16 Down Home Country Classics

Arhoolie Records - CD 110

Format: CD, Album
Country: United States
Released: 1997
Genre: Folk, World, & Country
Style: Bluegrass, & Country
[Tracklist]
01 Single Girl: Rose Maddox (2:09)
02 No Never No: Strange Creek Singers (4:09)
03 Run Mountain: J.E. Mainer (2:52)
04 Spanish Fandango: Snuffy Jenkins (1:23)
05 Eight Thirty Blues: The Armstrong Twins (2:09)
06 Hey, Hey Bartender: Del McCoury (2:38)
07 Sam McGee Stomp: Sam McGee (2:04)
08 Old Dan Tucker: Louisiana Honey Drippers (2:20)
09 You Turned Your Back: Toni Brown (2:17)
10 Carroll County Blues: Suzy and Eric Thompson (3:18)
11 George's Playhouse Boogie: Maddox Brothers & Rose (2:44)
12 John Barleycorn: Kenny Baker (2:11)
13 Black Land Farmer: Bill Neely (3:48)
14 Turkey Buzzard / Chinquapin Hunting: Any Old Time String Band (2:46)
15 Hello Stranger: The Carter Family (2:09)
16 Bogue Chito Fling Ding: Hodges Brothers (1:56)
[Credits]
Producer and Editor: Chris Strachwitz and Tom Diamant, Photographer: Barry Oliver, Designer: Wayne Pope and Craig Millman
[Notes]
"Down home" country music originated in the Appalachian region of Virginia, North and South Carolina, Kentucky and Tennessee in the early part of the 20th century. Played using acoustical stringed instruments, traditional country music is derived from English folk songs along with elements of gospel and blues. This collection presents 16 examples of traditional country music and includes tracks from the Carter Family, the Strange Creek Singers with Hazel Dickens, Rose Maddox, and NEA National Heritage Fellow Del McCoury. Liner notes include each track's original Arhoolie album for further listening.

The Unbroken Circle: The Musical Heritage of the Carter Family

Dualtone – 80302-01162-2

Format: CD, Album, Compilation
Country: US
Released: 2004
Genre: Folk, World, & Country
Style: Country, Bluegrass
[Tracklist]
01 Worried Man Blues: George Jones (3:11)
02 No Depression In Heaven: Sheryl Crow (3:20)
03 On The Sea of Galilee: Emmylou Harris with the Peasall Sisters(3:16)
04 Engine One-Forty-Three: Johnny Cash (3:38)
05 Never Let The Devil Get the Upper Hand of You: Marty Stuart & Fabulous Superlatives (4:50)
06 Little Moses: Janette and Joe Carter (2:19)
07 Black Jack David: Norman and Nancy Blake with Tim O'Brien (2:57)
08 Bear Creek Blues: John Prine (4:23)
09 You Are My Flower: Willie Nelson (2:39)
10 Single Girl, Married Girl: Shawn Colvin with Earl Scruggs and Randy Scruggs (2:19)
11 Will My Mother Know Me There?: The Whites with Ricky Skaggs (3:04)
12 The Winding Stream: Rosanne Cash (4:31)
13 Rambling Boy: The Del McCoury Band (4:24)
14 Hold Fast To The Right: June Carter Cash (2:55)
15 Gold Watch And Chain: The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band with Kris Kristofferson (4:06)
[Credits]
Producer: John Carter Cash
[Notes]
Country musicians, be they alternative, traditional, or neo-traditionalist, never tire of singing praises to the Carter Family. Heck, even the occasional rocker will say a few kind words about the Carter legacy. With this type of enthusiasm, there's never a bad time to put together a tribute album like The Unbroken Circle. The album is packed with VIPs like Emmylou Harris, George Jones, Sheryl Crow, and Willie Nelson, and it even includes no less than three Cashes (Johnny, June Carter, and Rosanne). Despite this impressive list, The Unbroken Circle gets a very rocky start with lukewarm efforts by Jones, Crow, Harris, and Johnny Cash. Jones and Cash sound fairly rough, and Harris' outing, backed by the Peasall Sisters, is underwhelming. Crow's appearance on a country record is somewhat surprising, and perhaps it was meant to add a little pizzazz to the disc. Unfortunately, she sings "No Depression in Heaven" as though she were auditioning for Freakwater. While the album never quite recovers from this early stumble, there are bright spots after those first four songs. Marty Stuart offers a truly superb version of "Never Let the Devil Get the Upper Hand of You," filled with creepy ambience and a fine vocal, while Janette and Joe Carter's take on "Little Moses" sounds more old-time than the Carter Family. There are solid offerings by Nelson, John Prine, and the Del McCoury Band before everything comes to a crash landing with the less polished contributions of June Carter Cash and Kris Kristofferson. While fans of the artists on this compilation may want to check it out, there are better Carter Family collections (Bristol by Ginny Hawker and Kay Justice and Songs of the Carter Family by Jody Stecher and Kate Brislin), and there's always the option of listening to the Carter Family themselves. -- AllMusic Review by Ronnie D. Lankford, Jr.

Bill Monroe with Del McCoury and Bill Keith

July 1963 · Two Days At Newport

And More Bears – ACD 25001 AA

Format: CD, Album
Country: Germany
Released: 2003
Genre: Folk, World, & Country
Style: Bluegrass
[Tracklist]
01 July 26, 1963 - Intro (1:18)
02 Mule Skinner Blues (2:27)
03 Uncle Pen (3:07)
04 Devil's Dream (2:39)
05 Molly And Tenbrooks (2:26)
06 I Am A Pilgrim (3:03)
07 Rawhide (Instrumental) (2:19)
08 July 27, 1963 - Intro (0:53)
09 Paddy On The Turnpike (Instrumental) (2:12)
10 Pike Country Breakdown (3:02)
11 Rawhide (Instrumental) (3:07)
12 Get Up John (Instrumental) (2:28)
13 Will You Be Loving Another Man (2:26)
14 Conversation With Ralph Rinzler (4:51)
15 Pretty Fair Maiden In The Garden (3:29)
16 Salt Creek (Instrumental) (2:27)
17 Lonesome Road Blues (1:59)
[Credits]
Bill Monroe (mandolin/vocals) Del McCoury (guitar/vocals) Bill Keith (banjo) Billy Baker (fiddle) Bessie Lee Mauldin (bass)
Producers: Ralph Rinzler and Richard Weize, Liner Notes: Charles K. Wolfe, Artwork: Ina Taubenauer, Photographers: David Gahr and John Byrne Cooke, Engineer: Jürgen Crasser
[Notes]
This amazing disc records the Father of Bluegrass's first appearance at the Newport Folk Festival. Adding to the historical significance of the performance is the fact that this particular configuration of the Bluegrass Boys never recorded together in the studio. There are fine versions of several Monroe standards here, and great vocals with the always wonderful Del McCoury. The sound quality is excellent and there are good notes by Charles Wolfe discussing the recording's importance. Essential for bluegrass lovers. Recorded live July 26 - 27, 1963 at the Newport folk festival.

Michael Cleveland: Tall Fiddler

Compass Records – COM4737

Format: CD, Album
Country: US
Released: August 23, 2019
Genre: Folk, World, & Country
Style: Bluegrass
[Tracklist]
01 Arkansas: Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper (02:34)
02 High Lonesome Sound: The Travelin' McCourys (03:36)
03 20 Cent Cotton And 90 Cent Meat: Michael Cleveland (03:31)
04 Beauty Of My Dreams: Del McCoury, Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper (02:35)
05 5-String Swing: Michael Cleveland (03:26)
06 Old Time River Man: Michael Cleveland (04:52)
07 Tennessee Plates: Michael Cleveland (03:28)
08 Tall Fiddler: Tommy Emmanuel, Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper (03:14)
09 Tarnation: Béla Fleck (05:56)
10 Son Of A Ramblin' Man: Dan Tyminski, Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper (03:07)
11 Mountain Heartache: Dan Tyminski, Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper (03:45)
12 Me And Helen: Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper (03:56)
13 Lazy Katie: Larry Bales (03:19)
[Credits]
Producers: Jeff White and Sean Sullivan
[Notes]
This album has been something I've wanted to do for a very long time. I've been thinking for a while that it would be awesome to have my band, Flamekeeper, collaborate with some of my musical heroes, and just wondered what it would sound like. I knew it was going to be awesome about an hour into the first day in the studio. Tommy Emmanuel came in to record 'Tall Fiddler' and about an hour after he got there, we had the track. Also, I had the honor of co-writing a song with Béla Fleck, recording a Memphis rock song that talks about stealing one of Elvis's Cadillacs… had so much fun along the way. Thanks to everyone who was involved in the making of this album and especially to my co-producers, Jeff White and Sean Sullivan, for making this dream a reality. — Michael Cleveland

Bill Monroe: Anthology

MCA Nashville / Decca 088 113 207-2

Format: 2 x CD, Compilation
Country: United States
Released: 2003
Genre: Folk, World, & Country
Style: Bluegrass
[Tracklist]
1-01 New Mule Skinner Blues (02:30)
1-02 My Little Georgia Rose (03:06)
1-03 Uncle Pen (02:45)
1-04 Raw Hide (02:36)
1-05 Kentucky Waltz (03:16)
1-06 When The Cactus Is In Bloom (02:04)
1-07 Get Down On Your Knees And Pray (03:01)
1-08 In The Pines (03:11)
1-09 Footprints In The Snow (02:40)
1-10 Walking In Jerusalem (02:00)
1-11 Get Up John (02:11)
1-12 On And On (02:47)
1-13 I'm Working On A Building (2:43)
1-14 Blue Moon Of Kentucky (02:08)
1-15 Roanoke (02:39)
1-16 Goodbye Old Pal (02:04)
1-17 Molly & Tenbrooks (02:22)
1-18 I'm Sitting On Top Of The World (02:18)
1-19 I Saw The Light (02:30)
1-20 Scotland (01:55)
1-21 Panhandle Country (02:05)
1-22 Gotta Travel On (02:34)
1-23 Big Mon (02:17)
1-24 Linda Lou (02:10)
1-25 Lonesome Road Blues (02:28)
2-01 Time Changes Everything (02:15)
2-02 I'm Going Back To Old Kentucky (02:23)
2-03 Toy Heart (02:15)
2-04 Live And Let Live (02:40)
2-05 Old Joe Clark (02:24)
2-06 Columbus Stockade Blues (03:05)
2-07 Drifting Too Far From The Shore (02:29)
2-08 Somebody Touched Me (02:32)
2-09 Jimmy Brown The Newsboy (02:26)
2-10 I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry (02:13)
2-11 Devil's Dream (02:24)
2-12 Highway Of Sorrow (02:22)
2-13 Roll On Buddy, Roll On (02:11)
2-14 (We're Going) Just Over In The Glory Land (02:23)
2-15 Fire On The Mountain (02:05)
2-16 The Long Black Veil (02:40)
2-17 I Wonder Where You Are Tonight (02:34)
2-18 Dusty Miller (02:19)
2-19 Midnight On The Stormy Deep (03:42)
2-20 Sally Goodin (03:15)
2-21 Walls Of Time (03:19)
2-22 I Haven't Seen Mary In Years (03:04)
2-23 With Body And Soul (03:06)
2-24 Walk Softly On This Heart Of Mine (02:35)
2-25 My Last Days On Earth (04:42)
[Credits]
Bill Monroe (mandolin/vocals) James Monroe (bass/guitar/vocals) Jimmy Martin (guitar/vocals) Carter Stanley (guitar/vocals) Edd Mayfield (guitar/vocals) Del McCoury (guitar/vocals) Jimmy Maynard (guitar/vocals) Franklin G. Buchanan (guitar/vocals) Roland White (guitar/vocals) Peter Rowan (guitar/vocals) Rudy Lyle (banjo/vocals) Charlie Cline (fiddle/ocals) Kenny Baker (vocals) Boudleaux Bryant (vocals) Milton Estes (vocals) Culley Holt (vocals) Arlene Hardin (vocals) Bobby Hardin (vocals) Cindy Nelson (vocals) Curtis Young (vocals) Carl Butler (guitar) Jack Cooke (guitar) Jimmy Elrod (guitar) Grady Martin (guitar) Norman Blake (guitar) Jackie Phelps (guitar) Jimmy Selph (guitar) Joe Stuart (banjo/fiddle/guitar) Hubert Davis (banjo) Joe Drumright (banjo) Tony Ellis (banjo) Lamar Grier (banjo) Lonnie Hoppers (banjo) Vic Jordan (banjo) Bill Keith (banjo) Don Lineberger (banjo) Curtis McPeake (banjo) Robert Lee Pennington (banjo) Don Stover (banjo) Rual Yarbrough (banjo) Sonny Osborne (banjo) Gordon Terry (fiddle/vocals) Vassar Clements (fiddle) Red Hayes (fiddle) Tommy Jackson (fiddle) Connie Ellisor (fiddle) Carl Gorodetzky (fiddle) Bobby Hicks (fiddle) Byron Berline (fiddle) George Binkley III (fiddle) Richard Greene & Beryl Marriott (fiddle) Dennis Molchan (fiddle) Hal Smith (fiddle) Dale Potter (fiddle) Red Stanley (fiddle) Merle "Red" Taylor (fiddle) Horace "Benny" Williams (fiddle) Tommy Williams Jr. (fiddle) Roy Christensen (cello) Joel Price (bass/vocals) Ernie Newton (bass/vocals) Mark Hembree (bass) Howard Watts (bass) Farris Coursey (drums) Joe Zinkan (bass)
Producer: Owen Bradley, Paul Cohen, Harry Silverstein and Walter Haynes, Photographer: Les Leverett, Designer: Mike Fink, Liner Notes: Mary Katherine Aldin, Engineer: Gavin Lurssen
[Notes]
So much has been said about the founding father of bluegrass music that it would be nice if there was an all-encompassing collection of Bill Monroe's music to accompany the legend. Although the almost-correctly titled Anthology comes close, there is still a wealth of Columbia and RCA-Victor recordings missing from this Decca-centric collection, which runs chronologically from 1950 to 1969 (with one final track from 1981). Unfortunately, this means that the classic lineup of Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs, with fiddler Chubby Wise and bassist Howard Watts, is not represented. Still, bluegrass luminaries Vassar Clements, Jimmy Martin, Kenny Baker, Del McCoury, Peter Rowan, and many others, all drifted in and out of the Blue Grass Boys during their twenty-some years, and make appearances on classic tracks like "Sally Goodin," "Uncle Pen," "Blue Moon of Kentucky," and "New Mule Skinner Blues." All told, this may be the perfect collection of Monroe's work for Decca, but it falls only slightly short of being the Bill Monroe Anthology.-- AllMusic Review by Zac Johnson

Bill Monroe and the Blue Grass Boys: Live Recordings 1956-1969

Smithsonian Folkways SF CD 40063

Format: CD, Album
Country: US
Released: 1993
Genre: Folk, World, & Country
Style: Bluegrass
[Tracklist]
01 Watermelon Hanging On The Vine (0:37)
02 Roanoke (1:19)
03 Brakeman's Blues (2:40)
04 Close By (2:26)
05 Kentucky Waltz (2:26)
06 Blue Grass Stomp (2:10)
07 Blue Moon Of Kentucky (2:00)
08 I'm Working On A Building (1:59)
09 Angels Rock Me To Sleep (1:53)
10 Wheel Hoss (2:08)
11 Watermelon Hanging On The Vine (0:31)
12 Katy Hill (3:06)
13 True Life Blues (2:40)
14 I Live In The Past (2:41)
15 Wayfaring Stranger (4:27)
16 Fire On The Mountain (3:37)
17 Blue Grass Breakdown (3:22)
18 Raw Hide (2:52)
19 Y'All Come (0:49)
20 Cotton-Eyed Joe (2:49)
21 Get Up John (3:14)
22 White House Blues (2:01)
23 Roll In My Sweet Baby's Arms (2:27)
24 Kansas City Railroad Blues (2:51)
25 The Walls Of Time (4:30)
26 When He Reached Down His Hand For Me (2:44)
27 Monroe Family Segment (9:45)
[Credits]
Bill Monroe (mandolin/vocals)
Producer & Liner Notes: Ralph Rinzler, Photographer: David Gahr & Phil Zimmerman, Mastering Engineer: Alan Yoshida
[Notes]
"Howdy, howdy folks. We're glad to be back for another show here. As we do the numbers now, we're gonna call each fellow's name out so we can get right along with the show." And what a show. Bluegrass has always been a live-performance genre, on stage or in the studio, and Bill Monroe never sounded better on stage than during these heady years of the folk revival. He had something to share and to prove to his new audience, and he wouldn't meet them halfway, choosing instead his grittiest traditional material and singing, especially in the late '50s, with full, high yodel and wail. His voice mellowed into the '60s, but his band, including many of the best bluegrass pickers ever (Bill Keith, Peter Rowan, Richard Greene, and Bobby Hicks for starters), never gave quarter. To understand Bill Monroe and his various ensembles, one needs to hear his stage brilliance, and there's no better place to start than with these warm, clear live recordings. --Roy Kasten

Livin' Lovin' Losin': Songs of the Louvin Brothers

Universal South UNSF-02460-2

Format: CD, Compilation
Country: US
Released: 2003
Genre: Folk, World, & Country
Style: Country, Bluegrass
[Tracklist]
01 Intro to Charlie and Ira (0:26)
02 Cash on the Barrelhead: Joe Nichols and Rhonda Vincent (3:17)
03 My Baby's Gone: Emmylou Harris and Rodney Crowell (3:31)
04 How's the World Treating You: James Taylor and Alison Krauss (3:18)
05 I Can't Keep You in Love With Me: Vince Gill and Terri Clark (2:58)
06 Must You Throw Dirt in My Face: Merle Haggard and Carl Jackson (2:51)
07 If I Could Only Win Your Love: Ronnie Dunn and Rebecca Lynn Howard (2:34)
08 When I Stop Dreaming: Glen Campbell and Leslie Satcher (4:00)
09 I Wish You Knew: Kathy Louvin and Pamela Brown Hayes (2:27)
10 The New Partner Waltz: Linda Ronstadt and Carl Jackson (2:50)
11 Are You Teasing Me: Patty Loveless and Jon Randall (3:02)
12 I Don't Believe You've Met My Baby: Dierks Bentley and Harley Allen (2:40)
13 You're Running Wild: Carl Jackson, Larry Cordle and Jerry Salley (2:40)
14 The Angels Rejoiced: Dolly Parton and Sonya Isaacs (2:38)
15 Let Us Travel, Travel On: Marty Stuart and Del McCoury (2:39)
16 Keep Your Eyes on Jesus: Johnny Cash, Pam Tillis and The Jordanaires (3:24)
[Creduts]
Harley Allen (vocals) Dierks Bentley (vocals) Bruce Bouton (pedal steel guitar) Glen Campbell (vocals) Johnny Cash (vocals) Terri Clark (vocals) Larry Cordle (vocals) J. T. Corenflos (guitar) Tony Creasman (drums) Rodney Crowell (vocals) Glen Duncan (fiddle) Ronnie Dunn (vocals) Vince Gill (vocals) Emory Gordy (bass) Kevin Grantt (bass) Mike Bub (bass) Merle Haggard (vocals) Emmylou Harris (vocals) David Harvey (mandolin) Pamela Brown Hayes (vocals) Rebecca Lynn Howard (vocals) Roy Huskey Jr. (bass) Sonya Isaacs (vocals) Carl Jackson (vocals/guitar/banjo/mandolin/percussion) Mike Johnson (pedal steel guitar) The Jordanaires (vocals) Randy Kohrs (dobro) Alison Krauss (vocals) Kathy Louvin (vocals) Patty Loveless (vocals) Catherine Marx (piano) Del McCoury (vocals) Joe Nichols (vocals) Martin Parker (drums) Dolly Parton (vocals) Jon Randall (vocals) Matt Rollings (piano) Linda Ronstadt (vocals) Jerry Salley (vocals) Leslie Satcher (vocals) Adam Steffey (mandolin) Marty Stuart (vocals/mandolin/electronic drums) James Taylor (vocals) Pam Tillis (vocals) Steve Turner (drums) Jim Van Cleve (fiddle) Rhonda Vincent (vocals)
Producer: Carl Jackson & Kathy Louvin, Liner Notes: Tom Wilmeth, Designer: Beth Middleworth & Susan Levy, Engineer: John "Babbacombe" Lee, Luke Wooten, Jim Brady, John Carter Cash & Hank Williams
[Notes]
The Louvin Brothers were an American country music duo composed of brothers Ira Louvin and Charlie Louvin. They helped popularize close harmony, a genre of country music. Their partnership ended in 1963 with Charlie continuing a long and successful career as a solo artist. Ira died in an automobile accident in 1965 and Charlie died in 2011 from pancreatic cancer. Ira Louvin's daughter, Kathy Louvin, approached producer Carl Jackson with the idea of a Louvin Brothers tribute album. Jackson then enlisted the various artists who performed on the tracks. The project was kept a secret from Charlie, the surviving Louvin Brother, until he accidentally heard about it and later became involved in the sessions. Guest vocalists include Glen Campbell, Johnny Cash, James Taylor, Emmylou Harris, Alison Krauss, Vince Gill, Merle Haggard, Linda Ronstadt, Dolly Parton, and many others. The recitation on "Keep Your Eyes on Jesus" was one of the last sessions Cash did before his death.

Del and Woody: The Del McCoury Band

McCoury Music – Number None

Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 2016
Genre: Folk, World, & Country
Style: Bluegrass, Folk
[Tracklist]
A1 The New York Trains
A2 Cheap Mike
A3 Ain't A Gonna Do
A4 Left In This World Alone
A5 Californy Gold
A6 Because You Took Me In Out Of The Rain
B1 The Government Road
B2 Dirty Overhalls
B3 Family Reunion
B4 Wimmen's Hats
B5 Little Fellow
B6 Hoecake Fritters
[Credits]
Del McCoury (guitar/vocals) Ronnie McCoury (mandolin/vocals) Rob McCoury (banjo/vocals) Jason Carter (fiddle/vocals) Alan Bartram (bass/vocals)
Executive Producer: Nora Guthrie, Art Director: Chris Harris, Designer: Mollie B. Creative, Engineers: David Ferguson, Sean Sullivan and Dave Shipley
[Notes]
Woody Guthrie is one of America's greatest songwriters. Del McCoury was dubbed a "national treasure" by the Washington Post. Though Woody’s career had concluded before Del’s began, the two are teaming up in an unlikely way as Del is setting Woody's handwritten lyrics to music. The Woody Guthrie archives features almost 3,000 song lyrics that were either never set to music, or the music was never preserved. Woody's daughter, Nora Guthrie, asked Del to resurrect these tunes. The result is nothing short of fantastic, and the Del McCoury Band has recorded these songs for the world to hear.