Bluegrass is the sound of the Appalachian Mountains. So connected is it, to the history and heart of its environment, that the music rings with an authentic soulful edge. Each song unfolds a story, typically told with bittersweet honesty and humor. Listen out for banjos, mandolins and violins, as well as bouncing rhythm sections, and powerfully expressive voices. This Rough Guide features some of the greatest contemporary bluegrass artists, from Ricky Skaggs to Kathy Mattea.