Bill Monroe tribute CDs

Rebel Records are marking the Bill Monroe centenary this year by issuing two compilation CDs of songs or instrumentals written by (or closely associated with) the Father of Bluegrass. The 34 tracks, drawn from Rebel's fifty-year archives, are by artists ranging from the 'founding generation' of bluegrass up to the present day, and some have not been previously released. The albums include extensive notes by the outstanding bluegrass historian Neil V. Rosenberg, who is quoted as writing:

These musicians not only preserve the feeling and content of Monroe's repertoire, they reflect his belief that every musician should place a personal stamp upon each performance.

Read the full Rebel Records press release here.

Richard F Thompson also reported yesterday on the original Bluegrass Blog that a further tribute album, A tribute to Bill Monroe, has been recorded by Frank Wakefield, one of the first bluegrass mandolinists to come close to Bill Monroe's command of the instrument. The album is on Patuxent Records, the label operated by Tom Mindte, who is well known over here from past appearances at Athy festivals with his Patuxent Partners band. On the album - his fourth on Patuxent - Frank Wakefield has a very strong lineup of supporting musicians, including Tom on second mandolin. Further details are on the BB and the Patuxent website.