Search - Ricky Skaggs, Kentucky Thunder :: Honoring the Fathers of Bluegrass Tribute to 46-47

Traditions

James W. Durney | Tampa Bay area | 03/28/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Ricky Skaggs understands and respects tradition. Much of his work draws on the traditional sounds of Bluegrass music. He and his band are masters of this music, both understanding, respecting and reinterpreting it for our listening pleasure. Even with this, Skaggs is not stuck trying to reproduce note by note the sounds of Bill Monroe. He understands the need for interpretation and keeping the sound fresh. In this CD, he walks a fine line between slavish reproduction and interpretation. This is a very careful balancing act that could result in "all fall down, ashes ashes" if not done well.

The good news is it is done very well! From the reproduction of an old 78 on the CD face to the last track, this is a great listening experience and a valuable history lesson. "It's Might Dark to Travel" has always been a favorite of mine and this is an outstanding version. Joining this is "Little Cabin Home on the Hill" and "Why Did You Wander?" as great listening. The other nine tracks are excellent too. Each of us will have favorites that may or may not be mine.

I am a big Skaggs fan and automatically like his work. Having confessed, I will still maintain that this is one of the best CDs he has done.

"

This year's bluegrass CD!

Matteo Ringressi | Forlì, Italy | 06/15/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I've been thinking for years that Ricky is the "musical heir" of the great Bill Monroe. This CD confirms my idea. Twelve tracks of which Bill would be proud! Mr. Skaggs knows and plays a whole lot of Monroe-Style, especially his early kind of playing. And he can sing with so much emotion in his voice, it reaches our "bluegrass-fanatic" heart.

The band is up to the job aswell, and upon all smilin' Jim Mills, plays one of the most convincig hard drivin' traditional banjo styles nowadays. Andy Leftwich abandons modern and progressive influences to embrace Chubby Wise style completely and perfectly, Mark Fain as solid as ever, Paul Brewster...what can I say, one of the best tenor voices out there today. Last but not least, Cody Kilby plays a solid rhythm, and does some solos, that could be considered a bit "out of place" in recreating Monroe's 1947 sound, but yet very enjoyable.

I recommend this, which I think will be one of the best real bluegrass albums of 2008.

"

Hard not to Like Ricky Skaggs

Rory Vanucchi | Fort Lauderdale, FL United States | 02/07/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Hey, the guy stays true to his roots, no gimmicks.

If you like bluegrass then you have to appreciate

the respect that Ricky shows for this roots music.

Roots music in general is dying out so this man is

a treasure to me. This guy is always worth listening to."