Search - Ricky Skaggs :: Sing the Songs of Bill Monroe

Though the late Bill Monroe is generally acknowledged as the "father of bluegrass music"--he literally forged this strident musical hybrid from earlier mountain string-band styles in the 1940s--his musical legacy has reached far beyond the often narrow confines of the style he created. Fittingly, a giddy stylistic range of artists help Monroe disciple Ricky Skaggs prove this point on this brilliant salute, which was originally issued in 2000 under the name Big Mon. Bruce Hornsby opens with a haunting, soaring rendition of the murder ballad "Darlin' Corey." John Fogerty unleashes an absolutely stunning neo-rockabilly revival of "Blue Moon of Kentucky," a Monroe classic that was also an early hit for Elvis Presley. With his deft scat singing and lead guitar work, Steve Wariner transforms Monroe's stalwart "Heavy Traffic Ahead" into a sprightly jazz-pop excursion. Country-rocker Charlie Daniels also shines on his reverent gospel-blues rendition of "I Am a Pilgrim." Though Skaggs keeps a surprisingly low profile throughout, he and Joan Osborne contribute a moving duet to "On the Old Kentucky Shore." This 2002 release adds a version of the Monroe favorite "Uncle Pen" that wasn't available on the Big Mon release. Skaggs's genre-blending tribute may make bluegrass purists bristle, but this collection succeeds as few other tributes have in reminding listeners of the amazing breadth of Monroe's legacy. --Bob Allen