This collection, drawn from the Columbia recordings of 1945-1949, features the originally issued takes of the 16 songs that were presented in alternate-take form on "The Essential Bill Monroe 1945-1949."

bluegrass 1996 CD Studio Columbia/Legacy CK 53908 Tex Willis (guitar, vocal), Dave Akeman (banjo), Sally Ann Forrester (accordion, vocal), Bill Westbrook (bass), Lester Flatt (guitar, vocal), Chubby Wise (fiddle), Earl Scruggs (banjo, vocal), Howard Watts (bass, vocal), Birch Monroe (vocal), Mac Wiseman (guitar, vocal), Rudy Lyle (banjo), Jack Thompson (bass)