Early Bluegrass Legend
932489
One of the early Bluegrass Greats that received little attention as the industry grew.
2561960
Doc Watson, Earl Scruggs and Randy Skaggs -- got together for a concert in NC, and created magic. Amazing picking, energy, and history played well. Randy played, at age 7, on Earl's radio show. Doc, is of course Doc. The three work together with music, comments, and mutual adoration. To really appreciate this historic CD, buy the DVD of the concert. We did this and it was terrific viewing. If you like vintage bluegrass, this must be in your collection.
1292837
Everett and Michael "Bea" Lilly are two brothers, originally from West Virginia, who made their home in Boston, Massachusetts. In 1948, they joined the WWVA Wheeling Jamboree as the Lilly Mountaineers. From 1952-1953, Everett played mandolin with Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs on many of their classic early recordings. From 1953 to 1970, the brothers performed almost every night at Boston's Hillbilly Ranch. After including banjo player Don Stover and fiddler Tex Logan, the band became known as "The Lilly Brothers and Don Stover." They're credited with bringing bluegrass to New England and influenced such future bluegrass artists as Peter Rowan, Jim Rooney, Bill Keith, and others. The band quit playing in early 1970 after Everett's son died in an auto accident, and Everett returned to West Virginia. A few years later, the band reunited to tour Japan and record this album of sacred music, most of the material dating back over a hundred years. Don Stover passed away in 1996. In 2001, the brothers began performing again with their band "The Lilly Mountaineers" (with Everett's sons, Mark and Don), and in 2002, they were inducted into the IBMA's Hall of Honor.
This album is a resissue of the only gospel album that the Lilly Brothers and Don Stover ever did (County LP-742, originally released in 1973). That time period of the 60s was a prolific one for this group. Other bands were exploring new directions in bluegrass music, but the Lilly Brothers and Don Stover always remained true to a very traditional sound characteristic of the Delmore, Bailes, Bolick, Monroe and Stanley Brothers. This album is obviously being reissued because some might consider it a classic. I'm also very pleased that Rebel has also reissued County LP-729 on CD (Rebel CD-1688) with this band's early recordings from 1956-57. Both albums would be great additions to the library of every serious traditional bluegrass music collector. (Joe Ross, staff writer, Bluegrass Now)
2517105
This is a worthwhile, well-recorded live disk showcasing very early Dylan. If you buy "The Witmark Demos: 1962-1964 (The Bootleg Series Vol. 9) (Amazon.com Exclusive Bonus Edition)," the 2-CD box set includes this live Brandeis University Concert as a free third CD. Be sure to order the Bonus Edition rather than the standard version.

These recordings from a Brandeis University folk concert in 1963 were recently discovered at the home of the late Ralph J. Gleason, famed music critic for the San Francisco Chronicle and cofounder of Rolling Stone magazine. The seven songs clock in at 38 minutes: "Honey Just Allow Me One More Chance" (incomplete), "Talkin' John Birch Paranoid Blues," "The Ballad of Hollis Brown," "Masters of War," "Talkin' World War Three Blues," "Bob Dylan's Dream," and "Talkin' Bear Mountain Picnic Massacre Blues." Bob plays guitar and harmonica.
3899115
One of the finest live video's of some outstanding Bluegrass ever made. And TOP TOP musicians involved. This is a true classic
2034389
When these two seminal icons get together,one should expect good music, and this collection won't disappoint. These two are the great innovators in bluegrass on their respective instruments,and they blend their talents perfectly here.
2047160
Sometimes when reviewing roots music CDs and DVDs you come across material that you are both somewhat unfamiliar with and that does not fit easily in the various known categories of roots music. That is the case here with the combination of bluegrass and white gospel presented by the Easter Brothers and their family, very extended family as its turns out. A regular reader of this space might be somewhat puzzled by this remark. Of course, particularly over the last few months, I have reviewed reams of bluegrass music from the old days with the likes of Roscoe Holcombe, Ralph Stanley and the like.

Certainly the bluegrass folk revivalists of the 1960s, like the New Lost City Ramblers and The Greenbriar Boys, have gotten plenty of space. Moreover, one cannot really review Harry Smith's "Anthology Of American Folk Music", as I have in this space without running into plenty of bluegrass and gospel music. What is rather startling in this presentation these days is that combination, present here, of true believers in the gospel who bring their message through their bluegrass concerts for the folks. Frankly, I am much more comfortable with a secular group like The Bluegrass Gospel Project, who belt out the old tunes with fervor but not fever. .

Nevertheless, despite my befuddlement and a natural inclination to write this stuff off, this group, or rather real life extended family (I never did really get all the relationships down), knows how to sing this white gospel bluegrass music. Not enough to make me jump up and run out and get their albums but enough to appreciate that this Georgia -based group had something to say. That certainly is the case with a couple of songs, "Roses Will Bloom Again" and "I Need You".
4162809
Not every roots artist that I review in this space as part of my task of doing my part to preserve and keep alive some of those traditions is on my A-list. Nor is every such artist someone who I have taken notice of from my own personal researches or predilections. That is the case with the Scottish balladeer under review, Jean Redpath. Of course I knew her name, as one must who knows something about the origins of the Child Ballads that form the basis of the music that was brought over to American in the initial WASP waves of immigration, especially after the victory in the American revolution. I also, vaguely, remember hearing her back in the days on those woe begotten Sunday nights when I scrumptiously listened to those folk radio shows I that became addicted to in my youth. What got me thinking about reviewing her work now, however, was a little more indirect, as sometimes happens in tracing the roots of American music.

I have just finished up reviewing a six series set (two one hour shows per set) of Pete Seeger's 1960s black and white television folk show "Rainbow Quest". The format of that show was, aside form some stellar solo performances by Pete, to bring in a guest, or guests, from some up and coming "rediscovered" traditional music genre. On one particular show he featured the legendary Kentucky mountain music banjo/guitar/vocalist Roscoe Holcomb (then recently discovered by Pete's half-brother, the late Mike Seeger, I believe). Old Roscoe put on one hell of a show doing old time, but seemingly familiar, mountain tunes.

Familiar in the sense that one knew the lyrics (or some part of them) or the melody, or something about the songs. And then Pete brings out Jean Redpath who then proceeds to sing the same kind of songs as old Roscoe. You see that part of the American songbook that he was singing from came from his old country, the Scottish/Irish tradition reflecting the backgrounds of those who long, long ago came over stopped for a minute on the crowded coast then moved on and started their westward treks. In a sense then, as you will note here, Ms. Redpath is singing part of the American songbook. Or Roscoe was singing part of the Scottish songbook. Either way this is good stuff. Listen up.
636291
This is an incredibly good dvd. The pioneers and masters of Bluegrass are featured here, with country great Roy Acuff as well. The Country Gentlemen, with Doyle Lawson on mandolin are a favorite, as well as the banjo master himself, Earl Scruggs (with son Randy). I could go on and on about the musicians, but suffice to say they are all very good. Add the time capsule period clothing and hair styles and cars, and you have a wonderful trip down memory lane as well. This is old North Carolina, and old South. The memory warms my soul and gives me goose bumps.
3346367
This early CD by Balsam Range is my favorite although I like all of their CD's.  This CD has a wide range of Bluegrass styles that I guarantee  you will enjoy whether you have been a Bluegrass fan or not.

Highly recommended.
2396236
This bluegrass CD was purchased as a birthday gift for my son who loves bluegrass music.  Our family has played bluegrass music for many years.  This CD has some of the best, most well-loved, and accomplished musicians in the bluegrass genre.  The songs are well-known and very well-done.  Any bluegrass music fan would love this CD.
3551043
Scott Boyer, one of the founders of southern folk/rock/country band Cowboy (1970s), has assembled a very group of studio musicians/friends and put out some sweet tunes here. Scott does no record very often, and his products do not have huge distribtion, so this one is very hard to find.

Old fans fo Cowboy will recognize two tunes from the old days; Please Be With Me and All My Friends. Allman Brothers fans may recall that on the original version, PLease Be With Me featured none other than Duane Allman on dobro. All My Friends is still featured in Gregg Allman solo concerts and he included that tune on his first solo effort many moons ago. Randall Bramblett, Chuck Leavell & Butch Trucks are featured on several cuts on this album.

Here is the song list.....

1.  The Sooner That I'm Dead
2.  All My Friends
3.  My Love Will Follow You
4.  I Won't Give Up
5.  Born In The Country
6.  Fatten Me Up For The Kill
7.  Remote Control
8.  Please Be With Me
9.  I Ain't Got Nobody To Love
10.  Papa Come Quick
11.  Honeysuckle On The Vine
12.  Woodstock
2756159
Stories in song are always great. This is another one that speaks a lot to fans of bluegrass.
2078003
It's an all-star cast for an all-star album, worthy of much repeat listening. One reservation, though: If you're expecting authentic Appalachia bluegrass, you might be in the wrong aisle.

John J. Puccio
Classical Candor
1078514
This is the Bear Family presentation of Jack Guthrie, who wowed audiences and record producers alike, but burned out quickly and died of TB, like his hero Jimmie Rodgers.  If you are interested in the history of country music, or fancy obscure trendy artists that you can brag to your friends about, buy this disc. Bear Family, as always, puts together an informative, great sounding disc which has most of Jack Guthrie's recorded output.  One aspect that should not be overlooked: these tracks have mostly the same sidemen consisting of a five piece band -- lead guitar, fiddle, bass, rhythm guitar, voice.  The musicianship is the best country music has to offer: sympathetic, interactive, hard-swinging, and masterful.  The lead guitarist, Porky Freeman, is a forgotten genius of the guitar.  Get this disc.
4207192
These are the words I find myself and others are saying about this CD.  Not only is Johnny quick, (which he is), but the FEELING he puts into this project is what struck me. Living as I do in East TN...a hot bed of  Bluegrass...I have been exposed to some of the finest musicians that ever  laid a pick to a string.  Johnny Staats is among the best of them!  This  truly comes out on "Wire & Wood".I have a fairly extensive  collection of Bluegrass, Folk, and Americana CDs.  This disc has been #1 on  my "playlist" for weeks.  It is well written, performed, and  produced. Add to the "Staats Magic", all the great pickers and  vocalists heard here and this has the makings of a CLASSIC. No matter if  you are a first time Bluegrass buyer or if you remember when Lester and  Earl played with Bill Monroe...This CD is a MUST HAVE !
3459706
Came across this title as an editor's pick and was glad that I took a chance on it.  While you wouldn't think that a bluegrass version of a 'classic' would work, it does.  The reverence that Poor Man's Whiskey shows towards the original recording is evident while still being able to make it their own.  Plus the fact that it is a two disc set with the second disc being their original work - which by any one standards - would be enough on it's own but that it comes packaged with their version of Pink Floyd's classic - makes it a must have bargain for any music lover.  I think that I've already posted a review from my initial purchase and the request for a review comes from Amazon on the purchase of my FIFTH copy - yes, I've bought five copies of this - with the other four given as gifts to good friends (and fellow music lovers).