Search - Bill Monroe & Bluegrass Boys :: Bluegrass '87

Bill Monroe at the old crossroads

Daniel Jolley | Shelby, North Carolina USA | 02/21/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The newfangled bluegrass music of recent years has never won me over; what I love is real, old-timey bluegrass, especially the music of Bill Monroe, the veritable Father of Bluegrass. This 1987 offering from Bill Monroe and the Bluegrass Boys is good, but I found it somewhat disappointing as well. Bill Monroe was not a young man anymore, and he took something of a backseat here to the talented performers playing alongside him. In fact, he only sang lead vocals on two songs: Music Valley Waltz and Stay Away From Me. His voice lacked the power it once had, but he was still hitting those high notes in that wonderfully unique way of his; these two songs are excellent. I can also pick up Monroe's voice among the backup vocals on Angels, Rock Me To Sleep, a semi-gospel tune featuring great vocalization. Mighty Dark To Travel is an old standard, and while the leader singer here does a great job, "he ain't no Bill Monroe." The Old Crossroads and Bluest Man in Town are also good songs featuring someone other than Monroe on vocals. Four of the ten songs are instrumentals only (although "instrumental" really just doesn't sound like the best way of describing a bluegrass song without vocals); I like a little jamboree of pickin' and pluckin' as much as the next guy, but I much prefer my bluegrass tunes to come with someone twangin' out words. Those unfamiliar with Bill Monroe's legendary music would do well to begin their bluegrass odyssey with some of his classic recordings, but Monroe fans will find much to enjoy in this 1987 release."

Digital recording!!! bliss...

Daniel Jolley | 08/17/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"this disc was digitally recorded all the way.songs are great"