J.D. Crowe had been off on his own for only awhile, but was already legendary in Bluegrass circles since his work as a teenaged banjo gunslinger with Jimmy Martin on tracks like "Train 45" and "Cripple Creek". Ricky Skaggs was also young, but as a teenager with Keith Whitley he had already developed the soulful tenor, staccato mandolin and fluid fiddle lines that would lead him to superstardom. Jerry Douglas was an unknown teenager, but showed the seeds which would make him the undisputed MASTER of his instrument. Tony Rice had replaced the legendary Dan Crary in the Bluegrass Alliance, then joined his brother Larry with an earlier version of J.D.'s band. During his "spare time" in Louisville with J.D. he was working out the most devastating acoustic guitar technique in the world, and he began to unleash it on this album. Tony's soulful lead vocals were a departure from the nasal "high lonesome" sounds that had dominated bluegrass for 50 years. The trio of Tony with Ricky's searing tenor and J.D.'s laser-accurate baritone made chorus's which affect how bluegrass is sung to this day, and if you don't think so, ask Alison Krauss or Dan Tyminski. The material is traditional AND original, respectful of past traditions AND chomping at the bit to break new ground. The performances are unsurpassed.  It would not be difficult to argue that this is the best and most influential bluegrass album ever, but it is not important whether it is "the best" or not. It is only important that if you have ANY interest in bluegrass music, THIS recording is a "must have".