Search - The Best of the Flatt and Scruggs TV Show, Vol. 2 on DVD

Outstanding performances-- an important piece of history

Robert Meador | New York, NY United States | 05/14/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"These two volumes of the Flatt & Scruggs TV Show are an outstanding addition to the history of bluegrass. The performances are top notch and quality of the films are excellent. As far as I can tell from the DVDs, each show was filmed live and without a lot of retakes, so it is more like watching a Flatt & Scruggs performance of the era than a TV show. There are even a few surprises-- on the first show in Volume 2, Lester Flatt announces a banjo tune called Farewell Blues. Then Earl Scruggs jumps in and plays Fire Ball Mail. At the end of the song, Lester, obviously a little ruffled, makes some jokes about how much Farewell Blues had changed and Earl kind of sheepishly says something about it being a last minute request. It's a very unscripted moment, and demonstrates the live/one-take nature of these shows. It was also interesting to see that the TV shows were organized pretty much in the same way the radio shows were. There would be a slick banjo number, a lively trio, a sacred quartet, some rube comedy and a duet between Cousin Jake and Uncle Josh, a heart song, and fiddle and banjo number, and a rousing finale. Throughout it all, you get a real performance from the band. Since they were in their prime, the performances are all outstanding. But there are the occasional rough spots too-- on a fiddle and banjo number, Paul Warren plays the tune impeccably, and Scruggs does a wonderful job but kind of muffs the ending. Lester then comments "well Earl, you keep practicing it and you'll learn how to end it someday" (paraphrase). In other words, all the interplay and dynamics that would come across in a live performance are in play on these tapes. Each DVD volume contains 2 shows, one each featuring a special guest. Mother Maybelle Carter is the guest on Vol. 2, and it's wonderful to see her. The guest on the first volume is Hylo Brown. For me, the wonderful thing about these DVDs is that you really get a chance to see one of the groundbreaking bands in bluegrass at their prime, live and unedited. I only hope more volumes are on the way!"

Priceless!

James Wagner | Dallas, Tx. | 05/19/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a goldmine of priceless nuggets from the golden era of Bluegrass music. The artistry and humanity of Earl and Lester and the boys along with superstars like Mother Maybelle Carter warm your heart and get your foot tapping everytime you hear and watch these gems. Priceless!"