Bill Monroe: Father of Bluegrass Music

Whole Earth Review, Spring, 1994 by Mike Ashenfelder

Bill Monroe: Father of Bluegrass Music

The man and his music straight from the picker's mouth. Monroe, interviewed by John Hartford, reminisces about his long career and picks same mandolin now and then. As Monroe talks, director Steve Gebhardt smoothly cuts in archival footage, still photos, and audio clips. Sprinkled throughout this joyride are stories and speechifyin by Emmy Lou Harris, Ricky Skaggs, Marty Stuart Jerry Garcia, and lots of other musicians.

There's a nice balance of complete performances and excerpts. In most of the performance footage, the camera shots include the musicians' hands in the frame -- something lacking in many music documentaries. Threading through it all is Bill Monroe, rocking gently on a cabin porch swing, spinning tales in the same spirit as his music upbeat, sincere, and pure.