Customer Reviews

16 Gems

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16 Gems is just that. 16 of the father of bluegrass music's finest. A wide variety of bluebrass stylings, from the beautiful Kentucky Waltz to the pounding Bluegrass Breakdown to Bill's heartfelt Gospel tunes, this one has it ALL! Highly recommended!!!!

What do these artists have in common: Caruso (teens), Beiderbecke (20s),

Carter Family (30s), Benny Goodman (40s), Hank Williams, Sr.(50s) ?

Via today's technology, we can enjoy full-flavored versions of their

work decades after their deaths. And, we do it all the time. Why?

The work of truly great artists is timeless.

Bill Monroe belongs on the short list of all-time great artists.

Sometimes, it takes two to realize that - the artist and you. Being

inclined toward classical and jazz, it took years for me to begin to

really appreciate Monroe, tho I had always casually enjoyed my father's

records. I knew Bill was good, just not how good. I'm still learning

and lack the background to compare and contrast this CD's tracks with

his later re-makes or engage in nostalgic talk about band personnel.

So, why did I buy this CD? Being more familiar with Monroe's 50-60's

sound, I wanted to learn something about his musical development.

What was the "young Bill Monroe" like ? This CD provides the answer

because, though recorded in the 40s, these re-masterings are excellent.

If you're like me, not a bluegrass expert, the thing to do with this CD

is sit back and let these "gems" wash over you. This CD is a keeper.

Whether you're a bluegrass fan from "way back" or whether you're just discovered this great music, 16 Gems is a must for your collection. Bill Monroe is the Father of Bluegrass, and as far as I'm concerned, he's also the King. When this collection starts out with "Kentucky Waltz", you'll be hooked. This album is probably the best spent music money you'll ever spend.

This mid-line priced CD features 16 cuts by Bill Monroe & his Blue Grass Boys recorded for Columbia between 1945 and 1949. This CD has a solid selection of songs and is as good a place as any to listen closely to Monroe, the "Father of Bluegrass." Recordings made in September of 1946 with Monroe, Lester Flatt, Earl Scruggs, Chubby Wise, and Howard Watts (Cedric Rainwater) are considered by many to be the first true bluegrass recordings. It was Scruggs' banjo playing in these 1946 sessions that set this band apart from earlier versions of the Blue Grass Boys. This CD ends with a couple of sides from 1949 featuring the incomparable Mac Wiseman on lead vocals and the great Rudy Lyle on banjo. This is a handsome CD with good notes by Mark A. Humphrey.