Bill Monroe 'BIG MON'

Subject: Bill Monroe 'BIG MON'
From: bbelle
Date: 26 Sep 00 - 03:05 PM

Recently, I bought the bluegrass CD "Big Mon," produced by Ricky Skaggs, as a tribute to Bill Monroe. I've almost worn it out listening to it! It has some people that you wouldn't think of as being in the bluegrass genre, i.e., Bruce Hornsby. Some of the BG diehards don't like his arrangement of "Darlin' Corey" but I do ... it's different.

There's not a cut on this CD that's not good. Joan Osborne and Ricky Skaggs on "On The Old Kentucky Shore" is an absolute study in close harmony. Have you been wonderin' where John Forgarty disappeared, it's to bluegrass. The Monroe standard "Blue Moon of Kentucky" starts out with Bill Monroe and the Bluegrass Boys and seques into John Forgarty. You'll hear a little of that CCR sound, but it fits just fine. If you've listened to Dolly Parton's recent bluegrass CD, you won't be surprised to hear her on "Big Mon" singing "Cry, Cry, Darlin.'" Also on this CD are "Walk Softly On My Heart" - Natalie Maines/Ricky Skaggs; "Heavy Traffic Ahead" – Steve Warriner; "Close By" – Patty Loveless; "Used To Be" – The Whites; "My Little Georgia Rose" – Travis Tritt; "I Am A Pilgrim" – Charlie Daniels; "Blue Night" – Mary Chapin Carpenter; "Rocky Road Blues" – Dwight Yoakam.

The last cut is "Big Mon" and the g-dgiven talent on this piece of music is awesome!!!! To name a few: J.D. Crowe, Bela Fleck, Rob McCoury, Roland White, Sam Bush, Ronnie McCoury, Ricky Skaggs, Del McCoury, Bryan Sutton.

This CD would be worth the money, at almost any cost. The only thing missing is Mr. Monroe, himself.

Subject: RE: Bill Monroe 'BIG MON'
From: John Hardly
Date: 26 Sep 00 - 03:40 PM

EXCELLENT RECORDING!!! Just bought it myself after hearing Darlin' Cory as done by Hornsby.

John

Subject: RE: Bill Monroe 'BIG MON'
From: Kim C
Date: 27 Sep 00 - 01:55 PM

Sam Bush, he's my man.

Remember, too, that Bruce Hornsby did a grassed-up version of The Valley Road for the Dirt Band Circle II album. He's a good Virginia boy, after all...

Subject: RE: Bill Monroe 'BIG MON'
From: bbelle
Date: 27 Sep 00 - 02:21 PM

I have had been wondering what happened to Bruce Hornsby. I knew he was doing stuff outside the "pop" genre, but wasn't sure what. Now I know ...

Subject: RE: Bill Monroe 'BIG MON'
From: John Hardly
Date: 28 Sep 00 - 01:38 PM

Moonjen,

You mean AFTER his tour with the 'dead?

Subject: RE: Bill Monroe 'BIG MON'
From: Steve Latimer
Date: 28 Sep 00 - 01:59 PM

Apparently Hornsby and Skaggs were Bluegrassers long before they were big time and they both love to play 'grass still.

I really like the version of Valley Road that was mentioned above. I have to find my copy and give it a play.

Subject: RE: Bill Monroe 'BIG MON'
From: bbelle
Date: 28 Sep 00 - 02:13 PM

I always knew that Ricky Skaggs' roots were in bluegrass, but I wasn't aware of Hornsby. I've been told by the old-timey country station, in Quincy, FL, that "not too many" are liking Hornsby's arrangement of Darlin' Corey. I guess it boils down to a matter of personal taste.

Subject: RE: Bill Monroe 'BIG MON'
From: Jim the Bart
Date: 28 Sep 00 - 03:25 PM

I was listening to a bluegrass show on a local college station, and the host said that "Close by" was the only cut on the record he would ever play. The implication was that the rest wasn't acceptable,for what reason he did not say. It'a always a shame when new stuff gets shunted aside without a statement of legitimate criticism. Even "I don't like it", the mantra of the crusty old coot is better than a shrug and dismissal. All of the artists mentioned may have careers in popular music (even country!), but that doesn't mean they haven't paid some dues or that they don't have roots that provide insight into this music, too.

Criticism of the new stuff? I don't like it!
signed,

Bart the Coot

Subject: RE: Bill Monroe 'BIG MON'
From: bbelle
Date: 28 Sep 00 - 04:21 PM

BtheC ... I agree. I'm on a flatpicking list that is comprised of some really hardcore bluegrass pickers and the general consensus has been that it's a good tribute to Bill. That's where I heard about the CD and the discussion is why I searched it out.

I know I said this ... it boils down to a matter of personal choice. Doesn't all music?

Subject: RE: Bill Monroe 'BIG MON'
From: John Hardly
Date: 28 Sep 00 - 05:50 PM

What?

Doesn't want a piano doing blugrass?

Doesn't like Hornsby's more "rock n Roll" voice?

Doesn't like "newgrass"?

Nothing like helpful critique.

Actually, I think Hornsby's background is in basketball--like mine. Saw a biography once.

John

Subject: RE: Bill Monroe 'BIG MON'
From: bbelle
Date: 28 Sep 00 - 05:51 PM

Well, John, then we're in good company! I played varsity girls bball, my first year in high school.

Subject: RE: Bill Monroe 'BIG MON'
From: John Hardly
Date: 28 Sep 00 - 07:46 PM

The sport of the gods.

.......spoken as a true hoosier!

John

Subject: RE: Bill Monroe 'BIG MON'
From: bbelle
Date: 28 Sep 00 - 11:11 PM

John ... any 'catters who are reading this who know me are ROTFLTAO because .... I'm just shy of 5 feet tall!!! But I was a damn good guard and all the really talls girls had this weird center of gravity?