Previously unreleased recordings from the 1950s and '60s present Monroe concert performances, jam sessions, and festival workshops of Bill with the Bluegrass Boys and his brothers Charlie and Birch. This 75-minute collecti... more »on captures Monroe with Peter Rowan, Bill Keith, Tex Logan, Bobby Hicks, Del McCoury, Hazel Dickens, Roland White, and many, many others. Includes rare photos and extensive notes by Ralph Rinzler. "...culled from both concerts and picking parties, [this recording] reveals what a holy terror [Monroe] was in front of an audience--even of friends, at 4:45 a.m." -- Newsweek« less
Previously unreleased recordings from the 1950s and '60s present Monroe concert performances, jam sessions, and festival workshops of Bill with the Bluegrass Boys and his brothers Charlie and Birch. This 75-minute collection captures Monroe with Peter Rowan, Bill Keith, Tex Logan, Bobby Hicks, Del McCoury, Hazel Dickens, Roland White, and many, many others. Includes rare photos and extensive notes by Ralph Rinzler. "...culled from both concerts and picking parties, [this recording] reveals what a holy terror [Monroe] was in front of an audience--even of friends, at 4:45 a.m." -- Newsweek
Joe Sixpack -- Slipcue.com | ...in Middle America | 12/19/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"A treasure trove of rare Monroe performances, from various folk fests and concerts. For the most part these live renditions don't capture the full intensity of Monroe's music, but there's certainly not a bad cut on this album. The best bit, though, is a track called "Monroe Family Segment," which consists of Q&A dialogs with fans and festival moderators asking Monroe to explain his techniques and how he learned them from various family members... Interesting in and of itself, but also a great glimpse at Bill's rapport with his fans."
The very finest example of bluegrass ever!
Kelley Moss | Ft. Collins, Co. | 05/04/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I knew I liked the bluegrass sound, but I didn't own any... so on a whim I found this CD in a store. I bought it because I thought I recognized the name, and it did have more songs than most. That was four years ago and I still think of it as one of the best purchases I've ever made. If you like the mandolin and high old time sound... then you must have this CD!! It's over an hour of the best bluegrass ever recorded, and the information in the cover/recorded interview with Bill (#27. Monroe Family Segment) really let you get a chance to know the man."
That was I call MUSIC.
Myra Hill | New York City, United States of America | 08/03/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I have gotten myself into bluegrass lately even though I'm not new to it either. I grew up hearing bluegrass music on television like the Beverly Hillbillies, Hee Haw and the Dukes of Hazzard. However, I always wanted to learn more about Bill Monroe and his music. The music on this CD is of course authentic, traditional bluegrass. I highly recommend this to any bluegrass and even non-bluegrass listener. I would like to see America get back to its music roots. We are losing it with the non substance music we hear today."
Definitive -- Essential
James D. Ahrens | Minneapolis, MN USA | 05/23/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This one is a must -- live recordings that show Monroe and the various Blue Grass Boys at their best. You will not be disappointed."
Bill Monroe: the Man
crinzler | 12/04/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The music is fabulous, with that extra edge that live performance gives. What makes this disc a must for every Bill Monroe fan is the wonderful stage chatter and the interviews which reveal so much about the personality and history of one of the true genius' of 20th century music. This disc was produced with loving care by Ralph Rinzler, one of Bill's greatest fans and, later, his manager. Put on your reading glasses for some of the best album notes ever. Bill Monroe fans will love this disc, and initiates will find it easy to access and deeply revealing."