15th Anniversary Celebration [Live]

Amazon.com essential recording
A host of country and bluegrass stars were on hand at this 1986 concert to celebrate the work of the trailblazing bluegrass quintet. Mandolinist John Duffey leads the quintet itself from traditional blues to John Fogerty's "Big Train from Memphis" to the spiritual "Take Me in Your Lifeboat." The numerous special guests each add their own flavor: Charlie Waller sings plaintively on Merle Travis' "Dark as a Dungeon"; Tony Rice's amazing flatpicking highlights a supercharged "You Don't Know My Mind"; Linda Ronstadt and Ricky Skaggs delicately cover the gospel "Drifting Too Far from the Shore"; and Emmylou Harris interprets Gram Parson's "Wheels." The diverse performances are fitting considering the progressive Seldom Scene's broad musical tastes. --Marc Greilsamer

Tracks:

Sitting On Top Of The World
Big Train From Memphis
Lorena
Dark As A Dungeon
Blue Ridge
Raised By The Railroad Line
You Don't Know My Mind
Drifting Too Far From The Shore
Those Memories Of You
Keep Me From Blowing Away
Wheels
Carolyn At The Broken Wheel Inn
If I Needed You
Rose Of Old Kentucky
I Couldn't Find My Walking Shoes
Working On A Building
Say You Lied
High On A Hilltop
The Sweetest Gift
Take Me In Your Lifeboat

Amazon.com essential recording

A host of country and bluegrass stars were on hand at this 1986 concert to celebrate the work of the trailblazing bluegrass quintet. Mandolinist John Duffey leads the quintet itself from traditional blues to John Fogerty's "Big Train from Memphis" to the spiritual "Take Me in Your Lifeboat." The numerous special guests each add their own flavor: Charlie Waller sings plaintively on Merle Travis' "Dark as a Dungeon"; Tony Rice's amazing flatpicking highlights a supercharged "You Don't Know My Mind"; Linda Ronstadt and Ricky Skaggs delicately cover the gospel "Drifting Too Far from the Shore"; and Emmylou Harris interprets Gram Parson's "Wheels." The diverse performances are fitting considering the progressive Seldom Scene's broad musical tastes. --Marc Greilsamer

Customer Reviews:

Gilding the Lilly..........2005-03-20

The Seldom Scene gilded the lilly by taking their own top-of-the-line Bluegrass band and adding Linda Ronstadt, Emmylou Harris (did you ever wonder what was the inspiration for the heavenly "Trio" albums), Ricky Skaggs, Tony Rice, Charlie Waller and Jonathan Edwards. There are some wonderful uptempo tunes. (Sittin' on Top of the World, Tony Rice's dazzling version of "You Don't Know My Mind" - which he had recorded with Scene members on his "California Autumn"). But the real stars of this concert are absolutely heavenly slow ballads. Jonathan Edwards had just been with the Scene in the studio recording "Blue Ridge" and on this performance his plaintive lead vocals are matched note for note by John Duffey's soaring tenor - it's as beautiful as a slow country waltz could be. Ricky and Ronstadt cover the Gospel "Drifting Too Far From the Shore", and multiple performances since have tried to match theirs, included Third Tyme Out on "Back to the Mac".

What you want to know is "Is it good?"

It's good - just get it, already.

Great album.......2001-01-27

I bought this more for the special guests than for the group and was not disappointed. The guests are a treat, but the group are 5 star as well.

Classic.......1999-11-10

I believe that over time this album will take on some of the characteristics of the classic "Will the Circle be Unbroken" and "Circle 2" work that the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band did. Long-time fans of the Seldom Scene know the history of the band cold, along with personnel changes and the many recordings. I have seen the band twice at the Birchemere, once during the Lou Reed era and again when John Starling returned to the band. Their live appearances at such a great venue are wonderful. This album has too many guest appearances to list, but it has the feel of a party that we were lucky enough to crash. I love the on-stage banter between songs, and the genuine affection that many of these artists seem to feel toward each other. I think that as the years go by and some of the artist pass, this album will become even more special and ageless.

A must for contemporary blue grass lovers.......1998-09-26

Along with their 20th Anniversary album, this album helps constitute the old and new testaments of the contemporary blue grass bible. The harmonics are superb, taking blue grass away from a twangy sound to one that is rich and vibrant.

Bluegrass at its finest.......1998-06-24

I first heard the Seldom Scene live at a small bar in Bethesda Md in 1970. The voices of John Starling, John Duffy and Mike Auldridge were beautifully matched for blending in the harmonies of this music. Also both men are tops in their instruments Duffy on mandolin and Auldridge on dobro. Gray and other bassists also added to the sound. If you want to get a taste of bluegrass listen to the early S.S. or get the anniversary album. It was also nice that Emmy Lou and others would just pop into the Red Fox Inn for impromtu sessions.

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