Customer Reviews

Classic Bluegrass Live: 1959-1966

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Earl Scruggs has to be about the greatest banjo player who ever lived (and still going strong in his 80s!). These are performances with Hylo Brown & the Timberliners from 1959 and as part of Flatt & Scruggs in 1966. All except "Girl in the Red Velvet Band" were previously released on other Vanguard collections like "Bluegrass at Newport" and "Newport Folk Festival: Best of Bluegrass." So if you have those (like I do), you might hesitate before getting this one, unless you want all of Scruggs' picking on one disc.

Anyone who wants to know what Earl sounded like in his prime should purchase this CD just for the first few cuts. Something about a live broadcast really gets Earl fired-up! His playing of "Flint Hill Special", "Earl's Breakdown" and his background playing is the best I've ever heard. I wish we could hear more of the live performances Earl must have recorded during his great years! BW

The banjo king himself, playing on stage in three different Newport Folk Festival performances, back when he was still partners with Lester Flatt. Great stuff, with plenty of typical old-fashioned bluegrass showmanship. Much of this material has been previously issued on various Flatt & Scruggs albums or Newport samplers -- the most noteworthy tracks are from a 1959 set, played with the Hylo Brown band, which is a nice change of pace from the Flatt & Scruggs matterial. It all sizzles...!