Editorial Review

Alison Krauss's second Rounder effort builds on the promise of her debut, further honing her blend of traditional and contemporary, an artistic tactic that would have a huge impact on bluegrass and bluegrass audiences throughout the 1990s. Still only 17 when she waxed this one, Krauss handles old-time rags, gospel favorites, and modern country with equal flair and almost-annoying perfection. This was 1989 and her widespread critical acclaim had not yet translated into commercial acceptance, but Read more

Reviews (12)

Along the Road to Fame
I was lucky enough to see this young lady (and young she was!) on tour twice when this album had just come out, at the Kalamazoo State Theater along with Hot Rize!, another good old fashioned bluegrass treat.These were the days when Krauss was more famous as a fiddle wunderkind than a pop sensation, and when her voice sounded like a young Brenda Lee or Jimmy Martin's kid sister, rather than the limp but no doubt moneymaking dishrag it does today (Krauss's best contribution these days is her production work with new groups like Nickel Creek.)
not my type
I ordered this for my husband, i am not familiar with the music here; i think i remember my uncle singing some of songs on this album. However, I am impressed that we found it at Amazon, my husband had been looking for a couple of the songs for a long long time.........

unequalled since...
This is a great album, really extraordinary.It was my introduction to AK and Union Station, and I have to say that nothing I've heard from them since has lived up to it.It features her fiddle playing as much as her vocals, unlike some later albums, and doesn't have the sickly sweet quality of some later music.One of my top 10 favorite albums ever.Worth it just for Midnight Rider. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Bluegrass    2. Contemporary Country    3. Country    4. Country & Western    5. Pop    6. Progressive Bluegrass    7. Traditional Bluegrass   

Editorial Review

At 14, child prodigy Alison Krauss signed to Rounder records, wooing critics and beguiling both bluegrass and country stalwarts with her nimble-fingered champion fiddling and inimitable otherworldly soprano. Though 1995's Read more

Reviews (16)

Best of the early years
If you just stumbled across this album and gave it a listen, you might be forgiven for thinking that it's a greatest hits CD. At this point, AK already had a couple of albums under her belt, and it shows. The music is straight bluegrass and country, you won't find any of the later pop infusions (which is fine music itself!), and the song selection is first rate. The instrumentalists are in fine form, and her voice still has most of that thin,reedy quality that you associate with bluegrass. But if you listen, it's just beginning to warm up some and lose that young-girl quality ...
Bluegrass Queen Alison Krauss Reigns on this Recording
On her 3rd CD Alison Krauss does not break stride."I've Got That Old Feeling" is chock-a-block FULL of the beautiful ballads that have made her famous with her angelically emotive voice, but it is also perhaps the best showcase for her ability to perform more up-tempo pieces, such as "Dark Skies" and "Will You Be Leaving?" The supporting cast here performs perfectly. Brilliant early album full of great songs
Alison Krauss has done much to popularise bluegrass in recent years. Her early recordings were pure bluegrass - this (from 1990) might just be the best album of that phase of her career, although they are all brilliant and it's hard to choose a particular favorite. Her more recent albums have included other influences but I enjoy those too, in a different way.Read more

Subjects:  1. Bluegrass    2. Contemporary Country    3. Country    4. Country & Western    5. Pop    6. Progressive Bluegrass    7. Traditional Bluegrass   

Features

• Original recording reissued

Reviews (3)

Great bluegrass music
I am new to bluegrass, but I find this band's music to be uplifting and very enjoyable.

Four heads, eight hands, one mind
Well, they're not quite going to displace Railroad Earth at the top of my Favorite Band Currently In Existence list, but they're getting mighty close. They've grown on me so much over the last year or so that I think they've passed the String Cheese Incident and moved into second place. YMSB goes from the Appalachians to the Rockies on Elevation
Sheer passion is clear as the voices of Yonder Mountain String Band interweave magically on Elevation. Western themes occasionally surface in the lyrics with stories of sheriffs and outlaws. Solos become a group effort, as Ben, Adam, Dave, and Jeff support each other marvelously with engaging interplay throughout. Elevation is filled with original bluegrass tunes as the music of Yonder Mountain swirls the Appalachians and Rockies together in a mind-bending mosaic unique to their to "drive without drums" style. ... Read more

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

Features

• Limited Edition
• Original recording remastered
• Import

Reviews (6)

Outstanding
Nothing will ever replace the fold-out cover and enclosed book and poster of the original vinyl packaging, but the songs...and the sound. It's all here. And it's outstanding.

Mortgage your house to buy this cd
Some day this band will be honored in the Smithsonian for their vast body of work, which includes preserved traditional bluegrass music, and new material in the bluegrass genre.This set contains almost 40 tracks, some from each of the above categories.I still don't know how they manage to play in a very authentic Appalachian style and yet sound completely updated.It certainly has something to do with the fact that the band is loaded with virtuoso talent on banjo, mandolin, guitar, etc.The presentation of the songs is very well done, with exquisitely beautiful tunes interleaved with songs that are good old, toe-tapping fun.The Dirt Band style makes classics like "Rocky Top" and "The Battle of New Orleans" sound better than old versions that you thought could not be improved upon.I believe there is a lot of pent up demand for this CD, which has been out of production for many years.Strongly recommended while it's available.

Celebrating the Dirt Band's First Golden Decade
This compilation is a must-have purchase for neophyte and die-hard NGDB fans alike.For the casual fan, this covers most of the highlights from their first decade. While their pre-UNCLE CHARLIE releases had them often performing jug band, sometimes goofy material (like Cab Colloway's "Willie the Weeper"); they had a minor hit with "Buy for Me the Rain," which is a minor classic.Starting with 1970's UNCLE CHARLIE & HIS DOG TEDDY through 1975's SYMPHONIUM DREAM, every song is top notch. They even throw in a few tracks from their landmark WILL THE CIRCLE BE UNBROKEN album.
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Subjects:  1. Americana    2. Country    3. Country-Folk    4. Country-Rock    5. Country/Bluegrass    6. Pop    7. Progressive Bluegrass    8. Progressive Country    9. Traditional Country   

Editorial Review

Chances are, the most devoted fans of these three musicians have heard these tunes before, thanks to the crafty pizza-delivery boy who filched the tapes from Garcia's kitchen soon after they were recorded in 1993. That said, the warm, intimate performances here are very much worth an official CD release. The sessions came about when Tony Rice was in Northern California to record the delightful duet-collection Read more

Reviews (47)

Greatness
This is perfect relaxing music, a must have for any dead heads, this is the stuff that hippies are made out of, pure dedication to music spreading peace and love.

Enjoy this tasty acoustic treat... It's HOT!!
When I make a long night drive home after a loud concert,I like to listen to something quiet and soothing.THE PIZZA TAPES is one of my favorite quiet and soothing picks, it's a sweet masterpiece of acoustic jamming and inspired playing.During two days in February of 1993 Garcia, Grisman and Rice got together to fiddle around with some tunes and see how they came out on tape.As we all know, the recordings were stolen by the infamous "Pizza boy" and soon they became property of the formidable Grateful Dead tape and CD trading community.Several years later Grisman remastered the recordings and put out the best takes on this album.This isn't an album of electric jams, it's rather impromptu, quiet and easygoing.Some people might dismiss it as "background music."However if you take a closer listen, the trio handles the traditional tunes and Bob Dylan tunes and the Gershwin (!) tunes with such skill, there's hardly an uninspired or false note anywhere to be found.Garcia screws up here and there but even those mistakes are a pleasure to listen to.Definitely a classic album and something I received with anticipation.I still enjoy putting this on and it gets better with successive listenings.
a view from the studio
This CD really is a lot of fun. The music is great, but the banter between the musicians is even better. Just buy it and enjoy.
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Subjects:  1. Country-Rock    2. Folk    3. Folk & Traditional    4. Folk-Rock    5. Pop    6. Rock & Roll   

Subjects:  1. Early American Blues    2. Field Recordings    3. Folk & Traditional    4. Folk Collections    5. Folksongs    6. Old-Timey    7. Pop    8. Traditional Bluegrass    9. Traditional Folk    10. V/a Compilations    11. Work Songs   

Reviews (1)

Solid Bluegrass Music
This is an enjoyable solid bluegrass cd with top musician.The recording sound appears to downplay modern technology and give us a downhome country feeling of a six track recorder!
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Subjects:  1. Bluegrass    2. Contemporary Bluegrass    3. Folk    4. Folk & Traditional    5. New Acoustic    6. Pop    7. Progressive Bluegrass    8. United States of America   

Reviews (11)

PLEASE CHECK THIS BAND OUT
I happened to hear of these guys by chance, word of mouth, and I cant be more thankful. RRE music is timeless. I'm a true rock n roller, I dont know how to describe this band..I never cared for blue grass or Grateful Dead, but these guys have an original quality to them thats special. The music is timeless, meaningful lyrics, great musicianship, and most importantly HOOKS & MELODIES. Songs that stick with you. I highly recommend this band to everyone that I'm in contact with. I'm very picky when it comes to music, Im a musician and I dont like alot of whats going on out there in the music world. This band is a breath of fresh air and makes us realize that theres still a few talented people in the world that play some great music. Theres not many.Buy and listen to RRE, they deserve it!

Best Band You Have Never Heard
Ok, maybe you have heard of them and that's why you are here reading this, but if you are new to RailRoad Earth you have just found something that will inspire you like nothing before.This group of extremely talented musicians has grabbed everything that was good about root and bluegrass and combined it with the new musical influences from the past few decades.RRE is a timeless band that is a treat to listen to.They create music that could be the score for a movie about your life. If you are a hardcore Bluegrass fan this CD will delight you.If you are new to the genre then these guys are a perfect introduction into the great root sound that is growing in North America.

Just a hair less exciting than the Black Bear Sessions
What can one say about this CD.This band has the magic - the ability to pull so many varying aspects of music together that it should please everyone at the same time.I count it mainly towards Todd Sheaffer's incredible songwriting and his incredibly smooth voice.For example, Peace on Earth is a good song on this album, but he does not sing it and it shows.It is just not the same.Who else could come up with such an enchanting diddy - a song so simple yet so sweet like "Came Up Smilin'".I can listen to that song all day and smile from ear to ear each time.Read more

Subjects:  1. Bluegrass    2. Country    3. Pop   

Reviews (6)

True Blue
I am impressed.I grew up on Bluegrass.My Mom sang in her share of Bluegrass bands and I got to work concession at a Ralph Stanley concert once.This is a great CD.I listen to it in the car everywhere I go, since my son isn't old enough to complain yet.

Another Fine Collection of Women in Bluegrass
Once you get over the obvious marketing ploy to target a record-buying public still enamored with the "O Brother!" phenomenon, this second volume from Rounder is yet another collection of some of the brightest stars in bluegrass music today. Other than a trio of songs from the Seventies (tracks 14-16), these tracks are from the late-Nineties through the present. In fact, a couple of these have not yet been released on the artists' albums, including the Lester Flatt Standard "I'll Stay Around" by Alecia McRight which features mandolin wizard Ronnie McCoury. The other is "I Wonder Where You Are Tonight" with an angelic vocal from Jeannie Kendall. An "All you can eat buffett" of Bluegrass Music
This CD contains some of the the best Bluegrass music today.Every track can stand on its own as a great recording. Having 1 CD with so many great bluegrass names back-to-back gives the listener the ability to easily compare and contrast musical styles of the artists.Often, "various artists" bluegrass cd's a letdown, but this one is remarkable. ... Read more

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

Features

• Original recording reissued
• Original recording remastered

Reviews (4)

The last real Dirt Band album
I remember buying this album in'75, playing it for the first time, and being totally blown away by the beauty of the thing.
The Real Nitty Gritty
On the song "Partners, Brothers and Friends" (not on this album) Nitty Gritty Dirt Band leader Jeff Hanna asks "Is it Folk, or Rock or Country???" - the glory and perhaps the achilles heel of the Dirt Band is that for nearly 40 years they have refused to be pinned down or stay focused to any particular genre.Their closest niche would be that wonderful genre known as California Country Rock.
"Dream" an NGDB classic
Symphonion Dream was the first Nitty Gritty Dirt Band album I purchased. I bought it back in 1976, toward the end of my freshman year in college, and I still have my vinyl copy of the record. Now that Dream has been re-released on CD, I decided to check out the CD version of this classic NGDB record. I'm just as impressed as I was in '76.
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Subjects:  1. Country    2. Country & Western    3. Pop    4. Progressive Bluegrass    5. Progressive Country   

Editorial Review

The great irony of the Louvin Brothers, today considered by many the best of the brother duos, is that they peaked at a time when the form was almost dead. Their vocal sound was as old as the Alabama hills, and they kept alive such archaic tunes as "Knoxville Girl" and "In the Pines." Yet their studio bands were up to date, if not exactly Nashville Sound knockoffs, and much of their material, including "You're Running Wild," was fairly contemporary. Traditionalists or modernists? When it's this good, who cares? And besides, who's going to argue with guys who knew Sin the way Charlie and Ira Louvin knew Sin? Read more

Reviews (15)

A good starter album from the Louvin Brothers
I read the book, "Country Conversations" by Timothy Edward Jones initially for his interview with John McCrea of Cake, who happens to be a big fan of the the Louvin Brothers since childhood. Indeed, he got Charlie Louvin to play all 16 dates on Cake's 2003 Unlimited Sunshine Tour along with Cheap Trick, the Detroit Cobras, and the Hackensaw Boys who was the backing band for Charlie Louvin.
Brilliant harmonizing
The best of the best of The Louvins, but ignore Amazon's track listing - see P.D.Harris' review for all the tracks included.
Truly Amazing
If you are looking for a reasonable CD that will give you a decent summary of what the Louvin Brothers sound is all about this is probably it.Gives you a wide range of their music.I am always amazed at the true beautiful harmonies that these two could do.They have a way of pulling you right into their songs as if it's your own story they are singing about.
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Subjects:  1. Bluegrass-Gospel    2. Close Harmony    3. Country    4. Country & Western    5. Country Traditional    6. Pop    7. Traditional Bluegrass    8. Traditional Country    9. United States of America   

Editorial Review

This CD is a reissue of the best-known gospel album by one of country's best-known brother duos and gospel groups. It's the original source for, among other gems, "The Christian Life," written by Charlie and Ira Louvin and popularized among hippies by the Gram Parsons-era Byrds. These tracks were all written by professional songwriters and tend to have more ingenuity and offbeat imagery than standard hymns and spirituals. The duo sings some in the smooth style of their original mentors, the Delmore Brothers, and others in rough, backwoods harmonies. And don't kid yourself, Billy Sunday would have danced with Mr. D himself for a program cover that equaled this set's cover art. Read more

Reviews (21)

All Christian Rockers Should Listen and Learn From This GREAT Lyrical Content!
These two Louvin Brothers were an acoustic, country duo. Their singing harmonies are terrific, and their melodies and song hooks are very catchy. If you enjoy acoustic guitar strumming and gospel lyrics, then you cannot go wrong with this CD!
SATINISREAL
ABOUT THE LOUVIN BROTHERS, THEY ARE REALLY GREAT & WONDERFUL.

Haunting and Beautiful
I came upon this treasure by accident and I am so happy that I did.I purchased one for me and two for friends.For those who have never heard these brothers sing it is almost a religious experience within itself.I have never, ever heard such harmony in my life.We have all heard of "God-given talent".There is no other explanation for the sound that comes from the Louvin Brothers other than God-given.Wow!The Louvin Brothers are unequalled in vocal talent.Thank you, Amazon, for featuring them. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Bluegrass-Gospel    2. Close Harmony    3. Country & Western    4. Country Traditional    5. Pop    6. Religious / Contemp. Christian    7. Traditional Bluegrass    8. Traditional Country   

Reviews (1)

Must have CD
Great Bluegrass Gospel album by Chris Hillman, Bernie Leadon, etc.Best thing they have done in years!Buy it!
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Subjects:  1. Bluegrass    2. Gospel    3. Pop   

Editorial Review

With a classic sound but a radical range of repertoire, Del McCoury and crew--featuring sons Ronnie on mandolin and Rob on banjo--continue to delight bluegrass purists while bringing new fans into the fold. The most celebrated male vocalist in contemporary bluegrass, McCoury the elder here applies his keening tenor to opening and closing cuts by British folk-rocker Richard Thompson (whose "1952 Vincent Black Lightning" was a McCoury highlight on 2001's Read more

Reviews (7)

SOLID!
YOU CAN BE SURE OF CONSISTANCY WITH THIS CD.GREAT BLUEGRASS-GREAT TUNES-GREAT BAND.NOTHING FURTHER NEED BE SAID.

A sudden fan
I became a Del McCoury fan instantly as soon as I heard this CD.Great bluegrass music.Talented men. Keep up the good work!

Seminal in bluegrass' continuing stylistic interpretation
It's hard to imagine that the Del McCoury Band, eight time winner of Bluegrass Entertainer of the Year, Read more

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

Reviews (1)

Another musical exploration from Andy
There is something very profound about the musical career of Andy Statman. He is an excellent musician and has explored his Jewish heritage in conjunction w/ his ever expanding musical growth. His last threeCDs have focused on "jewish spiritual music" for lack of a better description; Hasidic Niggunim (wordless melodies") and songs .This latest CD is from previously unreleased material that includes more Hasidic tunes, on clarinet and some absolutely beautiful improvisations on mandolin which sound like an oud. There are two long duets w/ clarinet and drums that open things up and shows that Andy can also extend his musical terrotory to open improvisation.This is a CD that is spiritual , musically challenging and up lifting, The Tzadik label should be applauded for releasing this material.This is an excellent CD! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Int'l & World Music    2. Israel    3. Jewish    4. Jewish: Trad. & Klezmer    5. Klezmer    6. New Acoustic    7. Pop    8. Progressive Bluegrass   

Features

• Live

Reviews (10)

Flatpicking guitar at its best
Doc Watson is well known as one of the best flatpicking guitarists in the genres of Old Time, Bluegrass and Folk. He is possibly the one who is responsible for transfering the guitar from only a rythm instrument into a soloinstrument in these kinds of music, by learning how to do the old fiddletunes on the guitar. And how he does it? He is a virtuoso on his instrument.
Honest Representation of Doc and Merle Live
I was fortunate to be able to see Doc and Merle live a couple of times before Merle's premature death.This disc is an accurate representation of the live Doc and Merle I saw - excellent musicianship applied to a broad sweep of American folk, blues and fiddle tunes played in Doc's unique way.Doc has a great sense of humor and it always comes through when he plays live, just as it done on this disc.Check out "Life Gits Teejus Don't It" for an example.Merle was an absolutely incredible guitarist but the most important gift he brought to the music was his innate sense of when and how to accompany and when and how to lead.He integrated himself into a song and played his part exceedingly well.I miss him.This disc has a great mix of tunes with enough instrumentals to please the pickers and plenty of story songs for the folkies.The sound quality is warm and clear and best of all, it doesn't get in the way of the music.This is a true 5 star disc in every regard. Classic!

Good intro to Doc
A very good introduction to the music of Doc Watson.This album contains samples of his blues, ballads, and old mountain songs.Of his albums that I currently have, moreover, this one reminds me most of the time I saw him in concert (early '90s) and the variety of songs he played then.I would highly recommend this as a first purchase of Doc's music. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Bluegrass    2. Country    3. Old-Timey    4. Pop    5. Traditional Country    6. Traditional Folk   

Features

• Extra tracks
• Original recording remastered

Reviews (2)

Doc & Merle at the Top of Their Game
Doc Watson is one of the premier flatpick guitar players ever, and some of his best albums were recorded with his late son Merle.SITTIN' HERE PICKIN' THE BLUES draws from the three early to mid-Eighties studio albums they recorded for Flying Fish (and one live track from THE TELLURIDE FESTIVAL TAPES). Here's the breakdown on the tracks:
A Welcome Reissue/Expansion
This album is essentially a deluxe reissue of Doc and Merle's Pickin' the Blues (1985). Rounding out the tracks from that album are four choice cuts from Red Rockin' Chair (1981) and three fine instrumentals from Doc and Merle's Guitar Album (1983). Also included is a nice, but non-definitive, live rendition of "Deep River Blues" from The Festival Tapes / Tellulive (1979).This is a great sampling of the material Doc and Merle recorded for Flying Fish Records before Merle's untimely death on October 23, 1985. For those new to Doc's music, I would suggest exploring Doc's Vanguard recordings (On Stage, Southbound, Home Again, Ballads From Deep Gap) before you venture into this material. For those already familiar with Doc's early work and are looking for a good sampler of Doc and Merle's stint with Flying Fish, this is the best you're going to do. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Country    2. Folk & Traditional    3. Old-Timey    4. Pop    5. Traditional Country    6. Traditional Folk   

Features

• Live

Subjects:  1. Bluegrass    2. Folk & Traditional    3. Novelty    4. Observational Humor    5. Pop    6. Radio Shows    7. Rock/Pop    8. Trad Jazz    9. Traditional Folk   

Reviews (1)

Top-flight traditionalist bluegrass, beautiful voice
A wealth of talent backs truegrass song stylist Dale Ann Bradley on her latest album... Next to Bradley's ever-satisfying vocals, fiddler Michael Cleveland provides some of the most consistently sweet playing on here; Compass Records' own Alison Brown plunks the banjo throughout, while Jim Lauderdale, Larry Sparks, Stuart Duncan and Todd Phillips also rub elbows with Bradley's band. Probably the strongest collaboration comes from ex-Shenadoah vocalist Marty Raybon, who digs deep into the a heartrending duet, "Holding On To Nothing," helping impart as much pathos into it as the Porter Wagoner/Dolly Parton original. Another highlight comes with Bradley's version of Billy Joe Shaver's "Live Forever" which is as eerie and powerful here as in Shaver's original version.Bradley is one of bluegrass music's great hidden weapons, with one of the style's finest voices. She puts her heart into her work, and plays with grit and fire. She also writes some really nice songs, as the remainder of this record amply demonstrates. Slick and twangy, bouncy and smart, this is a 'grass album worth checking out ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Bluegrass    2. Country    3. Pop   

Editorial Review

Though these two musicians had blazed many trails by 1980, Ricky Skaggs and Tony Rice never lost their passion for traditional bluegrass and old-time country. This heartwarming collection, featuring classic bluegrass tunes and traditional folk songs done in the close-harmony duet style, still stands as a high-water mark for both men. By the time they'd joined forces in 1980, mandolinist Skaggs had gone through a tenure with Ralph Stanley's traditional Clinch Mountain Boys, retired at age 19, returned as part of J.D. Crowe's groundbreaking New South, graduated to his own Boone Creek, and done a tour of duty in Emmylou Harris's Hot Band. Rice, meanwhile, established himself as one of the most remarkable acoustic-guitar pickers of his generation through stints with Crowe's band as well as jazz-inflected "newgrass" endeavors with David Grisman and his own Tony Rice Unit. Here, these two forward-thinkers look backward to the 1930s and the heyday of the brother duets. Their harmonies shine and soar--an incredibly moving a cappella "Talk About Suffering" stands out--and Rice even sneaks in some masterful hot licks along the way. It remains a milestone in country music. Read more

Features

• Original recording remastered

Reviews (13)

Another 5-star review
Perfectly wonderful.
Back To Basics

Alpha and Omega
This is the simplicity of honest traditional acoustic music done by two masters of their instruments, who by the way harmonize like old brother teams. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Bluegrass    2. Country    3. Country & Western    4. Mandolin    5. Pop    6. Progressive Bluegrass    7. Progressive Country