|
COUNTRY,
BLUEGRASS & OLD-TIMEY
Mac
& Bob -> Ronnie McCoury
| MAC & BOB |
B.A.C.M. 067 |
Songs For Country Home Folks, Vol. 1 |
● CD $13.98 |
26 tracks recorded between 1926 and 1930 by
Lester McFarland and Robert Gardner - one of the first old time country
vocal duos who accompanied themselves on guitar and mandolin. Ballads,
sentimental songs, religious songs and novelty numbers -including Asleep
At The Switch/ Just Plain Folks/ The Two Orphans/ Put My Little Shoes Away/
Sarah Jane/ What A Friend We have In Mother/ he Left The One Who Loved Him
For Another/ I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles/ Three Leaves Of Shamrock, etc
|
| UNCLE DAVE MACON |
County 3505 |
Go Long Mule |
● CD $15.98 |
18 sides, 52 min, essential
Lively tracks from the unlikely
first star of the Grand Old Opry, Uncle Dave Macon. Born in 1870 in
Tennessee, he was a wagoner until until age 50, when his prowess with
banjo and his earthy, irrepressible humor and showmanship led him first
to vaudeville and then to radio success. These 1926-30 cuts capture him in
his glory, raucously bellowing songs like Hold The Woodpile Down
& Sail Away Ladies, slyly declaiming on affairs of the heart
with She's Got The Money, Too & Oh Baby, You Done Me Wrong
or easing the travails of farmlife with Backwater Blues/Don't Get Weary
Children & Go Long Mule. With the same cover & liner
notes by Bill Knowlton as County LP 545 (o.p.), they still have only 2
songs in common. With Sam & Kirk McGee & Mazy Todd helping out on guitar &
fiddle and great sound, this is a must for old-timey fans. (JM)
|
| ROSE MADDOX |
Arhoolie 314 |
Rose Of The West Coast Country |
● CD $12.98 |
|
| ROSE MADDOX |
Arhoolie 428 |
$35 And A Dream |
● CD $12.98 |
16 tracks, 47 min., recommended Backed by a journeyman group
of musicians, vocally accompanied on one number by fellow legend Merle
Hagard, and praised at the end of the last song by the equally-esteemed
Johnny Cash, this fine set offers the 1994 vintage of the one Rose, Rose
Maddox. And a worthwhile vintage it is. Her voice is mellowed and
care-worn, just right for country music, and the songs are well-chosen
sketches, some old, some new, based on traditional country themes.
Featured numbers include Fried Potatoes, Sin City, Blood
Stained Hands, Blueridge Mountain Blues, The Place Where
Love Comes From, Dusty Memories with Merle Hagard on harmony, Tonight
I'm on Stage, and the autobiographical title tune. The music is a
delight, and productions values are high, with a fine color photo on the
front, fine stereo sound, and heartfelt notes by Arhoolie boss Chris
Strachwitz. (DH)
|
| ROSE MADDOX |
Bear Family BCD 15743 |
The One Rose |
● CD $95.98 |
4 discs, 111 songs, approx. 5 hours essential
With interest
in Rose Maddox rising in recent years, it's easy to forget she also
recorded for both Columbia and Capitol. After she and her brothers went
their separate ways in 1958, Rose became a solo artist, first for Columbia
then for Capitol. This set compiles her complete 1958-1965 Capitol output,
much of it a crucial link between the Maddox sound and the Bakersfield
sound. The earliest material involves Rose, and brothers Cal and Henry
redoing Maddox favorites like Philadelphia Lawyer with added studio
musicians. At times their attempts to update the music succeeded, but not
always. Move It On Over sounds ridiculous arranged identically to
George Jones's White Lightning. Rose also did some of her finest
vocal work with Capitol, including a splendid Please Help Me, I'm
Falling. As part of the early Bakersfield bunch, she and Buck Owens
cut two hit duets: Loose Talk and Mental Cruelty, in 1961.
In 1962 her solo Sing A Little Song of Heartache went Top Five.
Though Rose rarely stumbled with Capitol, her horrendous version of LaVern
Baker's Jim Dandy was an exception. The 1962 "Rose Maddox
Sings Bluegrass" LP appears on CD in its entirety for, I believe, the
first time. This collection featured Rose backed by Reno and Smiley, with
Bill Monroe sitting in (uncredited) on five numbers.. Nine unissued tracks
are included along with an excellent photo-laden booklet by Maddox expert
Charlie Seemann. Color photos from Capitol's publicity files feature Rose
in some of those fantastic eyeball-blasting N.Turk-designed show outfits.
(RK)
|
| THE MADDOX
BROTHERS & ROSE |
Arhoolie 391 |
Americas Most Colorful Hillbilly Band,
Original Recordings |
● CD $12.98 |
27 tracks, 69 min. 10 sec. essential
Since most of this
material appeared on two 1976 LPs, interest has grown in the Maddox
Brothers and Rose. Her singing and the band's importance to both the
Bakersfield sound and to rockabilly are finally seen as significant. The
material, recorded from 1946 to 1951, holds up today with its sense of
fun, hot guitar and Rose's riproaring vocals. They're a riveting listening
experience whether you're hearing Hank Williams covers (Move it On Over,
Honky Tonkin'), Woody Guthrie's Philadelphia Lawyer, Merle
Travis's Dark As A Dungeon or the ferocious Hangover Blues.
Still, the remastering wiped out all the highs, toning down the stinging
lead guitar and Rose's sharp voice. More offensive is the fact I Want
To Live And Love is repeated twice, once mistitled as Muleskinner
Blues on Track 12 and on Track 27, under its own name. (RK)
|
| THE MADDOX
BROTHERS & ROSE |
Arhoolie CD 447 |
On The Air |
● CD $12.98 |
32 tracks, 79 mins, highly recommended
CD reissue of
Arhoolie 5028 and 5033 featuring radio transcriptions from the 40s and
early 50s from the personal collection of Rose Maddox. It starts with a
complete program broadcast over KFBK (Sacramento) in 1940 when the group
was just a trio (Cal, Fred & Rose0 and continues with a program
broadcast over KGDM (Stockton) in 1945 with Henry Maddox added on mandolin
- both these are from the era before they made any commercial recordings.
There are two songs from the group's only appearance on the Grand Ole Opry
in 1949 - Gathering Flowers From The Masters Bouquet and I
Couldn't Believe It Was True. The remaining cuts are from various
transcriptions as well as a couple of unissued studio recordings. The
group's great singing and playing are laced with a zany approach to
produce some irresistible music. Songs include A Cowboy Has To Yell/
Hold That Critter Down/ Small Town Mama/ If You Ain't Got The Do-Re-Mi
(the first recording of Woody Guthries great song)/ Don't Hang Around
Me Anymore/ Write Me, Sweetheart/ The Goldrush Is Over/ Breathless Love/
Nobody's Love Is Like Mine. Also includes some great introductions
& commercials by Fred as well as humorous dialog. Excellent sound,
considering the rarity of the original material, some wonderful vintage
photos and sympathetic notes by album's producer Chris Strachwitz. (FS)
|
| THE MADDOX
BROTHERS & ROSE |
Arhoolie 467 |
Live - On The Radio |
● CD $12.98 |
38 tracks, 72 mins, highly recommended
Amazing album of
previously unissued recordings taped off the air from 1953 radio shows.
The sound quality isn't the greatest but this gives us a rare opportunity
to experience the exciting, powerful and zany music Rose and her four
brothers made when they performed live. The material includes some songs
the Maddoxes had previously recorded (Honky Tonkin'/ On Mexico's
Beautiful Shore/ When God Dips His Pen Of LOve In My Heart/ Muleskinner
Blues, etc) and a lot they hadn't including Kaw-Liga/ I'm An Old,
Old Man/ Take My Hand Precious Lord/ There's A Rainbow In Every Teardrop/
You Gotta Have License/ My Bucket's Got A Hole In It/ / Shot Gun Boogie,
etc. Most of the vocals are taken by Rose with a few from Fred and Don and
there is one hot instrumental Waterbaby Blues which reveals that in
spite of all the craziness the group were very accomplished musicians.
There is also some wonderful patter in between the songs and a few brief
comedy sketches (Q: "How do I keep the boys from peeking through my
keyhole?", A: "Leave the door open") Wonderful and
important stuff. (FS)
|
| THE MADDOX
BROTHERS & ROSE |
Bear Family BCD 15850 |
The Most Colorful Hillbilly Band In America |
● CD $95.98 |
4 CD box set featuring 96 great country, country boogie,
rockabilly and novelty numbers recorded between 1952 and 58. Most cuts
feature Rose accompanied by her wild, wacky and wonderful brothers with
the occasional addition of studio musicians like Jerry Rivers, Merle
Travis, Noel Boggs, Joe Maphis, Chet Atkins and others. Includes a few
duets with her sister-in-law Retta. Great LP sized 28 page booklet with
notes by Robert K. Oermann and great photos
|
| THE MADDOX
BROTHERS AND ROSE |
King 669 |
A Collection Of Standard Sacred Songs |
● CD $9.98 |
From an album first released in 1956, probably from 4-Star
material, the Maddox Bros.and Rose give these mostly traditional
shout-style gospel numbers their inimitible treatment. Their rawness and
exuberance is toned down very little here. Steel guitar and country
harmonica are joined by Fred Maddox's slap bass and wild mandolin to make
some of the most raucous gospel music you're ever likely to hear. Great
stuff if this is what you like- I love it. Songs include Tramp On The
Street/ Farther Along/ I'll Fly Away/ Dust On The Bible/ I'll Be No
Stranger There, a.o. (RP)
|
| J.E. MAINER'S
MOUNTAINEERS |
Arhoolie CD 456 |
Run Mountain |
● CD $12.98 |
23 tracks, 74 mins, highly recommended
A delightful collection of traditional
country music featuring veteran singer and fiddler J.E. Mainer whose
recording career dates back to the 30s. He is joined by his sons and
daughter J.E. Mainer Jr. (vocal & guitar), Glenn Mainer (banjo) &
Carolyn Mainer (guitar & vocals) plus Earl Cheeks/bass and Otis
Overcash. The material is mostly old songs and tunes like Mississippi
Sawyer/ Run Mountain/ If I lose Let Me Lose/ Seven And A Half/ Over In the
Gloryland/ Hop Along Peter/ Crying Holy/ Rhythm Blues/ Maple On the Hill,
etc. The vocals are chaotic and rowdy but totally enchanting in their lack
of prention. This is a reissue of Arhoolie LP 5002 plus nine previously
unissued tracks. (FS)
|
| J.E. MAINER'S
MOUNTAINEERS |
B.A.C.M. 122 |
1935-1939 |
● CD $13.98 |
23 tracks, 66 mins, highly recommended
Wonderful
collection of energetic old time mountain music by this North Carolina
string band led by singer & fiddler J.E. Mainer who had a lengthy career
from the late 20s to the late 60s. The group's instrumental techniques and
line up using fiddle, banjo, mandolin and guitar and string bass were an
important precursor to the bluegrass style and some of the songs J.E. and
his group popularized have become bluegrass staples. The personnell of the
group changed over the years with the earliest recordings here featuring
J.E.'s brother Wade on banjo and harmony vocal as well as taking vocal
lead on a couple of later number. The material is a mix of original songs,
traditional songs, sacred songs, old time favorites and more and includes
Seven And A Half/ The Longest Train/ Going Back West In The Fall/ Fatal
Wreck Of The Bus/ Satisfied 9aparticularly fine version of this
religious song with great harmonies)/ Johnson's Old Grey Mule/ Going
Down To The River Of Jordan/ Don't Go Out/ Country Blues and others.
Sound quality is fine and there are brief notes by Brian Golbey. (FS)
J.E. MAINER'S MOUNTAINEERS: City On The Hill/ Concord
Rag (Instr)/ Country Blues (instr.)/ Don’t Get Trouble In Your Mind/ Don’t
Go Out/ Drunkard’s Hiccups/ Fatal Wreck Of The Bus/ Going Back West In The
Fall/ Going Down To The River Of Jordan/ John Henry Was A Little Boy/
Johnson’s Old Grey Mule/ Let Her Go God Bless Her/ Lights In The Valley/
New Lost Train Blues/ Number 111/ On A Cold Winter’s Night/ Satisfied/
Seven And A Half/ The Longest Train/ Watermelon On The Vine/ Why Do You
Bob Your Hair Girls/ Won’t Be Worried Long/ Write A Letter To Mother
|
| J.E. MAINER'S
MOUNTAINEERS |
Cattle CCD 238 |
The Golden Age Of J.E. Mainer's Mountaineers |
● CD $18.98 |
26 tracks, 71 mins, highly recommended
Wonderful collection
of old time mountain music by this North Carolina string band led by
singer & fiddler J.E. Mainer who had a lengthy career from the late
20s to the late 60s. The group's instrumental techniques and line up using
fiddle, banjo, mandolin, guitar and string bass were an important
precursor to the bluegrass style and many of the songs J.E. and his group
popularized have become bluegrass staples. This collection features ten
tracks drawn from J.E.'s extensive pre-war recording career (over 200
sides!) and sixteen are from 1946. The group didn't change it's style in
the intervening years except maybe to become a little more raucous. The
material is frequently traditional along with original songs and other
artists songs. Among the many fine performances here are Run Mountain/
John Henry No. 2/ The Lonely Train/ Pale Moonlight/ The Yodelling
Mountaineer/ I'm Not Turning Backward/ Lonely Tombs/ New Curly Headed
Baby/ Maple On the Hill (their big "hit" from 1935) / Answer
To Greenback Dollar/ Take Me In the Lifeboat (a particularly lovely
version of this old time spiritual) and more including the only old timey
recording I've seen with a song written by William Shakespeare - Will S.
Hays' adaptation of the Bard's I'll Remember You Love, In My Prayers.
Sound is excellent - notes, unfortunately, are in German. (FS)
|
| ZEKE MANNERS &
HIS GANG |
Cattle CCD 230 |
The Golden Age Of Zeke Manners & His
Gang |
● CD $18.98 |
Zeke Manners was a founding member of the Beverly
Hillbillies and recorded with Elton Britt in the 30s. These sides were
recorded between 1942 and 1949 and includes his 1946 chart hits Sue
City Sue and Inflation.
|
| JOE MAPHIS |
Bear Family BCD 16103 |
Flying Fingers |
● CD $21.98 |
22 tracks, essential
At last! For the first time, Joe's
brilliant 1955-1960 Columbia instrumentals, the ones that influenced so
many rockabillies and surf guitarists are available in their entirety,
excluding (thank God), the far less interesting vocals he recorded with
wife Rose Lee Maphis. For good measure, his 1960 single for Gene Autry's
Republic label is included. Everything on his 1957 Columbia LP "Fire
on the Strings" is issued here for the first time on CD including the
song that became Joe's trademark tune, Fire on the Strings can be
heard along with Guitar Rock and Roll, Flying Fingers, Town
Hall Shuffle, Twin Banjo Special (the weakest song on the
record) and the Carter Family's Sweet Fern, appropriate since Joe
was a Maybelle Carter disciple. The previously reissued 1957 Maphis-Larry
Collins EP is here as well, along with seven instrumentals Joe recorded on
spec for Columbia in 1959 and 1960. Check out the terrific color snaps
inside showing Joe in his best Western duds. Great notes by Rich Kienzle,
who'd interviewed Maphis in in the early 1980s. (AK)
|
| JIMMY MARTIN |
Bear Family BCD 15705 |
And The Sunny Mountain Boys |
● CD $129.98 |
5 CDs, 146 tracks, 6 hrs 28 min, essential
What a wonderful
set! Beginning with the six classics numbers cut for RCA by Jimmy & The
Osborne Brothers in 1954 and concluding with a session cut in April 1974,
this box includes everything Jimmy and his band recorded for Decca between
those two dates. Among the greatest lead singer spawned by Bill Monroe's
Bluegrass Boys, Jimmy has always led crack bands and the Sunny Mountain
Boys offered early employment to such bluegrass greats as banjo players
J.D. Crow, Bill Emerson and Vic Jordan, mandolin players Earl Taylor and
Paul Williams, bass players Lightnin' Chance and Gloria Belle, among many
others. Throughout it all, Jimmy's unabashedly "good 'n country"
approach to his music cuts through, producing hard driving, tight
bluegrass that features Jimmy's high tenor voice on lead vocals, finely
honed vocal harmonies and crisp exhilarating instrumental work. Classic
tracks abound, from Save It! Save It!/ I Pulled A Boo Boo/ 20-20 Vision
from the classic session with the Osbornes to Skip, Hop & Wobble/
Hit Parade Of Love/ Ocean Of Diamonds and Sophronie, featuring
the band with J. Crowe an deither Earl Taylor or Paul Williams. Later
classics includes the truckdriver tearjerker Widowmaker plus Freeborn
Man/ It Takes One To Know One/ Living Like A Fool and others too
numerous to list. Jimmy's bands have always excelled at the traditional
gospel repertoire, and examples of this prowess abound, including Prayerbell
Of Heaven/ Stormy Waters/ A Beautiful Life and many more. Jimmy's
penchant for silliness is also made clear in such titles as Dog Bite
Your Hide/ Home Run Man/ The Old Man's Drunk Again and who can forget
the immortal Guitar Pickin' President ? But it's ll in good fun,
and the sublime cuts far outweigh the ridiculous. A marvelous 42 page
booklet by Chris Skinker is included, with an exhaustive and informative
discography compiled by Eddie Stubbs and Bear Family majordomo Richard
Weize. At the risk of sounding redundant, I tip my hat once more to Bear
Family for a wonderful job on a much needed project; most of this stuff
has been unavailable in any form for years. (RP)
|
| JIMMY MARTIN |
CMH 8440 |
Songs Of A Free Born Man |
● CD $15.98 |
25 tracks 73 mins, highly recommended
Jimmy Martin is one
of the greatest of all bluegrass singers and this collection is a real
delight. It features sides from three different sessions - an informal jam
session from 1959 with Paul Williams & J.D. Crowe, a live concert from
1990 with his full band and a 1992 studio session with "Josh" Graves,
Larry Perkins and others including guest vocalists Jett Williams, Mary
Stuart, Little Jimmy Dickens and Ricky Skagg. Throughout Jimmy's voice is
in top form which means that you're unlikely to hear better singing almost
anywhere else. The songs are a mix of Jimmy's most popular songs plus
covers of bluegrass and country favorites. Songs include Made In The
Shade/ 20-20 Vision/ Lost To Stranger (with a vocal by Jimmy's son
Ray)/ Ocean Of Diamonds/ Mansion On the Hill/ Sunny Side Of The
Mountain/ Molly & Tenbrooks/ Put My Little Shoes Away/ Widow Maker/ If WE
Never Meet Again (This Side Of Heaven)/ It Takes On To Know One/ Honey,
You Don't Know My Mind/ Free Born Man, etc. (FS)
|
| JIMMY MARTIN |
Deluxe 7863 |
Jimmy Martin's 20 Greatest Hits |
● CD $9.98 |
Jimmy Martin is one of the great voices in bluegrass and his
classic recordings for Decca and RCA are the equal of almost anybody else
in the genre. Like most of Decca's traditional country artists he was
dropped by the label in the 70s and started recording for Gusto from where
these recordings come. His singing was still fine and his band The Sunny
Mountain Boys (no personell is listed) provide solid accompaniments on
banjo, fiddle, dobro & bass. The songs are a mixture of remakes of his
more popular Decca songs along with old bluegrass and country standards - Freeborn
Man/ Pete, The Best Coon Dog In The State Of Tennessee/ Uncle Pen/ Blue
Moon Of Kentucky/ Honey, You Don't Know My Mind/ Widow Maker/ I Know
You're Married (But I Love You Still)/ Run Pete Run/ One Woman Man/ Taylor
Made Sally Good and more. Very nice indeed. (FS)
|
| JIMMY MARTIN
& RALPH STANLEY |
Hollywood 175 |
First Time Together |
● CD $7.98 |
10 tracks, recommended A meeting of two great bluegrass
musicians which could have been a classic except that the twerps at King
emphasized or added a metronome like rhythm track that tends to overwhelm
the rest of the music. If you can tune that out (not easy) there is some
fine singing and playing on songs like I'm Going Down The Road/ Stone
Walls & Steel Bars/ Footprints/ Darling Brown Eyes and others
including a terrific version of Don't Let Your Sweet Love Die which
is obviously from a different session with Ralph absent. In addition to
Ralph's fine banjo work there's also some excellent fiddle playing (who?)
and, of course, the glorious vocals of two great bluegrass singers. (FS)
|
| FRANKIE MARVIN |
Cattle CCD 239 |
The Golden Age Of Frankie Marvin |
● CD $18.98 |
Although singer/ guitarist Frankie Marvin is not a well
known name he spent many years working with his brother Johnny
accompanying gene Autry and wrote several songs that Autry recorded.17 of
the songs here are from the late 20s and early 30s with Marvin
accompanying himself on regular guitar or steel guitar with occasional
other accompaniments. Material often shows the influence of the always
popular Jimmie Rodgers. There are 8 songs from the mid 40s in a more
Western flavored vein with small western groups.
|
| JOHNNY MARVIN |
B.A.C.M. 075 |
Im The Man Whos Been Forgotten |
● CD $13.98 |
22 tracks from the late 20s and the 30s by singer/
guitarist who was the brother of Frankie Marvin (featured on BACM 003).
Both Marvin borthers worked with Gene Autry - Frankie as a musician and
Johnny as a songwriter and producer of Gene's "Melody Ranch" radio
program. This collection features several songs that were later recorded
by Autry including Goodbye Pinto/ Old November Moon and Rhythm
Of the Hoofbeats.
JOHNNY MARVIN: Atlanta Bound/ Goodbye Pinto/ Hello Swanee Hello/ Home On
The Range/ I’d Rather Be On The Outside/ I’m Beginning To Care/ I’m Ridin’
A Trail/ I’m The Man That’s Been Forgotten Pt. 1/ I’m The Man That’s Been
Forgotten Pt. 2/ Jailhouse Blues/ Little Sweetheart Of The Prairie/ Ma &
Pa Send Their Sweetest Love/ Mad Magician/ Old November Moon/ Our Old Grey
Mare/ Rhythm Of The Hoofbeats/ Seven Come Eleven/ Somewhere In The
Rockies/ The Man With The Big Black Mustache/ Watermelon Smiling On The
Vine/ When I Kissed That Gal Goodbye/ When You Hear Me Call
|
| LOUISE
MASSEY & THE WESTERNERS |
Bronco Buster 9026 |
Swing West |
● CD $21.98 |
Western swing flavored group from the 40s.
LOUISE MASSEY & THE WESTERNERS: Billie Boy/ Ciribiribin (Inst.)/ Dude
Cowboy/ Gals Don't Mean a Thing (in My Young Life)/ Honeysuckle
Schottische (Inst.)/ I Only Want a Buddy Not a Sweetheart/ I'm Thinking
Tonight of My Blue Eyes/ Listen to the Mocking Bird/ Little Brown Jug
(Inst.)/ Mistakes/ My Adobe Hacienda/ Rancho Grande/ Rock and Rye Polka
(Inst.)/ Starlight Schottische (Inst.)/ Tears on My Pillow/ The Honey Song
(Honey I'm in Love with You)/ The Little Wooden Whistle Wouldn't Whistle/
There'll Come a Day/ Varsovienna (Inst.)/ Ye Old Rye Waltz (Inst.)
|
| LOUISE
MASSEY & THE WESTERNERS |
Cattle CCD 235 |
Ridin' Down That Old Texas Trail |
● CD $18.98 |
24 tracks recorded between 1934 and '42 by this fine western
swing flavored band which also includes polkas, waltzes and items with a
Mexican flavor.
|
| LEON MCAULIFFE |
Bronco Buster 9010 |
World Masters, 1953 |
● CD $18.98 |
22 tracks, 41 minutes, good. These mostly instrumental
transcription recordings were originally done for the World Label. They
followed a period when McAuliffe, after leaving Bob Will's band during the
war, experimented with more of a prominent jazz big band sound. The public
proved less than enthusiastic and McAuliffe soon brought back the fiddles
and the cowboy hats. However he retained his strong interest in swing
music, and this can be heard here in the regular use of horn solos and the
inclusion of tunes like Perdido and In the Mood on this
disk. The leader's steel playing is solid if not particularly exciting and
is heard to best advantage on This is Southland and classics like Boot
Heel Drag. This disk certainly has some fine moments but overall the
pace is fairly laid back, too much so for æmy tastes. Fans of McAuliffe
take note, but expect only flashes of the greatness and originality that
prompted Wills to cry, "Take it away, Leon!" (DP)
LEON MCAULIFFE: Bear Creek Hop/ Beaumont Rag/ Black and White Rag/ Blue
Skirt Waltz/ Boil'Em Cabbage Down/ Boot Heel Drag/ Bouncin' Bobbie/
Cherrylane Waltz/ Cimarron Blues/ Close Shave/ Don'cha Hear Dem Bells
(Voc. Leon with Trio)./ Goin' Home/ I've Never Lived in Tennessee (I'd
like to Try it There)(voc. By Leon)/ In the Mood/ Little Rock Getaway/
Mandy Make up Your Mind/ Mister Steel Guitar/ Nite Train/ One O'clock
Jump/ Perdido/ Texas Drummer Boy/ this Is Southland
|
|
LEON
MCAULIFFE & HIS CIMARRON BOYS |
Jasmine 3514 |
Take It Away The Leon Way! |
● CD $11.98 |
Fine collection of 27 tracks from the 50s. There are no
recording details provided but it's mostly Leon with a smallish group
including some fine fiddling (presumably Cecil Brower). It's mostly
instrumental with the occasional vocal from Leon or Jim Hall. Includes Leon's
boogie/ Fiddle Boogie/ In The Mood/ Sizzlin' Cecil/ Liberty/ You Gotta
Stop Your Running Around/ Eatin' Right Out Of Your Hand/ If It Weren't For
A Dream/ Twin Fiddle Rag, etc.
|
| DARRELL MCCALL |
Bear Family BCD 15846 |
The Real McCall |
● CD $129.98 |
5 CD set featuring all the recordings from 1960 to 1981 by
this outstanding honky tonk singer. 143 tracks in all including blues
demos for Jimmy Reed, rare commercials and radio transcriptions.
|
| HARRY MCCLINTOCK |
B.A.C.M. 082 |
The Great American Bum |
● CD $13.98 |
22 tracks, 66 mins, highly recommended. 22 tracks recorded
between 1928 and 1931 by this fascinating performer whose classic
recording of In The Big Rock Candy Mountain from 1928 (featured
here) was included in "Oh Brother Where Art Thou". McClintock was a world
traveler who settled in San Francisco in the 1917 where he landed a radio
spot on KFRC in 1925. McClintock, who was involved in the labor movement,
performed a mix of hobo, vaudeville and cowboy songs including another
song that has become a standard Hallelujah, I'm A Bum. Half the
songs feature just Mac and his guitar - most of the rest feature a small
group ("The Haywire Orchestra") and one song features fiddler Virgil Ward.
Includes Can I Sleep In Your Barn Tonight Mister/ Get Along Little
Dogies/ The Man On The Flying Trapeze/ Trail To Mexico/ The Trusty Lariat/
Roamin'/ My Last Old Dollar/ The Bum Song/ Bald Top Mountain/ Jerry Go 'Ile
That Car/ Circus Days and more. (FS)
HARRY MCCLINTOCK: Bald Top Mountain/ Billy Venero/ Can I Sleep In Your
Barn Tonight Mister/ Circus Days/ Fifty Years From Now/ Fireman Save My
Child/ Get Along Little Dogies/ Hallelujah I’m A Bum/ Hobo Spring Song/
Homespun Gal/ If I Had My Druthers/ In The Big Rock Candy Mountains/ Jerry
Go ‘ile That Car/ My Dad’s Dinner Pail/ My Last Old Dollar/ Old Chisholm
Trail/ Roamin’/ The Bum Song/ The Bum Song #2/ The Man On The Flying
Trapeze/ The Trusty Lariat/ Trail To Mexico
|
| DELBERT MCCLINTON |
Curb 77415 |
Best Of Delbert McClinton |
● CD $7.98 |
The bad news: it isn't his best, there's only 38.5 minutes,
11 cuts, no notes at all. The good news: clean sound, and some fine hard
driving material. Curb, which issued Delbert's first new releases in
years, 1990's I'm With You, has gone back and grabbed a bunch of
cuts from Capitol and other sources. This collection passes over cuts from
his classic Victim Of Life's Circumstances, so I can't begin to
agree that it is his best. But there are still some hot driving sounds by
one of my favorites, and that's enough for me. With Givin' It Up For
Your Love/ A Fool In Love/ I've Got Dreams To Remember/ Take Me To The
River/ I Wanna Thank You Baby. RF)
|
| THE MCCORMICK BROTHERS |
Bronco Buster 9027 |
Hot Bluegrass Rhythm |
● CD $21.98 |
20 tracks from the 50s and early 60s by fine bluegrass group
who also tried their hand at rockabilly.
THE MCCORMICK BROTHERS: Are You Feeling Blue/ Banjo Trot (Inst.)/ Banjo
Twist (Inst.)/ Before I Met You/ Big Eyes/ Blue Blue Mood/ Bugle Call Rag
(Inst.)/ C.n.r. Special/ Coffee, Coffee, Coffee/ Darling, Why Can't You Be
True/ Haskell's Five String (Inst.)/ Landslide Special (Inst.)/ Lonesome
for You/ No Substitute Will Do/ Red Hen Boogie/ Runnin' Round on Me/
Shuffle and Deal/ The Billy Goat Boogie/ The Bluegrass Express./ The Dobro
Twist (Inst.)
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| DEL MCCOURY |
Arhoolie 9030 |
I Wonder Where You Are Tonight |
● CD $9.98 |
14 tracks, 39 min., essential
Previously available on CD as
Arhoolie 5006. This is a reissue of a 1967 LP, with two previously unissued
tracks. It is noteworthy for being the first album by this very popular
singer/ bandleader, and also as one of the few bluegrass albums Arhoolie's
Chris Strachwitz made. Like many since, Chris fell under the spell of Del's
plaintive vocal style, learned as a member of Bill Monroe's Bluegrass Boys.
Del is ably backed here by a wonderful group, including Bill Emerson on
banjo, mandolinist Wayne Yates, Tommy Neal or Dewey Renfro on bass, and the
sparkling fiddling of Billy Baker. Every song is an example of great
traditional bluegrass, with Hey, Hey Bartender/ Willie Roy/ The
Prisoner's Song/ I Wonder Where You Are Tonight/ Flower In The Wildwood/
Whose Shoulder Will You Cry On/ A Beautiful Life. (RP)
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| DEL MCCOURY |
Rebel 1709 |
Livin' On The Mountain |
● CD $15.98 |
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| DEL MCCOURY |
Rounder 0303 |
Deeper Shade Of Blue |
● CD $17.98 |
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| DEL MCCOURY
& THE DIXIE PALS |
Rebel 1111 |
Classic Bluegrass |
● CD $15.98 |
Guitarist/ singer Del McCoury is a bluegrass musician's
musician, a wonderful traditional singer who has been well regarded in
bluegrass circles for years. He's only now beginning to achieve the
recognition he so richly deserves, in part because of his recent album on
Rounder. He's been making great records for years, however - in fact, he
recorded three classic sides with Bill Monroe as a member of The Bluegrass
Boys in the early 60's. These recordings, made for Rebel between 1974 and
1984, feature three different versions of The Dixie Pals. The first group
features Donnie Eldreth, Bill Runkle, Bill Poffinberger, and Dewey Renfro,
the second group is notable for the presence of Del's brother Jerry (bass
and vocals) and the great Hershel Sizemore on mandolin, and the third
group includes Del's son Ronnie, a real emerging star on mandolin. There
are eighteen cuts in all, including Rain And Snow/ Foggy River/ Pick Me
Up On Your Way Down/ No One But My Darlin'/ Wait A Little Longer Please,
Jesus, with Del's Monrovian approach to the vocals and penchant for
bluesy material much in evidence. New fans of Del will want these earlier
recordings too, and old fans will want this collection of the best from
his Rebel albums. RP)
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| DEL MCCOURY BAND |
Rounder 0292 |
Blue Side Of Town |
● CD $17.98 |
Del has been recognized for many years as a fine Monroe
style vocalist; his influence on the last two generations of singers has
been enormous. His prowess hasn't diminished a bit, and his sons Ronnie on
mandolin and Rob on banjo have helped to make his band among the finest on
the circuit. This also includes bassist Mike Brantley and fiddler Tad
Marks. Fine traditional bluegrass, with a remake of Del's classic High
On A Mountain. Del also turns his attention to songs by Steve Earle,
Steve Young, David Olney, George Jones, Ernest Tubb (Try Me One More
Time) and Big Boy Crudup's That's Alright Mama. The singing and
playing is never less than wonderful here, but traditionalists may prefer
his prior Rounder release Don't Stop The Music (Rounder 0245).
(RP)
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| DEL MCCOURY BAND |
Rounder 0363 |
The Cold Hard Facts |
● CD $17.98 |
13 minutes, 38 minutes, essential Another superlative
release by the greatest and hardest working band in bluegrass today! Del
McCoury possesses the most expressive and chilling voice in the genre, an
authentic high mountain tenor that is perfectly suited to the blues
oriented material he prefers. As the title would suggest, this collection
is particularly dark and melancholy, exploring themes of loss, sorrow, and
deceit with an intensity that is almost painful at times. The band,
featuring the driving mandolin and banjo work of sons Ronnie and Rob
McCoury and the fiddle playing of Jason Carter , is at the peak of their
form. Ronnie McCoury's playing in particular is nothing short of amazing,
lightning fast and right on the money, and it's easy to see why he's
earned repeated recognition and honors from his peers. The material is
from sources as varied as Robert McCray, Tom Petty, and Willie Nelson, as
well as the writing talents of the band, but you'd never know it. The
group succeeds in making every tune sound as if it were written to be
bluegrass. This is bluegrass history in the making folks, don't miss it!
(DP)
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| RONNIE MCCOURY |
Rounder 0453 |
Heartbreak Town |
● CD $17.98 |
First solo album by the talented son of bluegrass legend Del
McCoury. Ronnie's music is steeped in the traditional sound of his father
but is informed with a contemporary sensibility. Ronnie is an excellent
singer and mandolin player and is joined by an all star cast of backing
musicicians (Del McCoury, Stuart Duncan, Jerry Douglas, David Grisman,
etc) on a selection of predominantly original songs.
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