Our British correspondent, Richard Thompson, has an overview of a CD collection that was released back in August ‘07.

Time Life has released a further collection of bluegrass recordings. Classic Bluegrass Collection is a compilation featuring three CDs of well-known bluegrass recordings across a variety of record labels. The boxed set includes music by Bill Monroe, the Stanley Brothers, Flatt & Scruggs, Jimmy Martin, Mac Wiseman, Jim & Jesse, Reno & Smiley, the Osborne Brothers, Ricky Skaggs, Emmylou Harris, Alison Krauss, Del McCoury, Rhonda Vincent, Doyle Lawson, Vince Gill, Patty Loveless and selections from the O Brother, Where Art Thou? soundtrack.

In addition to the above-mentioned famous names of the bluegrass genre, there are recordings by some lesser-known, but nonetheless important names also. Among these are Buzz Busby, Jim Eanes, Charlie Moore and Bill Napier, The Stonemans, Carl Story, Red Allen, Kentucky Colonels, Lilly Brothers, The Bluegrass Cardinals, Country Gentlemen and Joe Val. Additionally, Time Life has made available a selection of signature songs from a wide range of present-day working bands.

This is a good collection that brings together music from the time of the birth of bluegrass through to the 21st century. It is a good start point for those who are beginning to explore the genre. Whether the experts would agree on the selections is another matter.

Classic Bluegrass Collection reflects Time Life’s ongoing commitment to bringing top quality bluegrass music to a wider audience. In just the past year, the company has released a set by The Stanley Brothers, an anthology, Gloryland: 30 Bluegrass Gospel Classics, from leading bluegrass label Rebel Records and has issued their first bluegrass documentary film, Bluegrass Country Soul.

A detailed track listing follows ….

Classic Bluegrass Collection

Disc #1

It’s Mighty Dark To Travel – Bill Monroe

Electricity – Jimmy Murphy

How Mountain Girls Can Love – The Stanley Brothers

Me And The Jukebox – Buzz Busby

I Wouldn’t Change A Thing About You – Jim Eanes

Windy Mountain – Lonesome Pine Fiddlers

Cabin On The Hill – Lester Flatt & Earl Scruggs

Kentucky – Louvin Brothers

Barbara Allan – Moore & Napier

Don’t Let Your Sweet Love Die – Reno & Smiley

I Am A Pilgrim – Kentucky Colonels

Rank Stranger – The Stanley Brothers

Nine Pound Hammer – Jim and Jesse

Orange Blossom Special – The Stonemans

Ballad Of Jed Clampett – Lester Flatt & Earl Scruggs

Dooley – The Dillards

Better Time’s A-Comin’- Jim and Jesse

Uncle Pen – Ricky Skaggs

The Boys Are Back In Town – Patty Loveless

Will The Circle Be Unbroken – The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band

Disc #2

Molly And Tenbrook – Bill Monroe

Foggy Mountain Breakdown – Lester Flatt & Earl Scruggs

Ruby, Are You Mad – The Osborne Brothers with Red Allen

I Found A Hiding Place – Carl Story

‘Tis Sweet To Be Remembered – Mac Wiseman

Angel Band – The Stanley Brothers

You Don’t Know My Mind – Jimmy Martin

Blue Moon Of Kentucky – Bill Monroe

Roll In My Sweet Baby’s Arms – Lester Flatt & Earl Scruggs

Howdy Neighbor Howdy – Reno & Smiley

I Wonder How The Old Folks Are At Home – Mac Wiseman

New Muleskinner Blues – Bill Monroe

Sunnyside Of The Mountain – Jimmy Martin

Cripple Creek – The Stonemans

Dueling Banjos – Eric Weissberg & Steve Mandell

Rocky Top – The Osborne Brothers

High Lonesome Sound – Vince Gill

Wayfaring Stranger – Emmylou Harris

I Am A Man Of Constant Sorrow – The Soggy Bottom Boys

I’ll Fly Away – Alison Krauss and Gillian Welch

Disc #3

Little Birdie – Red Allen

Long Journey Home – Lilly Brothers

Girl At The Crossroads Bar – The Bluegrass Cardinals

Little Maggie – Ralph Stanley

Sparkling Brown Eyes – Joe Val

Fox On The Run – Country Gentlemen

(I Know You) Rider – The Seldom Scene

Rain And Snow – Del McCoury

Old Home Place – J.D. Crowe The New South

Two Highways – Alison Krauss & Union Station

Blue Ridge Cabin Home – The Bluegrass Album Band

Duncan And Brady – The Johnson Mountain Boys

Shady Grove – Ricky Skaggs

Bluegrass Express – Rhonda Vincent

High On A Mountain – Del McCoury & the Dixie Pals

John Deere Tractor – Larry Sparks

Legend Of A Rebel Soldier – Country Gentlemen

I Don’t Believe You’ve Met My Baby – Jerry Douglas

The Little Mountain Church – Doyle Lawson

Oh Death – Ralph Stanley