The Seldom Scene Make Smithsonian Folkways Debut w/ Founding Members And Guests Emmylou Harris, Chris Eldridge (Punch Brothers), Rickie Simpkins (out 4/22)

What does it take for a bluegrass band to remain popular for more than four decades? For The Seldom Scene, it’s taken not only talented musicians, a signature sound, and a solid repertoire, but also a sheer sense of fun. On April 22, the longtime pillars of the bluegrass world will return with the aptly titled ‘Long Time... Seldom Scene,’ via Smithsonian Folkways. The newly recorded collection features fresh interpretations of 16 oft-requested tunes and is the band’s first studio album since the GRAMMY-nominated album Scenechronized in 2007. It’s a family reunion in all the best ways, featuring the current — and longest-running — lineup, joined by founding members Tom Gray and John Starling and guests Chris Eldridge, Emmylou Harris, and Rickie Simpkins.

‘Long Time’ is The Seldom Scene’s first-ever release with Smithsonian Folkways, and captures the identity and playfulness that have endeared the group to audiences around the world for so long. “Hickory Wind” is a homesick ballad that features the vocals of longtime friend of the Scene, Emmylou Harris, who originally recorded the song on her ‘Blue Kentucky Girl’ album in 1980. Fan-favorite “Wait a Minute” is a fresh take of a song originally recorded for 1974’s Old Train album and includes founding member John Starling (vocals) and guests Rickie Simpkins (fiddle) and Chris Eldridge (guitar), son of founding member Ben Eldridge (banjo).

Listen to a two-Song Sneak preview of ‘Long Time... Seldom Scene’ here.

Watch video of “Through the Bottom of the Glass” here:

Over 40 years since they began playing together at weekly jam sessions in Ben Eldridge’s Bethesda, Maryland basement, The Seldom Scene have become one of the single greatest contributors to the progression of bluegrass while setting a new standard and attracting new audiences to the genre. Their legendary weekly DC-area residencies included bluegrass versions of country music, rock, and even classical pop. The band's popularity soon forced them to play more than once a week—but they continued to maintain their image as being seldom seen, and on several of their early album covers were photographed with the stage lights on only their feet, or with their backs to the camera. The Seldom Scene have performed at the White House many times, and continue to tour year-round.

The Seldom Scene are founding member Ben Eldridge (banjo), Lou Reid (mandolin/vocals), Dudley Connell (guitar/vocals), Ronnie Simpkins (bass/vocals), and Fred Travers (dobro/vocals). The album was produced by two-time GRAMMY award-winning Smithsonian Folkways Sound Production Supervisor Pete Reiniger.

On June 28, the group will perform a special album-release concert at The Birchmere in Alexandria, VA featuring guests John Starling, Tom Gray, and Rickie Simpkins. Other upcoming tour dates include visits to NY, VA, NC, SC, CA, PA, TN, MD, KY, NJ, and TX. See full schedule: http://www.seldomscene.com/schedule

The Seldom Scene dedicates this album to the memory of founding members John Duffey (1934–1996) and Mike Auldridge (1938–2012).

1. California Cotton Fields
2. Wait a Minute (feat. John Starling)
3. What Am I Doing Hangin’ Round
4. Hickory Wind (feat. Emmylou Harris)
5. I’ll Be No Stranger There
6. Walk Through This World with Me
7. Big Train (from Memphis)
8. With Body and Soul (feat. Emmylou Harris, Tom Gray, John Starling)
9. Paradise
10. It’s All Over Now, Baby Blue
11. Mean Mother Blues (feat. John Starling)
12. My Better Years
13. Little Georgia Rose (feat. Tom Gray)
14. Like I Used to Do
15. Through the Bottom of the Glass
16. Lorena

Smithsonian Folkways Recordings retail distribution is through ADA (Alternative Distribution Alliance) at 800.239.3232. Smithsonian Folkways Recordings, as well as Folkways Records, A.R.C.E., Cook, Collector, Dyer-Bennet, Fast Folk, I.L.A.M., The Mickey Hart Collection, Monitor, M.O.R.E., and Paredon, are available via mail order at 888.FOLKWAYS or 800.410.9815 and via the Internet. Visit the Smithsonian Folkways Recordings website at www.folkways.si.edu.