BITTER SWEET, Ky. — I would like to take a step back in time this week; way back in time, to 1962 to be exact.

That was the year the Navy SEALs were established, John Glenn became the first American to orbit the earth and Mickey Mantle was named MVP in the American League.

It was also the year in which the Foggy Mountain Boys, led by Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs marched into Carnegie Hall and recorded a live album that is regarded, to this day, as one of the best bluegrass recordings ever made.

This album is a must for a true connoisseur of bluegrass music.

But more than that, it is a piece of musical history. I think it brought this wonderful music of the mountains to a different demographic; it crossed the line into the realm of an emerging folk music audience.

Bluegrass, and Carnegie Hall, was never quite the same.

The live recording resulted in 13 tracks on the original release that are considered to be of the bluegrass genre. But if you listen closely, you’ll hear the blues, gospel and folk music. You’ll be astonished at the musical abilities of the band including fiddle player Paul Warren and dobro player Uncle Josh Graves.

And, of course, you will be blown away as Scruggs literally makes the five-string banjo speak a language all its own.

Add that smooth, mellow voice of Flatt to the mix, and you’ll find a group that has never been equaled in my mind. Okay, there have been a few that have come really close, but Flatt and Scruggs set the bar extremely high.

You can still find the original album, but there are re-issues including a collection of the entire concert.

I highly recommend this one – especially to those new to the bluegrass sound. You’ll find this album to be a great history lesson in song.

I had the privilege of seeing these guys perform live; and let me tell you, it rivaled any rock concert I’ve ever seen. And yes, I’ve seen a few rock concerts in my day.

While our beloved Bill Monroe was the father of bluegrass, Flatt and Scruggs, who both once played with Monroe, surely can be looked at as the duo that brought it to the masses.

For me, my grading scale doesn’t even go as high as this release deserves, so we’ll leave it at this; Flatt and Scruggs at Carnegie Hall goes to the head of the class.

Bluegrass Johnson comes from a long line of country music performers and enjoys a passion for the rhythm and melody. From the hills of Kentucky, he will offer his opinions on a variety of new country music each week. Readers with questions or comments may write to Johnson in care of this publication.