Friends of Old Time Music

Folkways Records – FA 2390

Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: United States
Released: 1964
Genre: Blues, Folk, World, & Country
Style: Folk, Blues, Bluegrass, & Old Time
[Tracklist]
A1 Double File: Doc Watson and Gaither Carlton (01:55)
A2 Hicks' Farewell: Doc Watson and Gaither Carlton (04:32)
A3 Soldier's Joy: Hobart Smith (01:42)
A4 Claude Allen: Hobart Smith (03:48)
A5 Monday Morning Blues: Mississippi John Hurt (05:58)
A6 Pallet on the Floor: Mississippi John Hurt (04:36)
A7 Chick-a-la-lee-o: Almeda Riddle (03:02)
B1 Come All Ye Tender Hearted: The Stanley Brothers (03:38)
B2 Little Birdie: The Stanley Brothers (02:40)
B3 Rabbit in the Log: The Stanley Brothers (02:24)
B4 Dark Holler Blues: Doc Watson and Clarence Ashley (04:57)
B5 What Did I Do To Be So Black and Blue?: Jesse Fuller (03:43)
B6 Mistreated Mama Blues: Dock Boggs (02:07)
B7 Hook and Line: Roscoe Holcomb (00:31)
B8 Pretty Fair Miss All in a Garden: Roscoe Holcomb (03:55)
B9 He's Coming In Glory Some Day: Doc Watson, Clint Howard, Fred Price (02:46)
[Credits]
Producer and Photogrpher: John Cohen, Producer and Recorder: Peter K. Siegel, Recorder and Liner Notes: Ralph Rinzler, Recorder: Edward A. Kahn, Mike Seeger
[Notes]
Founded in 1960 by Margot Mayo, Jean Ritchie, John Cohen, Ralph Rinzler, and Israel G. Young, the Friends of Old Time Music endeavored to bring traditional folk artists to New York City to show people "the real thing." This album features the artists who participated in the non-profit's concerts between 1961 and 1963.

Classic Old-Time Music from Smithsonian Folkways

Smithsonian Folkways Classic Series

Smithsonian Folkways – SFW CD 40093

Format: CD, Compilation
Country: US
Released: 2003
Genre: Folk, World, & Country
Style: Fol, Old Timek
[Tracklist]
01 Sugar Hill: The Iron Mountain String Band (03:35)
02 Bill Morgan and His Gal: The New Lost City Ramblers (02:57)
03 Country Blues: Dock Boggs (03:52)
04 Little Sadie: Clarence Ashley (02:20)
05 Susannah Gal: Frank Bode and Tommy Jarrell (02:59)
06 Wednesday Night Waltz: Clark Kessinger (03:07)
07 Cyclone of Rye Cove: The New Lost City Ramblers (03:05)
08 I'm Leaving You This Lonesome Song: Maybelle Carter and Sara Carter Bayes (02:37)
09 Carroll County Blues: Doc Watson and Fred Price (01:42)
10 Don't Let Your Deal Go Down: Sam and Kirk McGee (03:03)
11 Trouble in Mind: Roscoe Holcomb (02:18)
12 Chilly Winds: Wade Ward (01:08)
13 Going Down the Road Feeling Bad: David, Bill and Billie Ray Johnson (02:25)
14 Pretty Polly: Lee Sexton (02:13)
15 Bonaparte's Retreat: Mike Seeger (01:29)
16 Concord Rag: J.E. Mainer's Mountaineers (02:15)
17 John Henry: George Pegram (02:18)
18 Bowling Green: Cousin Emmy with The New Lost City Ramblers (01:49)
19 Fine Times in Our House: John W. Summers (03:12)
20 Streets of Glory: Old Reliable String Band (02:10)
21 Policeman: The Spare Change Boys (02:53)
22 Soldier's Joy: Joe and Tommy Thompson (02:15)
23 House of David Blues: Red Clay Ramblers with Al McCanless (01:27)
24 Ship in the Clouds: Andy Cahan, Lisa Ornstein and Laura Fishleder (01:46)
25 Late Last Night: Sam and Kirk McGee (02:26)
26 Look Down That Lonesome Road: Gaither Carlton (02:07)
27 Down Yonder: Gordon Tanner, Joe Miller, and John Patterson (02:38)
28 Jaybird March: Etta Baker and Cora Phillips (01:51)
29 John Brown's Dream: The New Lost City Ramblers (01:35)
[Credits]
Compiler and Liner Notes: Jeff Place
[Notes]
This collection of old-time social and instrumental string-band music spotlights instrumental prowess. Old-time music features playing styles that pre-date bluegrass, emerging from the string band tradition stretching back to the early years of United States history. Both African-American and Anglo-American ingredients are at its core, the banjo having African origins, the fiddle European. Some of the most revered sources of old-time roots music—Dock Boggs, Roscoe Holcomb, Wade Ward, Tommy Jarrell, and more—are heard playing in their original styles. The Grateful Dead's cover of "Don't Let Your Deal Go Down" and Bob Dylan's rendition of Clarence Ashley's "Little Sadie" clearly attest to the continuing influence of these songs. Compiled and annotated by Jeff Place.

Friends of Old Time Music

Disc Records – D 113

Format: Vinyl, LP, Stereo
Country: US
Released: 1964
Genre: Folk, World, & Country
Style: Folk, Old Time
[Tracklist]
A1 Double File: Doc Watson and Gaither Carlton (1:55)
A2 Hicks' Farewell: Doc Watson and Gaither Carlton (4:32)
A3 Soldier's Joy: Hobart Smith (1:42)
A4 Claude Allen: Hobart Smith (3:48)
A5 Monday Morning Blues: Mississippi John Hurt (5:58)
A6 Pallet on the Floor: Mississippi John Hurt (4:36)
A7 Chick-a-la-lee-o: Almeda Riddle (3:02)
B1 Come All Ye Tender Hearted: The Stanley Brothers (3:38)
B2 Little Birdie: The Stanley Brothers (2:40)
B3 Rabbit in the Log: The Stanley Brothers (2:24)
B4 Dark Holler Blues: Doc Watson and Clarence Ashley (4:57)
B5 What Did I Do To Be So Black and Blue?: Jesse Fuller (3:43)
B6 Mistreated Mama Blues: Dock Boggs (2:07)
B7 Hook and Line: Roscoe Holcomb (0:31)
B8 Pretty Fair Miss All in a Garden: Roscoe Holcomb (3:55)
B9 He's Coming In Glory Some Day: Doc Watson, Clint Howard, Fred Price (2:46)
[Credits]
Producer: John Cohen and Peter K. Siegel, Recorder: Edward A. Kahn, Ralph Rinzler and Mike Seeger
{Notes}
Founded in 1960 by Margot Mayo, Jean Ritchie, John Cohen, Ralph Rinzler, and Israel G. Young, the Friends of Old Time Music endeavored to bring traditional folk artists to New York City to show people "the real thing." This album features the artists who participated in the non-profit's concerts between 1961 and 1963.

There is No Eye: Music for Photographs

Smithsonian Folkways – SFW CD 40091

Format: CD, HDCD, Compilation
Country: US
Released: 2001
Genre: Blues, Folk, World, & Country
Style: Bluegrass, Blues, Folk, Gospel, Country Blues, Celtic
[Tracklist]
01 Thank You Lord: Gospel Church, Harlem (4:29)
02 If I Had My Way: Reverend Gary Davis (4:46)
03 Have You Ever Been Mistreated: Yvonne Hunter (1:39)
04 I Can't Be Satisfied: Muddy Waters (2:44)
05 Roll On John: Bob Dylan (3:26)
06 Man of Constant Sorrow: Roscoe Holcomb (2:59)
07 Hicks Farewell: Doc Watson and Gaither Carlton (4:31)
08 Come All You Tenderhearted: Carter Stanley (3:38)
09 Young But Growing: Mary Townsley (3:29)
10 TB Blues: Alice Gerrard and Hazel Dickens (3:29)
11 John Henry: Bill Monroe (1:34)
12 Sally Goodin: Eck Robertson (3:42)
13 Twin Sisters: Sidna Myers (0:57)
14 Sally Johnson: Wade Ward and Charlie Higgins (2:15)
15 Pull My Daisy: David Amram Quartet (4:33)
16 So Long: Go: Rufus Cohen and Wade Patterson (3:02)
17 Who'll Water My Flowers?: Last Forever (2:36)
18 Oh Babe, It Ain't No Lie: Elizabeth Cotten (2:07)
19 Ramblin' Round: Woody Guthrie (2:17)
20 Love My Darling-O: Alan Lomax (1:56)
21 Buck Creek Girls: The New Lost City Ramblers (3:01)
22 Paloma Blanca: Huayno Stringband (2:20)
23 Kitchen Girl: Sweets Mill Band (The Arkansas Sheiks) (2:42)
[Credits]
Compiler, Producer, Liner Notes and Photographer: John Cohen, Coordinator: Mary Monseur, Designer: Visual Dialogue, Editor: Carla Borden, Engineer: Pete Reiniger
[Notes]
In Music For Photographs, photographer, film maker, folklorist and musician John Cohen (of the New Lost City Ramblers) presents some of the finest American roots recordings ever made. On their own, these songs are authentic and captivating. Yet, they are only one half of a conceptual whole—Cohen has also released a book of photographs, There is No Eye, showcasing the musicians featured here as well as many others. Experienced together, the music and the photographs create new dimensions of possibility in our collective drive to understand and appreciate people's music. Includes unreleased music from Rev. Gary Davis and Bob Dylan, as well as classic tracks from Woody Guthrie, Roscoe Holcomb, Bill Monroe, Carter Stanley, Muddy Waters, and many more. 32-page booklet, exquisite photos, extensive notes, 68 minutes.

Doc Watson and Gaither Carlton

Smithsonian Folkways Recordings SFW-40235

Format: CD, Album
Country: US
Released: May 29, 2020
Genre: Folk, World, & Country
Style: Folk, Old Time
[Tracklist]
01 Double File (1:26)
02 Handsome Molly (2:08)
03 He's Coming to Us Dead (2:50)
04 Corrina (2:26)
05 Brown's Dream (1:44)
06 Groundhog (Blind Lemon's version) (2:40)
07 My Home's Across the Blue Ridge Mountains (2:30)
08 Bonaparte's Retreat (1:53)
09 Willie Moore (3:57)
10 The Blue Ridge Mountain Blues (2:58)
11 Goin' Back to Jericho (2:09)
12 Billy in the Low Ground (1:35)
13 Reuben's Train (2:37)
14 The Dream of the Miner's Child (3:23)
15 Groundhog (F.O.T.M. version) (2:09)
[Credits]
Doc Watson (guitar/vocals) Gaither Carlton (fiddle/banjo)
[Notes]
Doc Watson and Gaither Carlton is a new album of old-time music produced from archival recordings by two legendary musicians. These largely unheard tapes were recorded at Doc Watson's two earliest concerts, presented at Blind Lemon's, Greenwich Village, New York City on October 12th and 18th in 1962. Those shows were among the rare appearances Doc's father-in-law, fiddler Gaither Carlton, made outside of North Carolina. The instrumental pieces, including Gaither's signature tune "Double File," include intricate musical interactions developed through years of family music-making. On the songs and ballads, Doc's instantly recognizable baritone voice is accompanied by his own guitar and Gaither's fiddle, or by the traditional combination of fiddle and banjo. Shortly after these recordings were made, Doc Watson embarked on a career as one of America's premier acoustic guitarists, earning the National Medal of Arts and eight Grammy Awards.

Original Folkways Recordings of Doc Watson and Clarence Ashley

Smithsonian Folkways SF CD 40029/30

Format: 2-CD, Album, Compilation
Country: US
Released: 1994
Genre: Folk, World, & Country
Style: Folk, Country
[Tracklist]
Disk One
101 Crawdad Song (3:35)
102 Sitting on Top of the World (3:09)
103 Lee Highway Blues (1:44)
104 Free Little Bird (2:09)
105 The Coo-Coo Bird (2:36)
106 Rising Sun Blues (2:58)
107 Looking Towards Heaven (2:30)
108 Rambling Hobo (1:30)
109 Rambling Hobo (1:38)
110 Shady Grove (1:31)
111 Cumberland Gap (2:23)
112 Tough Luck (2:28)
113 Humpbacked Mule (1:30)
114 My Home's Across the Blue Ridge Mountains (2:50)
115 Way Down Town (2:31)
116 Banks of the Ohio (4:14)
117 Little Sadie (2:22)
118 Carroll County Blues (1:42)
119 Cluck Old Hen (1:48)
120 Chilly Winds (Lonesome Road Blues) (2:40)
121 Sweet Heaven When I Die (2:40)
122 Fire on the Mountain (1:24)
123 Will the Circle Be Unbroken (3:23)
124 Daniel Prayed (2:56)
125 Amazing Grace (3:53)
Disk Two
201 Sally Ann (2:34)
202 Richmond Blues (1:36)
203 Old Ruben (2:03)
204 Willie Moore (3:34)
205 Walking Boss (1:51)
206 Shout Lulu (1:27)
207 Keep My Skillet Good and Greasy (2:08)
208 Pretty Little Pink (2:29)
209 Run, Jimmie Run (3:09)
210 Hick's Farewell (5:25)
211 The Old Man at the Mill (1:58)
212 A Short Life of Trouble (3:22)
213 Brown's Dream (1:43)
214 Footprints in the Snow (2:45)
215 I'm Going Back to Jericho (1:54)
216 Peg and Awl (2:14)
217 Maggie Walker (2:56)
218 God's Gonna Ease My Troublin' Mind (3:07)
219 I Saw a Man at the Close of Day (2:41)
220 Handsome Molly (2:16)
221 John Henry (3:44)
222 Honey Babe Blues (3:46)
223 Wayfaring Pilgrim (2:45)
[Credits]
Doc Watson (guitar/banjo/harmonica/vocals) Clarence Ashley, Dock Walsh and Jack Burchett (banjo/vocals) Fred Price (fiddle/vocals) Arnold Watson (banjo/harmonica/vocals) Gaither Carlton (banjo/fiddle) Garley Foster (harmonica/guitar/vocals) Clint Howard (guitar/vocals) Jack Johnson (banjo) Tommy Moore (washboard) Jean Ritchie (vocals) Ralph Rinzler (guitar)
Field Worker, Recorder, Producer, Compiler and Liner Notes: Ralph Rinzler, Producer and Compiler: Matt Walters, Photographer and Recorder: Eugene Earle, Producer and Compiler: Jeff Place, Designer: Carol Hardy, Mastering Engineer: Alan Yoshida
[Notes]
With 20 previously unreleased performances, many rare photos, and producer Ralph Rinzler's comprehensive notes, this is the definitive collection of two earlier volumes entitled Old Time Music at Clarence Ashley's. These LP's introduced the world to Doc Watson and played an important role in the folk revival of the '60s. Featured are Gaither Carlton, Clint Howard, Fred Price, Jack Burchett, and others. Compiled by Ralph Rinzler, Matt Walters and Jeff Place. Annotated by Ralph Rinzler.

The Watson Family

Smithsonian Folkways Recordings - SFW40012

Format: Vinyl, LP, Album, Mono
Country: US
Released: 1990
Genre: Folk, World, & Country
Style: Folk
[Tracklist]
01 Groundhog (2:19)
02 Every Day Dirt (2:06)
03 Bonaparte's Retreat (1:28)
04 The House Carpenter (4:30)
05 I'm Troubled (2:41)
06 Your Long Journey (2:35)
07 When I Die (2:15)
08 The Train That Carried My Girl From Town (2:18)
09 Down The Road (1:40)
10 The Lone Pilgrim (3:05)
11 Texas Gales/Blackberry Rag (1:55)
12 Darling Corey (2:36)
13 The Triplett Tragedy (5:28)
14 Muddy Roads (1:28)
15 The Lost Soul (2:58)
16 Keep In The Middle Of The Road (1:13)
17 The Old Man Below (1:33)
18 Pretty Saro (1:41)
19 Cousin Sally Brown (2:18)
20 Look Down That Lonesome Road (2:05)
21 Doodle Bug (1:00)
22 Rambling Hobo (1:39)
23 The Cuckoo Bird (3:03)
24 Frosty Morn (1:41)
25 Shady Grove (2:23)
26 Southbound (2:40)
[Credits]
Doc Watson (guitar/banjo/harmonica/mandolin/autoharp/vocals) Merle Watson (guitar/banjo) Gaither Carlton (banjo/fiddle/vocals) Dolly Greer (vocals) Sophronie Miller Greer (vocals) Annie Watson (vocals) Arnold Watson (banjo/harmonica/vocals) Rosa Lee Watson (vocals) Willard Watson (banjo) Ralph Rinzler (guitar)
Recorder: Ralph Rinzler, Eugene W. Earl, Archie Green anf Peter Peter Siegel, Liner Notes: D. K. Wilgus assisted by Ralph Rinzler and Eugene W. Earl, Photographer: Robert Yellin
[Notes]
Doc Watson, grandfather of the folk revival movement, has had a profound influence on American traditional music. Not only did he pioneer the playing of fiddle tunes on a flattop guitar, but through his incessant touring has brought traditional music to a larger audience. This Smithsonian Folkways release captures not only Doc Watson, but almost a dozen family members at the height of their power and has been deservingly hailed as a classic recording. Right from the opening track, "Old Groundhog," Watson and family send the listener on an amazing journey into the American musical past and present. Incidentally, their performance of "Old Groundhog" is certainly the equal of Bascom Lamar Lunsford's "I Wish I Was a Mole in the Ground," in terms of surreal country, capturing as it does race relations, commentary on shoe strings, as well directions for catching a groundhog. On "The House Carpenter," a weepy tale of that conflates religious and personal love, a haunting female voice sings almost off-key accompanied only by a fiddle that doubles on the melody. On the instrumental "Bonaparte's Retreat," Watson offers a droning, sea shanty-influenced version of this song staple of Mississippi river communities. Some of the family's best work is found in the spirituals scattered about the album. "When I Die" features a beautiful, uplifting three-part harmony, as does "The Lost Soul," which contains the wickedly abject refrain, "I'm paying now/the penalty." A fabulous record that's a must-listen for any serious fan of American music. -- AllMusic Review by Brian Whitener

Old Time Music at Clarence Ashley's

Folkways Records FA-2355

Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: United States
Released: 1961
Genre: Folk, World, & Country
Style: Bluegrass, Folk, & Country
[Tracklist]
A1 Sally Ann
A2 Old Ruben
A3 East Tennessee Blues
A4 Claude Allen
A5 Richmond Blues
A6 Skillet Good And Greasy
A7 The Old Man At The Mill
A8 The Haunted Woods
A9 Footprints In The Snow
B1 I'm Going Back To Jericho
B2 Maggie Walker Blues
B3 God's Gonna Ease My Troublin' Mind
B4 Handsome Molly
B5 The Louisiana Earthquake
B6 Honey Babe Blues
B7 True Lovers
B8 Pretty Little Pink
[Credits]
Clarence Ashley (banjo/vocals) Doc Watson (guitar/banjo/harmonica/vocals) Clint Howard (guitar/vocals) Fred Price (fiddle/vocals) Garley Foster (harmonica/guitar/vocals) Jack Johnson (banjo) Arnold Watson (banjo/harmonica/vocals) Gaither Carlton (banjo/fiddle) "New River Jack" Burchett (banjo/vocals) Dock Walsh (banjo/vocals) Tommy Moore (washboard) Jean Ritchie (vocals) Ralph Rinzler (guitar)
Producer: Eugene Earle and Ralph Rinzler Designer: John Cohen
[Notes]
Recorded in Shouns, Tennessee, Saltville, Virginia and Deep Gap, North Carolina in September 1960. Silver on black label. Long Playing Non-Breakable Microgroove. Issued with twelve page booklet containing bios of the performers plus lyrics. Booklet is separated from album by cardboard insert.

More Clawhammer Banjo Songs & Tunes from the Mountains

County Records County–717

Format: Vinyl, LP
Country: United States
Released: 1969
Genre: Folk, World, & Country
Style: Old Time, & Country
[Tracklist]
A1 Jake Gillie: Oscar Wright
A2 Roustabout: Fred Cockerham
A3 Big Eyed Rabbit: Matokie Slaughter
A4 Shady Grove: Sidna & Fulton Myers
A5 Sandy River: Oscar Wright
A6 Little Birdie: Gaither Carlton
A7 John Brown's Dream: Tommy Jarrell
A8 Johnny's Gone To War: Matokie Slaughter
B1 Cripple Creek: Tommy Jarrell
B2 Twin Sisters: Sidna Myers
B3 Elkhorn Ridge: Oscar Wright
B4 Sally Ann: Sidna & Fulton Myers
B5 Stillhouse: Matokie Slaughter
B6 Omie Let Your Bangs Hang Down: Gaither Carlton
B7 Cousin Sally Brown: Willard Watson
[Credits]
Liner Notes – Charles Faurot
Producer – Charles Faurot