Search - Osborne Brothers :: Country Bluegrass

The Greatest of the Bluegrass bands, Good Country.

09/06/1998

(5 out of 5 stars)

"9/5/1998This album is Country Blue Grass, not just Bluegrass Music. The Osborne Brothers were the only ones who ever did a combination of regular Country and Bluegrass Music. They were and still are, originals."Rockytop," was the most Popular of all Bluegrass music played in the 1960s. Everyone in bars, or anywhere else where music was played live, performed "Rockytop," after hearing the Osborne Brothers recording of this wonderful song written by one of the Geniuses in Country Music, Boudleaux Bryant. This is a very upbeat and happy sounding piece of non-Traditional Bluegrass music.Boudleaux Bryant was an original when it comes to song writing. His abilities knew no boundaries for he incorporated anything, which sounded good in the songs he wrote. The Osborne Brothers were originals I that they would not let Tradition bind them in any way. Sonny Osborne is the only 5 string Banjo Player who would go out of the Scruggs style and play even blues licks in the Recordings of the Country Bluegrass which were recorded by the Osborne Brothers. Though Sonny Osborne never had the Speed of Scruggs, or Douglas Dillard, on 5 String, his originality, his creativity, was far greater than either of these most popular 5 string banjo players who were big in the 1960s. Bill Monroe employed Sonny Osborne as a 5-string player. This speaks of his great quality of music, which Sonny Osborne performed. But his picking speaks louder than having ever played with Bill Monroe.The Vocal harmonies are great on this album, and every album that the Osborne Brothers ever recorded. They were one of my favorites in the 1960s. I bought many of their albums. I'm so glad that amazon.com has made their great recordings available on the Internet. The two imports boxed sets, which cost $104.00 each, covers their recordings from 1956 to 1974. Both sets are no doubt great. However, it took the Osborne Brothers near 15 years to make it big I recordings. Their earlier recordings should be quite good, and very interesting. Bobby Osborne told me that his wife almost left him in those first 15 years After they made it big around 1968, she was happy he had stayed and made it. This is not an uncommon story from musicians. It does take staying power to make it, persistence. Never quitting, no matter what, not even if the going is rough for a long, long, time. Their Recordings were masterpieces or beauty and originality. Originality of the magnitude of the Osborne Brothers seldom comes along in any genre of commercial music. Great cuts on this CD are: 1. Roll Muddy River 2. Ruby Are You Mad At Your Man 3. Kind Of Woman I Got, The 6. Rocky Top 8. Up This Hill And DownThis album is a real bargain at $5.37. I almost can't believe the low price from Amazon.com.If the Osborne Brothers had been managed by someone like Colonel Tom Parker, Elvis's manager, they would be much more remembered than they now are. The Recordings of this famous brothers team was played on Country Music Radio, where Blue Grass is seldom heard. The Review from Music Hound Country, used by amazon.com, says that the Osborne Brothers Band was formed in 1953. So the great singing and playing brothers have been earning a living together for 45 years now. That is quite a record. They are still appearing on the Nashville Network.I saw the Osborne Brothers in Person many times in the late 1960s, and early 1970s. Where they were playing, I always tried to be. They were one of my very favorite groups. Bobby, though the oldest of the two brothers, appeared younger in looks, and demeanor. Sonny seemed very aggressive to me, and I thought he was most likely the leader in the Group. I had the pleasure of sitting and talking with these two great musicians. They came to my table, during a break, while appearing at the Black Poodle, in Nashville's Printer's Alley. It was a most enjoyable experience I shall never forget.If you like Bluegrass, Country, or just good music, get this album. By the Dobroman in Colorado"

The real deal

Cory L. Schwent | Bloomsdale, MO United States | 04/30/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Oh what a discovery, although I wish it was better. These are the actual original, one of a kind, best known recordings of these songs. But the bad news, no notes, song info, recording dates, nothing. For now (4/30/02) this is the only u.s. release of these songs. Stay away from the CMH releases, they aren't bad, but they pass off rerecordings for the originals, and don't bother to tell you, like it is no big deal. This is classic music, and for a budget price you had might as well get it until something better comes out."