Doyle Lawson

On the cover we get mandolin player extraordinaire Doyle Lawson chillin' in country denim. The image captures the organic, informal vibe of these 12 instrumentals, originally released in 1977. But even though this stuff begs for ice cream socials and homemade lemonade, don't get too comfy. After Bill Monroe, Lawson is one of the mandolin's most dramatic pickers (simply check out "Silver Bird"), and he's got some Grade A help here in the form of banjoist J.D. Crowe and Dobro master Jerry Douglas.