This is another absolute first. It's probably my first bluegrass record period. So when I saw that this thing was around 2 hours in length, I was a bit taken aback but still intrigued. "Grand Ole Opry Song" was a very enjoyable start to this album. I love the little chatter at the beginning of many of these songs. It's quite a funny-sounding song, it almost sounds like the manifestation of the stereotypes surrounding this type of music; with the yelped and twangy vocals and that finger-picked banjo. It's still quite enjoyable, I also enjoy the more mellow acoustic-driven follow-up "Keep On the Sunny Side" featuring Maybelle Carter. With an album this long, it's difficult to dissect it in its entirety but below I'll jot down some of my other favorite moments. - I love the instrumental track "Nashville Blues". There's something so relentlessly fiery about the performances here. Earl Scruggs' banjo playing is great here. It also made me realize how cool of an instrument the washboard is. This is probably my favorite song here. - I love Roy Acuff's deeper and almost slurred vocals on "The Precious Jewel". - I enjoy the storytelling on the song "The Tennessee Stud". I can't honestly begin to decipher what this story is even about, it seems to be a story about a cunning Tennessee man that's also being likened to a horse or something. No idea but it's certainly standout. - A song called "The End of the World" having such a bright instrumental is pretty funny but also unsettling. - After a series of slower tracks, the more upbeat, catchy, and immediate nature of "My Walkin' Shoes" is a nice change-up, nicely closing out the first disc. - It leads nicely to the first track of the second disc, "Lonesome Fiddle Blues" which is a highly enjoyable guitar and violin-backed instrumental track. "Cannonball Rag" is another short and sweet acoustic cut that sounds familiar, probably because it's a standard in this genre. In general, I liked the series of shorter instrumental cuts here. - "Honky Tonk Blues" is another one of the more immediate tracks, likely due to its shorter nature and simple yet prominent drum beat. - I love the main instrumental melody on "Wildwood Flower" at the beginning that gives off a tiny music box feel. This entire song is one of my favorites overall, there's something so hypnotic about the acoustic guitar here. Maybelle's vocals here are so subdued and a much-needed breather nearing the end of this album. I know this song is a cover of another song but it's still a really good cover. - The mournful title track (which is another cover) is another favorite of mine with the exchange between two vocalists detailing the passing of the protagonist's mother and how it's affected them. I love the mantra on the chorus and they bid their loved one farewell. - I love the soothing acoustic-driven closing instrumental track, fits nicely after the previous somber track. Lengthy records like this always give off this monolithic feeling to me and this album is no exception; it feels almost like a classic country epic. Yet, there is nothing conventionally "epic" about it; it's very laid back. It sounds like sizzling outside on an August afternoon, for better or worse, or maybe taking a walk in a smaller village. It certainly evokes a positive feeling in me and takes me to a happier and more simple place. The slew of guest vocalists and players also contributes to this compilation-esque attitude the album adapts. The diverse set of vocalists makes this feel like a collection of short stories, almost like you're taking a peek into the lives of many different men and women. Can't say every song here was incredible or anything and on the surface, a lot of the songs sound very similar. But I think that's fine and this is an album to be enjoyed in its entirety by soaking in all these textured instrumentals, anecdotal lyrics, and shiny twangy vocals. As a whole, it's pretty great but I can also see how some people would 100% despise everything about it.