Live Vol. 1 (Billy Strings album)
| Live Vol. 1 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Live album by | ||||
| Released | June 12, 2024 | |||
| Recorded | April 22, 2023 – March 1, 2024 | |||
| Genre | Bluegrass | |||
| Label | Reprise | |||
| Producer | Billy Strings | |||
| Billy Strings chronology | ||||
| ||||
Live Vol. 1 is an album of bluegrass music by Billy Strings. It was recorded in concert at various venues from April 2023 to March 2024. It was released on CD, LP, and in digital formats on July 12, 2024.[1]
Live Vol. 1 won a Grammy Award for Best Bluegrass Album.[2]
Critical reception
In Glide Magazine Dave Goodwich wrote, "Billy Strings Live Vol. 1, the first official live release recorded by Strings and his uber-talented ensemble, is everything a music fan could hope for.... Strings manages to catch bluegrass lightning in a bottle thanks to the album's cohesive tracklist, pristine audio engineering and sheer strength of the material."[3]
In No Depression, Grant Britt said, "Strings has surrounded himself with a cadre of touring musicians... who not only supply the framework for his solos but add their own musical thoughts to the conversation as well. Nobody is shouting for attention; it all blends into a seamless flow.... Strings' solos go anywhere he feels in the moment, but always seem to land in the right place."[4]
In Local Spins, John Sinkevics said, "So it goes without saying that a Billy Strings live album is a must, reflecting the core spirit of his music and the charismatic on-stage aura that inspires devotees to gleefully follow him from concert to concert.... Not surprisingly, the album soared straight to No. 1 on Billboard's Bluegrass Chart."[5]
Track listing
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Recorded | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Dust in a Baggie" | Billy Strings | December 15, 2023 Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza | 3:41 |
| 2. | "Away from the Mire" | Billy Strings, Jon Weisberger | June 2, 2023 Moody Center | 13:08 |
| 3. | "Long Forgotten Dream" | Billy Strings | September 22, 2023 Renewal Festival | 4:36 |
| 4. | "Heartbeat of America" | Billy Strings, Aaron Allen | February 25, 2024 Ryman Auditorium | 10:17 |
| 5. | "Dos Banjos" | Billy Strings | November 14, 2023 La Cigale | 3:24 |
| 6. | "Fire Line" / "Reuben's Train" | Billy Strings, Royal Masat, Billy Failing, Jarrod Walker / traditional | February 25, 2024 Ryman Auditorium | 19:03 |
| 7. | "Turmoil & Tinfoil" | Billy Strings | December 31, 2023 UNO Lakefront Arena | 21:13 |
| 8. | "Richard Petty" | Billy Strings | March 1, 2024 State Farm Arena | 2:12 |
| 9. | "Hellbender" (digital-only bonus track) | Billy Strings, Jon Weisberger, Aaron Allen | April 22, 2023 St. Augustine Amphitheatre | 3:28 |
| 10. | "Highway Hypnosis" (digital-only bonus track) | Billy Strings | June 16, 2023 Pine Knob Music Theatre | 15:36 |
Personnel
Musicians
- Billy Strings – vocals, guitar, banjo
- Billy Failing – banjo, vocals
- Alex Hargreaves – fiddle
- Royal Masat – bass, vocals
- Jarrod Walker – mandolin, vocals
Production
- Produced by Billy Strings
- Executive producer: Bill Orner
- Recording: Andy Lytle
- Mixing: Brandon Bell, Annie Petrik
- Mastering: Gavin Lurssen
- Artwork: Alex Tenta
- Photography: Jesse Faatz, Andy Tennille
References
- ^ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Live, Vol. 1: Billy Strings". AllMusic. Retrieved March 5, 2026.
- ^ O'Brien, Andrew (February 3, 2025). "Billy Strings Wins Second Career Grammy Award for Best Bluegrass Album". Live for Live Music. Retrieved March 5, 2026.
- ^ Goodwich, Dave (July 11, 2024). "'Billy Strings Live Vol. 1' Stands as Exceptional First Live Album from Guitarist / Bluegrass Hero". Glide Magazine. Retrieved March 5, 2026.
- ^ Britt, Grant (July 12, 2024). "Billy Strings Stretches Out on Full-Spirited First Live Album". No Depression. Retrieved March 5, 2026.
- ^ Sinkevics, John (July 30, 2024). "The Power and the Glory of 'Billy Strings Live, Vol. 1'". Local Spins. Retrieved March 5, 2026.