Monroe albums - Which One

[skinny]

I have been thinking that I probably haven't had enough of a good diet of Monroe. #I've learned plenty from the people he influenced but I haven't really sat down with Monroe. #Probably because of the abundance of other fine quality recordings available and the old Monroe recordings I hear from time to time seem poor quality or maybe just require an aquired taste.
Anyway, #are there any suggestions for readily avalailable CD's by Monroe that are good primers for learning his style on Mando.
Thanks

[Kevin Briggs]

The tan Bill Monroe box set was my introduction. But, it does exclude some gems I've heard since, like "When the Golden Leaves Fall."

[Emoore]

Skinny,

My favorites are "Master of Bluegrass," and the two Smithsonian live recordings. "Master" never made it to CD. I have no idea why, as it is incredible! I think there is a CD out there that has all the Monroe with Flatt & Scruggs...THAT will blow your mind if you listen closely! The power and finesse of that band is unmatched, and will never ever be duplicated.

[glauber]

Master of Bluegrass is a must have. You can get it on LP on eBay, or find someone who has it and can make you a copy.

I like the Anthology (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00008WI8K). Good selection of sung and unsung tunes there, good introduction to Monroe for a great price.

[farmerjones]

Here's another vote for the Smithsonian Collection.

Tell you what, i bought the Homespun DVD "Mandolin according to Bill Monroe - with host John Hartford." I watch it all the time. Two of my favorite people, musically speaking.

fj

[lkb3rd]

I have the Bill Monroe Anthology too, and it has a ton of tunes, with pretty much all of the classics on it.

[Blueglass]

I like Columbia Records double disk set from the 1940 classic band line up.
Also Live from Mountian Stage is amazing Bill at the top of his power near the end of his carrier

[tiltman]

On a related note, is there a collection out there of strictly Monroe instrumentals. I've been looking but have not found any.
Kirk

[Mandomax]

Yes to the question about Monroe Instrumentals. It's called "American Traveller" and has a painting of Monroe on the cover. I think Butch B wrote the liner notes or had something to do with compiling it. All killer, no filler.

[EdSherry]

The "Anthology" is great. #But for his earlier stuff (both with Charlie Monroe and the "classic" sides with Flatt and Scruggs) I'd recommend a 4-disc set from JSP Records:

http://www.amazon.com/gp....ie=UTF8 (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00008Y3UU/ref=sr_11_1/002-4580847-5318414?ie=UTF8)

Great music, great value (112 classic cuts for about $25).

[JimRichter]

Some of the essentials:

Master of Bluegrass
Uncle Pen
Bluegrass Instrumentals
Bluegrass Ramble
Weary Traveller

Jim

[Butch]

I have been around Bluegrass Music since "forever", made Mr Monroe's aquaintance, played with the Bluegrass Band East Virginia for the last 30 years, and am a deciple of Bill's work. I still have a bluegrass radio show on NPR WHRV-FM in Norfolk, Va. on alternating Sunday nights and start the Show with a Monroe instrumental.
I can't think of any other collection (even though they might be a little pricey) than the Bear Family of Bill's work. It starts with the MOnroe Brothers in '36 and I have the collection through Bills' works of 1979. All box sets come with extensive liner notes, historical data, and a complete, musician breakdown on each session.
Harold "Butch" Smith

[Butch]

I have been around Bluegrass Music since "forever", made Mr Monroe's aquaintance, played with the Bluegrass Band East Virginia for the last 30 years, and am a deciple of Bill's work. I still have a bluegrass radio show on NPR WHRV-FM in Norfolk, Va. on alternating Sunday nights and start the Show with a Monroe instrumental.
I can't think of any other collection (even though they might be a little pricey) than the Bear Family of Bill's work. It starts with the MOnroe Brothers in '36 and I have the collection through Bills' works of 1979. All box sets come with extensive liner notes, historical data, and a complete, musician breakdown on each session.
Harold "Butch" Smith

[glauber]

eMusic a few good Bill Monroe albums. You can get a trial account and download 25 MP3s for free with no obligation. You can listen to the 30-second samples and download only the instrumentals if you want. The MP3s from eMusic are unprotected, so they don't expire like the ones from some of the other computer music resellers.

Bill Monroe and his Bluegrass Boys (http://www.emusic.com/artist/11563/11563613.html) - the "live at Mechanic Hall" is one of the famous ones. The live Smithsonian album is another.

Bill Monroe and Doc Watson (http://www.emusic.com/album/10864/10864381.html) - another well-regarded album

Live from Mountain Stage (http://www.emusic.com/album/10944/10944747.html) - i don't know anything about this one, but i have a fondness for that show. I bet it's good.

[AlanN]

I have been around Bluegrass Music since "forever", made Mr Monroe's aquaintance, played with the Bluegrass Band East Virginia for the last 30 years, and am a deciple of Bill's work. I still have a bluegrass radio show on NPR WHRV-FM in Norfolk, Va. on alternating Sunday nights and start the Show with a Monroe instrumental.
I can't think of any other collection (even though they might be a little pricey) than the Bear Family of Bill's work. It starts with the MOnroe Brothers in '36 and I have the collection through Bills' works of 1979. All box sets come with extensive liner notes, historical data, and a complete, musician breakdown on each session.
Harold "Butch" Smith
Hey Butch,

Always dug East Virginia, ever since I became aware of the band back in the 79-80 period. I thought the vocals, banjo, mandolin and the whole band vibe were great.

[mandolin123]

Does it matter?

[Jonathan Peck]

I have been thinking that I probably haven't had enough of a good diet of Monroe. #I've learned plenty from the people he influenced but I haven't really sat down with Monroe. #Probably because of the abundance of other fine quality recordings available and the old Monroe recordings I hear from time to time seem poor quality or maybe just require an aquired taste.
Aquired taste yes....that is if your ears prefer the slicked up overproduced compressed to death sound of todays music http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

.....but that's prolly' a different thread alltogether

-jonathan

[robinsmith]

Kenny Baker plays Bill Monroe does it for me. I think Kenny inherently knew what Monroe's best tunes were and pulled them out of him on this CD. Best Wheel Hoss I ever heard. Can you imagine the dialog that must have happened as they discussed production of this record.

[MadMax]

All of the suggestions above are good ones. If you can find the vinyl, the older Decca/MCA issues of "The High Lonesome Sound of Bill Monroe" and "Bluegrass Instrumentals" are worth the effort (and cost).

I also find Monroe's appearances on albums cut by other musicians to be revealing. I've especially enjoined listening to Monroe on Jimmy Campbell's "Pieces of Time," Butch Robins' "Grounded, Centered, Focused" and Bob Black's "Ladies on the Steamboat."

My understanding is that Bear Family is compiling an additional boxed set that will include Monroe's later MCA recordings, which should include the "Master of Blue Grass" album.

[Tim333]

Kenny Baker plays Bill Monroe does it for me. I think Kenny inherently knew what Monroe's best tunes were and pulled them out of him on this CD. Best Wheel Hoss I ever heard. Can you imagine the dialog that must have happened as they discussed production of this record.


I concur, two thumbs up on this one.

[evanreilly]

Ahhhhhh...
You guys!
Be like me; get every last one of them!
There is only one recording that Bill made that I don't have.... and none of you have it either!
Then start trading for live material...
Can't never get enough of ole Bill!