#1 A Bean Blossom Moment 1962 Bluegrass Part One Bill Monroe

[Gary Hedrick]

105856

Well let's see if I did this right.

Recording comes from 1962 at Bean Blossom. Bill is in high gear and as his powerful best.....rough but with great energy. Tape comes from the Marvin Hedrick Library.

This is the Monroe that I have burned into my memory as an 11 year old running around backstage etc

[Mandomax]

Just awesome. Thank you for posting this, Gary. Mr. Monroe is blowing my mind as I type

[Gary Hedrick]

Glad you liked it. I have a library of tapes from this era and have processed some of them into mp3's and cleaned up the sound.
I am going to post a few of these each week and I will pick ones that show something interesting in terms of mandolin playing or that represents the essence (in my eyes) of the music at that place and time.

Notice that you can hear the foot stomping.....the mics were on floor stands during that time period and later my father put a carpet down and that didn't work so he mounted the mics from the beam that went over head at the front of the stage.

You can also hear the famous "ghost" tone that Bill would talk about......listen to the E string parts where he really hits it hard and the outside E gets caught on a fret and causes that weird split string effect. The mandolin was set up with mile high action at that time and he changed strings when one broke. I know the action was high because a certain young man would sneak back to where it was placed on a big table backstage and get it out while his brother was a look out.....sheeesh I couldn't fret it .....

[almeriastrings]

Wonderful stuff...

[grassrootphilosopher]

I love it. Do you know Fred Robbins (robbif on the cafe)? He makes amazing bluegrass music available. Maybe you should/could get into contact and make things happen. Please keep up the good work.

[William Smith]

KOOL man! Thanks for sharing. I love live stuff, sometimes the playing is improve perfection.

[Gary Hedrick]

I love it. Do you know Fred Robbins (robbif on the cafe)? He makes amazing bluegrass music available. Maybe you should/could get into contact and make things happen. Please keep up the good work.

I will do that

[Gary Hedrick]

KOOL man! Thanks for sharing. I love live stuff, sometimes the playing is improve perfection.

You have hit the nail on the head.....many of these live performances capture the raw power and passion that is bluegrass at its best!!!