Customer Reviews

O Sister: The Women's Bluegrass Collection 2

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Once you get over the obvious marketing ploy to target a record-buying public still enamored with the "O Brother!" phenomenon, this second volume from Rounder is yet another collection of some of the brightest stars in bluegrass music today. Other than a trio of songs from the Seventies (tracks 14-16), these tracks are from the late-Nineties through the present. In fact, a couple of these have not yet been released on the artists' albums, including the Lester Flatt Standard "I'll Stay Around" by Alecia McRight which features mandolin wizard Ronnie McCoury. The other is "I Wonder Where You Are Tonight" with an angelic vocal from Jeannie Kendall.

This is a solid collection of bluegrass music--regardless of gender. Highlights include Kathy Kallick's plaintive "Hideaway," the heartfelt original "Reason Enough" by Tanya Savory, and Phyllis Boyens and Hazel Dickens' "Dream of a Miner's Child" with backup provided by the Dreadful Snakes (Jerry Douglas, Roland White, Bela Fleck, et. al.). The only track that doesn't fit a traditional bluegrass mold is Wayfaring Strangers' "Memories of You," which has a very newgrass feel to it with viola and clarinet.

What you get with this collection is 68 minutes of bluegrass bliss. And with the depth of talent on the Rounder label, they should have no problem coming up with a volume 3. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

For many years, bluegrass (like many other genres of music) was almost a male preserve. It took longer for the ladies to break through in bluegrass than elsewhere, but this collection and others like it prove that they are well capable of competing with the men, who continue to make great bluegrass.

This Rounder compilation is targetted at those who are new to bluegrass, but will also appeal to committed fans. Extensive liner notes give biographical summaries of the singers, also including a list of albums by the individuals for those who wish to explore further (and who wouldn't, after hearing this collection?). Actually, this list may cause problems outside America - this album is available in other countries (including the UK) where most of the listed albums are not available except through specialist dealers or Amazon.

All the great ladies of bluegrass are represented, including Claire Lynch, Rhonda Vincent, Laurie Lewis and Lynn Morris. Alison Krauss and Suzanne Cox close the set with the excellent Jewels. Hazel Dickens makes four appearances - one solo and three duets - with Alice Gerrard, Ginny Hawker and Phyllis Boyens.

The big surprise for me (and what a pleasure to hear !!!!) is the inclusion of Jeannie Kendall, on I wonder where you are tonight, from her new Rounder album (not released at the time of this review, but eagerly awaited). Jeannie used to be lead singer of the Kendalls with her father providing harmonies. Remember Heaven's just a sin away (from 1979)? Jeannie sounds as good as ever, and it's good to have her back.

It is a great companion to the previous O Sister compilation on Rounder, or the British double-CD on WEA (O sister where art thou - look out for my review of that), but this is a fine introduction to bluegrass in it's own right. Even if (like me), you've already got some of these tracks, you'll find the others well worth a listen.

This CD contains some of the the best Bluegrass music today. Every track can stand on its own as a great recording. Having 1 CD with so many great bluegrass names back-to-back gives the listener the ability to easily compare and contrast musical styles of the artists. Often, "various artists" bluegrass cd's a letdown, but this one is remarkable.

I am impressed. I grew up on Bluegrass. My Mom sang in her share of Bluegrass bands and I got to work concession at a Ralph Stanley concert once. This is a great CD. I listen to it in the car everywhere I go, since my son isn't old enough to complain yet.

If you don't love bluegrass before listening to this cd, you will once you've heard it. Every single song sounds perfect to me, and they just get better the more you listen. I'll never get tired of hearing these songs, and also love the playlist order. The cd ends with the incomparable Allison Krauss and "Jewels", such a beautiful song which will get to your heart no matter what kind of mood (or traffic!) you're in. Five stars, ten if that were possible!

Bluegrass lovers, you've got to try this second outing of "O Sister"...this installment keeps coming at you with each and every song. This neat package of all-girl talent has you've begging for more. In the next paragraph you'll see why.

We can sit back and let all of the twenty-one tracks take complete control as Wilma Lee Cooper, Rhonda Vincent, Hazel Dickens, Tanya Savory, The Stevens Sisters, Suzanne Thomas, Suzanne Cox and Alison Krauss pull out all the stops with each outstanding performance packed with styles of the mountains.

There are many standouts, but the highlights are "PRETENDING I DON'T CARE", Rhonda Vincent gives you that delivery you've come to expect ~ "JEWELS", probably two of my favorite female bluegrass song tresses, who always takes us into the realm of "pure melody" with extraordinary trimmings that only Alison Krauss and Suzanne Cox can offer.

Highly, recommend this in the theme of "O Brother Where Art Thou", which has given all of us a boost into the genre of old mountain music that our parents and grandparents enjoyed when they were young. So "Bluegrass" or "Mountain Music" fans, whatever we label it...you gotta love it!

Total Time: 68:29 on 21 Tracks ~ Rounder 610506 ~ (2002)

This is very enjoyable music in an excellent recording. I am glad I bought these additional 2 copies for friends, since I like my copy so well.