20 Bluegrass Originals: Instrumentals

20 Bluegrass Originals: Instrumentals

Originally released in 1978 on Gusto Records, 20 Bluegrass Originals: Instrumentals is a 20-track collection devoted entirely to the fast, intricate instrumental side of classic American bluegrass. Issued as Gusto GD 5027X, the album brings together major names from the bluegrass and country tradition, including Flatt & Scruggs, The Stanley Brothers, Reno & Smiley, Jimmy Martin, Larry Sparks, Jim & Jesse and The Country Gentlemen.

The collection is particularly strong on banjo playing, opening with one of the defining recordings in the entire bluegrass repertoire: Flatt & Scruggs' legendary “Foggy Mountain Breakdown.” Earl Scruggs' three-finger banjo style became one of the defining sounds of bluegrass, and the track provides an immediate introduction to the rapid tempos, driving rhythm and virtuosic picking that run throughout this compilation.

Side A continues with Bill Emerson's “Banjo Whiz”, Allen Shelton's “Bending The Strings”, The Stonemans' “Orange Blossom Special Breakdown” and Ken Clark & Chubby Anthony's “Lee Highway Ramble”. Larry Sparks contributes “Kentucky Banjo”, while Moore & Napier, Curtis McPeake, The Country Gentlemen and Jim & Jesse provide further examples of the instrumental bluegrass tradition. The variety of banjo, fiddle, guitar and ensemble playing makes the side particularly appealing to musicians and collectors interested in classic bluegrass technique.

The second side features another excellent selection of traditional bluegrass and country instrumental performances. Reno & Smiley appear three times with “Green Mountain Hop”, “Sockeye” and “Limehouse Blues”, while The Stanley Brothers contribute the driving “Train 45” and Jimmy Martin brings his distinctive style to “Big Country.” Tommy Jackson's “Cotton Eyed Joe” and Bill Clifton's “Cedar Grove” complete the collection.

The recordings represent the classic bluegrass era rather than contemporary 1970s recordings: the album brings together performances from artists associated with the genre's formative decades, including the pioneering work of Bill Monroe's generation and the major bluegrass bands that followed. As a result, 20 Bluegrass Originals: Instrumentals works both as an accessible introduction to the genre and as an enjoyable collection for enthusiasts looking for traditional banjo, fiddle and acoustic string-band music.

For collectors of bluegrass, country & western, American roots music, banjo records and vintage Americana, this Gusto compilation offers an impressive concentration of instrumental performances. With Foggy Mountain Breakdown, Dueling Banjos, Train 45, Cotton Eyed Joe and recordings by many of bluegrass's best-known performers, it is a lively snapshot of the instrumental tradition that helped establish bluegrass as one of America's most distinctive forms of roots music.

Side A

1. Flatt & Scruggs – Foggy Mountain Breakdown – 2:36
2. Bill Emerson – Banjo Whiz – 1:24
3. Allen Shelton – Bending The Strings – 1:47
4. The Stonemans – Orange Blossom Special Breakdown – 2:35
5. Ken Clark & Chubby Anthony – Lee Highway Ramble – 2:29
6. Larry Sparks – Kentucky Banjo – 1:55
7. Moore & Napier – Kentucky Shuck – 1:55
8. Curtis McPeake – Dueling Banjos – 1:59
9. The Country Gentlemen – Sunrise – 3:14
10. Jim & Jesse – Border Ride – 2:01

Side B

1. Bill Duncan – Slippin' Banjo – 2:13
2. Leon Jackson & Johnny Bryant – Buttahatchee – 2:12
3. Reno & Smiley – Green Mountain Hop – 2:13
4. Little Roy Lewis – Home Sweet Home – 2:17
5. Reno & Smiley – Sockeye – 2:12
6. The Stanley Brothers – Train 45 – 2:44
7. Reno & Smiley – Limehouse Blues – 2:10
8. Jimmy Martin – Big Country – 2:30
9. Tommy Jackson – Cotton Eyed Joe – 1:48
10. Bill Clifton – Cedar Grove – 1:50