Search - Flatt & Scruggs :: 20th Century Masters: Millennium Collection

Classic Flatt & Scruggs

Steve Vrana | Aurora, NE | 02/09/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Even if you're only a casual fan of bluegrass music, this is essential listening. After playing their last dates with Bill Monroe in early 1948, Flatt and Scruggs began a two-year relationship with the independent Mercury Records. Between October, 1948 and October, 1950, they recorded 28 tracks over four separate sessions. The twelve tracks presented here include such originals as "My Cabin in Caroline," "We'll Meet Again Sweetheart" and the banjo showcase "Foggy Mountain Breakdown"--all of which have become classics. Unfortunately, this disc omits other originals like "Down the Road," "So Happy I'll Be," "I'll Never Love Another" and "Is It Too Late Now," among others. [1992's "The Complete Mercury Sessions" included their entire recorded output for the label, but it has since gone out of print.] The Foggy Mountain Boys at various times included guitarist Mac Wiseman, mandolinist Curly Seckler and former Monroe sidemen bassist Cedrick Rainwater and fiddler Art Wooten. Unlike on their recordings with Monroe, Scruggs' innovative three-finger style picking was pushed to the forefront on these recordings. In addition to being a stellar banjo player, Scruggs was a gifted guitar player as well. Listen to his Merle Travis-inspired playing on "God Loves His Children," for example. While Flatt and Scruggs would have greater commercial success after their switch to Columbia, these are essential recordings. And unless you want to shell out some big bucks for the Bear Family box sets, this--for now--is the disc to own. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED"

Best of Flat & Scruggs

Erik Welch | California | 01/16/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If you are already a fan of Bluegrass, you probably don't need this review as you know these guys are amazing and you have most of these recordings somewhere else. If you are just getting started appreciating the music, this is a great cd to get. It has a good range of music and *all* pieces are absolutely stellar!

I got this for my kids as I know the material is good and they just love the positive energy of the music. "Flat & Scruggs", "Bill Monroe", "Old and In The Way", and Springsteen's "Seeger Sessions" are all big favorites in my house."