This 4 CD boxed set is not as essential as the earlier Osborne set that contains their classic MGM recordings plus many of their best Decca cuts as well (BCD-15598, "1956-1968", $ 85.00). But for the many fans who enjoy much of, or most of Sonny & Bob's recorded work, there is certainly enough here to make this a worthwhile purchase as well. There's a lot of ordinary material, much of it with Nashville-type production, but the set does include some great straight Bluegrass from their "Yesterday & Today" LP, as well as the entire gospel LP they put out with lovely versions of such songs as MEDALS FOR MOTHERS. This is also the place to find a number of their best known hits like TENNESSEE HOUND DOG, COUNTRY ROADS, GEORGIA PINEYWOODS, FLYIN' SOUTH, a later version of RUBY ARE YOU MAD, and LISTENING TO THE RAIN. The usual top-flight BEAR FAMILY research work & packaging make this a wonderful documentation of a great band. 4-CD set + book: $ 85.00
