Blue Moon of Kentucky

Background

"Blue Moon of Kentucky" is a track John Fogerty recorded for a Bill Monroe tribute album Big Mon in 2000.  Bluegrass artist Ricky Skaggs was doing the tribute disc, and he asked John Fogerty to join him. "Blue Moon of Kentucky" was recorded at Ricky’s studio in Nashville, Tennessee, with his band and steel player Kayton Roberts (John Fogerty, Fortunate Son, 2015). 

The song is originally a waltz written in 1946 by Bill Monroe and recorded by his band, The Blue Grass Boys, next year. The first 33 seconds in Fogerty's remake are from Monroe's original recording. 

Collector's notes

The album was rereleased in 2002 on Disney's Lyric Street imprint with one additional track under the title Ricky Skaggs and Friends Sing the Songs of Bill Monroe. It has a different cover photo. 

Live versions

John Fogerty performed "Blue Moon of Kentucky" in two European concerts in summer 2008: Vienna, Austria, on June 17th and Brussels, Belgium, two days later. 

Fans' views

"Just bought Big Mon and gave it a listen -- two, in fact <g> -- in the car  on the way home. "Blue Moon of Kentucky" is terrific! There's a good bit  of reverb, a little echo, on the vocal, especially in the beginning, and the  way John segues from Monroe's original recording, which was considerably  slower in tempo than John's ... it's like you can see one generation passing  the torch to the next." -John Fogerty Swamp Mailing List, August 29th, 2000.  

"I like the intro to BMOK as the old scratchy 78 rpm --- fades and a sort of Merle Travis style picking fades in as the song gains momentum. A nice easy, steady, bass drum throughout...not overpowering...keeping one`s head bopping and the infectious BLUEGRASS foot tapping takes effect. Superior guitar work with tasteful licks, not overplaying, just a nice fingerpicking groove. And the vocals....are just as right as rain. Not straining or course but smooth as silk." -Gatortunes, John Fogerty Swamp Mailing List, September 3rd, 2000.

"Awesome guitar, great country feel to the song."

"This song is an example of bluegrass evolution towards rock'n'roll. Monroe considered Elvis's version as an insult."

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