This companion album to the fine
bluegrass documentary of the same name is a stirring collection of music. The presence of stalwart pioneers like
Bill Monroe and
Ralph Stanley sees to that, as does the inclusion of innovators like the Osborne Brothers and
the Seldom Scene. To attempt to sketch the story of
bluegrass music is a daunting (and impossible) task, but this collection takes a good crack at it with well-chosen tracks and interjected comments by the artists. Fittingly, the collection starts with the father of the genre,
Monroe, and his "Body and Soul." The track epitomizes the "high lonesome" sound with Monroe's mournful, almost barking cries and the glorious twin fiddles.
Monroe and
Stanley are covered well -- with recordings from the '50s (
Ralph Stanley with
the Stanley Brothers), '60s, '70s, and '80s -- without forgetting important folks like
Mac Wiseman and
Jimmy Martin. Particularly amazing is
Ralph Stanley's
gospel number "Gloryland," done here a cappella with
Ricky Skaggs and
Keith Whitley. It is at once spiritual, gorgeous, and chilling. ~ Erik Hage, All Music Guide
