Monroe,Bill All The Classic Releases 1937-1949 CD

Born in 1911 on a Kentucky farm, Bill Monroe was the youngest of eight. The three youngest brothers formed a trio, Birch on fiddle, Charlie on guitar and Bill on mandolin. Bill made quick progress. He quit school aged 11. By 14 he was a full time heavy wagon driver. And he was getting experience in local dance bands. In 1927, Birch and Charlie left for Detroit to find work. They made extra cash by playing for fellow southerners. In 1929 they got Bill a job with their company. In 1932, the brothers joined the WLS Barn Dance as dancers. They revealed their musical skills and were soon radio regulars. In 1933, Charlie was offered a spot on the Texas Crystals radio show, broadcast from Shenandoah, Iowa. Bill went too. Despite it's success, Texas Crystals axed the show in 1936. The Monroes moved to Crazy Crystals. A hectic round of radio and dances ensued. They were signed to Victor's Bluebird label. The ten sides recorded at their first session were probably part of their radio set - nearly all were 'one-take' cuts. Of the ten sides, What Would You Give In Exchange For Your Soul was a huge hit. Regular recording dates became part of the schedule. Monroe product was released every four weeks. But in 1937 Bill and Charlie, mutually hostile in spite of their success, split. Bill gained a slot on a small radio station in North Carolina. The band he created - the Bluegrass Boys - generated a buzz on radio and at dances. Finally Bluebird signed him. The records he made justified their confidence. The wartime recording ban didn't hinder Bill's fame - he made regular Opry appearances - and in 1945 he was back in the studio. The 1946 and 1947 line-ups, with Flatt & Scruggs in the band, are exceptional. In the 1960s, after a slip in popularity, the folk revival helped him re-establish his leading status. During his life he celebrated 50 years on the Grand Ole Opry, performed at the White House and worked almost to the last. He died in 1996.

1. My Long Journey Home 2. What Is Home Without Love 3. What Would You Give in Exchange? 4. Little Red Shoes 5. Nine Pound Hammer Is Too Heavy 6. On Some Foggy Mountain Top 7. Drifting Too Far from the Shore 8. In My Dear Old Southern Home 9. New River Train 10. This World Is Not My Home 11. Watermelon Hangin' on That Vine 12. On the Banks of the Ohio 13. Do You Call That Religion? 14. God Holds the Future in His Hands 15. You've Got to Walk That Lonesome Valley 16. Six Months Ain't Long 17. Just a Song of Old Kentucky 18. Don't Forget Me 19. I'm Going 20. Darling Corey 21. My Saviors Train 22. I Am Thinking Tonight of the Old Folks 23. Dreamed I Searched Heaven for You 24. The Old Cross Road 25. The Forgotten Soldier Boy 26. We Read of a Place That's Called Heaven 27. Will the Circle Be Unbroken 28. The Saints Go Marching in 29. Roll in My Sweet Baby's Arms 30. Where Is My Sailor Boy 31. Am I Ready to Go 32. What Would the Profit Be 33. Some Glad Day 34. I Have Found the Way 35. I Am Going That Way 36. Kate Cline 37. Roll on Buddy 38. Weeping Willow Tree 39. I'll Live on 40. Oh Hide You in the Blood 41. What Would You Give in Exchange 42. On That Gospel Ship 43. What Would You Give in Exchange (Part 3) 44. Let Us Be Lovers Again 45. All the Good Times Are Passed and Gone 46. What Would You Give Me in Exchange (Part 4) 47. On My Way to Glory 48. My Last Moving Day 49. He Will Set Your Fields on Fire 50. Sinner You Better Get Ready 51. Have a Feast Here Tonight 52. Goodbye Maggie 53. Rollin' on 54. The Old Man's Story 55. I've Still Got Ninety Nine 56. Little Joe 57. A Beautiful Life 58. Pearly Gates 59. On My Way Back Home 60. When Our Lord Shall Come Again 61. Mule Skinner Blues 62. No Lette in the Mail 63. Cryin' Holy Unto the Lord 64. Six White Horses 65. Dog House Blues 66. I Wonder If You Feel the Way I Do 67. Katy Hill 68. Tennessee Blues 69. Shake My Mother's Hand for Me 70. Were You There 71. Blue Yodel #7 72. The Coupon Song 73. Orange Blossom Special 74. Honky Tonk Swing 75. In the Pines 76. Back Up and Push 77. Rocky Road Blues 78. Kentucky Waltz 79. True Life Blues 80. Goodbye Old Pal 81. Footprints in the Snow 82. Blue Grass Special 83. Heavy Traffic Ahead 84. Blue Moon of Kentucky 85. Toy Heart 86. Summertime Is Past and Gone 87. Mansions for Me 88. Mother's Only Sleeping 89. Blue Yodel #4 90. Will You Be Loving Another Man 91. How Will I Explain About You 92. Wicked Path of Sin 93. I'm Going Back to Old Kentucky 94. It's Mighty Dark to Travel 95. I Hear a Sweet Voice Calling 96. Little Cabin on the Hill 97. My Rose of Old Kentucky 98. Blue Grass Breakdown 99. Sweetheart You Done Me Wrong 100. The Old Cross Road 101. That Home Above 102. Remember the Cross 103. Little Community Church 104. Along About the Daybreak 105. When You Are Lonely 106. Molly and Tenbrooks 107. Shine Hallelujah, Shine 108. I'm Travellin' on and on 109. Can't You Hear Me Calling 110. Travelin' This Lonesome Road 111. Blue Grass Stomp 112. The Girl in the Blue Velvet Band