Old Dominion Masters

They would eventually become early innovators of the progressive school, but in their early years Jim and Jesse McReynolds played hard-driving traditional bluegrass, as this collection demonstrates. Even here though, Jesse’s cross-picking mandolin style is unique, and there are some forward-looking elements in the production (note the tympani on the intro to “Ballad of Thunder Road” and the oddly extreme instrument separation between channels). And they harmonize like only brothers can.