Essential Bluegrass Anthology - Various Artists

Advantages: A chance to hear early, live and unreleased recordings of songs and an insight to how
Disadvantages: Expensive, not designed for pleasure listening.

...collection, it follows in a very similar vein. These collections seem to becoming more popular these days in music with more such ones being released. What these such ‘Anthologies’ consist of is a mostly chronological collection of previously unreleased tracks of live performances, home recordings, demos, early takes, speech tracks and alternative and various tracks of the said artists. And the John Lennon Anthology is no different ~~Details~~ This set consists of 94 tracks on 4 CD's, a booklet and a nice box to keep them in. However at £34.99 which I think was what I paid for it when it was released in ‘98, you might find it a little to expensive, but not to worry as there was a single CD album called "Wonsaponatime", released at the same time which has selected tracks from the anthology. As I’ve said it made up of live recordings, demo... Read review

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Advantages: Every track draws you in fantastically
Disadvantages: None

...Rob's finest solo album sees him return to his roots. The master of the resophonic guitar, backed up at various times by his band mates from bluegrass supergroup Blue Highway offers some of the best music ever recorded on the dobro. The album is mainly an instrumental one with only the first track of the CD having vocals, that being a rip roaring version of Machine Gun Kelly. Sweet and soulful sounds can be found throughout, and Rob's dobro/bass duet on his jazzed up version of Merle Travis's "I Am A Pilgrim" is truly a treat for the ears. Of course no bluegrass CD would be complete without the obligatory fiddle tune, and on this album these include Fiddler's Dream and a fast paced, fun, hard driving rendition of Lost Indian. All in all a fantastic album for any bluegrass fan, especially so for other resophonic guitarists who can... Read review

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Advantages: She is one talented lady
Disadvantages: This album's not long enough!

...settled in Nashville with long-time partner and musical collaborator David Rawlings, Welch has been a multiple Grammy nominee as a result of her contribution to various film soundtracks, most noteably 'O Brother Where Art Thou'. Her sound has been variously described as country/folk and, more frequently, bluegrass - though she herself has come up with a novel term to describe her music: American Primitive. For those unfamiliar with any of the above, think - very roughly - Dolly Parton's 'Little Sparrow' album, her recent return to her bluegrass roots. Don't, however, think '9 to 5' or 'Jolene' or anything of that ilk. Do think banjos, think plucky guitars, think fiddles and harmonicas and a soothing, velvety, Smokey Mountain vocal. Dear God, do NOT think Shania Twain... that's the wrong road entirely, and one that leads to all sorts... Read review

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