Bluegrass legend Ralph Stanley had a host of big names (including Bob Dylan) clamouring to join in on this fabulous two-CD set. Even in his 70s Stanley's voice represents the iconic bluegrass sound and his claw-hammer/Scruggs derivative style of banjo playing is basically what it's all about. Safe to say that it don't get much better than this.
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The Family The Del McCoury Band 1999 [Ceili]
Bluegrass veteran Del McCoury has had a long and distinguished career, getting his first big break playing with Bill Monroe in the 1960s. Widely regarded as the best bluegrass outfit around, McCoury is an accomplished guitar player backed by his talented sons Ronnie and Rob on mandolin and banjo respectively. A fabulous record.
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The Bluegrass Sessions Béla Fleck 1999 [Warner]
With over 70 minutes of music featuring some of the finest bluegrass musicians around, enthusiasts will find this album hard to beat. Fleck made his name playing jazz banjo and is a key figure in the 'newgrass' movement. While technically complex, the music here is earthier than on earlier efforts. Second volume of Tales From the Acoustic Planet.
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The Mountain Steve Earle & the Del McCoury Band 1999 [E2]
A chance meeting with bluegrass legend Bill Monroe led Steve Earle to team up with the Del McCoury Band and aim for the lofty heights. The Mountain gets there and then some, with every track a winner played to perfection by an indisputably talented lineup of musicians. If you only own one contemporary bluegrass album, this is the one to have.
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Nickel Creek Nickel Creek 2000 [Sugar Hill]
The hottest bluegrass outfit going continues to attract rave critical reviews. Their first album is a delight, especially considering that at the time the band members were barely of legal age to perform where alcohol was being served. The record is a typical blend of bluegrass, Celtic, exquisite harmonies and acoustic folk - all played to perfection.
With the 1996 death of spiritual leader John Duffey only banjoist Ben Eldridge remained from the original early-70s lineup. A fine urban bluegrass outfit, the band is named for its rules whereby members maintain working lives outside of music and live appearances are infrequent. Scene It All continues a fine string of studio recordings.
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New Favorite Alison Krauss & Union Station 2001 [Rounder]
Krauss shot to stardom with a popular album and a contribution to the soundtrack of O Brother, Where Art Thou?. This record is a nice mix of country and bluegrass, finding the band at a crossroads of sorts. By the time of 2004's Lonely Runs Both Ways it was obvious that the path to commercial success was firmly in bluegrass territory.
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Not All Who Wander Are Lost Chris Thile 2001 [Sugar Hill]
This solo outing from Nickel Creek mandolinist Chris Thile finds him venturing into newgrass and Celtic territory with outstanding results. A dozen jazzed-up instrumentals backed by some of the top names in acoustic music has Thile ranging from the quietly subtle to the sensationally explosive. Remarkably mature effort for one so young.
