What makes Under the Wire by Jerry Douglas notable?

Under the Wire is notable for its critical acclaim within the bluegrass and country music communities, receiving praise for its innovative approach to traditional sounds. The album helped solidify Douglas's reputation, leading to collaborations with major artists and influencing a generation of musicians exploring cross-genre fusions. Released in 1986, Under the Wire marked Jerry Douglas's first solo album after gaining prominence as a member of the progressive bluegrass band, The Flecktones. This record served as a showcase for his virtuosic dobro playing and established him as a significant solo artist in the Americana genre.

Who is Under the Wire for?

Under the Wire works well if you're into warm storytelling atmosphere, for casual gatherings and easy background listening.

How many songs are on Under the Wire?

Under the Wire has 10 tracks, running approximately 38 minutes.

Released 40 years ago

Under the Wire

Jerry Douglas · 1986

38 min · 10 tracks · country music

A vibrant blend of bluegrass and country with intricate slide guitar work and lyrical storytelling that invites deep reflection.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Before the Blues — This track exemplifies Douglas's ability to fuse blues elements with bluegrass, showcasing both emotional depth and technical skill through his expressive dobro solos.
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Monroe's Hornpipe — A lively instrumental that pays homage to Bill Monroe, this track highlights Douglas's technical prowess while capturing the energetic spirit of bluegrass music.
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Time Gone By — This song features poignant lyrics reflecting on nostalgia and change, paired with a haunting melody that allows Douglas's slide guitar work to shine.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

64 /100

Treeline

Higher than 79% of albums we've rated

The album blends traditional bluegrass with modern elements, highlighted by Douglas's exceptional slide guitar work.

What we noticed

Several tracks incorporate traditional bluegrass instrumentation alongside contemporary arrangements, creating a dynamic sound.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 8/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 7/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

warm storytelling atmosphere
for casual gatherings
easy background listening
reflective moments of nostalgia

Maybe skip if you

seekers of high-energy tracks
prefer standalone singles

Where this album fits

Career context: Released in 1986, Under the Wire marked Jerry Douglas's first solo album after gaining prominence as a member of the progressive bluegrass band, The Flecktones. This record served as a showcase for his virtuosic dobro playing and established him as a significant solo artist in the Americana genre.
Stylistic neighbors: Alison Krauss· Chris Thile· Tim O'Brien