Photos and Review by Randy Jarosz
Mandolin virtuoso Sam Bush brought his sweet bluegrass sounds to Three Rivers Arts Festival Saturday for the 3rd annual bluegrass day at the fest. Pittsburgh Cultural Trust didn’t mess around this year, bringing in a legend, and an originator of Newgrass.
Bush kicked off his set with an 8 and half minute Doc Watson tune, “Freight Train Boogie.” Bush went on to break the news that “California Chrome” didn’t win the triple crown at the Belmont Stakes while transitioning into the old Bill Monroe classic Mollie and Tenbrooks (Famous Race Horse Song). Bush also played “Unconditional Love,” from his old band, the legendary New grass Revival. “It’s time to ride the bluegrass train,” exclaimed Bush while breaking into Riding that Bluegrass Train.”
Bush represented the Burgh with his sleeveless Pirates t-shirt, while Pittsburgh mayor Bill Peduto could be seen bobbing his head to Bush’s sweet mandolin sounds to songs like “Howlin’ at the Moon.” Continuing with his legendary tributes Bush recognized the late great JJ Cale playing “I Got the Same Old Blues.” “Let’s Have Some Fun,” says Bush breaking into a brilliant cover of Stevie Wonder’s “Jammin.”
Sam Bush was masterful throughout the night and had a lot of fun playing his classics and others. Bluegrass talent doesn’t come around these parts often, so if you caught this one, you did not walk away disappointed.
