Watching Bill Monroe up close in a one on one conversation with John Hartford is a pleasure and a lesson that will not be forgotten. It is not a typical instruction film, to be sure. But, the lessons learned here are most certain to be more lasting.

John Hartford does a great job of staying out of the way and allowing Bill Monroe to show his technique without interruption or opinion. You can see John just wanting to push further and get a more descriptive lesson, but he is also wise enough to understand that Bill Monroe is a great talent, but not a teacher. Let him play and see what you can learn is the best approach. It's interesting to see John ask Bill to "play that section a little slower" and Bill graciously plays the section over - at the pace he just played it. Funny, but very telling.

There are some very poignant monents as well. When Mr. Monroe talks about going back home to an empty house while discussing one of his compositions will bring tears to your eyes. And, when he addresses "Last Days on Earth" one cannot help but be moved by the sincerity and emotion in his playing and his demeanor. It touches your soul.

Personally, I learned much more from this Volume One than I did from Sam Bush's more instructional Volume 2 of the same title. While Sam's is more nuts and bolts, just watching Bill was much more earthy and sticking than Volume 2. It may be best to get both, but if you have to choose, I would highly recommend Volume One as, by far, the best.

Thank you Bill for leaving this for us. Lessons I will never forget.

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Karl

Bill's not much of an instructor

Reviewed in the United States on September 23, 2014

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Ugh, Bill I guess that's the way you were. I still enjoy your music. He's not interested in sharing anything on this video though. If you read a little about him, it seems like that's how he was. Good if you want some close ups of him playing. Need part 2 where Sam Bush breaks his stuff down. Ironically he advised Sam not to play the mandolin back in the day!!!

Reviewed in the United States on September 23, 2014

Enjoyed the video.

Reviewed in the United States on April 25, 2015

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Great to see Bill. He was always my mandolin hero. It reminds me of the many times I saw him on stage and the few times
I sat and talked with him.

Reviewed in the United States on June 13, 2016

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Superb offering into the wonderful lyrical mind of the master himself

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Jamie J.

Master of the Mandolin and Father of Bluegrass Music!

Reviewed in the United States on December 26, 2013

John Hartford, who interviews the great mandolin player in the video, "The Father of Bluegrass", interviews Bill Monroe, once again, in depth as Monroe plays many of his most memorable songs and instrumentals, backed up by the Bluegrass Boys. These two videos were done not long before Monroe's death, and so there was a sense of urgency to document Monroe's own personal reflections on his long and very productive career while there was still time. Very polite and very southern in his demeanor, and very much an introvert, Bill Monroe never felt comfortable talking about himself or promoting himself commercially. Prior to this, he had given few interviews. So, it was wonderful, in this one, to feel as though you are part of a personal and intimate conversation with the man who so many admire. Close ups of his mandolin solos are offered throughout, although it is clear that Bill was never good at explaining his method, simply telling band members, and fans, "just watch how I do it." I was astonished to hear that Bill had written 100 gospel songs alone, which suggests that he is one of those very gifted musicians, who had a continuous flow of ideas for songs and melodies. Monroe is one of the giants who have determined the course of modern music, and, in his case, the inception of a whole genre; bluegrass and how to play the mandolin, which has been a instrument associated with classical and baroque music, not country music. John Hartford does just enough to stimulate Bill to talk, without getting in the way or taking precious time away from Monroe's own reflections. He is to be commended for a job well done! Both videos end with some footage from 1980 when Jimmy Carter, a fan of bluegrass music, invited Bill Monroe and Doc Watson to the White House for a concert.

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The Mandolin of Bill Monroe, Vol. 1

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