Customer Reviews

Best Of Bluegrass 1959-66

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The Newport Folk Festivals were wonderfully eclectic in their definition of "folk', exposing music from the electric blues and folk-rock of Paul Butterfield and Bob Dylan to the high-lonesome acoustic sound of bluegrass, as documented on this first-rate collection. Newport, R.I. was not exactly home turf for bluegrass, but most of the all-time greats are here, performing at or near the peak of their powers, from Bill Monroe (long before the decline of his voice in later years), to the Stanley Brothers (not so long before Carter Stanley's alcohol-fuelled death), to Flatt and Scruggs (shortly before their artistic-philosophy-fuelled split-up: Earl wanted to plug in, Lester didn't). Come to think of it, this could be, serendiptitiously, the single best representation of the early giants of bluegrass. And Flatt and Scruggs even do their smash-hit, the "Beverly Hillbillies" T.V. theme song(!!) Very highly recommended.

This three CD box does represent the best by several of the founders of Bluegrass, including its amazing Father - Bill Monroe. The well known Mr. Monroe, The Stanley Brothers, Flatt and Scruggs and Jim and Jesse are here at their best. The suprise may be the band of the Lilly Brothers, Don Stover and Tex Logan. The music they play here further documents that their music was in a league with these other wonderful early bands. The music of the Lilly Brothers is a hidden gem - as was the music of Monroe and these other now prominent bluegrass bands for too long. Hylo Brown and Hazel and Alice give performances worthy of the title - Best of Bluegrass too. In fact, all the music in this set is truly beautiful!

This is a really nice collection of great bluegrass, but what happened to the Doc Watson cuts that were on the 1963 Newport album? He was incredible even back then, and their exclusion here is noticeable.

I love this CD set. With this much music it's hard to get tired of anything. If I had a 3 CD changer Walkman I'd be listening non-stop. It makes me glad I have a job where I can sit and listen for a few hours at a time. I just wish I could keep my mandolin and guitar by my desk so I could play along. I find the quality of recording excellent and the quality of the musicianship is second to none. If you like Old Timey Music or Bluegrass, buy this CD set. I only gave it a 4 start rating because I'm stingy with 5s.

For anyone who wished they had been there but never knew about it or was just to far away to go and LOVE good folk music/BLUES this is a good listen. It was well worth it for me. Thanks for the lost memories returned.