Editorial Review

The best soundtracks are like movies for the ears, and Read more

Features

• Enhanced
• Soundtrack

Reviews (465)

Hidden Gotcha
I liked this CD, but not every track.Beware, you cannot load it onto your computer.Had I known this, I would not have purchased the CD regardless of how much I like the soundtrack.
Great Music
Although O brother where art thou is not the best of Coen brother's films, this soundtrack is remarkable. "I' man of constant sorrow" is a logical hit, quite a catchy tune, but "Po Lazarus", "Big rock candy mountain" "I'll fly away" or "Down in the river to pray" give all sorts of bluegrass, country and gospel moods, all perfectly executed.
A surprise!
I love this CD. Which is a shocker. I can't stand blue grass, don't even like country. But the quality of singing voices and the immpeckable instrumental execution makes me an admirer. I bought this cd because I watched the movie and Goerge Clooney's 'singing' performance made me laugh. I smile alot when listening to this cd. Very well done. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Bluegrass    2. Bluegrass-Gospel    3. Country Blues    4. Folksongs    5. Neo-Traditional Folk    6. Pop    7. Soundtrack    8. Soundtracks    9. Soundtracks & Film Scores    10. Traditional Bluegrass    11. Traditional Country   

Editorial Review

What goes around, comes around. As the resident rock star in Nickel Creek (contrasting with the trio's more reserved Watkins siblings), mandolinist Chris Thile has sent his music soaring in surprising directions from its bluegrass base.Though this solo release finds him dipping into the songbooks of the White Stripes ("Dead Leaves and the Dirty Ground") and the Strokes ("Heart in a Cage"), much of the music sticks closer to tradition than Thile has in recent years. Among the highlights are an uptempo romp through Gillian Welch's "Wayside (Back in Time)," a pretty fair yodel on Jimmie Rodgers's "Brakeman's Blues," the close harmonies of the bluesy "If the Sea Was Whiskey," and Thile's original "You're an Angel and I'm Gonna Cry," classic country weeper. Five of the fourteen cuts are instrumental, with the opening "Watch 'at Breakdown" combining bluegrass instrumentation and jazzy sophistication, and "The Beekeeper" giving Thile's fingers a chance to fly. Read more

Reviews (9)

Mesmerizing
Saw the How to Grow a Band at the old staple, the Belcourt Theatre here in Nashville the week that the album came out, and since I'm in the press, I had been listening to the disc for 2 months already. I really truly love this album. One reviewer complained about the long pauses in the middle of songs adn Chris being too far from the mic sometimes. For me, those were good things. I LOVE dynamics and contrast, two things sorely lacking in most music today. HTGAWFTG is full of both. It feels like a classic album with modern content.
language warning
wonderful album ruined by the use of foul language in the next to the last track, what a shame.

Pick a Thile .. any Thile.. They're all here
How you react to this new offering from the amazing Mr. Thile depends on which of his multiple manifestations appeal. I liked most of what's here, so I gave the album a 4 out of 5......
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Subjects:  1. Bluegrass    2. Country    3. New Acoustic    4. Pop    5. Progressive Bluegrass    6. Traditional Bluegrass    7. United States of America   

Editorial Review

A poll-winning fiddler since her teens, Alison Krauss was an established bluegrass star when her label persuaded her to step out from her usual projects with Union Station, her crack band, and sanction this compilation of various band and solo guest performances. The ploy worked, yielding a wonderful, odds-beating crossover hit with Krauss's cover of "Baby, Now That I've Found You," a carousing late-'60s pop chant transformed into a delicate, vulnerable declaration of love. Focusing on Krauss's lovely, yearning soprano, the track elevated the musician above her resolutely democratic role in her quintet, catapulting Krauss to the biggest bluegrass success story in over 30 years. Krauss has stayed true to her bluegrass roots, as well as to Union Station, but this cross-section of contemporary bluegrass songs, joyous gospel, and canny rock covers testifies to the young artist's luminous appeal. Read more

Reviews (109)

A City Boy Gone Country
I must admit this CD was in my shopping cart for quite a while given its genre.I finally make the plunge when I needed it for free shipping and the first time I played it, I couldn't believe the beautiful purity and fullness of her voice.
Overrated
I've heard all the hype about Alison Krauss and her musical influence on artists such as Nickel Creek.I wanted to see what I was missing out on given Alison's reputation and tried this as my introduction to her music.This highly rated CD was a major disappointment to me.She sounds like a little kid singing and all but a couple of songs sound the same.A little too country style for my taste.

Perfection
I admit, I'm not a huge country fan or bluegrass fan...but, Her voice! It's so clear and perfect.I get chills each time I listen Alison Krauss.A few of my favorites on the album are "Baby, Now That I've Found You", "Sleep On", "In The Palm of Your Hand", and of course "When You Say Nothing At All."Yes, I'm a casual fan, but there is absolutely nothing casual about her voice...its pure perfection! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Bluegrass    2. Contemporary Bluegrass    3. Contemporary Country    4. Country    5. Country & Western    6. Pop    7. Progressive Bluegrass    8. Traditional Bluegrass   

Editorial Review

Modern folk and blues rarely sounds as inventive and colorful as the Wood Brothers' spare, soothing studio debut. Currents of jazz, pop, and country also ripple through these 12 lovely arrangements built around Chris Wood's upright bass (previously heard in Medeski, Martin & Wood) and Oliver Wood's gentle acoustic and electric guitars. It's not simply that the brothers' sweet, high voices have the genetic gift of close harmony: they're in absolute synch creatively, too. So when one's singing lingers over a lazy phrase in a number like the languid ode to living "Chocolate on My Tongue," the other hangs back on his instrument until just the right, complementary moment. Drummer Kenny Wollesen, who plays on a handful of tracks, is on the same wavelength--never rushing or pushing the Woods' behind-the-beat sensibility. And the rich dark tones of the bass and, in particular, slide guitars perfectly illuminate their unhurried stories about spiritual discovery and the trials of life. All of which makes Read more

Subjects:  1. Acoustic Blues    2. Alternative Folk    3. Americana    4. Contemporary Folk    5. Pop    6. Rock    7. Rock/Pop    8. Traditional Bluegrass   

Editorial Review

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Reviews (14)

This is one of my all-time favorite CDs
If you love bluegrass at its best, this CD is for YOU!
EXCELLENT BLUEGRASS!
I just recently got into bluegrass and when I heard this album I now love bluegrass.With songs like foggy mountain breakdown,rocky top and old home place this cd is great!!!! I think that I'm going to go out and buy a banjo today.

Introducing myself to music
I had no idea about what type of music bluegrass was before I got this CD.Amazon recommended this CD when I used their search function for bluegrass. I don't have anything to compare it against - so I'm judging it on the music and how "I" like it as a person who hasn't listened to bluegrass before.
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Subjects:  1. 40's    2. 50's    3. 60's    4. 70's    5. 80's    6. 90's    7. Appalachia    8. Bluegrass    9. Bluegrass Collections    10. Bluegrass-Gospel    11. Contemporary Bluegrass    12. Contemporary Country    13. Country    14. Country & Western    15. Country-Rock    16. Nashville Sound/Countrypolitan    17. Neo-Traditionalist Country    18. New Traditionalist    19. Old-Timey    20. Pop   

Editorial Review

Many bluegrass musicians have incorporated contemporary elements into their work,Jim & Jesse, the Osborne Brothers, and Mac Wiseman among them., but Krauss's contemporary bluegrass contains particularly heavy doses of pop, folk, and modern country. Whatever style she chooses, her flawless voice and her crack Union Station cohorts usually maintain a high standard. The instrumental "Little Liza Jane" and the traditional "I'll Remember You, Love, In My Prayers" prove their instrumental chops, and songs like "No Place to Hide," with an impressive fiddle turn from Krauss herself, effectively mold modern elements into the bluegrass idiom. However, others such as "It Doesn't Matter" and "Deeper Than Crying" have very little to do with bluegrass at all. A mostly solid contemporary-bluegrass album, except when the contemporary drowns out the bluegrass. Read more

Reviews (50)

Sorrow and the mandolin
Before Jerry Douglas and the Dobro, there Adam Steffey was and his mandolin.I don't know why the band changed the lineup in this way, but it changed the style.With the mandolin, I noticed a lot more traditional sounding tunes, like Little Liza Jane and The Road is a Lover.With the mandolin, the album seems to have a bit more of the banjo.
Set your CD player for Auto Repeat, its finger pickin good.
How can one be critical of such perfection seemingly sent direct from his holly bosom. OK!, I know? That isn't exactly helpful to those new to the AKUS phenomenon. I'll try to be level headed about this. If you are reading this, you are looking for guidance, so for those who have resisted buying any AKUS until NOW... Shame on you! But OK, if that be the case, you're best bet for a high saturation of OUTSTANDING ballads is "New Favorite" which has some good B-grass also, or "Forget About It" But this is void of any B-grass whatsoever, (how'd that happen?). For the most balanced album with STRONG Ballads AND B-grass, "So Long So Wrong" is your good first choice. If you prefer the older works of AKUS (lots of B-grass) but can't decide which to buy, your best bet is "Now That I've Found You" without question. Unless you have a specific song title in mind, "Lonely Runs Both Ways" may not be your best first purchase. Stellar performances on ALL titles are to be found without question. Myself? I heard AKUS the first time in 1992. I was awe-struck, and remain so with each release from Alison or AKUS. When god shines, HE SHINES. One day I hope a CD of all of Alisons singles from movie sound-tracks etc... will be released. I own every Alison "album" released so far, other than the occasional wayward single. I can say the same for Dan & Rons works also. Jerry!... lol, Dude, nobody has enough money or time to buy everything YOU've put your personal touch too. However, I can nearly always detect your sound & style, sight unseen whenever I hear it, ". Alison & the group are beyond mere descriptive phrases. Certainly they are perfection, in humility, talent, taste, execution, communion and musicianship. Yet, these words are only glimpses of the greater power one can sense from every utterance AKUS make. Thank You Alison, Dan, Ron, Jerry, Barry et all...I appreciate your music sooooo very much.

Alison stays true to Her Artistic Vision
Ever since Elvis began his famed recording career with a Rockabilly cover of Bluegrass Bossman Bill Monroe's signature "Blue Moon of Kentucky" Bluegrass has been regarded by *some* as the poor barefoot hayseed step-child of Country Music.Acoustic Guitars and Banjos and Fiddles were overwhelmed and swallowed up by Electric Guitars and Peddle Steel Guitars.A successful Bluegrass album sold maybe 30,000.The "dirty little secret" in Nashville was that the Bluegrass musicians were the ones who could really PLAY, so talented bluegrassers who wanted to make a decent living became Nashville studio musicians.Bluegrass fans, who are often as fanatical about the music as a religious zealot is about their religion, considered such musicians to have "sold out", and so it was that artists like Ricky Skaggs, Bill Keith, Marty Stuart and Vince Gill were considered.Once big fish in the small Bluegrass pond, they were thought by Bluegrass Purists to have compromised their artistic integrity to become Country successes. (Was it ironic that Ricky Skagg's first Country Hit was a "countrified" version of Lester Flatt's "Don't Get Above Your Raisin'?")Read more

Subjects:  1. Bluegrass    2. Contemporary Bluegrass    3. Contemporary Country    4. Country    5. Country & Western    6. Pop    7. Progressive Bluegrass    8. Traditional Bluegrass   

Features

Subjects:  1. Contemporary Folk    2. Jug Band    3. Neo-Traditional Folk    4. Pop    5. Rock    6. Rock/Pop    7. String Bands    8. Traditional Bluegrass   

Editorial Review

When you possess a great pop voice, it's inevitable that you'll someday make a pop album, and Alison Krauss has finally made hers. Instead of bidding for radio airplay with the extravagant, extroverted pop of Shania Twain, Trisha Yearwood, or Celine Dion, Krauss has crafted an intimate, understated chamber-pop album reminiscent of Joni Mitchell's Read more

Reviews (198)

Simply Heartbreakingly Gorgeous
I adore Alison Krauss's voice.Her music is exquisite and this album is no exception.All the tracks are great, although, unlike many of the reviewers, I'm not a big fan of Forget About It.My favorite is It Wouldn't Have Made Any Difference.I go around singing this tune (it pops into my head without even listening to the CD) all the time.The songs on this album are so heartrending.Maybe, Ghost in this House, and Stay are excellent also.Maybe has the best harmonies, but It Wouldn't Have Made Any Difference has the best words.Overall the album is excellent.Great for a sleepy Saturday afternoon.Buy it, you won't be sorry.

DON'T forget about it!
Alison Krauss exhibits her laid back country and folk side along with her enchanting and airy pop vocals in "Forget About It".My favorite is the first track, "Stay", however most songs on the album are strong.This CD can be played in the background and keep you calm, or used for dance material with that special someone, or listened to intricately for its beauty.Alison's unique sound is what makes this album - someone like LeAnn Rimes or Natalie Maines could handle the material, but it just would not be the same.

Even a non-country guy likes it!
I'm not a big country music fan and not that knowledgeable about Bluegrass.But, this is an excellent album which manages to straddle both the country/bluegrass and pop genres very successfully.Ms. Krauss has a beautiful voice and the musical chops to match. The album is a bit on the melancholy side, but not overly so.It is melodic, peaceful and well produced.The music is more mature and peaceful than that of many other country cross-overs into the pop realm.Ms. Krauss is obviously comfortable with her voice and phrasing and never strays too far from her roots. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Bluegrass    2. Contemporary Bluegrass    3. Contemporary Country    4. Country    5. Country & Western    6. Neo-Traditionalist Country    7. Pop    8. Progressive Bluegrass    9. Traditional Bluegrass   

Features

• Soundtrack

Reviews (15)

ABSOLUTE BEST BLUEGRASSCD EVER RECORDED!!
This CD was originally issued as "New Dimensions in Banjo & Bluegrass" on Elektra Records in the early 60's at the height of the "Folk Revival".
AMAZING GOOD
I REALLY ENJOY THIS CD. I HAVE WAITING FOR A CD LIKE THAT FOR PLUS THAN 20 YEARS.

An Album to Take on That Vacation to the Wilderness
There is no better album to have if planning a trip down the rapids of your local river.The soundtrack of this album is an excellent backdrop to have playing either on the river (if you've got some way to play it without the player getting wet) or just to have on the drive out there.Nothing beats the song Dueling Banjos to get the excitement in your group going and End of a Dream (track 9) a similar sounding although faster version of Dueling Banjos does the job quite nicely as well.The other songs are pretty good too all performed with banjos, creating that extremely unique sound.Dueling Banjos is the best banjo playing album I have ever heard.
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Subjects:  1. Banjo    2. Pop    3. Soundtrack    4. Soundtracks    5. Soundtracks & Film Scores    6. Traditional Bluegrass   

Editorial Review

This acoustic supergroup joined forces in the summer of 1988,and the result was a true landmark in "new acoustic" music. As ifbluegrass (and even "newgrass") was too constricting, the quintet--SamBush (mandolin), Jerry Douglas (dobro), Bela Fleck (banjo), MarkO'Connor (violin), and Edgar Meyer (bass)--incorporates classical-stylethemes and arrangements within the context of bluegrassinstrumentation. Their unbelievable technique and musical ability wasnever in question; however, what makes the album special is the uncannyblend of precision and freedom, of improvisation and structure. Each ofthe 10 compositions were written by a different twosome (do the mathpermutations). Playful bluesy lopes ("Pink Flamingo") accompany tingesof reggae ("The Locks of Dread"), Celtic ("Macedonia"), and MiddleEastern ("Blue Men of the Sahara") music. There are urgent burners,somber mood pieces, and tender ballads, all delivered with grace. Read more

Reviews (46)

As fresh as ever
I just bought it; 17 years after its release. Not that that should matter as I have purchased jazz recordings from the fifties. This CD is my first introduction to bluegrass or newgrass or whatever grass. I agree with some of the reviewers that this music is beyond classification. I don't think it gets any better than this. I love the melodies, the harmonies, musicianship and the quality of the recording. I listen to it at home and in the car. There are some world influences in couple of numbers. By the way, "Macedonia" has a Balkan tint to it, not celtic. Inspired by this CD I started tracking the recording of individual artists involved as the group represented a "summit" of sorts. Next thing I will be moving to the Appalachian Mountains.

Acoustic fire!
It all started when my friend Ashley used "Macedonia" (track six) to demonstrate the quality of his JBL iPod speaker ring.Never having listened to bluegrass before, I asked what kind of music it was and he said it is beyond classification. So I listened to "Slopes" and got the kind of euphoric rush you get when you're having a sports-related high or the ecstatic sensation of moving at great speed.
a number of strengths
A wonderful batch of musicians, but some of the music is a bit on the poindexter side. Unless you're a musician (in some cases)... this may be over your head. Wonderful study music if you are a player. Outstanding listening, beautiful themes, and amazing virtuosity. ... Read more

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

Editorial Review

Rounder compiled this superb 50-song set to serve as an introduction to bluegrass in general and to their own catalog in particular. Obvious marketing motives aside, the collection has few weaknesses and offers a broad look at the ever-morphing genre. Perhaps more than any other label, Rounder gave exposure to the renegade progressive and "newgrass" musicians who worshipped the style despite the fact that they weren't from the mountains. Folks like David Grisman, Bill Keith, Tony Trischka, and Bela Fleck push the music in new directions while others such as Del McCoury, Don Stover, James King, Jim & Jesse, and Vern Williams represent more-traditional concerns. Still others--Tony Rice, David Grier, J.D. Crowe, Nashville Bluegrass Band among them--adeptly fuse elements of tradition and innovation. This collection also highlights the important contributions of female artists including Hazel and Alice, Laurie Lewis, Claire Lynch, and Alison Krauss. Read more

Reviews (23)

Better than I had imagined
I was extremely pleased with this CD and recommend it to anyone who enjoys Bluegrass.

Don't buy this if you are dead set on not liking bluegrass
This is the BEST Bluegrass compilation ever... and you can't beat the price. The only problem is that you might play it too much... until you cant get the songs out of your head... but it will take a LONG time for this to happen even if you play them back to back because both Cds are so long (and there are two of them!) and ALL the songs are good! (except a couple, and that's probably personal preference)
Pick This One Up
One great album.Some great old songs, and some great new songs. 49 great songs in all.Acts range from some old Hazel & Alice to newer ones like J.D. Crowe and Alison Kraus.If a CD could wear out, I'd have to replace this one. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 70's    2. 80's    3. 90's    4. Bluegrass    5. Contemporary Bluegrass    6. Country    7. Folk Collections    8. Neo-Traditional Folk    9. Old-Timey    10. Pop    11. Progressive Bluegrass    12. Traditional Bluegrass    13. Traditional Folk   

Editorial Review

Given their impact on generations of country, country-rock, and bluegrass acts, it's amazing the Louvins haven't had a modern tribute before. Unlike tribute albums that stumble through inconsistent performances and ill-matched material, this one soars, the selections well matched to the paired artists. Joe Nichols and Rhonda Vincent capture "Cash on the Barrelhead's" sassy humor. Emmylou Harris--who spearheaded the Louvin revival--and Rodney Crowell are relaxed on the Louvin hit "My Baby's Gone." Merle Haggard and the album's producer Carl Jackson capture the anguish of "Must You Throw Dirt in My Face." Glen Campbell and Leslie Satcher wring maximum passion from "When I Stop Dreaming." Obscure gospel tunes receive equally stellar treatment. "Keep Your Eyes on Jesus" teams Pam Tillis with Johnny Cash (handling the recitation) and the Jordanaires. Marty Stuart and Del McCoury establish the Louvins' bluegrass ties on "Let Us Travel, Travel On." By seamlessly blending traditional and modern Jackson's created a magnificent tribute that doubles as a fine introduction to the Louvins' earthy, breathtaking majesty. Read more

Reviews (27)

GREAT covers of Louvin material!
I'll just pile on here and echo what everybody else is saying. This is one of the best CDs I've bought in a long time. The matching of singers with material is perfect. The harmony singing is imaginative and spot on. The instrumentation is hot when it needs to be and always appropriate. The differing voices make for a nice variety as you move through the songs. Charlie and Ira would surely be proud of what's been done with their music on this CD.
Truly wonderful album
This album has become the one I listen to most often.Each song conveys deep meaning, each of the artists truly were inspired. I listen to EmmyLou Harris, if you like her work(from early to present) or that of Gram Parsons, I think this album will be enjoyable for you

Lov'in the Louvin Brothers
This album is like prime rib, every bite of it is juicy and flavorful. The duets are fresh, inspired and fun. It's country music at its best: simple, straight forward and foot stompin' good. If this album doesn't spring you to life, better check the pacemaker. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Appalachian Folk    2. Bluegrass    3. Contemporary Country    4. Country    5. Country & Western    6. Country Collections    7. Country Gospel    8. Country-Pop    9. Country-Rock    10. Honky Tonk    11. Neo-Traditionalist Country    12. New Traditionalist    13. Pop    14. Progressive Bluegrass    15. Progressive Country    16. Traditional Bluegrass    17. Traditional Country    18. V/A Compilations   

Editorial Review

It's December of 1962, the folk revival is in full effect, andan absolutely raucous crowd whoops and hollers throughout 32 sparklingcuts. This incarnation of the Foggy Mountain Boys includes Dobro whizJosh Graves and fiddle master Paul Warren, and the exciting musicblends exquisite picking, exuberant harmonies, and a touch ofplayfulness. The diverse repertoire offers instrumental reels and rags,Carter Family staples, traditional and old-time folk, F&S originals,and gospel hymns (with banjo virtuoso Earl Scruggs switching tofingerpicked guitar). Also included are novelties such as fan-favorite"The Martha White Theme," "Old MacDonald," and ofcourse, "Ballad of Jed Clampett," which would hit number onethe following year. Merle Travis joins in on the final two numbers, afitting conclusion to this wonderful show. This is bluegrass at bothits most artistic and accessible. Read more

Features

• Live

Reviews (7)

Classic Bluegrass
If you like bluegrass music (guitar, banjo & fiddle), you won't want to be without this great album.It's Flatt & Scruggs at their very best -- recorded live at Carnegie Hall in 1962.Truly a masterpiece, and a "must-have" for your music collection!

The Best Flatt & Scruggs CD available
Buy this CD!If you are a fan of bluegrass and in particular Flatt & Scruggs, this is the best CD available.When I was a child we used to watch and hear Flatt and Scruggs in the Nashville area on late Saturday afternoons.This one will really take you back.It takes me back to my Grandmother's living room where we all sat and tapped our feet.You will listen to it over and over.If you can only have one, make it this one.

Like being there
Just sit back, close your eyes, and your in Carnegie Hall with a rowdy NY crowd listening to some of the best live bluegrass ever.Read more

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

Editorial Review

Over the course of her first albums, including her fourth, 1992's Read more

Reviews (20)

Alison and an earlier version of Union Station sound great
Dan Tyminski later replaced Tim Stafford on guitar and after mandolin Wiz Adam Steffey left AKUS Dobro Deity Jerry Douglas joined the band. Excellent CD
I am a newcomer to Bluegrass - bought the O Brother Where Art Thou soundtrack and got hooked on it. I was intrigued by the Krauss songs on that album and came to Amazon looking for more. The reviews told me to buy this album, so I did. And I am quite pleased with the purchase. Pure but fairly mellow bluegrass
Alison Krauss has done much to popularise bluegrass in recent years. Her early recordings were pure bluegrass - this (from 1992) was the last album of that phase of her career. 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   

Editorial Review

In addition to being a contest-winning fiddler and an angelic singer, Alison Krauss is also a terrific talent scout. She has assembled a personal stable of the finest songwriters in contemporary bluegrass--John Pennell, Nelson Mandrell, Ron Block, Sidney Cox and Mark Simos--and she has singlehandedly brought Louisiana's wonderful bluegrass/gospel group, the Cox Family, to national prominence. Last year Krauss produced the Cox Family's debut CD, "Everybody's Reaching Out for Someone," and this year she has joined them for a delightful joint gospel album, "I Know Who Holds Tomorrow."Read more

Reviews (24)

Great!
As usual the quality of music onthis album is outstanding.....i was born and grew up in the nountains of Western NC and Eastern TN, my mother sang many of these songs as we worked out in the fields..we could hear her singing clear across the mountain.........Sorry, i can't give you an objective opinion about the music on this album, itgoes toodeep into my heart....

Not exactly what I expected, however...
This CD is not exactly bluegrass, nor is it exactly southern Gospel.It's more like old-time folk (think O Brother, Where Art Thou).And Allison only sings lead on three songs.However, the recording quality is superb.Very crisp sounding, each instrument stands out.I'm not sorry I bought it, it's just not what I expected.

I don't know who holds tomorrow, however...
[Disclaimer: Gospel is the music genre I am least acquainted with]
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Subjects:  1. Bluegrass    2. Contemporary Country    3. Country    4. Country & Western    5. Pop    6. Progressive Bluegrass    7. Traditional Bluegrass   

Editorial Review

This impressive--and frankly, fun--musical document is still sending out shock waves almost 50 years after its original 1952 vinyl release. The Smithsonian's six-CD reissue is painstakingly researched, annotated, and packaged (even boasting an enhanced disc for the techno-capable). Unlike field recorders, eccentric filmmaker/collector/musicologist Harry Smith assembled the Read more

Features

• Enhanced
• Original recording remastered

Reviews (25)

The grandfather of the reissue records
This collection led to the "re-discovery" of many artistswho had dissapeared after when the depression crippled the recording industry. Mississippi John Hurt is probably the most famous as of now, but others, like Clarence Ashley were major finds at the time - and when Folkways sent a field crew to do a new record by Ashley he requested some assist from a young friend named Doc Watson. Watson was unknown outside his home town at the time but went on to become a major star in a field which has very few stars.
Necessary.
I dont think there is a need to go into to much detail about this *6 CD* set.If you can fork over the cash, just buy it. If you have any interest in roots music, just buy it. If you thought ol' Bobby Dylan and the Band made some great weird music in the basement of big pink in '67 .. for the love of god, BUY THIS!strange, unadorned, raw music , just buy it.

Essential
Much ink & many electrons have been devoted to explaining both Harry Smith (and a lot of explanation is necessary -- very interesting man) and this wonderful collection of recordings from the 1920's and 30's, so I won't go into too much detail here.If you'd like a good treatise on the work itself as a cultural object, and how it relates to other thematically similar items, I would reccomend Griel Marcus' book Invisible Republic.Read more

Subjects:  1. Acoustic Blues    2. Acoustic Memphis Blues    3. Acoustic Texas Blues    4. Appalachian Folk    5. Blues Revival    6. Country Blues    7. Cowboy    8. Field Recordings    9. Folk    10. Folk & Traditional    11. Folk Collections    12. Folk-Rock    13. Folksongs    14. Gospel Choir    15. Jug Band    16. Old-Timey    17. Piedmont Blues    18. Pop    19. Prewar Country Blues    20. Prewar Gospel Blues   

Editorial Review

Prompted by the success Ken Burns's popular Civil War documentary (which spawned its own soundtrack), Read more

Reviews (18)

An all-star collection of folk and country singers do "Songs of the Civil War"
If you liked the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band's "Will the Circle Be Unbroken" or have actually heard of the album "White Mansions," then you would want to check out this 1991 collection of "Songs of the Civil War."The various artists are not only folk singers like Judy Collins and Richie Havens, but country singers such as Waylon Jennings and Kathy Mattea, and artists who work the area in between, namely John Hartford.But mainly this album is going to be of primary interest to those interested in the Civil War who will most enjoy hearing familiar songs sung by familiar voices, and certainly be introduced to both new songs and singers as well, such as when Sweet Honey in the Rock sings "No More Auction Block."Sometimes you will be surprised to learn who is singing what, as I was when Jennings did "Rebel Soldier," but that just speaks to why this is such a great album.
Has it all
Hi!I love this CD because it has every song I wanted, plus some I didn't know.I'm a Civil War Reenator so authenticity is important.I was disappointed that "Dixie" was instrumental only, but the "Battle Hymn of the Republic" is so moving, it more than made up for it.

Songs of the Civil War [Columbia]
Spectacular & REALISTIC.
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Subjects:  1. 90's    2. Black Gospel    3. Contemporary Country    4. Contemporary Folk    5. Country-Folk    6. Country-Rock    7. Folk    8. Folk-Pop    9. Folk-Rock    10. Neo-Traditional Folk    11. Nostalgia    12. Old-Timey    13. Outlaw Country    14. Pop    15. Progressive Country    16. Singer/Songwriter    17. Soundtracks & Film Scores    18. String Bands    19. Traditional Bluegrass    20. Traditional Country   

Reviews (1)

Lefty's Old Guitar
The first time I listened to this CD I was disappointed that there weren't a lot of blazing banjo solos.Also, too many of the songs sound like country rather than bluegrass.However, I played the CD again and simply listened to the music, and appreciated the musical skills of these musicians.Getting rid of my preconceptions of what I thought should be on the CD, I felt differently about the CD the second time around.Nice enjoyable music, but not what I had hoped for from banjo virtuoso J. D. Crowe. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Bluegrass    2. Contemporary Bluegrass    3. Country    4. Pop    5. Progressive Bluegrass    6. Traditional Bluegrass    7. United States of America   

Editorial Review

Though the Del McCoury Band has earned renown for its wide-ranging repertoire--drawing from the rock, blues, and folk songbooks for its bluegrass adaptations--