Customer Reviews

Second Generation

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Natives of east Kentucky, Whitley and Skaggs first met in 1969 at a fiddlers' convention in Ezel, Kentucky. Their voices blended naturally and Skaggs joined Whitley's bluegrass band. In 1970, still in their early teens, Skaggs and Whitley were singing their tight bluegrass/gospel harmonies as members of Ralph Stanley's Clinch Mountain Boys (1970-73 and 1975-77). On occasion, during these periods, they were asked to sing duets and some of these appeared on a 1971 album Second Generation Bluegrass, reissued on vinyl and tape in the 1980s, but now reissued as a CD in 1994 by Rebel Records. It is amazing to think that this album features two young teenagers. They are so at ease belting out that timeless bluegrass sound. It has the same impeccable singing and musicianship we now expect automatically from Skaggs and the musicians who work with him. Some of the songs are original Skaggs family compositions and that alone makes the album a must for all Skaggs fans. The only strange thing is that the CD is listed under Whitley rather than Skaggs. Whitley left bluegrass to move into mainstream country, whereas Skaggs, after a twelve-year stint in mainstream country, has now returned to his bluegrass roots.

Just a couple of criticsms. One track seems to jump a groove, which must have been a fault in conversion of audio to digital format. The overall sound-quality is not brilliant, but this is most likely because it is taken from an early recording.

These early '70s recordings capture two young members of Ralph Stanley's Clinch Mountain Boys just as they were about to go out on their own as vanguard members of the newgrass generation. Both Whitley and Skaggs cut new roads in the '70s country renaissance, and in the next decade each also successfully moved into the world of commercial Top 40 Country. But here they are, young and earnest as can be, singing pure, sweet bluegrass and playing with a magical melodic grace. This album was originally a modest release, not entirely off the radar, and a welcome surprise for the bluegrass faithful, though not a blockbuster hit by a long shot. Now, decades later, it's a wonderful document of two master musicians in their early years. Plus, it's just enchanting -- great music performed with real feeling. Thank goodness Rebel dusted this one off for modern listeners to check out again... it's highly recommended!

It's about time these early albums were released again on CD. This one is superb, and may actually surprise you. Most of us think of Lefty Frizzel when we hear Keith Whitley. And Ricky Skaggs is often considered the father of new generation/mainstream bluegrass. But, with this album, you'll hear Keith Whitley handle the lead vocals and guitar work on 12 numbers. And folks, Keith can pick a guitar.....and his voice was pure bluegrass without even a hint of Lefty! The harmonies and mandolin provided by Ricky are phenomenal. The album begins with "Dont Cheat in Our Hometown", a song that Ricky would later release as a solo act, and continues through a few brilliant instrumentals, and some of the finest bluegrass you will ever hear, including: "Poor Monroe", "Those Two Blue Eyes", and "Memories of Mother". This CD was released by Rebel Records in 1990, and the recording is excellent. Give it a listen.

If you're a true bluegrass fan, you'll probably get that part of what makes this album enjoyable is what a tribute it is to the Stanley Brothers. And to those other reviewers who have commented that they're disappointed at the lack of Keith Whitley's involvement, you're just not hearing correctly. He's all OVER this album, singing most of the lead vocals, and sounding AMAZINGLY like Carter Stanley. If you're a fan of Keith's later stuff, and not really a bluegrass fan, then you might well not enjoy this that much. But I want to make sure that anybody reading these reviews is not put off by the comments about the lack of Keith's involvement. He's very well represented. I'm a Carter Stanley disciple, so to me, Keith Whitley never did anything better than this. I did enjoy some of his country stuff, but I was always disappointed he didn't sound more like Carter Stanley. It's good that he developed his own voice, but I've always wanted to know what Carter Stanley would sound like on some hardcore country recordings, and that's what I was always expecting with Keith's country albums. Certainly didn't hold him back... But this album is very worthwhile, in my opinion.

I was dissapointed, thought I would hear a little more of Keith but was not to be. If you are a true Keith fan pass this one up.

It's okay. Unless you really like bluegrass, don't waste your time. You can't tell that Keith Whitley had anything to do with this album.