From October 1, 2010 through to the end of September 2011, we will, each day, celebrate the life of Bill Monroe by sharing information about him and those people who are associated with his life and music career. This information will include births and deaths; recording sessions; single, LP and CD release dates; and other interesting tidbits. Richard F. Thompson is responsible for the research and compilation of this information. We invite readers to share any tidbits, photos or memories you would like us to include.
- July 22, 2003 CD released – Bill Monroe – July 1963: Two Days at Newport (And More Bears ACD 25001 AA) *
* Bill Monroe – July 1963: Two Days at Newport
Not only is this concert recording important as a document of Bill Monroe’s first appearance at the Newport Folk Festival he would make several others, but it’s a rare chronicle of one of Monroe’s best bands one that never recorded together in the studio, and one which saw its prime players leave by the end of the year. But above all, it’s classic bluegrass played by Monroe with vocalist/guitar Del McCoury, banjo player Bill Keith, bassist Bessie Lee Mauldin, fiddler Billy Baker and bass vocalist Ralph Rinzler. (Description)
Track listing – Intro, Mule Skinner Blues, Uncle Pen, Devil’s Dream [Instrumental], Molly and Tenbrooks, I Am a Pilgrim and Raw Hide [Instrumental], recorded on July 26, 1963,
Intro, Paddy on the Turnpike [Instrumental], Pike County Breakdown [Instrumental], Raw Hide [Instrumental], Get Up John [Instrumental], Will You Be Loving Another Man? Conversation; Ralph Rinzler – Bill Monroe, Pretty Fair Maiden in the Garden, Salt Creek [Instrumental] and Lonesome Road Blues. Recorded on July 27, 1963.
Rinzler sang bass on I Am a Pilgrim and played bass on Raw Hide.
The recordings were made by Vanguard, are owned by MCA Records and were leased by Bear Family Records.
