Raven Records presents two landmark albums from the master of bluegrass.
As many organisations begin to acknowledge the coming Bill Monroe centennial in 2011, Raven Records of Australia has released two landmark albums from the father of bluegrass music. This offering comes packaged in one CD featuring Bill Monroe and Friends (released on LP in 1984) and Bill Monroe and Stars of the Bluegrass Hall of Fame (1985).
Bill Monroe and Friends features Monroe on ten rousing duets with such notable performers as Johnny Cash, Mel Tillis, Barbara Mandrell, John Hartford, Ricky Skaggs and Emmylou Harris. It is a satisfying tribute to the bluegrass master and the genre that he created.
Stars of the Bluegrass Hall of Fame continues the theme with passionate contributions from Bobby Hicks, Mac Wiseman, Jim & Jesse, the Country Gentlemen and Del McCoury. Throughout, Monroe is in fine form with his high, piercing tenor voice and his hard-driving mandolin.
The collection features several of Monroe’s most famous compositions, including Blue Moon of Kentucky, Kentucky Waltz, My Sweet Blue-Eyed Darlin’, With Body And Soul, I’m On My Way Back To The Old Home, The Golden West and I’m Going Back To Old Kentucky.
Additionally, there are three bonus tracks, each from the album Bluegrass ’87. Mighty Dark To Travel and Bluest Man In Town are duets with Jim and Jesse McReynolds, and Del McCoury, respectively. The last of the three is the instrumental Old Brown County Barn, which features the twins fiddles of Bobby Hicks and Glen Duncan.
Bill Monroe and Friends / Bill Monroe and Stars of the Bluegrass Hall of Fame (RVCD-327)was released yesterday 13th September, on what would have been Monroe’s 99th birthday.
TRACK LISTING:
| Bill Monroe And Friends (1984) 1. Blue Moon of Kentucky 2. The Sunset Trail 3. My Sweet Blue-eyed Darlin’ 4. I Still Miss Someone 5. Kentucky Waltz 6. My Rose of Ol’ Kentucky 7. Is The Blue Moon Still Shining 8. With Body and Soul 9. Old River Man 10. My Louisiana Love |
Bill Monroe and Stars of the Bluegrass Hall Of Fame (1985) 11. I’m On My Way Back to the Old Home 12. Can’t You Hear Me Callin’ 13. Lord Protect My Soul 14. The Golden West 15. Travelin’ This Lonesome Road 16. I’m Going Back To Ol’ Kentucky 17. I Hear a Sweet Voice Callin’ 18. Remember The Cross 19. True Life BLues 20. Let The Gates Swing Wide |
Bonus tracks 21. Mighty Dark To Travel 22. Bluest Man in Town 23. Old Brown County Barn |
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