Track Listing

1. J.D.'s Words of Wisdom
2. Get up John
3. I Hope You've Learned
4. Think of What You've Done
5. Another Night
6. Drunken Driver
7. Little Maggie
8. Amanda Jewell
9. If I Lose
10. Ridin' That Midnight Train
11. Rank Stranger
12. Somehow Tonight
13. Rawhide
14. Well Glory

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #6111 in Music
• Released on: 1997-10-21
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .19 pounds

Amazon.com essential recording
"Country rocks ... but bluegrass rules." If Ricky Skaggs was looking for a manifesto for his long-awaited bluegrass comeback, he couldn't have done much better than this disc's five-second preamble. Contractually barred from recording bluegrass for more than 12 years, Skaggs has obviously been champing at the bit. After the aforementioned introduction, he promptly unleashes an instrumental "Get Up John" that still has smoke wafting from my CD player. Dandy versions of "Little Maggie," "If I Lose," and "Rank Stranger" follow, to single out just a few. The musicianship here is uniformly superb, especially Skaggs's own mandolin playing, the guitar work of Bryan Sutton, Bobby Hicks's fiddling, and even a nice guest turn from Jerry Douglas. If there's any justice, the commercial success of Bluegrass Rules will send a strong message to record companies: Bluegrass music can and does sell records, especially when it's as flawlessly executed as Skaggs's latest. Let's just hope we don't have to wait as long for the next one. --Mary Park

Customer Reviews

One of his very best
I actually purchased this after Ancient Tones and wondered if it could be 1/2 as good as that. Believe me it's all that and more. I absolutely love the old songs and the old time sound that Ricky and his band gives these songs. The harmonies in these songs are the greatest. I liked every one of the cuts on this CD, my particular favorite Rank Stranger. An old tune brought to life by Ricky, et al. I agree that I think Ricky is the best thing in bluegrass music today, and I've been following him since the late 70's early 80's and love the way his beautiful voice has matured and become more beautiful. Please give us more Bluegrass Rules/Ancient Tones/Soldier of the Cross!!!!!!!!

Best of the Best
I can't say it any simplier: This is one of my favorite recordings of all times!

If anyone needs a modern sampler of traditional bluegrass music I would recommend this one. If you need more, the albums that followed this one are right on up there too!

Keepin' Bluegrass Alive and Kickin'
I don't believe there is anybody more convicted to the perpetuation of the "ancient tones" of bluegrass into the next millenium than Skaggs. "Bluegrass Rules" exemplifies the fusion of modern, refined music recording and the bluegrass tunes of days past that we see today. Skaggs has definately captured and preserved the "high lonesome sound" of the Stanley songs on this release. This album is a must buy for any bluegrass fan young or old.