One of the best albums of
Scruggs' solo career,
Live at Kansas State is a mirror image of his best live work with
Flatt & Scruggs from the earlier decade. Backed by the
Earl Scruggs Revue, an electric band that includes his two sons (with bassist
Gary Scruggs doing most of the singing), he brings his virtuosity intact into the electric rock age, and this is a rocking band as well as a bluegrass outfit, doing songs by
Bob Dylan and
Joni Mitchell, '40s standards, and
Jimmie Rodgers material interspersed with good originals. It's all just as enjoyable as the best
Flatt & Scruggs material, only different, with electric bass pumping away and electric guitar sharing the spotlight with the banjo. ~ Bruce Eder