Reviewed by Tony May

Mike's brother to Pete and Peggy, both better known than he, but I really don't know why that should be. This man has made an immense long term contribution to oldtime country, roots and mountain music, probably going about it too quietly for his own good. This wonderful 23 track set has guests of the quality of Maria Muldaur, Tim O'Brien, David Grisman, Ralph Stanley, Jimmie Driftwood, Tommy Jarrell. On and one the list rolls, reaching "Will The Circle Be Unbroken" proportions. Bob Dylan takes the vocal on his "The Ballad Of Hollie Brown". Oldtime country music lives very close to the ground, thus it's immense value in these plastic times. It contains a considerable quota of rural gospel, of special note here would be the songs of AP Carter, Jean Ritchie and Hazel Dickens. In its own way this is dynamic music, totally noncommercial, timeless and wonderful.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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