4 comments about 16 Gems.

1. What do these artists have in common: Caruso (teens), Beiderbecke (20s),
   Carter Family (30s), Benny Goodman (40s), Hank Williams, Sr.(50s) ?
   Via today's technology, we can enjoy full-flavored versions of their
   work decades after their deaths. And, we do it all the time. Why?
   The work of truly great artists is timeless.
   
   Bill Monroe belongs on the short list of all-time great artists.
   Sometimes, it takes two to realize that - the artist and you. Being
   inclined toward classical and jazz, it took years for me to begin to
   really appreciate Monroe, tho I had always casually enjoyed my father's
   records. I knew Bill was good, just not how good. I'm still learning
   and lack the background to compare and contrast this CD's tracks with
   his later re-makes or engage in nostalgic talk about band personnel.
   
   So, why did I buy this CD? Being more familiar with Monroe's 50-60's
   sound, I wanted to learn something about his musical development.
   What was the "young Bill Monroe" like ? This CD provides the answer
   because, though recorded in the 40s, these re-masterings are excellent.
   If you're like me, not a bluegrass expert, the thing to do with this CD
   is sit back and let these "gems" wash over you. This CD is a keeper.



2. This mid-line priced CD features 16 cuts by Bill Monroe & his Blue Grass Boys recorded for Columbia between 1945 and 1949. This CD has a solid selection of songs and is as good a place as any to listen closely to Monroe, the "Father of Bluegrass." Recordings made in September of 1946 with Monroe, Lester Flatt, Earl Scruggs, Chubby Wise, and Howard Watts (Cedric Rainwater) are considered by many to be the first true bluegrass recordings. It was Scruggs' banjo playing in these 1946 sessions that set this band apart from earlier versions of the Blue Grass Boys. This CD ends with a couple of sides from 1949 featuring the incomparable Mac Wiseman on lead vocals and the great Rudy Lyle on banjo. This is a handsome CD with good notes by Mark A. Humphrey.



3. 16 Gems is just that. 16 of the father of bluegrass music's finest. A wide variety of bluebrass stylings, from the beautiful Kentucky Waltz to the pounding Bluegrass Breakdown to Bill's heartfelt Gospel tunes, this one has it ALL! Highly recommended!!!!



4. Whether you're a bluegrass fan from "way back" or whether you're just discovered this great music, 16 Gems is a must for your collection. Bill Monroe is the Father of Bluegrass, and as far as I'm concerned, he's also the King. When this collection starts out with "Kentucky Waltz", you'll be hooked. This album is probably the best spent music money you'll ever spend.

2 comments about I Saw the Light with Some Help from My Friends.

1. Having worked in the music biz for a while, I've had this LP since it came out, and been crazy about it ever since it's release.
   There's NO need to pay high prices for this CD, you can get it at Earl Scrugg's website or at other sources. It's too special of a piece of art, to not share that with everyone.
   Do yourself a favor, if you're a fan of Earl, the Dirt Band, Ronstadt or even Arlo Guthrie....it'll be the sweetest hour you ever spent, listening to old favorites, done by some of the best musicians and voices around! Spend $20 and get it, you won't regret it!!



2. This 1971 gemstone album is not merely flawless - it's sincerely flawless. Do songs by Delaney Bramlett, Mike Nesmith, and Merle Haggard belong in the same lineup? You bet. These tunes - written, chosen, arranged, and performed to perfection - cohere into a seamless album with a timeless feel. Linda Ronstadt and Tracey Nelson's duet on the old Utah Phillips chestnut, "Rock Salt and Nails", has never been equalled in all of popular music. This was the first country (vinyl) album I ever bought - and I definitely saw the light. Of course, nothing else was ever quite as good. BTW this is one of the CDs encrypted by Sony with the famous badware, XCP. The encrypted CDs were "recalled" but I was sold one by magicmonkey music anyway.

2 comments about Peace In The Valley: A Country Music Journey Through Gospel.

1. GREAT GOSPEL MUSIC FROM THE BEST COUNTRY ARTISTS OF 1997. IF YOU ENJOY GOSPEL MUSIC AT ALL GET THIS DELIGHTFUL TREATISE TODAY!



2. "John the Revelator" sung by Lee Roy Parnell with the Fairfield Four could be the only song on this C.D. and I'd still buy it. It's really that stirring. There are beautiful versions of "Morning Has Broken" and "People Get Ready" on here as well. My only complaint.... why in the world was Ashley Cleveland not given a lead vocal on this project instead of just background on "What A Friend We Have In Jesus"? That's the only thing keeping me from rating this C.D. 5 stars.

No comments about I Heard It on NPR: Down to the Roots/Singers, Songs & Sessions/One World Many Voices.

No comments about 16 Country Gospel Favorites.

5 comments about The Essential Super Hits of the Charlie Daniels Band.

1. It wasn't until I got home and opened it that I caught the "NEW stereo recordings" part of the packaging, so I was a bit skeptical.
   
   However, after giving it a listen, I'm not at all disappointed. I happened to have just seen CDB in concert in Vegas and despite his age, he still puts on a great, energetic show. And to me, this CD reflects that - it's got a new, different energy that the original recordings lack (perhaps due to their age). It's got the energy of that live show, without the sort of annoying "live" sound of a live CD.



2. in response to Jeffrey Wiseman's review posted below entitled, "disappointed", are these cuts not the way u remember simply b/c they no longer contain Daniels singing about smoking tweed or getting drunk? his choice not use profanity in "Devil Went Down to Georgia" means he must not be "cool" anymore, right? these are really the only main differences i've noticed in the newer cuts. the only thing that could've made this cd better was if he had done the same thing w/ "In America", "Simple Man", "Uneasy Rider", & "Drinkin' My Baby Goodbye" (though the 1st 2 have great messages). although it may not be completely evident yet in this album, Charlie is a disciple of Jesus Christ now! yes, a Christian! his life is wrapped up in that of Jesus, so the destructive trappings of his past worldy life should be undetectable. personally I'm excited to see just what kind of exciting ways he'll serve the one true God in the future! maybe learning of a mega-country/rock star & author of so many beloved classic American tunes finally finding his way to the Author of the universe causes u to question your own authorship friend. if so, cry out to Jesus! he always hears.
   
   as far as an artist's prerogative to revise his/her music, c'mon man... it's his music! he wrote it and he can do what he wants w/ it to improve it or make it better, which is exactly what he's done! besides the profanity issue, i've heard the original recording of "Devil Went Down to Georgia", and this one is infinitely better!



3. It is awful. I wanted the classics. And if it's a re-recording, it should say so in big letters on the front of the disc, not in miniscule print on the back along with all the other fine print no one reads. A rip off on the worst level. And now we can no longer return these things just because we don't like them.



4. While it is Charlie Daniels on this album, the songs have been re-recorded and they are not the way I remember them.
   Why is it that some musical artists believe that a decade or two later they can re-record a song and fix it or do it better? What if Leonardo da Vinci decided 20 years later to re-paint the Mona Lisa? Or the Boston Red Sox decide 10 years from now to replay the World Series because they think they can do it better?
   "If it ain't broke don't fix it".



5. Charlie Daniels has long been an icon of southern rock and country music. Along with his fine band, he's had success with radio staples such as "Devil Went Down to Georgia" and "Still in Saigon." He's crafted a legacy--and you can get it here, with new versions of some of his greatest songs.
   
   Such flag-wavers as "In America" and "This Ain't No Rag, It's a Flag" stand true throughout time and airplay. "Uneasy Rider" is still a fun, rompin acoustic classic about a hippy in the South. His version of "Freebird" is to die for; "The Intimidator" is a tip of the hat to Earnhardt. "Drinkin My Baby Goodbye" is doubtless one of the greatest--and most fun to sing along--drinkin songs ever. And "Simple Man" tells it like it is--Daniels was one of the first "Angry Americans," after all.
   
   Some of the album's greatest moments are surprises, of sorts. Keith Urban adds his guitar pickin to "The South's Gonna Do It Again;" Lee Roy Parnell (and his guitar) and Ray Benson get swingin on "Texas;" Travis Tritt harmonizes on "Southern Boy," a song he and Daniels cowrote; and John Berry and Hal Ketchum add their immeasurable singing talents to "Long Haired Country Boy"--almost stealing the song from Charlie Daniels himself!
   
   But it is with the unlisted track, a faithful version of Red Skelton's classic rendition of the Pledge of Allegiance, that the album hits its highest of high notes. Daniels's voice is superb--like he was born to do this recitation. I got goosebumps, I got misty eyes, and I gave a big "Hell yeah!" when Daniels wrapped it up. It's a classic, and is alone worth the price of the album.
   
   The Charlie Daniels Band has been crafting music for longer than I've been alive, and they've still got it. This is without a doubt a classic collection, one that everyone should have on their shelves, CD holders, or wherever it is you store your music. Songs written and performed by a patriotic, flag-wavin, gentle, lovin, hard-drinkin, rock-n-rollin, fiddle/guitar-playin redneck--how in the world could you not love it?

1 comments about Love Is Strong.

1. I have every album that Paul Overstreet has out there. Like all of the others, this one doesn't disappoint. I needed to replace my cassette tapes (yes, I've been a fan for a long time), so I bought several CDs. Buy it, you will like it!

1 comments about All-Time Favorites.

1. I was very excited to receive this CD because it is impossible to find the Kingsmen in stores now. It arrived sooner than I expected which was an added plus!

1 comments about Touch Me Lord Jesus 1949-1955.

1. the words and the music of these songs not one but all make you feel like all your burdens are lifted . you cannot help from singing along with these old time down to earth good gospel songs. if your not into contemporary gospel music and want to here back home churc music with the pounding of the piano and the harmony of the angelic gospel singers voices then this album is going to be a great treasure and good collectors item for you.

No comments about Gospel Classics Series.