(Larger Image)
|
Earl Scruggs and Friends
by Earl Scruggs and Friends
Product Group: Music
Studio: Mca Nashville
ISBN: B00005NEYZ
EAN: 0008817018928
UPC: 008817018928
Audio CD
Original Release Date: 2001-08-28
Release Date: 2001-08-28
SKU: 08090081
Condition: Very Good Very Good
Comments: Audio CD in very good condition with few light scratches. Very nice jewel case with like new art and labels. CDs always shipped first class.
|
Editorial Reviews
|
Amazon.com
As Earl Scruggs broadened his horizons into country-rock in the early 1970s, two albums much like this one appeared, featuring cameos from Bob Dylan, the Byrds, Linda Ronstadt, Joan Baez, etc. Now as then, the results are mixed. Sir Elton John renders a mature, definitive "Country Comfort." Dwight Yoakam's newly penned "Borrowed Love," "True Love Never Dies" with Travis Tritt, and John Fogerty's "Blue Ridge Mountain Blues" all honor bluegrass traditions. Vince Gill and Rosanne Cash ("I Found Love"), Marty Stuart ("Foggy Mountain Rock"/"Foggy Mountain Special"), and Johnny Cash with Don Henley (the eerie "Passin' Thru") are focused and flawless. The misfires are equally spectacular. Billy Bob Thornton's "Ring of Fire" doesn't bode well for his 2001 country album. Not only are Melissa Etheridge and Sting out of their element, their overwhelming performances relegate Scruggs to the distant background. Likewise, his signature instrumental "Foggy Mountain Breakdown" buckles under the weight of 10 guest pickers including Steve Martin and Paul Shaffer. All-star tributes can be a bear to manage. Given that reality, 8 out of 12 ain't bad. --Rich Kienzle
|
Customer Reviews
|
The Steve Martin Secret
Rating  (5)
Date: 2006-10-30
Okay, this album is incredible, as much for the celebrity participation as the quality. The celebrities add their own touches to Earl's Superlative work. However, the most interesting celebrity participant isn't even mentioned on the album, Steve Martin. He plays a signficant part on Track 7, Foggy Mountain Breakdown. The song went on to win a Grammy.
Maybe they didn't mention him on the album since people would expect a comedy routine, but give a listen to Track 7 to gain a broader appreciation for one of our nation's formost novelists, essayists, actors, comedians, banjo artists and all-around brilliant guys-- STEVE MARTIN!
|
|
Great CD
Rating (5)
Date: 2006-08-29
If you like all types of music, you will love this CD. I enjoy each and every song on this recording. How many other CDs can I say the same about? None.
|
|
Earl Scruggs and friends
Rating (5)
Date: 2006-03-03
Excellent- but it is Earl Scruggs after all so it could only be excellent!
|
|
regarding the "all hands on board" jam
Rating (5)
Date: 2006-01-11
Whenever there's a "cast of thousands" of great musicians, the wow factor is for the experience more than the excellence. I'm reminded of the "Bob Dylan 30th Anniversary" concert, where at the end they had all those legends on 2 or 3 songs. It was just amazing to hear and, if you had the video, see all those wonderful musicians on the stage at the same time. It just wasn't that important how great it sounded (or didn't).
In fact, check THAT (the Bob Dylan 30th Anniversary Concert) out if you can find it.
Don't forget, a big part of the respect for Earl Scruggs is the influence that he's had and his willingness to try new things. A master of his instrument, a creative genius and (I met him once many years ago), a really nice guy.
|
|
If you've never imagined enjoying bluegrass... (4.5 stars)
Rating  (4)
Date: 2003-04-27
3 out of 4 customers found this reveiw helpful
I'm a fan of bluegrass/country, but not in a big way. I saw the video for "Foggy Mountain Breakdown" and liked it so I checked out the CD and got it. I think it's great and I think even people who don't enjoy the more 'traditional' bluegrass can enjoy this compilation.I think Elton does a superb job; his voice transfers so easily into the country mode you don't give it a second thought. His is my favorite song, although "I Found Love" (V. Gill) is close behind. My favorite instrumental is "F. M. Breakdown". One may expect the song to fold given the cornucopia of musicians that are involved (as the Amazon reviewer noted), but I like it. Billy Bob may try to sound too much like Cash but does decently. Etheridge's voice may overpower Scruggs but it's still worth a listen. Fogerty does admirably. So does Henley, but he doesn't have a country voice. The only one I don't like is Sting, but I'm not a Sting fan either. And of course, all of the registered country players (Yoakam, Cash, etc.) perform very well, as expected. In my opinion, this album is worth your money, whether your coming from a bluegrass- or a pop-listening background.
|
|
|