Live at the Charleston Music Hall [Live]

Amazon.com
More than two decades ago, former Ralph Stanley and Emmylou Harris sideman Ricky Skaggs found mainstream stardom by reconfiguring bluegrass to make it accessible to a broader audience. Trends come and go but Skaggs, who never abandoned traditional bluegrass even during his peak hit-making years, had refocused on it long before the O Brother soundtrack gave it mass popularity. This live show showcases Skaggs and his band, Kentucky Thunder, with a repertoire heavy on traditional tunes, the Stanley Brothers, and Bill Monroe. The energy rarely lets up as flawless hot licks fly hell bent for leather from Skaggs and his virtuoso sidemen. The problem is that, while audiences love all of the hot picking in concert, it can all tend to run together on record. That's why the truly sublime moments come when he dials down the energy as he does on Mac McAnally's aching "Somewhere Nice Forever," Carter Stanley's melancholy "On a Lonesome Night," and Red Smiley's "I Heard My Mother Call My Name in Prayer." --Rich Kienzle

Tracks:

Introduction
Black Eyed Suzie
How Mountain Girls Can Love
No A Lonesome Night
Song Intro - Amanda Jewell
Amanda Jewell
Why Did You Wander
Song Intro - A Simple Life
A Simple Life
Band Intro
Goin' To Ceili
The Old Home Place
Song Intro - I Heard My Mother Call My Name In Prayer
I Heard My Mother Call My Name In Prayer
Song Intro - Crossville
Crossville
Song Intro - Somewhere Nice Forever
Somewhere Nice Forever
Uncle Pen
Pig In A Pen
Song Intro - Cat's In The Cradle
Cat's In The Cradle
Song Intro - Get Up John
Get Up John
Bonus Track 1

Amazon.com

More than two decades ago, former Ralph Stanley and Emmylou Harris sideman Ricky Skaggs found mainstream stardom by reconfiguring bluegrass to make it accessible to a broader audience. Trends come and go but Skaggs, who never abandoned traditional bluegrass even during his peak hit-making years, had refocused on it long before the O Brother soundtrack gave it mass popularity. This live show showcases Skaggs and his band, Kentucky Thunder, with a repertoire heavy on traditional tunes, the Stanley Brothers, and Bill Monroe. The energy rarely lets up as flawless hot licks fly hell bent for leather from Skaggs and his virtuoso sidemen. The problem is that, while audiences love all of the hot picking in concert, it can all tend to run together on record. That's why the truly sublime moments come when he dials down the energy as he does on Mac McAnally's aching "Somewhere Nice Forever," Carter Stanley's melancholy "On a Lonesome Night," and Red Smiley's "I Heard My Mother Call My Name in Prayer." --Rich Kienzle

Customer Reviews:

Best of Scaggs and Kentucky Thunder.......2007-07-12

One of the best album they have done yet. I love every song on this album. Best of bluegrass. Buy this album. I listen to it everyday. Over and over. IT's great.

Back to the Source.......2005-10-07

This is a great live recording of beautifully executed bluegrass music by Ricky Skaggs and his band of incredible musicians. My tastes in bluegrass generally run to the more traditional - but this album would appeal to the "newgrass" crowd AND to people like me. The instrumentation and vocals are simply superb - one would be hard-pressed to find a better group of musicians in bluegrass music today than this group. This album has a little bit for everybody - real Stanley Bros. classics like "On a Lonesome Night" and "How Mtn. Girls Can Love" - original instrumentals by Ricky Skaggs - smokin' versions of Monroe tunes like "Uncle Pen" and "Get Up John" - the latter, in particular, simply blew me away. The recording quality is superb - in general, this is a fantastic album and I highly recommend it.

Thunder Struck.......2005-02-14

Phenomenal recording. Brilliant band. Scaggs & Co. will knock the John Deere hat off the top of your head, and maybe take some of your skull with it. These guys are a veritable bluegrass army to be reckoned with. This CD from Charleston captures the live energy wonderfully. One of my faves.

BEST EVER!.......2004-04-07

I am a true fan of bluegrass...but this album takes the prize! I bought this for my husband for Valentine's Day and we can't quit listening! My 6 yr. old and 3 yr. old go around singing "Black-Eyed Susie", "Simple Life" and of course..."Country rocks, but Bluegrass RULES"! The last instrumental on the album is GREAT...it is over 8 minutes long and keeps your toes tapping the ENTIRE time! If you like Bluegrass...after listening to this...you will LOVE it and will want more of Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder. I wish this CD had an additional 24 tracks!!!!!!

WOW!.......2004-03-26

The best blugrass cd ever. Rick Skaggs is the best mandolin player. he does the Bill Monroe song uncle pen i am not saying he does it better but he takes in to the next level. if you live in the south or where bluegrass shows are next times rick skaggs and kentucky thunder come to your towm i would go see him. if you like Ricky Skagss go buy this cd you will be glad you do.

Music Album:

Music Album