The Karl Shiflett & Big Country Show

Rebel Video

Rebel, one of America’s foremost bluegrass labels, doesn’t normally release videos, but in the case of this rather unique group, they had reason to make an exception. Karl Shiflett’s band is dedicated to the re-creation of 1940s-style bluegrass, right down to the saddle shoes, the bad jokes and, most importantly, the practice of performing with a single microphone. Working with a single mic requires a certain amount of choreography, as soloists push forward and hoist their instruments up to their chins and singers sort out their instruments’ necks as they lean in together on harmony passages. The visual effect is charming, but the sacrifice in terms of sound quality is pretty significant. It’s also worth noting that Shiflett, who obviously worships Lester Flatt, doesn’t have half the voice that his idol does, and eventually his cornball humor and barely adequate singing combine to make this video a grating experience.