After expanding the parameters of bluegrass throughout the 1960s, the Osbornes returned to the classic bluegrass sound and repertoire for this landmark 1978 recording. Because they'd traveled so far afield, these 24 traditional performances of Bill Monroe, Flatt and Scruggs, and the Stanley Brothers own a freshness and excitement that match the Osbornes' best work. Bobby's piercing high tenor vocals (check out "Kentucky Waltz") and Sonny's vigorous five-string banjo picking are both as strong as ever while Kenny Baker and Blaine Sprouse add potent twin fiddles. Guitarist Benny Birchfield, who'd left the band 13 years earlier, returns to the fold to re-create the sparkling three-part harmonies of days gone by. --Marc Greilsamer