Our British correspondent, Richard Thompson, has an overview of a CD collection that was released back in August ’07.
Time Life has released a further collection of bluegrass recordings. Classic Bluegrass Collection is a compilation featuring three CDs of well-known bluegrass recordings across a variety of record labels. The boxed set includes music by Bill Monroe, the Stanley Brothers, Flatt & Scruggs, Jimmy Martin, Mac Wiseman, Jim & Jesse, Reno & Smiley, the Osborne Brothers, Ricky Skaggs, Emmylou Harris, Alison Krauss, Del McCoury, Rhonda Vincent, Doyle Lawson, Vince Gill, Patty Loveless and selections from the O Brother, Where Art Thou? soundtrack.
In addition to the above-mentioned famous names of the bluegrass genre, there are recordings by some lesser-known, but nonetheless important names also. Among these are Buzz Busby, Jim Eanes, Charlie Moore and Bill Napier, The Stonemans, Carl Story, Red Allen, Kentucky Colonels, Lilly Brothers, The Bluegrass Cardinals, Country Gentlemen and Joe Val. Additionally, Time Life has made available a selection of signature songs from a wide range of present-day working bands.
This is a good collection that brings together music from the time of the birth of bluegrass through to the 21st century. It is a good start point for those who are beginning to explore the genre. Whether the experts would agree on the selections is another matter.
Classic Bluegrass Collection reflects Time Life’s ongoing commitment to bringing top quality bluegrass music to a wider audience. In just the past year, the company has released a set by The Stanley Brothers, an anthology, Gloryland: 30 Bluegrass Gospel Classics, from leading bluegrass label Rebel Records and has issued their first bluegrass documentary film, Bluegrass Country Soul.
A detailed track listing follows ….
Classic Bluegrass Collection
Disc #1
It’s Mighty Dark To Travel – Bill Monroe
Electricity – Jimmy Murphy
How Mountain Girls Can Love – The Stanley Brothers
Me And The Jukebox – Buzz Busby
I Wouldn’t Change A Thing About You – Jim Eanes
Windy Mountain – Lonesome Pine Fiddlers
Cabin On The Hill – Lester Flatt & Earl Scruggs
Kentucky – Louvin Brothers
Barbara Allan – Moore & Napier
Don’t Let Your Sweet Love Die – Reno & Smiley
I Am A Pilgrim – Kentucky Colonels
Rank Stranger – The Stanley Brothers
Nine Pound Hammer – Jim and Jesse
Orange Blossom Special – The Stonemans
Ballad Of Jed Clampett – Lester Flatt & Earl Scruggs
Dooley – The Dillards
Better Time’s A-Comin’– Jim and Jesse
Uncle Pen – Ricky Skaggs
The Boys Are Back In Town – Patty Loveless
Will The Circle Be Unbroken – The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
Disc #2
Molly And Tenbrook – Bill Monroe
Foggy Mountain Breakdown – Lester Flatt & Earl Scruggs
Ruby, Are You Mad – The Osborne Brothers with Red Allen
I Found A Hiding Place – Carl Story
‘Tis Sweet To Be Remembered – Mac Wiseman
Angel Band – The Stanley Brothers
You Don’t Know My Mind – Jimmy Martin
Blue Moon Of Kentucky – Bill Monroe
Roll In My Sweet Baby’s Arms – Lester Flatt & Earl Scruggs
Howdy Neighbor Howdy – Reno & Smiley
I Wonder How The Old Folks Are At Home – Mac Wiseman
New Muleskinner Blues – Bill Monroe
Sunnyside Of The Mountain – Jimmy Martin
Cripple Creek – The Stonemans
Dueling Banjos – Eric Weissberg & Steve Mandell
Rocky Top – The Osborne Brothers
High Lonesome Sound – Vince Gill
Wayfaring Stranger – Emmylou Harris
I Am A Man Of Constant Sorrow – The Soggy Bottom Boys
I’ll Fly Away – Alison Krauss and Gillian Welch
Disc #3
Little Birdie – Red Allen
Long Journey Home – Lilly Brothers
Girl At The Crossroads Bar – The Bluegrass Cardinals
Little Maggie – Ralph Stanley
Sparkling Brown Eyes – Joe Val
Fox On The Run – Country Gentlemen
(I Know You) Rider – The Seldom Scene
Rain And Snow – Del McCoury
Old Home Place – J.D. Crowe The New South
Two Highways – Alison Krauss & Union Station
Blue Ridge Cabin Home – The Bluegrass Album Band
Duncan And Brady – The Johnson Mountain Boys
Shady Grove – Ricky Skaggs
Bluegrass Express – Rhonda Vincent
High On A Mountain – Del McCoury & the Dixie Pals
John Deere Tractor – Larry Sparks
Legend Of A Rebel Soldier – Country Gentlemen
I Don’t Believe You’ve Met My Baby – Jerry Douglas
The Little Mountain Church – Doyle Lawson
Oh Death – Ralph Stanley
