Classic Mountain Songs from Smithsonian Folkways

The spate of worthy compilations riding on the coattails of O Brother, Where Art Thou? continues with Classic Bluegrass From Smithsonian Folkways, 25 tracks of serious bluegrass untarnished by rock, pop or other corrupting influences. Recorded between 1956 and 1992, it includes three numbers from what's purportedly the first bluegrass LP ever, Folkways'American Banjo: Three-Finger And Scruggs Style. Dashing mandolin runs by Earl Taylor (and his Stoney Mountain Boys) and bluegrass patriarch Bill Monroe (with Peter Rowan) open and close this crisp disc while Ralph Stanley, singing with older brother Carter, offers clawhammer banjo picking.

Many of the performers - Red Allen, Doc Watson and Hazel Dickens, for example - grew up with the music. The Harley Allen-Mike Lilly Band (Harley being Red's son) shows how the genre's trademark tight harmonies can turn smooth (in an Osborne Brothers style) rather than sharp, without sacrificing the essence of true bluegrass. The...Read more

A wonderful collection of true folk music. These recordings haven't been softened by the modern sounds or current bluegrass. These recordings sound like they're of neighbors out singing on their porches having a great time. Some of the vocalists are a little rough around the edges, but that's what makes this truly great! Music like this is hard to find and I'm thrilled by my copy of this album.

I hemmed and hawed for a long while before actually buying this, .. and two other CD's ... but I'm so glad I did. I can listen to this music for hours one end and still listen to more. If I could, I'd start collecting all I could lay my hands on .... but at my age you are supposed to start clearing out, not adding to your stuff. I have to say Thank You amazon, for giving a person a chance to actually listen to the music before you buy, I listened to the CD's samples quite a few times, and every time, I was gladdened for being able to in this way. It's an excellent way to get CD's purchased !! ;-) Also I'm very grateful you stock and sell this type of music, as it's getting harder to buy in regular stores, it's not everyone's cup of tea, so to speak. To me it's sort of eternal and I hope to get a lot more of like listening done before I kick the bucket ;-)
L.B.