Doc Watson: Live At Club 47

Yep Roc Records YEP-2499

Format: Vinyl, 2LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 2018
Genre: Folk, World, & Country
Style: Folk
[Tracklist]
A1 Wabash Cannonball (3:47)
A2 The House Carpenter (5:23)
A3 I Wish I Was Single Again (3:37)
A4 Little Darling Pal of Mine (3:00)
A5 Train That Carried My Girl from Town (4:31)
A6 Worried Blues (2:53)
B1 Old Dan Tucker (2:36)
B2 Sweet Heaven When I Die (3:04)
B3 Doc's Talkin' Blues (4:18)
B4 Little Margaret (3:09)
B5 Sitting On Top of the World (2:25)
B6 Don’t Let Your Deal Go Down (3:45)
B7 Blue Smoke (1:34)
C1 Deep River Blues (3:07)
C2 Way Downtown (2:54)
C3 Somebody Touched Me (3:39)
C4 Billy in the Low Ground (1:44)
C5 Boil Them Cabbage Down (2:14)
C6 Everyday Dirt (2:39)
D1 I Am a Pilgrim (3:31)
D2 No Telephone in Heaven (2:54)
D3 Hop High Ladies the Cake's All Dough (1:12)
D4 Little Sadie (2:26)
D5 Black Mountain Rag (2:07)
D6 Blackberry Rag (1:29)
D7 Days of My Childhood Plays ( 2:18)
[Credits]
Doc Watson (guitar/autoharp/banjo/harmonica/vocals) Ralph Rinzler (mandolin/harmony) John Herald (guitar/harmony)
Producer: Steve Weiss, Liner Notes: Mary Katherine Aldin, Photographers: David Gahr, John Cohen, Hugh Morton, Eugene Earle and Daniel Seeger, Engineers: Mike Eisenstadt, Brent Lambert, John Loy and Brian Paulson
[Notes]
In the mid-'60s, Doc Watson rose from relative obscurity to become one of the leading lights of American folk music, displaying a dazzling flatpicking technique on the guitar and an encyclopedic knowledge of old-timey and traditional music. Watson was just starting to make a name for himself as a solo act (and was a few months away from his breakthrough performance at the Newport Folk Festival) when, in February 1963, he played Boston's venerable folk music venue Club 47, where he quickly became a favorite of the New England cognoscenti. A local music fan, Michael Eisenstadt, brought a professional-grade tape recorder to the show, and 55 years later, the show has been given a commercial release by Yep Roc Records as Live at Club 47. The audio is remarkably crisp and clear despite being recorded with a single microphone, and it captures Watson in splendid form. It should surprise no one that Watson was picking up a storm on guitar this evening, as well as showing he was a sure hand on banjo and autoharp. But Live at Club 47 is a vivid reminder of how personable and engaging Watson could be performing in front of an audience. Playing in a small room, Watson's simple but expressive vocals are superb, finding humor and drama in these songs, which he delivers with genuine warmth and sincerity. If there are moments when Watson seems to be playing up his hillbilly roots for the sake of the Big City audience, there's no arguing that he knew how to work a crowd and get an honest laugh. Watson seems fully engaged and having a great time on Live at Club 47, and the set list is a treasure trove of essential American folk tunes (including a few he never got around to recording in the studio). Live at Club 47 doesn't reveal much that's unknown about the artistry of Doc Watson, but the good humor and intimacy of this performance are irresistible, and it's as pleasing a document of Doc Watson in concert as you could ask for. (AllMusic Review by Mark Deming)

Bryan Bowers: The View from Home

Flying Fish FF-037

Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1977
Genre: Folk, World, & Country
Style: Folk
[Tracklist]
A1 Blackberry Blossom (2:13)
A2 St. Anne's Reel (2:37)
A3 Golden Slippers (2:10)
A4 Black Jack Davey (3:27)
A5 Liberty (2:39)
A6 Satisfied Mind (4:35)
B1 Red Haired Boy (2:18)
B2 Walkin' In Jerusalem (1:56)
B3 Rights Of Man (3:55)
B4 Simple Gifts (2:42)
B5 Fisher's Hornpipe (2:08)
B6 Gold Watch & Chain (1:49)
B7 The View From Home (2:21)
[Credits]
Bryan Bowers (autoharp/vocals) John Starling (guitar/vocals) Mike Auldridge (dobro/vocals) Claudia Schmidt (zither/vocals) Sam Bush (mandolin) Curtis Burch (guitar) Howard Levy (accordion) Ben Eldridge and Courtney Johnson (banjo) Kenny Bloom (bandura) Adele Welland (autoharp) Jim Post and Steve Goodman (vocals) John Cowan and Tom Gray (bass)
Photographers: Marc PoKempner and Dick Marvin, Designer: Bob McCamant, Engineers: Michael Rasfeld, Bill McElroy, Fred Breitberg and Garth Fundis
[Notes]
This album is dedicated to Pop Stoneman, Kilby Snow, Sarah and Maybelle Carter, Bill Clifton, Mike Seeger, and all autoharps held in closets, basements, and artics across the nation.

The Songs of Joe Hill: Joe Glazer

Folkways Records FA-2039

Format: Vinyl, LP, 10", Album, Repress
Country: US
Released: 1954
Genre: Folk, World, & Country
Style: Folk
[Tracklist]
A1 Joe Hill (2:40)
A2 We Will Sing One Song (2:06)
A3 Scissor Bill (1:37)
A4 Mr. Block (2:36)
A5 The Rebel Girl (2:32)
B1 The Preacher And The Slave (Pie In The Sky) (2:55)
B2 There Is Power In The Union (2:46)
B3 Casey Jones (2:05)
B4 The Tramp (2:22)
B5 Jo Hill's Last Will (1:02)
[Credits]
Joe Glazer (guitar/vocals)
Designer: Ronald Clyne
[Notes]
Sung by labor educator Joe Glazer, this album features songs by union organizer Joe Hill. Although these songs are rooted in their time, their messages are still relevant today, and this collection is valuable to scholars and fans of labor music alike.

Hootenanny at Carnegie Hall

Folkways Records FN-2512

Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1963
Genre: Folk, World, & Country
Style: Folk
[Tracklist]
A1 Come and Go with Me to That Land: Hally Wood (2:46)
A2 The Battle of Maxton Field: Pete Seeger (5:08)
A3 Rye Whiskey: Tony Kraber (2:18)
A4 Blood on the Saddle: Tony Kraber (1:20)
A5 Things About Coming My Way: Jerry Silverman (3:38)
A6 Mark Twain: Will Geer (4:13)
A7 If I Had My Way: Rev. Gary Davis (4:16)
A8 Old Man, Will Your Dog Catch a Rabbit?: Hally Wood (1:29)
A9 Done Laid Around: Pete Seeger (3:26)
B1 I Never Will Marry: Pete and Mike Seeger (4:41)
B2 Oh, Riley (Reilly's Gone): Pete Seeger (4:41)
B3 Kevin Barry: Pete Seeger (3:59)
B4 Wimoweh: Pete Seeger (2:23)
B5 Jacob's Ladder: Pete Seeger (5:16)
B6 Hold On - United Nations Make a Chain: Pete Seeger (2:41)
[Credits]
Producer: Sing Out Corporation, Designer: Ronald Clyne, Photographer: David Gahr
[Notes]
Recorded at three "hoots" in 1958 and 1959, this album represents a tradition that, at the time it was made, was nearly two decades old. Through the course of hootenanny history, certain constants remained: variety, social commentary, and above all, a great deal of audience participation. This album embodies all three.

Ray Reed Sings Traditional Frontier and Cowboy Songs

Folkways Records FD-5329

Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1977
Genre: Folk, World, & Country
Style: Folk
[Tracklist]
A1 Sioux Indians (4:07)
A2 California Joe (14:47)
A3 Billy the Kid (2:32)
A4 Sod Shanty (3:19)
B1 O Bury Me Not (3:53)
B2 Zebra Dun (3:51)
B3 Punchin' the Dough (2:23)
B4 Powderhorn (3:52)
B5 Miss Aledo (2:39)
B6 Cattle Call (2:27)
[Credits]
Ray Reed (guitar/vocals)
Recorder: J. D. Robb, Cover Artwork: Will James, Designer: Ronald Clyne
[Notes]
On this 1977 Folkways release, New Mexico cowboy Ray Reed (1917–1998) sings songs about the old West; many of them he learned from his father, and he composed some as well. He had spent some years in California, and his polished style reflects the influence of the 1930s Los Angeles music scene, where he was friendly with some of the Texas Playboys―the group backing legendary Texas Swing singer Bob Wills. In 1990, concerned about the passing of traditional cowboy culture, Reed initiated an annual festival in New Mexico, the Lincoln County Cowboy Symposium, that continues today. Liner notes provide background information on the music as well as song lyrics.

Roy Acuff: The Prodigal Son

Country Stars CTS-55490

Format: CD, Album
Country: US
Released: March 15, 2004
Genre: Folk, World, & Country
Style: Country
[Tracklist]
01 Great Speckle Bird (2:56)
02 Steel Guitar Blues (2:52)
03 Lonesome Old River Blues (2:50)
04 The Precious Jewel (2:45)
05 Just to Ease My Worried Mind (2:39)
06 It Won't Be Long (Till I'll Be Leaving) (3:01)
07 Night Train to Memphis (2:51)
08 Wreck on the Highway (2:47)
09 Fireball Mail (2:35)
10 Not a Word from Home (2:27)
11 The Prodigal Son (2:47)
12 I'll Forgive You, But I Can't Forget You (2:40)
13 Write Me, Sweetheart (2:31)
14 Jole Blon (3:12)
15 Wabash Cannon Ball (2:36)
16 Freight Train Blues (3:06)
17 Waltz of the Wind (2:37)
18 Unloved and Unclaimed (2:54)
19 This World Can't Stand Long (2:42)
20 The Tennessee Waltz (2:54)
21 A Sinner's Death (2:41)
22 Black Mountain Rag (2:54)
23 Mule Skinner Blues (Blue Yodel No. 8) (2:50)
24 I Couldn't Believe It Was True (2:17)
25 The Southbound Train (2:36)
[Credits]
Roy Acuff (vocals) Brother Oswald (dobro) Lonnie Wilson (guitar) Velma Williams (bass)
Liner Notes: William Hogeland

Timeless: Hank Williams Tribute

Lost Highway 088 170 239-2

Format: CD, HDCD, Album
Country: US
Released: 2001
Genre: Rock, Blues, Folk, World, & Country
Style: Country, Rock & Roll
[Tracklist]
01 I Can't Get You off of My Mind: Bob Dylan (2:57)
02 Long Gone Lonesome Blues: Sheryl Crow (2:56)
03 I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry: Keb' Mo' (4:01)
04 Your Cheatin' Heart: Beck (3:41)
05 Lost on the River: Mark Knopfler & His Band with Emmylou Harris (3:03)
06 You're Gonna Change (Or I'm Gonna Leave): Tom Petty (3:11)
07 You Win Again: Keith Richards (4:30)
08 Alone and Forsaken: Emmylou Harris with Mark Knopfler & His Band (3:32)
09 I'm a Long Gone Daddy: Hank Williams III (3:37)
10 Lovesick Blues: Cliff Friend / Irving Mills Ryan Adams (3:23)
11 Cold, Cold Heart: Lucinda Williams (5:08)
12 I Dreamed About Mama Last Night: Johnny Cash (3:13)
[Credits]
Producers: Bonnie Garner, Luke Lewis and Mary Martin, Art Directers: Jim Kemp and Luke Lewis, Designner: Craig Allen, Engneers: Hank Williams and Al Willis
[Notes]
Many tribute albums act as secret promotional tools for the individual labels to push some of their lesser-known artists on the coattails of their heavy hitters. Fortunately, nothing could be further from the truth on Lost Highway's all-star tribute to Hank Williams, Timeless. Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash, Tom Petty, Emmylou Harris, and Keith Richards are among the seasoned performers who offer their heartfelt interpretations of Williams' songs, as well as inspired choices from younger artists, including Beck, Ryan Adams, and the grandson of the man being celebrated, Hank Williams III. The songs themselves range from Sheryl Crow's faithful re-recording of "Long Gone Lonesome Blues" to Beck's stripped-down and quirky collaboration with producer Jon Brion on "Your Cheatin' Heart." While the more traditional country songs are entertaining and well-done, the real strong points are the looser, more raw contributions. Keith Richards' boozy rip through "You Win Again" is as intimate and stumbling as ole Hank on his last nights, and hard-livin' torchbearer Ryan Adams' living-room recording of "Lovesick Blues" resonates with the singer's own youthful weariness. The album ends with Lucinda Williams' (no relation) sparse and chilling "Cold, Cold Heart" and Johnny Cash's tender recitation of "I Dreamed About Mama Last Night." While many tribute collections seem disjointed and disappointing, Timeless pulls together some of the most interesting artists available, and their performances, while varied, all display a passionate devotion to the music of one of country's true legends. (AllMusic Review by Zac Johnson)