Monroe Brothers, Vol. 1: What Would You Give in Exchange for Your Soul

Monroe Brothers

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 20, 2000)
• Original Release Date: June 20, 2000
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Rounder Select
• ASIN: B00004TDOK
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #124,243 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
This 15-song set kicks off a projected 4-volume series issuing the complete 1936-1938 duet recordings of future bluegrass founder Bill Monroe and his guitarist brother, Charlie. Volume 1 captures the duo when, as an obscure regional act, they were still feeling their way musically. Nonetheless, they nailed their first popular record, the eerily moralistic gospel number "What Would You Give in Exchange?" on their first session. This collection of 1936 material also includes their bestselling recordings of "New River Train," "This World Is Not My Home," "Drifting Too Far from the Shore," and "Roll On Buddy," which helped make those songs standards in the years before World War II. The Monroes' flair for synthesis was particularly outstanding because their repertoire blended material they'd heard in church or on records, discovered in shape-note hymnbooks, or appropriated from the repertoire of their favorite band, the Prairie Ramblers. While Bill's bluegrass concepts were still fermenting during these years, he built his future on the solid, successful foundation of his work with Charlie. --Rich Kienzle

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Available at last!, June 24, 2000

By A Customer

If you're familiar with this music, you don't need me to tell you how stunningly great it is. If you're not, and you're the least bit inclined towards bluegrass or old-time country, this CD will change your life. The Monroe Brothers inspired and influenced virtually everyone who came after them, and the quality of their harmonies and musicianship has never been surpassed. The remastered sound is terrific too. This is the first volume in a projected four-volume series - may the other three come quickly!

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Important and influential recordings available at last!, July 20, 2000

By	Robert Meador (New York, NY United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This forthcoming 4-volume set has been long awaited, and it is thrilling to finally have this material available on CD. Many know how influential Bill Monroe and bluegrass music has subsequently been, but this material was equally influential on country music in the late 30s. Many of the stars of country grew up listening to and being inspired by these recordings. It's easy to see why-- just listen to the combination of Bill Monroe's blistering mandolin work (which single-handedly rescued the mandolin from increasing obscurity) and the unearthly and haunting quality of the harmonies. Few other brother acts of the time made music as unforgettable as this. To use one of Bill Monroe's favorite expressions, this is 'powerful' stuff!

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Classic American Music, June 27, 2000

By A Customer

This is one of the starting points for American Music of the 20th century.The interplay between these two brothers is outstanding.It's like Bob Dylan once said there's probably nothing I'd rather listen to then the Monroe Brothers.I strongly urge real music fans to buy this and all subsequent volumes if they are interested in something that really endures.