[.ca] Plays Bill Monroe

From Amazon.com:
Baker was a member, off and on, of Bill Monroe's Bluegrass Boys ever since he first joined in 1957, and racked up more years with the "Father of Bluegrass" than any other musician. As such, Baker has had an immense influence on modern bluegrass fiddle styles, with his smooth, fluid phrasing and a hint of swing. In tribute to his mentor, Baker recorded an album of Monroe compositions in 1976 and was as surprised as anyone when the composer himself showed up as an unexpected guest and played mandolin on the whole session. This legendary, all-instrumental album lives up to its reputation as a landmark of modern bluegrass. --Geoffrey Himes

Classic. Essential.:
One of the greatest fiddle albums of all time. A must buy.

Bill Monroe's Greatest Sideman . . .:
. . .was hard-workin' hard-fiddlin' Kenny Baker. Baker understood what Monroe was about (at least musically), and during his various stints with the Bluegrass Boys, never failed to deliver the goods. This tribute, which features the boss himself, features many of Monroe's greatest instrumental compositions, including spirted renditions of "Road to Columbus", "Big Sandy River","Wheel Hoss", and my personal favorite "Brown County Breakdown", featuring a spectacular melodic-style solo by banjoist Bob Black (Black and Vic Jordan split the 5-string duties on this effort, and their understanding of fiddle tunes make both of their contributions special). And the lovely interplay between Baker and Monroe on "Lonesome Moonlight Waltz" carries an emotional force that drives to the core of the idiom. This effort belongs in any serious bluegrass collection.

• Road to Columbus
• Brown County Breakdown
• Lonesome Moonlight Waltz
• Jerusalem Ridge
• Monroe's Hornpipe
• Cheyenne
• Big Sandy River
• Stoney Lonesome
• Mississippi Waltz
• Wheel Hoss
• Fiddler's Pastime
• Ashland Breakdown