AMG Review of First Whippoorwill

Thom Owens
All Music Guide

The First Wippoorwill is a tribute album by Peter Rowan to his mentor, Bill Monroe, and it is one of the most moving salutes ever recorded in country music. It isn't moving purely in sentimental terms, either -- what makes the record so successful is how Rowan affectionately demonstrates his debt to Monroe with invigorating, lively performances instead of treating the music as a museum piece. Rowan assembled a crackerjack backing band -- featuring Buddy Spicher, Sam Bush, Roy Huskey Jr., Bill Keith and Richard Greene -- which helps him make one of the best, most focused records of his career.