May 27, 2017

Yvette Landry Trio: Cajun Music & Louisiana Honky-Tonk


September 7, 2016, 64 minutes

Library of Congress concert: In this concert Grammy-nominated, award-winning vocalist, multi-instrumentalist, and songwriter Yvette Landry is joined by Richard Comeaux on pedal steel and Beau Thomas on fiddle. Yvette Landry grew up in Breaux Bridge, Louisiana, not far from the levees of the Atchafalaya Basin, North America's largest swampland. It was in and around that swamp where she learned to hunt, fish, ride horses, dance, understand French, and tell stories. After earning a master's degree in education and developing a successful teaching career, she began telling stories through song.

The Library of Congress
For more information, visit: http://www.loc.gov/today/cyberlc/feature_wdesc.php?rec=7683

May 20, 2017

Old-Time Mountain Ballads 1926-29

County Records CD-3504

Format: CD, Compilation, Remastered
Country: US
Released: 1995
Genre: Folk, World, & Country
Style: Old-time
[Tracklist]
01 Dark Holler Blues: Clarence Ashley (2:56) 10/23/29
02 Pearl Bryan: Burnett & Rutherford (3:02) 11/6/26
03 Darling Cora: B. F. Shelton (3:47) 7/29/27
04 Charles Giteaux: Kelly Harrell (3:03) 3/22/27
05 Rose Conley: G. B. Grayson & Henry Whitter (3:24) 10/18/27
06 Wreck on the Mountain Road: Red Fox Chasers (2:35) 4/4/28
07 The Wagoner's Lad: Buell Kazee (3:02) 1/18/28
08 The Fate of Chris Lively and Wife: Blind Alfred Reed (3:20) 12/19/27
09 Six Months Ain't Long: Rutherford & Foster (2:59) 1/14/29
10 Louisville Burglar: The Hickory Nuts (2:47) 9/24/27
11 The Fate of Ellen Smith: Green Bailey (2:38) 11/30/28
12 Dixie Cowboy: Aulton Ray (2:46) 4/26/27
13 Willie Moore: Burnett & Rutherford (3:13) ca.11/3/27
14 I'll Never Be Yours: G. B. Grayson & Henry Whitter (3:01) early 10/27
15 My Mama Always Talked to Me: John Hammond, Jr. (2:28) ca. 9/17/27
16 Frankie Silvers: Byrd Moore (3:15) 10/23/29
17 The Burial of Wild Bill: Frank Jenkins' Pilot Mountaineers (2:50) ca. 9/12/29
18 Death of John Henry: Uncle Dave Macon (3:00) 4/14/26
[Credits]
Liner Notes: Charles Wolfe, Art Direction & Design: Fred Carlson, Coordination: Gary B. Reid, Produce: Rich Nevins
[Notes]Transfer of music from 78 rpm source material by Rich Nevins. Restoration of music and preparation of digital master by CMS Digital.

May 19, 2017

Mud Acres: Music Among Friends

Rounder Records 3001

Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1972
Genre: Folk, World, & Country
Style: Bluegrass, Folk, Country
[Tracklist]
A1 Cowpoke (1:27)
A2 Done Laid Around (2:50)
A3 Darlin' Corey Is Gone (3:29)
A4 Titanic (4:02)
A5 Give Me Back My Fifteen Cents (1:49)
A6 Out Of Joint (1:47)
A7 Jackhammer Blues (2:53)
A8 Oh, The Rain (4:56)
B1 Hobo Blues (3:12)
B2 Off To Sea Once More (4:21)
B3 Fifteen Miles To Birmingham (2:35)
B4 Lonesome Pines (3:44)
B5 Prison Wall Blues )2:20)
B6 Parting Friends (1:38)
B7 Mud Acres (2:04)
[Credits]
Performers: Artie Traum, Bill Keith, Eric Kaz, Happy Traum, Jim Rooney, John Herald, Lee Berg, Maria Muldaur and Tony Brown
Liner Notes: Happy Traum, Designer: Lloyd Ziff, Photographers: David Gahr & Lloyd Ziff, Engineers:Jim Rooney & Mark Harmen
[Notes]
Music Among Friends' was just that – an album concept brought to the fledgling Rounder Records in 1971 by Happy & Artie Traum, and featuring a wide variety of their musical friends from the Woodstock area. Happy Traum, Artie Traum, Maria Muldaur, John Herald, Eric Kaz, Jim Rooney, Bill Keith, Tony Brown, and Lee Berg, yielding an album that was at once relaxed, spirited and diverse yet very coherent. As so many of the folk labels of the early Sixties left folk music seeking greener pastures, 'Mud Acres' captivated listeners hungry for music that better embodied a real sense of community emblematic of the times. This is the album that spawned several successors over the following years.

May 18, 2017

Reeltime Travelers: Livin' Reeltime, Thinkin' Old-Time

Yodel-Ay-Hee 042

Format: CD
Country: US
Released: 2002
Genre: Folk, World, & Country
Style: Old-time
[Tracklist]
01 Paddy Won't You Drink Some Cider (2:18)
02 Bear Creek Blues (2:44)
03 Hallelujah (5:28)
04 Maybe The Last Time (4:54)
05 Ain't Gwine Drink A, No More (2:16)
06 Kiss Me Quick, Papa's Coming (3:11)
07 Little Bird Of Heaven (3:04)
08 Flippin' Jenny (2:09)
09 Sally Goodin (2:47)
10 Down The River (3:32)
11 Elzics Farewell (2:38)
12 Father Adieu (4:18)
13 Higher Rock (4:44)
[Credits]
Heidi Andrade (fiddle) Martha Scanlan (guitar/vocals) Roy Andrade (banjo/vocals) Thomas Sneed (mandolin/vocals) John Herrmann (bass)
Liner Notes: John Herrmann, Design: Roy Andrade, Photography: Michelle Warren, Produce: Bob Carlin, Recording: Tom Mohbat, Mastering: Matt Sandoski, Mixing: Wes Lachot
[Notes]
Recorded at Overdub Lane, Dec. 13-15, 2001. Mixed at Overdub Lane.

May 16, 2017

Bluegrass at Newport: 1959-1963

Vanguard VCD-121/22

Format: CD, Compilation
Country: US
Released: 1990
Genre: Folk, World, & Country
Style: Bluegrass
[Tracklist]
Lester Flatt, Earl Scruggs & The Foggy Mountain Boys
01 Salty Dog Blues (2:07)
02 Before I Met You (2:33)
03 Cabin On The Hill (2:43)
04 Jimmy Brown The News Boy (3:13)
The New Lost City Ramblers
05 Train Forty-Five (2:24)
06 Pretty Little Miss (3:11)
07 Liza Jane (2:23)
Tex Logan, Eric Weissberg & The New Lost City Ramblers
08 Jordan Am A Hard Road To Travel (2:42)
Mac Wiseman And The Country Boys
09 Wonder How The Old Folks Are At Home (2:13)
10 Love Letters In The Sand (2:03)
11 Little Footsteps In The Snow (2:55)
Clarence (Tom) Ashley, Doc Watson, Clint Howard & Fred Price
12 'Way Downtown (3:00)
13 Maggie Walker Blues (3:11)
14 The Girl I Loved In Sunny Tennessee (2:50)
15 Lee Highway Blues (1:54)
Earl Scruggs, Hylo Brown & The Timberliners
16 Flinthill Special (3:23)
17 Earl's Breakdown (1:57)
18 Cumberland Gap (1:12)
The Morris Brothers
19 Salty Dog Blues (1:51)
20 You Give Me Your Love And I'll Give You Mine (2:59)
Jim And Jesse & The Virginia Boys
21 Border Ride (1:52)
22 Gosh, I Miss You All The Time (2:00)
23 Dill Pickle Rag (1:20)
24 She Left Me Standing On The Mountain (2:00)
[Credits]
Liner Notes: Mary Katherine Aldin
[Notes]
Recorded live at the Newport Folk Festivals 1959, 60 & 63.

May 12, 2017

Bruce Molsky & Big Hoedown

Rounder Records CD-0421

Format: CD, Album
Country: US
Released: July 8, 1997
Genre: Folk, World, & Country
Style: Bluegrass, Old-time
[Tracklist]
01 Sugar Babe (2:40)
02 Five Miles Out of Town (2:49)
03 Pretty Saro (3:38)
04 Half Past Four (2:51)
05 Wagoner's Lad (3:41)
06 Shove the Pig's Foot a Little Bit Further into the Fire (3:21)
07 John Henry (3:20)
08 Rocky Mountain (3:30)
09 Paddy Won't You Drink Some Good Old Cider (2:59)
10 Robert's Serenade (2:51)
11 Old Paint (4:52)
12 We'll All Go to Heaven When the Devil Goes Blind (3:05)
13 Shady Grove (3:13)
14 Train on the Island / Golden Chain Tree (4:05)
15 The Blue Tail Fly (1:54)
16 Clyde's Hiccups (3:14)
[Credits]
Bruce Molsky (fiddle/banjo/vocals) Beverly Smith (guitar/vocals) Rafe Stefanini (fiddle/banjo)
Liner Notes: Jay Ungar, Molly Mason & Bruce Molsky, Design: Nancy Given, Photography: Greg McGrath & Irene Young, Engineering: Ronnie Freeland, Mastering: David Glasser
[Notes]
A terrific bluegrass album, by turns rollicking and poignant. Bruce Molsky is joined by fellow banjo/fiddler Rafe Stefanini and guitarist Beverly Smith to make fine work of both obscure traditional numbers like "Paddy Won't You Drink Some Good Old Cider" and war horses like "Shady Grove." Smith's lovely vocal on "The Wagoner's Lad" is a standout, sure to dampen more than a few eyes. (Tim Sheridan)

May 10, 2017

Classic English and Scottish Ballads from Smithsonian Folkways

Smithsonian Folkways Recordings SFWCD-40218

Format: CD, Compilation
Country: US
Released: April 28, 2017
Genre: Folk, World, & Celtic
Style: Traditional Folk
[Tracklist]
01 Lord Thomas and Fair Ellender (Child No. 73) Mike Seeger (3:50)
02 Golden Vanity (Child No. 286) Doug Wallin (3:23)
03 The Mermaid (Child No. 289) The Golden Eagle String Band (4:14)
04 Mathie Groves (Child No. 81) Dillard Chandler (6:14)
05 The Hanging of Georgie (Child No. 209) Iron Mountain String Band (1:56)
06 Gypsy Davy (Child No. 200) Margaret MacArthur (1:57)
07 Thomas the Rhymer (Child No. 37) Ewan MacColl (6:52)
08 Lady Margaret (Child No. 74) Pete Seeger (2:51)
09 Lord Randall (Child No. 12) Jean Ritchie (2:54)
10 Pretty Polly and False William (Child No. 4) Paul Clayton (3:46)
11 Andrew Batan (Child No. 250) Warde Ford (3:36)
12 Three Nights Drunk (Child No. 274) The Blue Ridge Buddies with E.C. and Orna Ball (2:36)
13 Lord Bateman (Child No. 53) The New Lost City Ramblers (5:34)
14 The Two Sisters (Child No. 10) Ellen Stekert (1:37)
15 Gallis Pole (Child No. 95) Lead Belly (2:47)
16 Lord Barnett (Child No. 68) Ella Parker (2:35)
17 The False Knight Upon the Road (Child No. 3) Artus Moser (2:23)
18 Barbara Allen (Child No. 84) Dan Tate (2:52)
19 The Great Silkie of Sule Skerry (Child No. 113) Paul Clayton (5:03)
20 The House Carpenter (Child No. 243) Dorothy Rorick (2:38)
21 The Farmer's Curst Wife (Child No. 278) Horton Barker (3:07)
[Credits]
Mastering Engineer: Pete Reiniger, Liner Notes: Jeff Place, Production manager: Mary Monseur
[Notes]
The 19th-century scholar Francis James Child meticulously and authoritatively compiled 305 Scottish and English ballads into the highly influential collection known as "Child Ballads." Although Child feared these ballads would vanish from human memory, they continue to be adored, studied, and actively performed across disciplines and genres. Classic English and Scottish Ballads from Smithsonian Folkways (from The Francis James Child Collection) introduces listeners to 21 of these traditional songs from the label’s rich collections at the Smithsonian Institution, and demonstrates the timelessness of their themes—from murder and ghosts to jealousy and unrequited love. 72 minutes, 40-page booklet with extensive notes.

PDF  Download Liner Notes(PDF file 2.29MB)

May 3, 2017

The Old Home Place: Bluegrass And Old-Time Mountain Music

Rounder Records CD 1166105142

Format: CD, Compilation
Country: US
Released: 2003
Genre: Folk, World, & Country
Style: Bluegrass, Country
[Tracklist]
01 Home Again: Livewire 2:48
02 Letter To Home: IIIrd Tyme Out (3:08)
03 Old Home Place:J.D. Crowe (2:47)
04 Who Will Watch The Home Place: Laurie Lewis (5:26)
05 To Be Back Home Again: Spectrum (3:52)
06 Leaving This Land: Suzanne Thomas (3:38)
07 My Native Home: Nashville Bluegrass Band (2:50)
08 Little Whitewashed Chimney: The Cox Family (2:47)
09 This Old House: The Rice Brothers (4:54)
10 Home: Jim & Jesse (2:37)
11 Lonesome Old Home: Longview (4:42)
12 Home Is Where The Heart Is: Connie & Babe (2:00)
13 Squad Auction At The Home Place: Dry Branch Fire (3:42)
14 Old Kentucky Home: Vern Williams (2:45)
15 Cheer Of The Home Fires: Bill Grant & Delia Bell (2:50)
16 You Don't Have To Go Home: Alecia Nugent (3:12)
17 Hills Of Home: Hazel Dickens (4:12)
[Credits]
Compile: Ken Irwin, Design: Sarah Lainie Smith, Liner Notes: Bill C. Malone
[Notes]
Few things surpass the importance of home in traditional folk and country music. The Old Home Place gathers 17 songs taken from the past recordings of Rounder Records' illustrious cadre of artists. Songs chosen from the catalogs of Jim & Jesse, J.D. Crowe, and Laurie Lewis run the gauntlet of old-time and bluegrass styles. The Nashville Bluegrass Band's version of A.P. Carter's "My Native Home" captures the lonesome feel of the lyrics, while the Cox Family brings their trademark harmony to bear on "Little Whitewashed Chimney." Ed Hamilton's classic "Lonesome Old Home" gets a fresh makeover from Longview, while "Home Is Where the Heart Is" receives a traditional rendering by Connie & Babe. The cumulative effect of this disc is comparable to listening to an hour of old favorites on the radio with no commercials. The album ends with Hazel Dickens' heartbreaking "Hills of Home," a song that captures the modern changes that overtook and scattered many rural households. There's a similar melancholy to "Auction at the Home Place" by the Dry Branch Fire Squad. Besides good music, The Old Home Place works as a mediation on "home" and what it means in a changing and uncertain world. Bluegrass and old-time fans, along with those who long for the old home place, will enjoy this collection.

May 1, 2017

Bob Dylan: Nashville Skyline

Columbia KCS-9825

Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1969
Genre: Rock
Style: Folk Rock, Country Rock
[Tracklist]
A1 Girl From The North Country
A2 Nashville Skyline Rag
A3 To Be Alone With You
A4 I Threw It All Away
A5 Peggy Day
B1 Lay Lady Lay
B2 One More Night
B3 Tell Me That It Isn't True
B4 Country Pie
B5 Tonight I'll Be Staying Here With You
[Credits]
Bob Dylan (guitar/harmonica/keyboards/vocals) Norman Blake (guitar/dobro) Kenneth A. Buttrey (drums) Fred Carter Jr. (guitar) Charlie Daniels (bass/guitar) Pete Drake (pedal steel guitar) Marshall Grant (bass) W. S. Holland (drums) Charlie McCoy (guitar/harmonica) Bob Wilson (organ/piano) Bob Wootton (electric guitar) Johnny Cash (vocals)
Liner Notes: Johnny Cash, Photography: Elliot Landy & Al Clayton, Producer: Bob Johnston, Engineer: Charlie Bragg & Neil Wilburn
[Notes]
Nashville Skyline is the ninth studio album by American singer-songwriter Bob Dylan, released on April 9, 1969, by Columbia Records as LP record, reel to reel tape and audio cassette. Building on the rustic style he experimented with on John Wesley Harding, Nashville Skyline displayed a complete immersion into country music. Along with the more basic lyrical themes, simple songwriting structures, and charming domestic feel, it introduced audiences to a radically new singing voice from Dylan, who had temporarily quit smoking[2]—a soft, affected country croon. The result received a generally positive reaction from critics, and was a commercial success. Reaching No. 3 in the U.S., the album also scored Dylan his fourth UK No. 1 album.