Pioneering women of bluegrass

"Dickens and Gerrard recorded a couple of albums in the mid-1960s that are now acknowledged as groundbreakers in demonstrating that women could play and record quality bluegrass. This collection remasters and resequences [28] tracks from the sessions, as well as adding lengthy historical liner notes, much of them contributed by the performers themselves. Historical significance aside, it's pretty good bluegrass, the two singers and instrumentals supported by other good musicians, including a young David Grisman ... Alice Gerrard's low vocals give this a greater gravity than much bluegrass. A special highlight is the cover of the magnificently mournful "The One I Love Is Gone," a tune that Monroe donated to the pair".

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"Top of the world" - "Bold bluegrass from a trailblazing twosome: In 1965, Who's That Knocking? by Hazel Dickens & Alice Gerrard demolished forever a de facto gender barrier within the good ol' boy bluegrass scene ... The music still sounds fresh, fierce, charged with youthful vigour. The temperature still rises precipitously as [they] scorch their way through 'Cowboy Jim' and 'Lee Highway Blues', both Dickens originals, and [Lamar] Grier's 'Difficult Run'. The duo's sharply etched vocal harmonies on Bill Monroe's The One I Love Is Gone' and 'Can't You Hear Me Calling?' remain matched by their honeyed yodelling on 'Gonna Lay Down My Old Guitar' and 'They're at Rest Together (TB Blues)'. This treasure trove presents an opportunity to experience a milestone in American music with focus and clarity".