The Earl Scruggs Revue - Anniversary Special, Vols. 1-2 (CD)

All Music Guide

One half of the legendary banjo duo Flatt Scruggs, Earl Scruggs formed his eponymous Revue upon the demise of his long time partnership with Lester Flatt in early 1969, and promptly began unleashing a stream of excellent albums. Anniversary Special arrived in 1975, marking the banjoman's 25th anniversary of signing with Columbia/CBS Records. It was a guest star laden affair, where Scruggs and his two sons, the core of the Revue, were joined in the studio by a host of country, folkie and other far flung luminary. Johnny Nash, Joan Baez, Billy Joel and The Pointer Sisters are just a handful of the guests, an aggregate so eclectic one longs to know just how Scruggs knew them all.The booklet supplies the answers, introducing the cast and explaining their surprising links to Scruggs, most better any degree of separation Kevin Bacon can lay claim to. But as far removed as some of these people are from the banjo star, the set is solidly grounded by the Revue, as they joyfully pick their way ...through a series of astutely chosen covers, a number related to or written by the guests involved.The album's star power certainly garnered attention, but it was the set's jubilant atmosphere, joyous eclectic flair, and inspired arrangements which pushed the band to their highest placing in the pop chart (just outside the Top 100). Inevitably, then, a second Anniversary set followed the next year. Less is known about this album, with annotator John Tobler suggesting that six of the tracks were initially begun for the first volume, but not, for unknown reasons, completed at the time, these were subsequently finished off with only four new tracks recorded. He makes a good case, but only the most anal of fans will really care.In fact, Tobler raises more questions than he can answer, unstrung but his authoritative take on the first set. But the music is what's important, and although the name cache is not as star struck as its predecessor, still this album was equally eclectic and entertaining. Considering the pair's history, and being as they are, two parts of a whole, it's been a long time coming until they were finally reissued together on one disc.Delightfully defying genres, and proving yet again that country music doesn't necessarily start or end with a twang, this very Special sets's appeal far exceeds the parameters of country, folk or any of the other typical tags the Revue had earned. - JoAnn Greene, All Music Guide Read more Less