Hi Richie. Thanks for reviewing Cantwell's fascinating book. I think you've nailed it pretty good, but if I may, I'd like to disagree on a point. You say that "Cantwell knows his Bluegrass" and I'm really in a quandry about that. I certainly think that Cantwell READ everything he could get his hands on that was available at the time, and I have no doubt that he listened to many an old record, talked to quite a few players, and visited some historic sites.

Shouldn't that be enough (combined with his obvious writing skills) to 'tell the story'?

Not in my opinion. I think Cantwell's book certainly takes an honoured place on the Bluegrass bookshelf, along with quite a few other (albeitly less literarily 'hip') volumes.

I seem to recall from another thread that you're a 'player', and so you know the value of 'first hand experience' and 'first hand reporting'

Musicians are NOT the most articulate spokespeople for their art, but by golly they're the only ones who truly know what's happening behind the mikes. I suspect gettin' them to talk about it in a way that a 'civilian' would understand is quite an art in itself.

Since I gather that the only folks interested in this thread will be people who've invested heavily in Bluegrass, I won't go through the list of 'picker/journalists' who've tried to tell the 'bluegrass story' over the years....we all know 'em.

Heck, two of the most profound, statements on the music come from non-journalist Marty Stuart (yup the still-young long time musician) who said:

"Those old guys must have just burned with a fire for the music to do all that bad travellin' on THOSE roads". I'm paraphrasing, 'cause it's been a while since I read his quotes.

He also said: (when talking about the Monroe/Flatt&Scruggs etc. feuds)
"These were 'Mountain Men' and they could hold a grudge or a slight for generations". Marty grew up on tour (from about age 7) and knew what he was talkin about.

Anyway, I'm getting as long-winded (but with far less skill) as Cantwell can. All I really wanted to do was suggest another book from the 'Bluegrass Library'. I've learned far more from it than from biographies of Monroe, Stanley etc.

It's called: AMERICA'S MUSIC...BLUEGRASS. A history of bluegrass music in the words of it's pioneers.

It's by a man named Captain Barry R Willis.......and cost me one hell of a lot of money ('bout seventy bucks American....I'm Canadian and live in Toronto) but has been worth it ten fold. I simply love the music deeply, both to play it and listen.....but especially to listen.

Many of the articles and books on this distinct musical form have been written by Academic liberals (who were often superb pickers and singers) and no matter how much they loved the music (and the musicians) often the core beliefs between interviewer and interviewee could not have been farther apart, resulting in a bit of caution from both sides.

Much of (Captain) Willis' information here comes from long phone calls with his informants (including MANY now in their mid-eighties) and at no point do I get the feeling that these old-timers are anything but 'on the same page' as the author, as far as politics, religion, and THE IMPORTANCE of THEIR music. It makes a difference, believe me.

Bill Monroe and Ralph Stanley may have become deified, but just listen to Carl Sauceman, Charlie Cline, Curley Seckler, Melvin Goins, Vern and Ray, Wade Mainer, Wiley Morris and a hundred other "First and second generation" Bluegrassers (and near bluegrassers) talk freely and openly about what it was like to sing and play from the heart for VERY little money. It is so close to the stories of real Jazz players that it's almost scary.

I've had a ball for four years on Mudcat, talkin' about life as a professional musician....all the amazing, silly, weird, rewarding, and frustrating things that can happen over thirty plus years...but one area of personal stuff that I generally stay away from is "Bluegrass", even though I'm a fanatic about the music, and have played a lot of it over the years....my story is a common one 'City person first hears the records, learns the songs and has fun with the music' (even makes some money at it)....the REAL story comes from the folks in "America's Music" Bluegrass. Oh....there are TONS of typos, and a lot of 'rural grammar' so if that bothers you, stay away....but along with Cantwell's interesting book, Captain Barry Willis' one should also be read.

Cheers, and thanks for startin' the thread Richie.

Rick