Reviewed by Dave Brassington

For anybody remotely interested in the history of country music and its appearance on the early days of TV in the 1950s, this DVD is a treasure. Comprising 29 selections, 25 in full colour, the DVD opens with Bill Monroe and his Bluegrass Boys in full throttle blast on "Close By". In fact Bill is the most featured artist with six tracks, accompanied by a group sometimes comprising three fiddles, a sound well demonstrated on his famous instrumental "Roanoke". A gospel track "A Voice From On High" is also featured, with fine quartet vocals. What is most apparent from all this is that at the time bluegrass music was just part of mainstream American country music, not the almost separate genre it has now become. Several other erstwhile country groups from the time are well featured, Sam & Kirk McGee, the Crook Brothers, Stringbean and the comedy duo Lonzo & Oscar. Suffice to say, whilst enjoyable, I think it has to be said this is country music of a bygone era, and a million miles away from today's commercial Nashville music. Grandpa Jones is featured several times, accompanied by his wife Ramona on some fast paced items like the catchy "Old Dan Tucker". Then we come to perhaps the cream of the DVD, two fantastic tracks from the Louvin Brothers, the very clever "I Don't Believe You've Met My Baby" and the gospel track "Love Thy Neighbour". The icing on the cake is the last four tracks, all in black and white, comprising the only known film of Hank Williams. Here Hank sings two of his great hits "Hey Good Looking" and "Cold Cold Heart". Then an amazing duet version of "I Can't Help It If I'm Still In Love With You" with the great Anita Carter, introduced by her sister June, before we get a closing rendition of Hank's gospel classic "I Saw The Light" introduced by Roy Acuff and several other Opry cast members of the time, before Hank does a solo himself. Musical history indeed.

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.

Interested in reviewing music? Find out more here.