Off The Record, Vol. 1: Live Recordings, 1956-1969 [Live]

Bill Monroe | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 14, 1993)
• Original Release Date: September 24, 1993
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Live
• Label: Smithsonian Folkways
• ASIN: B000001DJ3
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #88,471 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #96 in Music > Indie Music > Folk > Traditional Folk

Editorial Reviews

Previously unreleased recordings from the 1950s and '60s present Monroe concert performances, jam sessions, and festival workshops of Bill with the Bluegrass Boys and his brothers Charlie and Birch. This 75-minute collection captures Monroe with Peter Rowan, Bill Keith, Tex Logan, Bobby Hicks, Del McCoury, Hazel Dickens, Roland White, and many, many others. Includes rare photos and extensive notes by Ralph Rinzler. "...[C]ulled from both concerts and picking parties, [this recording] reveals what a holy terror [Monroe] was in front of an audience—even of friends, at 4:45 a.m." — Newsweek

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An intimate glimpse at Monroe's onstage charm, December 18, 2002

By 

DJ Joe Sixpack (...in Middle America) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Off The Record, Vol. 1: Live Recordings, 1956-1969 (Audio CD)

A treasure trove of rare Monroe performances, from various folk fests and concerts. For the most part these live renditions don't capture the full intensity of Monroe's music, but there's certainly not a bad cut on this album. The best bit, though, is a track called "Monroe Family Segment," which consists of Q&A dialogs with fans and festival moderators asking Monroe to explain his techniques and how he learned them from various family members... Interesting in and of itself, but also a great glimpse at Bill's rapport with his fans.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The very finest example of bluegrass ever!, May 3, 2001

By 

Kelley Moss (Ft. Collins, Co.) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Off The Record, Vol. 1: Live Recordings, 1956-1969 (Audio CD)

I knew I liked the bluegrass sound, but I didn't own any... so on a whim I found this CD in a store. I bought it because I thought I recognized the name, and it did have more songs than most. That was four years ago and I still think of it as one of the best purchases I've ever made. If you like the mandolin and high old time sound... then you must have this CD!! It's over an hour of the best bluegrass ever recorded, and the information in the cover/recorded interview with Bill (#27. Monroe Family Segment) really let you get a chance to know the man.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars That was I call MUSIC., August 2, 2002

By 

Myra Hill "pigeon lover" (New York City, United States of America) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Off The Record, Vol. 1: Live Recordings, 1956-1969 (Audio CD)

I have gotten myself into bluegrass lately even though I'm not new to it either. I grew up hearing bluegrass music on television like the Beverly Hillbillies, Hee Haw and the Dukes of Hazzard. However, I always wanted to learn more about Bill Monroe and his music. The music on this CD is of course authentic, traditional bluegrass. I highly recommend this to any bluegrass and even non-bluegrass listener. I would like to see America get back to its music roots. We are losing it with the non substance music we hear today.