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.

Tracklist:

My Long Journey Home
What Is Home Without Love
What Would You Give in Exchange?
Little Red Shoes
Nine Pound Hammer Is Too Heavy
On Some Foggy Mountain Top
Drifting Too Far From the Shore
In My Dear Old Southern Home
New River Train
This World Is Not My Home
Watermelon Hangin' on the Vine
On the Banks of the Ohio
Do You Call That Religion?
God Holds the Future in His Hands
You've Got to Walk That Lonesome Valley
Six Months Ain't Long
Just a Song of Old Kentucky
Don't Forget Me
I'm Going
Darling Corey
My Savior's Train
I Am Thinking Tonight of the Old Folks
Dreamed I Searched Heaven For You
Old Cross Road, The
Forgotten Soldier Boy, The
We Read of a Place That's Called Heaven
Will the Circle Be Unbroken
Saints Go Marching In
Roll in My Sweet Baby's Arms
Where Is My Sailor Boy
Am I Ready to Go
What Would the Profit Be
Some Glad Day
I Have Found the Way
I Am Going That Way
Kate Cline
Roll on Buddy
Weeping Willow Tree
I'll Live On
Oh Hide You in the Blood
What Would You Give in Exchange (Part 2)
On That Gospel Ship
What Would You Give in Exchange (Part 3)
Let Us Be Lovers Again
All the Good Times Are Passed and Gone
What Would You Give in Exchange (Part 4)
On My Way to Glory
My Last Moving Day
He Will Set Your Fields on Fire
Sinner You Better Get Ready
Have a Feast Here Tonight
Goodbye Maggie
Rollin' On
Old Man's Story, The
I've Still Got Ninety Nine
Little Joe
Beautiful Life, A
Pearly Gates
On My Way Back Home
When Our Lord Shall Come Again
Mule Skinner Blues
No Letter in the Mail
Cryin' Holy Unto the Lord
Six White Horses
Dog House Blues
I Wonder If You Feel the Way I Do
Katy Hill
Tennessee Blues
Shake My Mother's Hand For Me
Were You There
Blue Yodel #7
Coupon Song, The
Orange Blosoom Special
Honky Tonk Swing
In the Pines
Back up and Push
Rocky Road Blues
Kentucky Waltz
True Life Blues
Goodbye Old Pal
Footprints in the Snow
Blue Grass Special
Heavy Traffic Ahead
Blue Moon of Kentucky
Toy Heart
Summertime Is Past and Gone
Mansions For Me
Mother's Only Sleeping
Blue Yodel #4
Will You Be Loving Another Man
How Will I Explain About You
Wicked Path of Sin
I'm Going Back to Old Kentucky
It's Mighty Dark to Travel
I Hear a Sweet Voice Calling
Little Cabin on the Hill
My Rose of Old Kentucky
Blue Grass Breakdown
Sweetheart You Done Me Wrong
Old Cross Roads, The
That Home Above
Remember the Cross
Little Community Church
Along About Daybreak
When You Are Lonely
Molly and Tenbrooks
Shine Hallelujah Shine
I'm Travelin' on and On
Can't You Hear Me Calling
Travelin' This Lonesome Road
Blue Grass Stomp
Girl in the Blue Velvet Band, The

UPC: 788065771225
Label: Jsp Records
Release Date: 6.10.03
Format: CD

Bill Monroe - All the Classic Releases 1937-1949 (4 CD)