The Golden Eagle String Band: Grand Canal Ballads - History of the Erie Canal

Folkways Records – FTS 32318

Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1981
Genre: Folk, World, & Country
Style: Folk
[Tracklist]
A1 Oh! Dat Low Bridge (2:54)
A2 Paddy On The Canal (4:00)
A3 Dark-eyed Canaller (1:47)
A4 I'm Afloat On The Erie Canal (2:09)
A5 Ballad Of The Erie Canal (2:44)
A6 Boating On A Bull-head (3:48)
A7 Meeting On The Waters Of The Hudson And Erie (2:33)
B1 The Er-i-e (3:30)
B2 A Trip On The Erie (1:18)
B3 That Long Canal (3:57)
B4 Canawler, Canawler-Hoggee On The Towpath (1:54)
B5 The Raging Canal (5:33)
B6 The Aged Pilot Man (3:19)
B7 Low Bridge, Everybody Down (3:11)
[Credits]
William Hullfish (banjo/vocals) Larry Chechak (guitar/harmonica/banjo/vocals) Laurie Outermans (autoharp/vocals) Susan Clark (dulcimer/vocals) Daniel Flanigan (guitar/whistle/vocals) Mike Mumford (mandolin/vocals) Shary Sanduski (mandolin/vocals) Stephan Hullfish (bass/vocals) Jim Riley (guitar/vocals) Shows Leary (jew's harp/spoons/washboard) Lynn Pilaroscia (fiddle) Stuart Durell (guitar) Mike Ryan (banjo) Brent Bassi, Christine Fraleigh, John Rose, Kathleen Anne Kubarycz, Kim Bassi, and Matt Hullfish (vocals)
Read: John Price, Liner Notes: Jean Papalia, Engineer: Billie Michie, Fred Wagner, Lloyd Graf, and Russell Salerno
[Notes]
The Golden Eagle String Band presents stories about the Erie Canal through song. Opening in 1825 and linking Lake Erie to New York City by way of the Hudson River, the Erie Canal was a major force in the commercial life of New York State, creating many jobs as well as rich folklore. The album includes perhaps the best known and best loved canal song, "Low Bridge, Everybody Down."The Golden Eagle String Band is composed of 16 musicians (plus four children), who, in addition to singing, perform on 12 different folk instruments. For another Smithsonian Folkways recording of New York State songs performed by the Golden Eagle String Band, see Body, Boots and Britches: Folk Songs of New York State (FW32317). Liner notes detail the history of the canal (including historic photos) and provide the background and lyrics for each song.