Editorial Review

Virtuoso instrumental insurgents, the NGR brought thecounterculture into bluegrass festivals during the '70s, and alteredthe music forever with daring, extended, jazz-influenced jams. Over twodecades the band went through various line-up changes, and thisgenerous single-disc retrospective concentrates on the classic '80sunit, featuring founder Sam Bush on fiddle and mandolin, John Cowan onbass and vocals, Bela Fleck on banjo, and Pat Flynn on guitar andvocals. The song selection itself tells much about the band: Standardsgive way to originals from Flynn and producer Wendy Waldman, as well asJohn Hiatt and the Beatles ("I'm Down"). Read more

Reviews (8)

You've gotta hear it!!!
This band is outstanding!!!You have about the best musical combination you could ever ask for with this line-up.The talents within these guys are amazing.You get a good taste of different musical styles with NGR.John Cowan's vocals are hard and driving and yet beautiful when needed.His bass-playing compliments the band as well.Pat Flynn has a cool, kind of unique style of guitar playing and has some nice, tasteful, yet flashy phrases as well.Sam Bush....well...what's to say??He is always a grade 'A' mandolin player!!!Bela Fleck is on the banjo. His name speaks on its own!!!He's always a great player.I highly recommend checking out this band.

BUY THIS CD AND SAVE MONEY !
You like Jon Bon Jovi's voice? This guys better! You like smoking instrumental leads? You'll love this. You like bluegrass,r&b, reggae and jazz? Save money and just but this one cd. I can't tell you when thelast time I sat down and listened to a cd...AND I AM A PROFESSIONAL DJ.It's fun, bouncy, cheerful, soulful, great harmony and wonderful Americanroots music.

You can't appreciate it until you have heard it.
I think that I have said it all with "You can't appreciate it until you have heard it".Between John Cowan's voice and the talents of Sam Bush on mandolin and violin, Pat Flynn on Rhythm and lead guitar and Bela Fleck wailing on the banjo, this is a can't miss for those lovers ofcontemporary Bluegrass or Dawg music! To see John Cowan in concert, well,you'll be blown away!The CD's don't do justice to John Cowan LIVE!Youcan visit John's web site..... ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Bluegrass    2. Country    3. Country & Western    4. Pop    5. Progressive Bluegrass   

Features

• Original recording remastered

Reviews (1)

Bad to the Bonegrass..
I bought these albums years ago, and somehow misplaced them; I can't believe that they are finally being reissued. Run C&W were doing bluegrass covers of Motown hits before it occured to anyone else; the difference is in their drive and passion for both types of music. Their music could easily descended into cornball territory if it didn't hit you so hard in the gut when you hear it. Highlights are "My Girl", "Walkin' the Dog", "Stop in the Name of Love", "Papa was a Rolling Stone" and on and on. Forget "Strummin' with the Devil"; these guys are the real Mccoy... ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Bluegrass    2. Contemporary Country    3. Country    4. Country Comedy    5. Country/Bluegrass    6. Pop    7. Progressive Bluegrass   

Reviews (10)

Terrific Collection of Guitar Instrumentals
This second volume of the SOUNDS OF WOOD & STEEL series is a simply wonderful album of guitar instrumentals. As with the previous volume, each song features Taylor guitars (which celebrated its 25th anniversary in 1999 when this CD was released).
great stuff!
What's not to like about this compilation? I'm not at all sure why some reviewers were "disappointed" by this cd. I'm thrilled to have so many leads to all of this talent. One shouldn't expect to like every tune on a cd such as this, because there are so many different styles, but I feel that the producers did an amazing job keeping the tone very similar, so that one can enjoy this cd from beginning to end. Keep in mind, too, that this type of music is designed to be background for reading, or writing a letter, or doing a puzzle, or studying, or just relaxing. It's SUPPOSED to be unobtrusive. It's not supposed to be mindblowing or alter your consciousness. It's just supposed to set a mood and help you mellow out, and it certainly does that artfully.

Beautiful music
If you like, even just like, acoustic guitar you will like this record.The perfect record for a candlelight dinner or peaceful quite evenings.I love just about every song on this record.Lovely, intricate guitar playing.Read more

Subjects:  1. Blues-Rock    2. Contemporary Country    3. Contemporary Jazz    4. Folk-Rock    5. Fusion    6. Hard Rock    7. Jazz Music    8. New Age / Meditation    9. New Age Collections    10. New Traditionalist    11. New Wave    12. Pop    13. Pop/Rock    14. Power Pop    15. Progressive Bluegrass    16. Progressive Country    17. Singer/Songwriter    18. Soft Rock   

Reviews (4)

Great bluegrass -- Excellent value
All-instrumental collections of bluegrass are hard to find, and if you like it when a band takes a break from singing and just plays their instruments, here's your chance for total immersion. All the songs on this compilation are from Rounder Records albums released 1976-1998, by artists with familiar names like Alison Krauss and Tony Rice, and others you may never have heard of.All are first rate, foot stompin' renditions of bluegrass traditionals, with a few great originals -- Bill Monroe's "Bluegrass Breakdown" and Earl Scruggs' "Foggy Mountain Chimes." Best known for most listeners is a rousing version of "Orange Blossom Special" by the Johnson Mountain Boys. If you like bluegrass with plenty of pickin' at breakneck speed, this CD will keep you smilin' through many, many replays.

Bluegrass Breakdown: 14 Instrumentals
I liked only the tracks 1 and 6. The songs have good banjo picking but are not beautiful enough to keep me listening more than one time.

Bluegrass Breakdown
...It's a shame the scale only goes to 5 stars,because this CD is...if youknow and love Bluegrass is of the best I've heard in a long time..notwithstanding the major bands out there!!!...If you crave Bluegrass.....GETTHIS CD.....!!!! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Bluegrass    2. Bluegrass Collections    3. Contemporary Bluegrass    4. Contemporary Country    5. Country    6. Country & Western    7. Fusion    8. Instrumental Country    9. Neo-Traditionalist Country    10. Pop    11. Post-Bop    12. Progressive Bluegrass    13. Traditional Bluegrass   

Features

• Live

Reviews (39)

Awesome
I don't have much to say about this CD.This is an awesome live SCI cd.This is the second SCI cd that i own but it is by far the best, after listening to this cd i then proceeded to order Live at the Filmore.I highly, HIGHLY recommend this CD to anyone who is looking for a awesome jam band.

SCI!!!
I've seen posts on here about how they don't understand on how or why people can listen to SCI...
A String Cheese Incident
This is an incredible album!I had it for a long time but it wasnt until about after 6 months of having it that I realized how great of an album it truely is.This is a perfect album to buy if you are looking to purchase some SCI music and dont know what album to buy.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Jam Bands    2. Neo-Psychedelia    3. Pop    4. Popular Music    5. Progressive Bluegrass    6. Rock    7. Rock/Pop   

Features

• Original recording remastered

Reviews (1)

Fewer Tracks Than Essential Vince Gill
Since the early '90s, Vince Gill has been one of the most popular artists in country music because of his work on the MCA label. His recording career, however, began back in 1979; first as lead singer of the Pure Prairie League ("Let Me Love You Tonight") and then as a solo artist for RCA. Read more

Subjects:  1. Contemporary Country    2. Country    3. Country & Western    4. New Traditionalist    5. Pop    6. Progressive Bluegrass   

Reviews (4)

Well done basic bluegrass gospel
This is a great Bluegrass Gospel for starters in this category. The choices were good, the harmonies well done and the music is delightful.
One of the BEST
This CD is such a blessing... Gospel Bluegrass at it's best.

Heaven Bound
The Best Bluegrass Gospel I've Ever Heard A Must Own For Any Fan Of Good Old Timey Music Down Home Tunes An Instant Classic ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Bluegrass    2. Bluegrass Collections    3. Bluegrass-Gospel    4. Country    5. Pop    6. Traditional Bluegrass    7. V/A Compilations   

Reviews (4)

Blue Grass Gospel Classics
If you love Blue Grass Gospel - this one is for you.Mountain Gospel at its best.

Angels, yes indeed!! Sweetest sounds in Bluegrass
It's really about time the women got their due.For many years men seemed to dominate bluegrass music, but with the resurgence caused by "O-Brother.." and "Down From The Mountain", the ladies are making their way to front and center. An anthology that wears well, very well
This collection begins with an old standard by the Cox Family setting a familar tone which is quickly broken. "Wayfaring Stranger" is the only other standard Gospel number but its execution with a bluesy clarinet is anything but standard; bluegrass clarinet works splendidly. Hazel Dickens provides a mother/memory piece in "Faded Pressed Rose" - she delivers an intensely emotional piece without ever sounding sacchrine.The Stevens Sisters' bluesy rendition of "In My Time of Dying" balances death and faith in well balanced close harmony.And OlaBelle Reed cuts us all down to size in a riveting performance of "Six Feet of Earth Makes Us All of One Size".Read more

Subjects:  1. Bluegrass Collections    2. Pop    3. V/a Compilations   

Reviews (8)

Newgrass at the top
I bought this because of the unrealesed live tracks.These guys are fine players with sam bush being my favorite.So I recomend this to people who want to get to know this great band who were together for 18 years.

Career-Spanning Retrospective
With tracks from their King Records debut, their stints with Flying Fish, Rounder and Capitol, as well as previously unissued live and studio tracks, this is THE definitive anthology from one of the most influential bands of the progressive bluegrass genre.
Best of New Grass Revival
This is a great album but then I've never been disappointed with any of their albums.Side one is the older songs which I love. I just wish they had included more of the songs from the "Flying Through the Country" and "When the Storm is Over" albums. But no New Grass Revival fan will be disappointed. The album cover has a lot of good history about them also. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Bluegrass    2. Country    3. Country-Rock    4. Pop    5. Progressive Bluegrass   

Reviews (1)

dark magic
First, this is not the soundtrack to the Cold Mountain movie.That recording, released a year or so ago, featured talented modern musicians who recreated the 19th-Century music from the film and the Charles Frazier novel on which it was based.Back Roads to Cold Mountain covers much (and more) of the same material, except as it was done by authentic mountain musicians.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Appalachian Folk    2. Bluegrass    3. Bluegrass-Gospel    4. Close Harmony    5. Country Gospel    6. Field Recordings    7. Folk Collections    8. Pop    9. Rock    10. String Bands    11. Traditional Bluegrass    12. Traditional Country    13. Traditional Folk   

Reviews (3)

Titanic
Perhaps one of the greatest hip/folk/pop songs ever recorded is found on track 6 of this alblum. Please give it a try!

Move over Alices Retaurant...The USS Titanic has arrived!
A CD no 60's/70's era hip music fan should be without!
Like a hippy flashback man
This CD is a hippy flashback that still is fun to hear for the song the Legend of the U.S.S. Titanic.However I sadly find that the reverence to jews wife swapping offends people.I don't think that it was ment to be a slur but I do plan to burn a Cd with it edited out. I would not want to make any one feel that I was trying to degrade them.Any nationality should have that respect.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Bluegrass    2. Folk    3. Folk & Traditional    4. Pop    5. Progressive Folk   

Reviews (54)

Amazing album
This album is incredible.
Not for Radio Ears
This album blows me away.This is NOT the kind of music you'll hear on the radio so if you're looking for mainstream, you won't find it in the genuine and honest melodies that come from Chris's mandolin, voice, heart.I've admired his work with Nickel Creek, there's no denying the talent of musicianship but this album goes much deeper than knowing how to play, this album plays like a shakespearean novellette.Please just put this on and give it several times listening before rushing to conclusions.These lyrics, melodies deserve an innocent listen, a virgin ear will easily see masterpiece.The radio-trained listener will probably not get it at all.This is one my favorite new finds this year.Thank you Chris for being brave enough to travel within and take your listeners on this wonderful journey with you.

An Album with Guts
I couldn't say it any better myself than Chris did in Acoustic Guitar Magazine's February issue: "My favorite records are the ones I have to really dig through before I feel acquainted with and happy with the experience. Our deepest listening experiences are when we're really familiar with something and yet still discovering. Like a great conversation with somebody you know inside and out but then you find something new about them. I wanted to make a record that would have interesting enough layers to dig that deep. And that's why the record's so short. I want people to put it back on and give it a chance, because there's a lot going on. I'd like to sit everyone who buys it down in my living room and walk them through the entire record, going, 'Yeah, I know that's weird, but here's why I think it's OK for it to be weird.'"
Read more

Subjects:  1. Bluegrass    2. Country    3. Pop    4. Progressive Bluegrass    5. Traditional Bluegrass   

Features

• Live

Subjects:  1. Bluegrass    2. Bluegrass-Gospel    3. Blues Collections    4. Contemporary Bluegrass    5. Contemporary Folk    6. Contemporary Singer/Songwriter    7. Country    8. Country Gospel    9. Neo-Traditional Folk    10. Pop   

Editorial Review

From the first stentorian battle call of the shofar (ram's horn) to the excerpt from a famous Billy Graham speech and the standard it inspired--the Louvin Brothers' "Are You Afraid to Die"--it's obvious that Ricky Skaggs isn't just out to soothe souls, but to save them. Naturally the outspoken Christian fundamentalist delves deeply into his bluegrass roots for supernal inspiration on his first all-gospel album. He serves up fervent renditions of bluegrass-gospel favorites like Ralph Stanley's "The Darkest Hour," Bill Monroe's "Remember the Cross," and the Bill Carlisle-penned, Flatt & Scruggs-covered "Gone Home," but Skaggs also finds inspiration in contemporary gospel tunes like "The Joshua Generation," which features a soaring Crosby, Stills & Nash-style vocal finale. Yet the most amazing cut is "Seven Hillsides," a song that vividly chronicles an Appalachian preacher's overwhelming self-doubt and sense of inadequacy as he prepares to minister to his congregation's immense and tragic losses. Like much of this lovely and aggressively inspirational collection, "Seven Hillsides" speaks to the humanity and spirituality in just about all of us--hardcore Christian and closet agnostic alike. Read more

Reviews (30)

Christian Country/Blugrass at its Finest
Interesting blend of materials, featuring old & new songs.Great pickin', as you would expect from a Ricky Skaggs project.Plaintive, hearfelt blugrass singing throughout.Liked the mixture of songs in 3/4 time, songs in minor keys and of course, the blugrass toe tappers.The Billy Graham intro does well to set up "Are You Afraid to Die" as an eternal question humanity must face.

Shreds of his Soul in Every Musical Note
Par excellent!Skaggs has left bits and traces of his eternal soul in every lyrical note recorded on this very creamy CD recording.No matter his musical offerings in the past, he has thoroughly outdone himself this time.The strains of bluegrass mixed with Gospel tunes ring the bell of the heart of the listener, appealing to man's inner void that can only be filled by God the Father. The message of the cross has its own magical mystique ("anointing") that draws men and women, boys and girls to its base for life-giving strength.Yet, it matters who died on that cross--as Paul said, Jesus Christ and Him Crucified.You set the crucifixion of the lamb of God into motion, and you won't have to worry about any resurrection.One follows the other.Jesus did an heroic work and authored a book to tell about it.He taught us that where we are weak, then we are strong.No one in his right mind would have ever concocted that a lamb would defeat a wolf!Jesus showed us that meekness and humility is the theme of life.We lose our lives--our pride, our machismo, our works and efforts to save--and we lay them at Jesus' feet.And guess what?Those things that we used to work to do (man-made morality) in order to please God and failed at miserably,turn up later to be fulfilled in real time through us as the Holy Spirit lives holiness and righteousness through us.Those habits that we could not shake fall when we come to Jesus, "all we who are weak and heavily burdened (trying to please God through works,etc.) and [he gives us] rest." Lose your life and you find it. Try to stop sinning before you get to the cross,and you can't.But, then put your faith in the Finished work of Christ, and amazingly, the sin stops because that root desire for the sin is itself gone. This is so much fun!
I bought this CD for my husband who really enjoys bluegrass, and now it is our absolute favorite.I can hardly keep myself from dancing when we turn it on!We listen to it all the time.ALL of the songs are great, which is unusual for any CD.It's a fun way to hear an important message. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Bluegrass    2. Bluegrass-Gospel    3. Country    4. Gospel/Christian Music    5. Pop   

Editorial Review

More than two decades ago, former Ralph Stanley and Emmylou Harris sideman Ricky Skaggs found mainstream stardom by reconfiguring bluegrass to make it accessible to a broader audience. Trends come and go but Skaggs, who never abandoned traditional bluegrass even during his peak hit-making years, had refocused on it long before the Read more

Features

• Live

Reviews (17)

Back to the Source
This is a great live recording of beautifully executed bluegrass music by Ricky Skaggs and his band of incredible musicians.My tastes in bluegrass generally run to the more traditional - but this album would appeal to the "newgrass" crowd AND to people like me.The instrumentation and vocals are simply superb - one would be hard-pressed to find a better group of musicians in bluegrass music today than this group.This album has a little bit for everybody - real Stanley Bros. classics like "On a Lonesome Night" and "How Mtn. Girls Can Love" - original instrumentals by Ricky Skaggs - smokin' versions of Monroe tunes like "Uncle Pen" and "Get Up John" - the latter, in particular, simply blew me away.The recording quality is superb - in general, this is a fantastic album and I highly recommend it.

Thunder Struck
Phenomenal recording.Brilliant band.Scaggs & Co. will knock the John Deere hat off the top of your head, and maybe take some of your skull with it.These guys are a veritable bluegrass army to be reckoned with.This CD from Charleston captures the live energy wonderfully.One of my faves.

BEST EVER!
I am a true fan of bluegrass...but this album takes the prize!I bought this for my husband for Valentine's Day and we can't quit listening!My 6 yr. old and 3 yr. old go around singing "Black-Eyed Susie", "Simple Life" and of course..."Country rocks, but Bluegrass RULES"! The last instrumental on the album is GREAT...it is over 8 minutes long and keeps your toes tapping the ENTIRE time!If you like Bluegrass...after listening to this...you will LOVE it and will want more of Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder. I wish this CD had an additional 24 tracks!!!!!! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Bluegrass    2. Country    3. Pop    4. Traditional Bluegrass   

Reviews (5)

Sweet!
Tim Stafford and the guys have done it this time. I've been around blue/newgrass for 30 some odd years and play guitar and banjo myself. I was familiar with this band but never paid too close attention until the Dallas radio station where I worked started putting this cd into rotation. I ordered it to get a closer listen. Now I can't get the songs out of my head!!
hot bluegrass
let me tell you, this is some hot bluegrass. these guys find ways to be creative with the classic licks and encompass modern songs into the bluegrass style. there are few bands that i know i'm always going to get a cd with innovation and drive. blue highway is one of them.

Best Yet!
I can't improve on Mark Fowler's review, only add my hearty "AMEN."It seemed necessary to include my opinion to counter the ridiculous 2-star review of this CD.My favorites on this disc are too numerous to list, they're ALL SO GOOD.These guys are impeccable instrumentalists and vocalists with some of the most soul stirring harmonies one could ever hope to hear.But it's not just sterile, flawless technique. The music has heart.Their songwriting continues to be inspired.It's about time Blue Highway got more of the attention that they deserve. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Bluegrass    2. Contemporary Bluegrass    3. Country    4. Pop    5. Progressive Bluegrass   

Features

• Live

Reviews (13)

Beautiful music
I'm no huge fan of bluegrass in general, or fiddle specifically, but I was introduced to Mark O'Connor probably 20 years ago when he had an album that was mostly guitar and mandolin.("Meanings Of" which I've been trying to find but apparently was never put on CD.)I have "Elysian Forest", but only truly liked the non-fiddle pieces, and "New Nashville Cats", where I started appreciating the fiddle, particularly the more jazzy arrangements.
One of the best live acoustic recordings ever
It took me way too long to finally pick up this cd. Why did I wait?!! This is one of those records where no matter how much money you spend on it, its worth every penny and more. This recording is simply phenomenal. The tunes are fantastic, spanning across the spectrum in styles-classical, jazz, bluegrass, country, bossa nova. Of course good tunes are nothing without the right players, and you won't find anyone better than Mark, Chris Thile, Byron House and Bryan Sutton. Just listen to the interplay between everyone...incredible.Bryan Sutton has long been one of my favorite guitar players and a major influence, and this recording is by far my favorite of his playing. So if you're a fan of any of the pickers on this cd, or new to Mark O'Connor, or just want to hear some of the best live acoustic picking ever to be caught on tape, buy this. You will NOT regret it.

Brilliant Musicians, Classic Bluegrass
Recorded live because these guys are in such high demand that schedules couldn't be worked out for the recording studios.Mark O'Connor is accompanied by Bryan Sutton, - award winning guitarist, Chris Thile - mandolin virtuoso, and Bryon House - top bluegrass bassist to showcase his musical accomplishments across his 30 year career.These guys are brilliant in lending their innovative interpretation of O'Connor's work..My favorite cut is Macedonia which is one of the pieces I heard performed live by these same four musicians at Merlefest 2004 After hearing that set, I simply had to have this CD and it is one of most played CDs.There are 29 cuts in all.Other standouts are A Bowl of Bula, Mark's Waltz, Caprice No.4 In D Major on the 1st disc and Bowtie, Picking on the Wind, Granny White Special, and Into The Walls Of Mandoness. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Bluegrass    2. Chamber Jazz    3. Jazz    4. New Acoustic    5. Pop    6. Progressive Bluegrass   

Reviews (4)

good instrumental
a very pleasant and somewhat haunting cd, easy listening at it's best for western songs,cd only has 10 songs on it but they are all very good and easily worth the price.This cd would be good to play for background music also.I would like to see more of these cd's.

Nice Cowboy CD
i really like the CD. it has nice instrumentals of many classic cowboy songs. the quality is very good too. the only downfall is that the CD is only about 30 minutes long so it is quite short. but other than that, i recommend it for anyone wanting to hear these nice classic songs.

The Greatest Cowboy Songs Ever
By far, the best instrumental of Western songs I have heard.Very well done!Truely does make you feel you are back in the Old West spiritually! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Bluegrass    2. Christmas    3. Country    4. Country & Western    5. Country Collections    6. Cowboy    7. Polka    8. Pop    9. Traditional Country   

Reviews (7)

Will go Down as a MH Classic
I just don't know how much better this group can get. I don't go more than a day or two without finding this disc in my truck, or unwinding with it after work on my iPod. That these boys were pretty much snubbed by the same ol' s*** thats become the IBMA should not detract from the fact that this is a truly magnificent offering and the best bluegrass IMHO that 2006 has to offer.

Great Bluegrass
I consider this one of the best bluegrass CD's I own.I enjoy every track.

Still Pushing The Boundaries
I love the new album from Mountain Heart. They are such a groundbreaking band and keep their music fresh. I have all their albums and I'm never worried about buying the same one twice. Each CD is a little different than the last. In a world of complacency and playing it safe when it comes to bluegrass music,these guys are a breath of fresh air. Congrats on a wonderful new recording and keep 'em coming! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Bluegrass    2. Bluegrass-Gospel    3. Contemporary Bluegrass    4. Country    5. Pop   

Editorial Review

From the opening Nirvana-styled guitar squall of "Not That Bad/Blinders On" to the piano and fresh-faced Beach Boys-influenced vocals that appear out of nowhere only ten seconds later, it's obvious that Sean Watkins has decided to make this outing different from anything else he has produced under his own name or with Nickel Creek. Recorded sporadically over a two-year period between tours, Read more

Reviews (7)

Read the Hal Horwitz/Amazon review, and give it another listen--it's great.
No, it's not always an easy listen, but few things that fall under the "avant garde" category are--and I'd say that most of this album easily does.
Hal Horowitz's review at the top is 100% accurate - forget the naysayers!
I've listened to 'Blinders On' several times and I 'get' it.A lot of the people who've commented here apparently don't, and that's okay. After reading Hal Horowitz's review of the record, it's apparent that he enjoyed the same record I did.
Good album...
I'd never heard of Sean Watkins (and never listened to any Nickel Creek albums) before I decided to check this out, but I was pleasantly surprised. There's some beautiful folk-ish stuff on this album and parts of it remind me of a (better) David Gray.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Adult Alternative Pop/Rock    2. Bluegrass    3. Contemporary Country    4. Country-Folk    5. Folk-Rock    6. Pop    7. Rock    8. Singer/Songwriter