Classic Bluegrass Mandolin

[Sandy Beckler]

In this forum, Scott Tichenor our gracious host, (www.mandolincafe.com) talks about the need to "listen" to the classics..
In the lessons section he talks about "make a smart start"..
The question to my friends here is:

What album/cd do "YOU" consider "classic bluegrass"...
(or is there one, definitive "classic bluegrass mandolin" cd/album?
Bill Monroe and the Bluegrass Boys...
Jim & Jesse....
Osborne Brothers...
Stanleys....

I'm all ears.....
Thanks, Sandy

[Sandy Beckler]

Come on......
Someones got an opinion....
I'm off to the used cd store tomorrow.

Sandy

[robbyford]

sanchan, any of those will work just fine

[Soupy1957]

"Developing your own style" (as Bill Monroe once told Frank Wakefield, according to Frank) is worth some consideration. Even when I was a "rocker" in the 60's those around me where interested in the more distinctive stuff that came outa me, and not the "hey that sounds just like........" stuff I did.
So, while listening to the old stuff and the new, don't be afraid to venture into unknown territory and come up with your own style and sound on your Mandolin.
If someone says to you somethin like "that ain't traditional 'Bluegrass'" or something along those lines, just smile and keep goin in the direction that suits you best. THAT's what makes an impact. The ability to catch the ear of others BECAUSE you are not a "cookie cut out" of the typical player.
And just to show that this is true no matter what you play or whatever, look at Alison Krauss, or John Hartford, or Dave Grisman,or Stringbean .....the list of distinctive individuals goes on and on.
(the opinions expressed in this burp are those of the author and no one else in this Cafe....lol)
-Soupy1957

[mandopete]

If you're looking for a "classic" recording then I would highly recomend The Kitchen Tapes by Frank Wakefield & Red Allen on the Acoustic Disc label.

What I like about this recording is that it's just a guitar and mandolin (and two voices) so you really get a chance to hear what's going on.

Two others I would recommend are on the Smithsonian Folkways label. The first is called Bill Monroe and the Bluegrass Boys - Off The Record Volume 1 and the other is called Bill Monroe & Doc Watson - Live Duet Recordings. Both feature some great liner notes by Ralph Rinzler.

[Sandy Beckler]

Thanks for your tips and suggestions.

Sanchan

[mando.player]

The first Bluegrass CD that really sucked me in was Bluegrass Rules! by Ricky Skaggs. It's nearly all classic covers of Monroe and Stanley Brothers tunes. Another great CD is the "Hand Picked: 25 Years of Bluegrass on Rounder Records". This 2-CD sampler can usually be found for about $11 and it's just a great collection.

These aren't really classics, but they lead me to the classics. I kind of backed my way into the old stuff.

[tnpathfinder]

Hand Picked is a great set. Also, check out anything buy the Bluegrass Ablum Band

[Dan Margolis]

Bill Monroe and his Blue Grass Boys, 1945-1949, on Columbia Country Classics. Two disc set, with plenty of clear-sounding, stupendous playing by the man himself. There is enough to keep you busy for a long time.

[Brian Ray]

It's odd, but so often I hear Bluegrass bands that obviously don't listen to Bluegrass. I feel listening to music is at least as important as practicing... so I applaud your search for good records. I've dealt with the is topic in the past as you can see here (http://dasspunk.com/2005/must-own-bluegrass-records/) and here (http://dasspunk.com/2005/must-own-bluegrass-records-part-2/). There are many many others of course but these are a short list of records I dig. I'd also add this killer Monroe box set (http://www.overstock.com/cgi-bin/d2.cgi?PAGE=PROFRAME&PROD_ID=483764) and for some mando-specific content, Stomp (http://www.countysales.com/php-bin/ecomm4/products.php?category_id=&product_id=4576&prev_id=3554&next_id=4065).

Fortunately, you can make up your own mind about which records you like and get good deals on them. I'm impressed with how much 'Grass the iTunes Music Store now has and it allows you to quickly and easily audition any song you like. I also throw money at Countysales.com (http://www.countysales.com)... they have a great catalog and good prices.

Enjoy...

[Eric F.]

Kenny Baker Plays Bill Monroe. Oh, yeah!

[Rick Schmidlin]

Bill Monroe from 45-49 is the place

Then: The Stanley Brothers and Flatts and Scruggs 1950's recordings

From there there are so many places to go http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[bush-man]

That's a tough question to answer cause there is so much great music out there. I would add to the obvious roots of early Bg, some of these, Dillards, Country Gentlemen, Seldom Scene, New Grass Revival, etc. You will find some great mando picking on all of these groups albums. What was the question again? lol


my 2 cents

russell

[AlanN]

You asked for a suggestion for Classic Bluegrass. Lost&Found actually recorded a project called Classic Bluegrass, all covers, well done.

[mandopete]

Wasn't the original inquiry about classic bluegrass mandolin? Flatt & Scruggs only barely included any mandolin at all.

[fishdawg40]

If you're looking for a "classic" recording then I would highly recomend The Kitchen Tapes by Frank Wakefield & Red Allen on the Acoustic Disc label.

What I like about this recording is that it's just a guitar and mandolin (and two voices) so you really get a chance to hear what's going on.
I second that for the same exact reasons. #Pure enjoyment...