High Lonesome - The Story of Bluegrass Music

Starring:Mac Wiseman, Earl Scruggs, Jimmy Martin, Ralph Stanley, Sonny Osborne, Bobby Osborne, Bill Monroe, Don Wayne Reno, Lester Flatt
Director: Rachel Liebling
Studio: SHANACHIE
Product Type: DVD

Amazon.com

"The story of bluegrass is the story of Bill Monroe's musical legacy." So begins this superb 1991 documentary, which frames its historical survey around Monroe, the father of Kentucky bluegrass. As Monroe visits his old Kentucky home, now dilapidated and full of memories, the film traces the emergence of bluegrass from Appalachian descendants of Scotch-Irish settlers, and a variety of bluegrass greats (including narrator Mac Wiseman) offer informative anecdotes, accompanied by evocative archival footage and concert performances from the bluegrass festival circuit. Monroe's dominance is duly acknowledged, but ample time is devoted to his contemporaries and successors, including the fast-pickin' duo of Flat & Scruggs, the Osborne Brothers, Jimmy Martin, and finally Alison Krauss, who passionately defends the music's acoustic purity. The rise, fall, and consistent revival of bluegrass is thus chronicled through oral history and visual record, resulting in a priceless film that even casual fans are sure to enjoy. --Jeff Shannon

Customer Reviews:

King of Bluegrass still reigns!.......2007-05-07

I'll admit that Jimmy Martin was a very crude, and sometimes obnoxious entertainer. However he left his mark on hundreds of tunes. There is no doubt it's Jimmy when you hear "Freeborn Man" or "Tennesee". He put together some of the best in Bluegrass Bands. Many of his band members moved on into prominent positions of their own.
This DVD will give you a glimpse of Jimmy's lifestyle. Beware of the Coon hunting scene, it's not for the faint of heart, or children.
As Jimmy would often say, "Git It, Git It, Git It!" This is a must have for those who appreciated "Jimmy"

universal appeal.......2007-03-02

You dont have to be a bluegrass fan to love this film, but you might end up one! Bill Monroe's life and music beautifully dominate a penetrating look at bluegrass music and the land that birthed it. Monroe's musicianship is astounding; his voice is like a lonesome wail, a tantalizing, gripping mix of pain and joy. He's an artist of immense stature, and High Lonesome does his legacy justice. This is a rowdy portrait of Appalachia and the hard South, salted with anecdotal contributions from people who live there, their music and stories of the artists who've succeeded in making a very persuasive art known and loved beyond a regional world. I gathered a bundle of heart from this film, and learned to love Monroe's music even more. One of the best moments is watching the grin wrap around Jimmy Dickens' face as he sings '20/20 vision, walkin' around blind...'. The film's chock full of nugget after nugget of pure music, resilient humanity, and an authentic film vision, all of it enriching to the max! High Lonesome delves into the importance of radio in its early days, and finishes with a blazing look at bluegrass festivals (lots of full performances are included!) and a number of current bluegrass performers, the unbeatable Allison Krauss among them. It's a film to watch again and again, one that stays true to its heart, and pulls you in for a memorable, at times haunting experience! Recommended enthusiastically - you wont be disappointed. And the music is stick-with-you SPECTACULAR!

High Lonesome.......2007-01-05

High Lonesome is a very good review of the history of BlueGrass.
Very enjoyable

Bluegrass Rule's.......2006-11-12

Fantastic performances and archive footage . The feel of why Bluegrass captures its enthusites is fully realized in this documenary !

a beautiful portrait of bluegrass music.......2006-11-11

The people who said this isn't a good history of bluegrass have a point; as a history, it's idiosyncratic and incomplete. On the other hand, as a portrait of the music and some of its creators it's unforgettable. I must have watched this movie 15 times over the past ten or eleven years, and it can still bring tears to my eyes.

DVD:

DVD

DVD

DVD

GTO - The Movie

Eric Clapton - Live In Hyde Park

The Nightmare On Elm Street (Seven Disc Collector's Edition)

DVD: Melody Time (Disney Gold Classic Collection)

Annapolis Book Of Seamanship - Vol. 4 - Sailboat Navigation