Bill Monroe & Friends

by Greg Adams Bill Monroe & Friends features the "Father of Bluegrass" on ten duets with such stalwarts of old-time music as Barbara Mandrell and the Gatlin Brothers. It's an all-acoustic affair that stays fairly true to Monroe's vision (with the exception of Johnny Cash's contribution, "I Still Miss Someone," which is straight country). It is fun to hear ultra-commercial artists like Mandrell and the Gatlins in this setting, but other guests, including Ricky Skaggs, Emmylou Harris, and John Hartford, didn't have to make as much of a stretch. Each track begins with a spoken intro in which Monroe thanks the artist(s) for appearing, followed by humble declarations of respect by the guest(s). Bill Monroe & Friends hangs together better than many such all-star packages, since most of the guests conform to Monroe's style instead of asserting their own in an ersatz bluegrass context, so in that sense it is very successful. Ultimately, the album is a satisfying tribute that is much better than one might think from looking at the track list.