Gotta Travel On

For over 60 years, the late great Bill Monroe reigned supreme as both the chief architect of bluegrass music, and its flagship artist. From his first sessions in the 1930s with his brothers Birch and Charlie onwards, Mr. Monroe never deviated from his chosen musical path and it is largely through his musical vision that bluegrass became country music's most popular and enduring sub-genre.

Many of Bluegrass' most eminent musicians passed through Mr. Monroe's Bluegrass Boys in that 60s years, among them Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs, Carter and Ralph Stanley. Jimmy Martin and Mac Wiseman (to name just a few). The careers of all those who worked with him benefited greatly from what they learned as a Bluegrass Boy.

Mr Monroe recorded prolifically in the 1950s, the decade which this Jasmine collection draws its repertoire from. Although very few of his records charted, all remained in catalogue for years - a measure of both his and their ongoing popularity.

Every A side and the very best of the B sides from every Monroe single of the 1950s is featured in this essential set. A great many went on to become both Monroe classics, and staples of the repertoire of any new bluegrass group trying to prove its mettle.

Bill Monroe may not have invented bluegrass music, but it would never have evolved as it did without him at the centre of things. This collection is a testament to his determination, and as comprehensive a collection of classic 1950s Bill Monroe as anyone could wish to own.