(tm)
For information about CD submissions for reviews and
general information please email us at:
Email Reviews
Join our
List Your Festival here!
We Can Host your
Join our
Festival Mailing List
WebSite
Mailing List
|
|
|
|
Bill Monroe - Country Legends
Originally released as 78 rpm singles for RCA Victor's Bluebird label and for the Montgomery Ward label, these songs were recorded soon after Bill Monroe and his Blue Grass Boys joined the Grand Ole Opry in 1939. The quality of the transfers and mastering by the Sony engineers is superb: these old 78's sound like they were recorded in a high-tech studio.
Although 'pre-bluegrass' and lacking the 5-string banjo, these songs could easily fit into the set list of a bluegrass band today and not seem in any way out of place. The first song on the album, MULE SKINNER BLUES, is a Jimmie Rodgers favorite that hints at the path that would lead Bill Monroe to his destiny as the 'Father of Bluegrass'. Bill Monroe later said "the beat in my music-bluegrass music-started when I ran across MULE SKINNER BLUES and started playing that. MULE SKINNER BLUES was the first number to ever get an encore on the Grand Ole Opry."
Other old favorites, familiar to us all, follow close behind: SIX WHITE HORSES, ORANGE BLOSSOM SPECIAL, IN THE PINES, BACK UP AND PUSH - to list a few.
Most of the songs of this early period in Bill Monroe's career have been reissued separately many times over the years, but having all of Bill Monroe's early recordings in one high quality volume is very handy for the Bill Monroe aficionado and for any serious bluegrass fan.
Website Comments regarding this review and reviews in general can be directed to:
(Review by Richard Dress)
RCA/BMG Heritage - 2002
The informative liner notes packaged with this CD provide a well-written, concise summary of this legendary musical pioneer's life and describe his position at the center of American music in the early 1940s and his seminal role in the birth of modern American popular music. This was the time when Bill Monroe had just split up with his brother, Charlie, and their band, the Monroe Brothers, and had struck off on his own musical journey. He started a new band and drilled it extensively to play material of his own choosing. This was the first step to what would some day evolve into bluegrass and so heavily influence rock and pop along the way.
Email Reviews
Welcome to the Bluegrass Connection, the electronic internet catalog where you can find Band, Performer, Festival and other types of Official Home Pages. View Festival flyers including band pictures. Listen to a sound bite before you purchase a CD or Cassette. Purchase directly from the performers. Join band and other mailing lists. The Bluegrass Connection is here to help you find the information you need to further enjoy Bluegrass Music. The Bluegrass Connection is a member and supporter of the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA), Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music of America (SPBGMA), and the Capitol Area Bluegrass and Oldtime Music Association (CABOMA).
Bluegrass Connection(tm)1995
The Bluegrass Connection(tm), is the second Bluegrass Music site created on the World Wide Web. Our mission, design and concept was developed during 1994 and The Bluegrass Connection website was introduced on the Internet during 1995 and presented at the 1995 IBMA in Owensboro, Kentucky.
During our early years The Bluegrass Connection would highlight a particular band or artist for a period of time on our homepage. As a result, many bands were able to reach out to their fans and introduce themselves to new audiences quickly. Due to many inquiries and requests to bring that feature back, we are seriously considering a "featured band" on our homepage again.
The Bluegrass Connection(tm)1995