Editorial Reviews

With multiple bluegrass collections available, it would be easy for a neophyte to become lost looking through the CD rack. Part of the problem is deciding whether to opt for a historical collection or merely a compilation -- does one want to hear classic songs from Bill Monroe and Ralph Stanley or versions of classic songs by other artists? It's easy to gain the impression that an album titled Bluegrass: An American Tradition will deliver a historical compilation. That impression might even be reaffirmed by a glance at the album credits, noting the instrumental "Foggy Mountain Breakdown" and the presence of the Osborne Brothers and John Hartford. But Bluegrass: An American Tradition -- while filled with solid, well-performed bluegrass -- is not a historical collection. For anyone looking for a solid 45-minute collection featuring work by bluegrass greats like Bill Emerson and Eddie Adcock, this collection is an enjoyable outing. Still, this collection doesn't necessarily feature these artists at their best. John Hartford's "Over the Mountain" is good but hardly representative of his best work from the 1970s, while the Osbornes' new version of "Ruby" is a pale copy of one of this duo's classics. Bluegrass: An American Tradition is a mixed bag that still contains worthy music for those who know exactly what they're getting. Ronnie D. Lankford Jr., All Music Guide

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