One-half of the legendary banjo duo
Flatt & Scruggs,
Earl Scruggs formed his eponymous
Revue upon the demise of his longtime partnership with
Lester Flatt in early 1969, and promptly began unleashing a stream of excellent albums.
Anniversary Special arrived in 1975, marking the banjo man's 25th anniversary of signing with
Columbia/
CBS Records. It was a guest star-laden affair, with
Scruggs and his two sons, the core of
the Revue, joined in the studio by a host of
country,
folk, and other far-flung luminaries.
Johnny Nash,
Joan Baez,
Billy Joel, and
the Pointer Sisters are just a handful of the guests, an aggregate so eclectic one longs to know just how
Scruggs knew them all. The booklet supplies the answers, introducing the cast and explaining their surprising links to
Scruggs (most more interesting than any degree of separation
Kevin Bacon can lay claim to). But as far removed as some of these people are from the banjo star, the set is solidly grounded by the members of
the Revue, as they joyfully pick their way through a series of astutely chosen covers, a number related to or written by the guests involved. The album's star power certainly garnered attention, but it was the set's jubilant atmosphere, joyous eclectic flair, and inspired arrangements that pushed the band to its highest placing in the
pop chart (just outside the Top 100). Inevitably, then, a second-anniversary set followed the next year. Less is known about this album, with annotator
John Tobler suggesting that six of the tracks were initially begun for the first volume, but not, for unknown reasons, completed at the time -- these were subsequently finished off with only four new tracks recorded. He makes a good case, but only the most anal of fans will really care. In fact,
Tobler raises more questions than he can answer, unstrung by his authoritative take on the first set. But the music is what's important, and although the name cachet was not as star-struck as its predecessor, the album was equally eclectic and entertaining. Considering the pair's history, and being -- as they are -- two parts of a whole, it's been a long time coming until they were finally reissued together on one disc. Delightfully defying genres, and proving yet again that
country music doesn't necessarily start or end with a twang, this very
Special set's appeal far exceeds the parameters of
bluegrass,
country,
folk, or any of the other typical tags
the Revue had earned. ~ Jo-Ann Greene
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