Greetings from Asheville, where good music is always on the record player, CD player, or MP3 player. Today’s Classic Album Review takes a turn towards Bluegrass as it’s a look back at Ricky Skaggs’ release Bluegrass Rules! Released a collaborative effort on Rounder and Ricky’s own Skaggs Family Records in October 1997, it was a return to the roots for Ricky Skaggs, who had found success in the bluegrass field in the 1970s, before becoming mainstream. main country in the 1980s. . The album did not feature any hit singles, but it was a successful effort, even peaking at number forty-five on the Country album charts. The album also won a Grammy for Ricky and his group, Kentucky Thunder, for Best Bluegrass Album.
The album opens with the deep voice of JD Sumner proclaiming that “Country rocks, but bluegrass rules!”. The album then jumps into a sizzling instrumental of “Get Up John,” a Bill Monroe penned piece that may well be the highlight of this album. It certainly ranks as one of my favorite Bluegrass instruments.
“I Hope You’ve Learned” is a track that sounds a lot like a Bill Monroe piece, right down to the melody vocals. In fact, the only way you could really improve this performance would be if Bill sang.
Next, Ricky borrows a track from the Stanley Brothers catalogue, with “Think Of What You’ve Done”. While you can’t argue with the greatness of Stanley’s version of this song, this version lives up to it. Just as strong of a track, in my opinion.
Ricky does a good job of capturing the “high and lonely” sound on the slower “Another Night.” In songs like this, you can tell where the Blues had its influence in early Bluegrass. Another great clue.
“The Drunken Driver” is a Bluegrass staple, having been around for over fifty years and covered by numerous bluegrass and country singers. Personally, as I’ve said before, I don’t really like death songs (with a few exceptions), especially ones involving children. That being said, it’s still a good interpretation of Bluegrass.
“Little Maggie” ranks as one of my favorites from The Stanley Brothers. Just a great performance from Ralph and Carter. And I have to say that I like the Ricky Skaggs version almost as much. The selection, here, is exceptional, as it is on the entire album. However, this steamy number seems to have something extra that really makes it stand out from the rest of the record, with the possible exception of the opening instrumental.
The Ricky Skaggs composed “Amanda Jewell” is the next instrumental on the album. You know, the great thing about Bluegrass is that while most other genres have pretty much eliminated instrumentals from their repertoires, Bluegrass isn’t afraid of lyrics-less songs. I love a good instrumental and this is great. Breakneck speed, but in control, and players seem to glide through the cut effortlessly and smoothly.
“If I Lose” is another Stanley Brothers favorite that, again, is well performed by Ricky and the band, and even has a fresh feel to it, despite the song’s age.
Also by the Stanley brothers is “Ridin’ That Midnight Train.” The song, itself, is a decent piece of composition, but listening to Bluegrass, even a song that lacks a bit of punch, can be impressive when it comes to big pickups, as is the case here.
One of the best Albert Brumley songs has to be “Rank Stranger.” Just an outstanding recording, good enough to give you chills.
“Somehow Tonight” doesn’t have the breakneck pace that much of the album does, but it still rolls along quite nicely, at a brisk pace. Melodic and catchy.
They invite you (and it’s a delight) to one more instrumental with “Rawhide” written by Bill Monroe. Especially exciting on this track is Bobby Hicks’ fiddle work, along with Ricky Skaggs’ mandolin work and Marc Pruett’s banjo work.
You’ll find used copies, both on CD and cassette, averaging $7 to $10, but the album is still available on both CD and MP3.
My standout track is “Get Up John,” though I admitted to a strong case for “Little Maggie.” As for a hidden gem, “Somehow Tonight” gets my nod; there is no weak track.
Overall this is an excellent piece of Bluegrass, well worth the praise it has received. As a listener/consumer, I confess to having spent several hours with this record, and it never tires of listening to it. An exceptional job, worthy of a 5 out of 5.