Power! I guess Mister!!! That was the crackingest bluegrass band that ever cut a transcription. Bleeding edge sharp. And fast moving with Flatt's early style minimalist emcee work (they only had 15 minutes after all, on the Martha White radio show). Also this was the first month F&S were on WSM radio every day, having moved to Nashville from Knoxville, and they were out to PROVE something (and sell flour and corn meal!). Earl and Benny really seemed to work like a team of oxen, feeling each other's thoughts and intents.

Their recording of Katy Hill from this period is just amazing. They put in the (correct) V chord at the end of the second line in the rhythm section, which I love. But most of all, down near the end Benny goes somewhere out beyond the asteroid belt with his hottest licks and everybody seems to stop bothering to count time any more. The rhythm section and banjo back up simply wait patiently until Benny SMOOTHLY returns to Earth. I recollect one time counting beats during this fiddle excursion, and I think the measure had 11 beats, or something like that. Enough to make you gasp.

Notice you never hear them tune, or fool with capos. Bill Keith said he timed a Monroe and BG Boys show once when he was with Monroe and they AVERAGED 17 seconds between songs. I think Lester and Earl had that beat!

It's always subject to debate whether the tape playback speed has gone up since the original was taped from the transcription. Or were they just tuned up a half step to G sharp? I think it's a little of both, but even with that they are moving FAST and taking no prisoners.

It's always pleasing to reflect they were using WSM staff bass players (notably Junior Huskey and Bobby Moore) on these shows, since Jody Rainwater was on the road booking and promoting live appearances. Neither Jr nor Bobby is playing safe, they were WORKING their bass lines.

These old tapes are the ambrosia many of us wish we could reproduce. Ahhhhhhhhhhh!

It also brings up the question of Earl’s dynamic edge before and after he was badly injured in a 1955 auto accident. Note the drive and “push” on not only “Turkey,” but “Little Girl of Mine from Tennessee.”