AVIDIGI

Earl Scruggs is to the five-string banjo what Paganini was to the violin. After more than 20 years with the Foggy Mountain Boys, forming the most famous band in bluegrass history, Scruggs and Lester Flatt parted company in 1969 because of artistic differences, with Flatt pursuing more traditional sounds and Scruggs forming the Earl Scruggs Revue with his two sons. The Revue appealed more to a young and urban audience and, with dobro player Josh Graves, played rock and other non-country music. Scruggs has made many albums since his parting with Flatt (including The Storyteller and the Banjoman with Tom T. Hall in 1982) and is seen on TV, often for reunion appearances.

As Earl Scruggs broadened his horizons into country-rock in the early 1970s, two albums much like this one appeared, featuring cameos from Bob Dylan, the Byrds, Linda Ronstadt, Joan Baez, etc. Now as then, the results are mixed. Sir Elton John renders a mature, definitive "Country Comfort." Dwight Yoakam's newly penned "Borrowed Love," "True Love Never Dies" with Travis Tritt, and John Fogerty's "Blue Ridge Mountain Blues" all honor bluegrass traditions. Vince Gill and Rosanne Cash ("I Found Love"), Marty Stuart ("Foggy Mountain Rock"/"Foggy Mountain Special"), and Johnny Cash with Don Henley (the eerie "Passin' Thru") are focused and flawless. The misfires are equally spectacular. Billy Bob Thornton's "Ring of Fire" doesn't bode well for his 2001 country album. Not only are Melissa Etheridge and Sting out of their element, their overwhelming performances relegate Scruggs to the distant background. Likewise, his signature instrumental "Foggy Mountain Breakdown" buckles under the weight of 10 guest pickers including Steve Martin and Paul Shaffer. All-star tributes can be a bear to manage. Given that reality, 8 out of 12 ain't bad. ~ Rich Kienzle (Amazon)