his fourth Grammy Award for Album of the Year for his contributions to the “Oh Brother, Where Art Thou?” soundtrack. The same year he collected two more Grammys, this time alongside Alison Krauss, for Best Country Performance (“The Lucky One”) and Best Bluegrass Album (“New Favorite”).
Douglas’ subsequent solo release was the full-length “Lookout for Hope”, which became his first charting album, peaking at No. 10 on the Billboard Bluegrass Album chart. Released on Koch Records, the musician’s ninth studio album “The Best Kept Secret” was issued in September 2005, and followed by the Sugar Hill label compilation “Best of the Sugar Hill Years” in 2007. The No. 69 charting country album “Glide” appeared in August 2008 featuring the likes of Earl Scruggs, Tony Rice and Rodney Crowell, followed by the Christmas album “Jerry Christmas” in 2009 and the full-length “Traveler” in 2012.
Live-Bewertungen
The stage is lit by sunlight and Jerry Douglas, dressed in a white t-shirt and white hat, stands out against the dark background. After a brief introduction to the crowd, he casually plays an incredibly complex, shockingly fast guitar piece, his fingers flying over the frets, and then starts to sing. He has a sonorous, powerful voice which fills the theatre,. The crowd bobs appreciatively up and down, enjoying the music. Jerry Douglas is a lap steel and resonator guitar player from Ohio. His music career is extensive; as well as producing thirteen solo albums, he has played with other artists, including Ray Charles, Eric Clapton, and Dolly Parton, on over 1600 albums. He has also helped produce various other albums. Douglas' first album, Fluxology, was released in 1979 and his thirteenth, Traveler, was released in 2012. Over this thirty three year span, he has maintained a high quality of music, earning himself several awards including, thirteen Grammy Awards, and winning the Country Music Association's 'Musician of the Year' award three times. Jerry Douglas is not only a skilled guitarist, but also a skilled performer, and he always gives great concerts. If you like good music, you should go and see Jerry Douglas live – you will not be disappointed.
This was the second time I've seen JD and on both occasions I have felt rather let down. The first half of the performance was marred by a lot of pick and bar clatter that may have been due to a microphone being left open? Either way, the impression was that he had not warmed up because it certainly seemed to be a clumsy performance. The preceding support act set the bar very high with a flawless performance but I was expecting the maestro to at least match him. The sound and quality of performance improved as the show wore on (it did wear) and by the end it was good - which supported my theory that he'd just pitched up to play. Not sure if sitting at the front was a good idea. Maybe the sound was better in the middle of the theatre? I also had to close my eyes to hear rather than watch the performance - but as I say, the early part of the show with Brother Oswald tunes was hurried and clumsy. No bum notes just a lack of clarity and tone with muted notes and the right hand lagging behind the pace. The previous gig 4 years ago at a different theatre seemed similarly complacent with the same old standards trotted out without passion - going through the motions.
Havaing appreciated Jerry's contributions on so many albums, getting to see him solo was increbible. Seldom does one have the opportunity to be spellbound by a resonator.
And though opeoning the show for Tommy Emmanuel warped my perception of the instrument, coming out again for several duets with Tommyto help close the show was spectaular.
Their musical expertise was comlimented by their on stage antics. Playing off each others steel string acrobatics provided sights and sounds I won't forget. ...One of those rare "thank goodenss I was there, thank you very much" moments of a lifetime.
Thank you Jerry,
Have a very Merry Christmas
Amazing, transporting, beautiful. Like no one else. Had concerns about a solo performance but now I've learned that what I had thought was several instruments on some recordings was all him.