Thanks for the great post,Gloux. It was very timely. This Saturday, I'm doing a Gospel in Black, Bluegrass and Blues and am appreciative of any insights into bluegrass that you and Martin can offer. I look forward to Barbara Shaw and Shore Grass adding their coments, and Rich Gallagher (dwditty) adding his on blues.

One thing that seems likely to happen in the evolution of any musical style is that when the music becomes more of a performance in front of a seated audience or in a recording studio, virtuosity and complex instrumental breaks become more important. I have good friends in an old-timey band and I've heard them in concert and playing for dances many times. Their whole approach to the music is noticeably different when they're playing for a dance. The rhythm and beat becomes of primary importance, and taking fancy breaks doesn't make a lot of sense in that setting.

I too like the old gospel quartet stuff. Contemporary "Christian" music has been run through a blender and pureed. There are those who are greatly moved by Praise and Worship songs, so I don't knock them.
But for me, the rawer, simpler black gospel gets me moving like nothing else. And now, the bass line that drives the song is done by an electric bass, not a bass voice.

Whatever works.

Bur I like the old stuff.

Jerry