Pioneering Women of Bluegrass

by Alice Gerrard, Hazel Dickens, Hazel Dickens & Alice Gerrard

Overview

Dickens and Gerrard recorded a couple of albums in the mid-1960s that are now acknowledged as groundbreakers in demonstrating that women could play and record quality bluegrass. This collection remasters and resequences 26 tracks from the sessions, as well as adding lengthy historical liner notes, much of them contributed by the performers themselves. Historical significance aside, it's pretty good bluegrass, the two singers and instrumentals supported by other good musicians, including a young David Grisman. Their set leaned heavily on covers of tunes by the Carter Family and Bill Monroe (who specifically gave "I Hear a Sweet Voice Calling" to the duo), with additional items by the Delmore Brothers, the Stanley Brothers, and the like. Alice Gerrard's low vocals give this a greater gravity than much bluegrass. A special highlight is the cover of the magnificently mournful "The One I Love Is Gone," another tune that Monroe donated to the pair. Inverting the usual bluegrass cliche, one might call it an example of the low and lonesome sound. ~ Richie Unterberger

Product Details

Release Date:	10/21/2022
Label:	Smithsonian Folkways Recordings
UPC:	0093074025222
Rank:	6345

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Hazel Dickens   Primary Artist
Hazel Dickens & Alice Gerrard   Primary Artist
Alice Gerrard   Primary Artist
David Grisman   Guest Artist
Chubby Wise   Guest Artist

Technical Credits

Peter Siegel   Engineer,Producer
The Delmore Brothers   Composer
Carter Stanley   Composer
John Cohen   Photography
M. Christian   Composer
Neil V. Rosenberg   Liner Notes,Introduction
Wally Fowler   Composer
Pete Reiniger   Audio Technician,Technical Coordinator
A.P. Carter   Composer
Arthur "Guitar Boogie" Smith   Composer
Anthony Seeger   Reissue Supervisor
Albert Price   Composer
Hazel Dickens   Composer,Liner Notes,Photography,Introduction
Marijohn Wilkin   Composer
Danny Dill   Composer
David Glasser   Remastering
Eddy Arnold   Composer
Charlie Louvin   Composer
Tommy Duncan   Composer
Bill Vernon   Liner Notes
J.G. Hall   Composer
Lamar Grier   Composer
Walter "Joe" Callahan   Composer
Mary Monseur   Production Coordination
Carla Borden   Editorial Assistant
Michael Maloney   Production Coordination
Barry Glickman   Photography,Label Design
Ira Louvin   Composer
Bill Monroe   Composer
Bob Wills   Composer
Traditional   Composer
Alice Gerrard   Performer,Liner Notes