I've posted a review of Richard D. Smith's biography "Can't You Hear Me Callin': The Life of Bill Monroe, Father of Bluegrass" on my blog. I look forward to your comments. - Ted
I've posted a review of Richard D. Smith's biography "Can't You Hear Me Callin': The Life of Bill Monroe, Father of Bluegrass" on my blog. I look forward to your comments. - Ted
Ted Lehmann
http://www.tedlehmann.blogspot.com
I just finished this book today. Quite fascinating. The book covers his life or 85 years so quickly it was kinda sad.
Book's gotten a lot of Cafe notice. Its discussion of Monroe's (somewhat messy) personal life turns some of his fans off. I found it a good read, with perhaps a bit too much trying to "get into his head."
You don't have to be a great husband, father, or manager of band personnel, to be a great musician. Monroe was no doubt a difficult person in many ways, but that's really a side issue in discussing his music, IMHO.
I'd recommend it, and also suggest -- for the Monroe scholars -- reading one of the several books written by former Blue Grass Boys, such as Bob Black's Come Hither To Go Yonder: Playing Bluegrass With Bill Monroe, Gene Lowinger's I Hear a Voice Calling, Tom Ewing's The Bill Monroe Reader. I must confess that, since I'm not Monroe-obsessed, I haven't read them, but they've been well-reviewed and give a perspective of Monroe from musicians who worked with him.
Allen Hopkins
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Bernie
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Due to current budgetary restrictions the light at the end of the tunnel has been turned off -- sorry about the inconvenience.
I finished reading the book by Neil Rosenberg & Charles K.Wolfe a few weeks back,''The Music of Bill Monroe''. Not only is it a complete discography of Bill Monroes' recording career (or at one time - a 'lack of it'),there's a whole shed load of info. about the music(s) of the time when Bill Monroe was starting out,& where & by whom songs / tunes originated. Most of it isn't in any of the other books about Bill Monroe & i've read them all except ''Come Hither To Go Yonder''.
One thing does emerge,& that's just how much Bill Monroe's career depended on the work done on his behalf,both before,during & after Ralph Rinzler's tenure as his manager. At one point BM's career had stagnated. Few bookings,recordings sitting on a shelf un-released,an all round bad time. RR got Bill Monroe involved with the Folk music & University circuit,something that Flatt & Scruggs had been into for a long while. When the 'Folkies' heard the 'Father of Bluegrass Music' as Ralph Rinzler introduced him,they were totally blown away. Bill Monroe's career blossomed after that & RR even brought him to the UK & Europe,such was his popularity.
I'd recommend 'The Music of Bill Monroe' to everybody who loves Bluegrass Music - it's much,much more than a discography & how Neil Rosenberg & Chales K.Wolfe researched some of the info. is beyond me - a time machine maybe ???,
Ivan
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