Bill Monroe

[Yonkle]

Anybody got a good suggestion for a Bill Monroe CD. I saw several at the local store and did'nt know which to get. I have a lot of Mandolin CD's but not any Monroe, so I got this one. This has some classic tunes on it, but I like more mandolin solo's and instrumentals. This one has a lot of fiddle and singing. I figure since I have built 3 mandolins and I am teaching myself to play I should learn some of Bills stuff. What would be a overall good pick for a Monroe CD? Thanks JD

[f5loar]

Because Monroe's mandolin style changed so much (about every decade) you need to have all his stuff. The only way to get it all of it is to invest in the 3 vols. on Bear Family box sets. The prices may seem high but not if you factor in the wonderful informative booklets that come with each set. It's all about the history of Bluegrass and Monore. Start out with Vol. 1 , then Vol 2 and if you are a diehard go for the Vol 3. Vol. 4 should be out next year.
The cheapest place I have found them is on ebay from a guy in SC (C. Wolfe I think is his name). Sometimes used copies will surface. Some have 4 CDs and some have 5 CDs in the boxes. You won't be disappointed in these sets and anyone who is into Monroe would be foolish not have them.

[f5loar]

Whoops! I meant to say the Decca years on Bear Family.
There is a new (2003) box set that Bear put out that includes all the Monroe Bros. and the RCA years which is what you have some of in the one you got. the Decca years started in 1950. If you like the 3 Decca years sets then go back and get this one. It has a lot of outakes to show you even Monroe never hit the same lick twice.

[Gary S]

I agree with f5loar that the bear family box sets are the ultimate Monroe collection. Having said that, you may be better served to start with a sampler such as "16 Gems".Here you will find some of Monroes classic material.
If Instumentals are what you want try "Bluegrass Instrumentals" Bill Monroe and his Bluegrass Boys on Decca.
Enjoy and have a good Shabbos...Gary S

[mrbook]

They are all good, and you should get them all eventually, but I would start with two from Smithsonian/Folkways: the live one with Doc Watson, and the one of live recordings of the Bluegrass Boys. The live playing is always best to me.

By the way, several years ago I was at the Smithsonian/Folkways archives, and they have several feet of Ralph Rinzler's tapes of Monroe's shows. I hope more are issued.

[dasspunk]

I prefer the Music of Bill Monroe Box Set (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000002OSF/qid=1081519413/sr=2-3/ref=sr_2_3/102-0273363-4914552). It's 4 CDs and very comprehensive. Plus, Amazon bunches it with the Complete Columbia Stanley Brothers (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00000294U/ref=pd_bxgy_img_2/102-0273363-4914552?v=glance&s=music), another must own.

Your milage may vary...

[Yonkle]

Thanks for the help, I guess I will get one of the box sets. Hey Gary S. Where can I find the instrumentals on Decca? Todah Rabah JD

[Don Grieser]

If you like instrumentals, you can't go wrong with "Kenny Baker Plays Bill Monroe." Great timeless playing by Bill and Kenny. Definitely one of my desert island picks. I never get tired of listening to that one. Another all instrumental album is Master of Bluegrass, but it's out of print. You may find an occasional cassette or LP--it's never been issued on CD.

[futrconslr]

I recently bought a 4 cd set....much cheaper than the Bear family stuff.....from JSP records, an English company(i think)....anyway it is Bill monroe and his bluegrass boys and contains music from 1936-1949......it is supposed to have all or most of the Monroe,flatt and scruggs material...however, I have not been able to confirm...It is a great set of four.....also the 4 cd set "the music of bill monroe" is good as well.

[evanreilly]

The tunes that were released on the Decca LP "Bluegrass Instrumentals" are mixed in the Bear Family box sets (the first one, specifically, as far as I remember off-hand). #MCA has not released CD versions of the earlier Monroe records. #The Bear boxes also contain all the other instrumental releases from the 'Uncle Pen", "Classic Bluegrass INstrumentals" and other assorted Decca/MCA albums.

[doanepoole]

If you like instrumentals, you can't go wrong with "Kenny Baker Plays Bill Monroe."

I gotta agree with Don here. If I had to choose one CD that displayed the best of WSM's intrumental mando pickin, it would be this one. Plus it is some of Kenny Baker's best, and IMHO he is probably the one who really nailed down what BG fiddlin is all about. Plus the banjo pickin (can't remember off-hand whose it is) is just great...not the harsh strident sound normally heard, but some great, subtle, tasteful pickin sound that won't rattle your skull like a jackhammer.

This is among my favorite BG recordings.

[Walter Newton]

If you're not quite ready to invest in all the box sets mentioned, I like the 2-CD Decca/MCA "Anthology" set, which covers a later period than the CD you bought and covers a bunch of the standard tunes.

[OlderThanWillie]

Skip Gorman's CD Old Style Mandolin - Monroesque, recently released, is all instrumental and in the Monroe style. He sells it on the net for $17. postpaid. You can see his site at #This Location (http://skipgorman.com/sg_discdetail.cfm?rid=9) and purchase it there as well. I've had my copy of the CD for about 2 weeks and really like it. He has a nice version of Frog On A Lilypad that was also on the Monroe VHS tape with John Hartman.

Here's a view of the songs on the CD:

[chipotle]

I echo Walter Newmans recommendation of the MCA/Decca "Anthology". Those two cd's practically live in my player. Total of 50 songs. Just great listening!

[Vincent]

One CD of Monroe instrumentals, and you already have some classic 1940s BGBoys? What Grieser said- get Baker plays Monroe on CD (Bill is older but right right on) and the Master of Bluegrass (on cassette from http://www.midcontinentmusic.com).

That oughta hold you for a while. If you don't like these two, move on, and listen to 'em later. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[mandolooter]

I'll "third" the Kenny plays Monroe CD, even tho I have it on vinyl. Great music and great song selection's!http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[Moose]

Baker with Monroe.. ; Now THERE was THE combination. They may have had their "differences" -(who doesn't!) - but they were ALWAYS on the "same page" in creating the music we call Bluegrass.. (Just my .02 & IMHO). I've read that Baker was a big influence on Alison K.., who by the way, ain't no "slouch" when it comes to "fiddlin". Again just IMHO..!!??. Moose. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

[Peter Hackman]

County Records has a CD compilation of (mostly) instrumentals,
titled "American Traveller". Of course, most songs higlight the fiddle or fiddles,
but there is usually a mandolin solo. Pike County Breakdown is a
mandolin number, though, very basic Monroe in the key of A (mixolydian?)
and with an unusally wild (or impatient?) ending.

But the Baker album has Monroe's very best instrumental, Lonesome
Moonlight Waltz, along with Jerusalem Ridge, another classic.

[cutbait2]

i second "16 Gems" because there's a very well done song book available for it with tab and standard notation. cd is available from amazon.com, the smithisonians folkways series recordings of bill are excellent also