This new compilation CD is due for a September 6 release from Pinecastle Records. The 20 instrumental tracks were selected from the popular Bluegrass ‘96-’99 CD series produced by Scott Vestal, now out of print. These recordings featured contemporary interpretations of bluegrass instrumental classics and were recorded primarily in Scott’s studio with him on banjo, Wayne Benson on mandolin, Mark Schatz on bass and Jeff Autrey on guitar. Both Rickey Simpkins and Aubrey Haynie contribute on fiddle, as do Rob Ickes and Randy Kohrs on dobro.

Tunes on Ultimate Pickin’ include: Clinch Mountain Backstep, Foggy Mountain Special, Jerusalem Ridge, Leather Britches, Little Rock Getaway, Dear Old Dixie and 14 other classic bluegrass instrumentals. The original CD releases were the subject of two AcuTab transcription books, for Scott Vestal (banjo) and Wayne Benson (mandolin).

This is terrific music, passionately performed and likely to be remembered in future as a definitive statement of the state of the art in bluegrass music at the turn of the last century.