Customer Reviews

High Lonesome - The Story of Bluegrass Music [VHS]

5 star:		(26)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This superb documentary explores the origins and developments of traditional bluegrass, from the the early years of the 20th century through the 1970's. It features a heavy dose of Bill Monroe, with a lot of Jimmy Martin, Mac Wiseman & Ralph Stanley rolled in. A number of Bill Monroe's Bluegrass Boys alumni are also featured -- String Bean, Lester Flatt, Earl Scruggs. I found myself fascinated by the commentary and singing along to most of the performances. There are a number of clips that standing alone would make this DVD worth the money -- Bill Monroe clogging while picking his mandolin at what looks like a county fair, Ralph Stanley singing "Man of Constant Sorrow" (Ralph Stanley singing a capella gospel never fails to give me goosebumps), and hippie "flower children" in San Francisco grooving to bluegrass in the early 1970's. There are also some great clips of other wonderful performers -- A young, unpolished Alison Krauss, a young overly-polished George Jones in his crewcut days, singing "White Lightning", a young Porter Waggoner. In addition, there is commentary by two rail-thin farmers, wearing overalls & fedoras & leaning on hoes in a field, talking about the backdrop against which bluegrass music gained and lost popularity, discussing the struggles of the depression and that crazy hip-swinging Elvis who had people "throwing their babies at him" and everything. This is such a great DVD -- I know that I'll watch this again and again, and share it with several of my friends and family (and I'm half tempted to run out & buy myself a banjo and spend the next few years trying to learn to play like Earl Scruggs.)

I bought this DVD for my grandfather for his birthday. He has listened to this music all his life and for so many years it was hard to find.

He called me immediately after receiving it and viewing it (10pm his time) to tell me how much he appreciated it. He said it brought back good, old memories of all the people who were in the DVD and of growing up with the music.

He told me that this was the best thing I could have given him for his birthday (aside from a visit from his great-grandkids).

I'd say from his reaction that if you like this music this is definitely a DVD you must see.

High Lonesome is a video that should be on the shelf of every dedicated, loyal fan of Bluegrass Music and those that are becoming loyal, dedicated fans. For those who grew up with the music, even back to the days when it was still called country, this is a great film to kick in the nostalgia, and rev up the memories. For those who are becoming fans of this great American music, this video is BLUEGRASS 101. Here is the introduction to the basic roots of bluegrass as we know it. A fantastic look and rare clips fo those who made the music what is is and comments, explanations and perhaps some advice from the Father of Bluegrass, Bill Monroe. Here is the how, where, who and very importantly the why of the beginings of bluegrass music. This is all here in the words and music from the legends, both active and passed on. Legends like Bill Monroe, Ralph Stanley, Reno & Smiley, Flatt & Scruggs, Mac Wiseman, Osborne Bros.and any others. Wonderful clips such as an all too brief clip of Don Reno when he worked with Bill Monroe. I remember many of these artist. I am fortunate to have met many of these great artist, to have been acquainted with some and priviledged to call some friend. There is a difference. You will come to understand the dedication and determination that made the legends and their refusal to compromise in very difficult times. It is a revealing film to those who have many misconceptions of bluegrass music, the musicians and the fans. It is revealing of the honesty, integrity and sincerety of every thing connected to it. I play many of these artists, songs and traditions on my Sunday night show, WFPK, Louisville, KY.

Chock full of great bluegrass music and old footage from the early days of the many artists, I found this disc to be very enjoyable. If you like bluegrass or are interested in learning more about it this disc is for you - It has the feel of a Ken Burns documentary (He was a consultant) and goes into great detail of the life and times of the father of bluegrass, Bill Monroe.

The First third focuses in on the early days of bluegrass and Bill Monroe's youth. The middle shows alot of the various lineups of Bill Monroe and his bluegrass boys - and footage of the various "boys" when they went solo. The final third has some real magic in it when the crew visits the many bluegrass festivals. Here the real magical performances are one of the Osborne Bros. from the late 60's doing Ruby (Incredible - unfortunatly this is not the whole performance) and the amazing group The Seldom Scene doing one of the best renditions of Know You Rider that I have ever heard - these two are worth the price of admission alone.

Being a guitarist/banjo picker I was finding myself playing along and even picking up some new licks and rolls - especially when Flatt & Scruggs are highlighted - whew! - Scruggs was a banjo god. Very entertaining - a little slow in some parts and a few musicians that should have been mentioned were missing (namely David Grisman, Vassar Clements (he can be seen in one segment w/ Bill Monroe but that's it), Ricky Skaggs, Tony Rice, and maybe a little more on some of the novelty acts like Bluegrass 45 - this is the only reason I give it 4 and not 5 stars - but don't let that stop you - this DVD is GREAT !

This is a barebones DVD and could really have benefitted from a better sound, but I guess since many of the early recording were in mono - it was not an option - but it could have still used and benefitted from a dolby digital track, another track of the complete recordings would have made this pure gold - but I'm not complaining.

This superb documentary explores the origins and developments of traditional bluegrass, from the the early years of the 20th century through the 1970's. It features a heavy dose of Bill Monroe, with a lot of Jimmy Martin, Mac Wiseman & Ralph Stanley rolled in. A number of Bill Monroe's Bluegrass Boys alumni are also featured -- String Bean, Lester Flatt, Earl Scruggs. I found myself fascinated by the commentary and singing along to most of the performances. There are a number of clips that standing alone would make this DVD worth the money -- Bill Monroe clogging while picking his mandolin at what looks like a county fair, Ralph Stanley singing "Man of Constant Sorrow" (Ralph Stanley singing a capella gospel never fails to give me goosebumps), and hippie "flower children" in San Francisco grooving to bluegrass in the early 1970's. There are also some great clips of other wonderful performers -- A young, unpolished Alison Krauss, a young overly-polished George Jones in his crewcut days, singing "White Lightning", a young Porter Waggoner. In addition, there is commentary by two rail-thin farmers, wearing overalls & fedoras & leaning on hoes in a field, talking about the backdrop against which bluegrass music gained and lost popularity, discussing the struggles of the depression and that crazy hip-swinging Elvis who had people "throwing their babies at him" and everything. This is such a great DVD -- I know that I'll watch this again and again, and share it with several of my friends and family (and I'm half tempted to run out & buy myself a banjo and spend the next few years trying to learn to play like Earl Scruggs.)

I bought this DVD as a stocking-stuffer for my husband this Christmas. It turned out to be the highlight of gifts. Not only is the Bluegrass music original and authenic, the historical account is enlightening. We knew Bluegrass came to this country through Irish immigrants, but we had never noticed the connection to the Beatniks and Flower Children era. The history just fell into place as the DVD took us through the various influences on Bluegrass music.

What an outstanding movie. If you like bluegrass music this movie will touch you very deeply. If you like American history but not the music this movie could still be of interest. Documenting the beginnings of bluegrass music. How it came about, how it progressed in the early days and interviews of those who pushed the envelope and created the sound of today.

With interviews of everyday folks and artists along with concert clips of the legends of the music including Bill Monroe, Mac Wiseman, Jimmy Martin, Ralph Stanely and many more mixed with an exceptional soundtrack of music by these legends this movie is an absolute tour-de-force of music documentaries, with soul!

I first saw this movie when I was just beginning the "experience" that is bluegrass music and festivals and had been looking for it for a while. Now that I found it I have been swept away again. For the new listener this movie is very important in providing history that you did not see, the artists explaining their life and their view on the music. For the experienced listener, this movie absorbs you with music you love, concert clips from places you remember, and people that you have come to know.

One (and only one) of the many special things about this music is the artists do not consider themselves above you and set themselves off. They perform for you, the eat with you, the pick with you in the night. One big loving community. This movie is a great introduction to this thing that we love! Buy it, watch it, FEEL IT!

Breathtaking and the true emotion of Bluegrass music. More than a history. A genuine experience of the roots and people who shared this unique sound with the rest of the humanity. Rachel & Jerome deserve a standing ovation for their work. I have lived it and remember it from the beginning. This film captures the American soul when it was at its apex.

Liking bluegrass is not necessarily a prerequisite, but if you do then you will thoroughly love this dvd. It's well shot & well paced with b&w background footage, interviews and concert snippets with bluegrass greats from the 1940's through to the 1990's. Watching this DVD i can see where the Coen-brothers "brother, where art thou" film must have been inspired, as there are at least a dozen scenes & stills which turn up in their film.

The emphasis musically sticks to monroe's vision of bluegrass and asides from a few songs by the osborne brothers and the seldom scene (brilliant) in a 'rock' setting, it doesn't stray from that straight path so you won't find any fretboard whizzkid-flatpickers like clarence white, tony rice or jazzified bluegrass such as bela fleck but instead some of the purest bluegrass out there!

As for the DVD, there's no fancy menu structure or audio selection just "start" and "scene selection", but there's really no need for that here, as the audio is great and the movie says it all anyways.

If you like bluegrass, "brother where art thou" and/or "buena vista social club" then buy this dvd.

As some of the others have said (or over-stated), it may not be the best Bluegrass documentary out there....but it is really good, especially for novices.

However, the best part of the DVD is the imagery and film footage. If you get nothing else, its an amazing visual history lesson of the tmes.