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.

Classic Railroad Songs from Smithsonian Folkways

Smithsonian Folkways – SFW CD 40192

Series: Smithsonian Folkways Classic Series
Format: CD, Compilation
Country: US
Released: 2006
Genre: Blues, Folk, World, & Country
Style: Folk
[Tracklist]
01 An excerpt from "Rail Dynamics": n/a (0:24)
02 Train 45: The New Lost City Ramblers (2:18)
03 Kassie Jones: Furry Lewis (2:56)
04 Jay Gould's Daughter: Pete Seeger (2:38)
05 Railroad Bill: Walt Robertson (2:08)
06 Linin' Track: Lead Belly (1:15)
07 Freight Train: Elizabeth Cotten (2:43)
08 Drill, Ye Tarriers, Drill: Cisco Houston (2:30)
09 Zack, the Mormon Engineer: L. M. Hilton (2:02)
10 Lost Train Blues: Virginia Mountain Boys (2:57)
11 The FFV: Annie Watson (3:52)
12 He's Coming to Us Dead: The New Lost City Ramblers (3:15)
13 The Train That Carried My Girl from Town: Doc Watson (2:18)
14 Rock Island Line: Lead Belly (2:03)
15 Lonesome Train: Doc Watson, Woody Guthrie, and Cisco Houston (3:31)
16 John Henry: Sonny Terry, Woody Guthrie and Cisco Houston (2:42)
17 The Wreck of the Number Nine: Rosalie Sorrels (1:36)
18 Freight Train Blues: Brownie McGhee (3:36)
19 The New Market Wreck: Mike Seeger (3:39)
20 Jerry, Go Oil That Car: Harry "Haywire Mac" McClintock (2:37)
21 Way Out in Idaho: Rosalie Sorrels (3:34)
22 Old John Henry Died on the Mountain: Henry Grady Terrell (1:55)
23 Casey Jones: John D. Mounce (0:20)
24 Wreck of the Old 97: Ernest V. Stoneman (2:51)
25 Midnight Special: Lead Belly (2:03)
26 Wabash Cannonball: Doc Watson (3:17)
27 Lost Train Blues: Vernon Sutphin (1:13)
28 New River Train: Iron Mountain String Band (4:26)
29 Excerpt from "Three Little Engines and 33 Cars": n/a (0:25)
[Credits]
Compiler and Liner Notes: Jeff Place, Photographer: Jack Delano, Designer: Communication Visual, Engineer: Pete Reiniger
[Notes]
As 19th-century America expanded, so too did the "ribbons of iron" that crisscrossed the vast landscape and sparked the imagination of music-makers. Work songs, ballads recounting riveting exploits, and instrumental echoes of the once familiar sounds of the steam locomotive have enshrined the railroad in our musical memory. Classic Railroad Songs mines the Smithsonian Folkways archives to create this tribute to a favorite American source of inspiration. 36-page booklet. 71 minutes.

Dock Boggs Volume 3

Recorded and Edited by Mike Seeger

Folkways Records – AH 3903

Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1970
Genre: Folk, World, & Country
Style: Folk, Old Time
[Tracklist]
A01 Davenport (1:45)
A02 Dying Ranger (3:28)
A03 Little Omie Wise (3:26)
A04 Sugar Blues (1:26)
A05 Loving Nancy (2:30)
A06 Cuba (1:29)
A07 John Hardy (2:05)
A08 Peggy Walker (2:56)
A09 I Hope I Live a Few More Days (4:10)
A10 Turkey in the Straw (0:51)
B01 Calvary (3:34)
B02 Roses While I'm Living (3:25)
B03 Leave It There (3:23)
B04 Prayer of a Miner's Child (3:21)
B05 Coke Oven March (1:05)
B06 Ruben's Train (2:23)
B07 Cumberland Gap (2:30)
B08 Careless Love (4:11)
[Credits]
Dock Boggs (banjo/vocals) Mike Seeger (guitar)
Producer and Editor: Mike Seeger, Photographer: Fred Baldwin, Designer: Ronald Clyne
[Notes]
Moran "Dock" Boggs, miner and musician, was first recognized for his "unorthodox" playing style. His popularity only grew after he was featured on the Anthology of American Folk Music (SFW40090) in 1952 and made Boggs one of the most influential musicians in America. This third installment of Boggs' music on Folkways includes the classics "Turkey in the Straw" and the haunting "Prayer of a Miner's Child." Extensive liner notes accompany this album and include facsimiles of some of Boggs' original handwritten lyrics.

Dock Boggs Volume 2

Recorded and Edited by Mike Seeger

Folkways Records – FA 2392

Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1965
Genre: Folk, World, & Country
Style: Folk, Old Time
[Tracklist]
A1 Mixed Blues (3:55)
A2 Old Joe's Barroom (2:49)
A3 Danville Girl (2:39)
A4 Cole Younger (1:52)
A5 Schottische Time (1:16)
A6 Papa, Papa, Build Me a Boat (2:44)
A7 Little Black Train (2:55)
A8 No Disappointment in Heaven (2:35)
A9 Glory Land (4:03)
B1 Banjo Clog (1:50)
B2 Wise County Jail (1:52)
B3 Sugar Baby (2:57)
B4 The Death of Jerry Damron (4:17)
B5 Railroad Tramp (3:15)
B6 Poor Boy in Jail (2:59)
B7 Brother Jim Got Shot (2:02)
B8 John Henry (3:34)
[Credits]
Dock Boggs (banjo/vocals) Mike Seeger (guitar)
Producer and Recorder: Mike Seeger, Liner Notes: Jon Pankake, Designer: A. Doyle Moore
[Notes]
Known for his passion for music, Dock Boggs "not only lived through Cumberland's long night but...prevailed over it. He has mastered it and infused its raw spirit and tragic temperament into his old songs," writes Jon Pankake in the liner notes. This album was recorded in 1964 at Boggs' sister's house, and Mike Seeger provides guitar accompaniment.

American Banjo: Three-Finger and Scruggs Style

Smithsonian Folkways – SF 40037

Format: Vinyl, LP, Reissue
Country: United States
Released: 1990
Genre: Folk, World, & Country
Style: Bluegrass
[Tracklist]
A01 Shortening Bread: Smiley Hobbs, Pete Kuykendall, and Mike Seeger (0:49)
A02 Pig in a Pen: Smiley Hobbs, Pete Kuykendall, and Mike Seeger (1:15)
A03 Train 45: Smiley Hobbs, Pete Kuykendall, and Mike Seeger (2:22)
A04 Rosewood Casket: Smiley Hobbs, Pete Kuykendall, and Mike Seeger (1:30)
A05 Cotton Eye Joe: Smiley Hobbs, Pete Kuykendall, and Mike Seeger (1:44)
A06 Don't Let Your Deal Go Down: J.C. Sutphin (1:03)
A07 Under the Double Eagle: J.C. Sutphin (1:57)
A08 I Don't Love Nobody: J.C. Sutphin (1:37)
A09 Sally Goodin' / Sally Ann: Junie Scruggs (1:44)
A10 Cripple Creek: Junie Scruggs (1:21)
A11 Cumberland Gap: Snuffy Jenkins (1:37)
A12 John Henry: Snuffy Jenkins (1:36)
A13 Chicken Reel: Snuffy Jenkins (1:17)
A14 Shortening Bread: Snuffy Jenkins (1:27)
A15 John Henry: Snuffy Jenkins (1:12)
A16 Lonesome Road Blues: Snuffy Jenkins (1:17)
A17 Kansas City Kitty / Big Eared Mule: Snuffy Jenkins (2:08)
A18 Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star: Snuffy Jenkins (1:26)
A19 Careless Love: Snuffy Jenkins (1:19)
A20 Sally Ann / Sally Goodin': Snuffy Jenkins (2:00)
B01 Home, Sweet Home: Oren Jenkins (1:08)
B02 Spanish Fandango: Oren Jenkins (1:25)
B03 Cripple Creek: Oren Jenkins (1:19)
B04 Down the Road: Oren Jenkins (1:08)
B05 Liza Jane: Oren Jenkins (1:33)
B06 Hey, Mr. Banjo: Oren Jenkins (0:51)
B07 Bugle Call Rag: Oren Jenkins (1:08)
B08 Cackling Hen / Cumberland Gap: Joe Stuart (2:09)
B09 Dear Old Dixie: Larry Richardson (1:19)
B10 Little Maggie: Larry Richardson (1:15)
B11 Take Me Back to the Sweet Sunny South: Larry Richardson (1:20)
B12 Bucking Mule: Larry Richardson (1:23)
B13 Lonesome Road Blues: Larry Richardson (2:03)
B14 Turkey in the Straw: Don Bryant and Pete Kuykendall (1:00)
B15 Jenny Lynn: Don Bryant and Pete Kuykendall (0:48)
B16 Irish Washerwoman: Pete Kuykendall (1:03)
B17 Wildwood Flower: Eugene Cox and Roni Stoneman (1:37)
B18 Lonesome Road Blues: Eugene Cox and Roni Stoneman (1:15)
B19 Ground Hog: Mike Seeger and Bob Baker (1:39)
B20 Cindy: Dick Rittler, Hazel Dickens, and Mike Seeger (1:45)
B21 Little Pal: Kenny Miller (1:01)
B22 Rueben's Train: Kenny Miller and Mike Seeger (1:36)
B23 Jesse James / Hard Ain't it Hard: Eric Weissberg, Mike Seeger, and Ralph Rinzler (2:30)
[Credits]
Reissue Producer: Matt Walters, Liner Notes: Mike Seeger and Ralph Rinzler. Designer: Daphne Shuttleworth, Photographer: Carl Fleischhauer, Enginner: Doug Sax and Mike Seeger
[Notes]
This recording was the first bluegrass LP ever released. The reissue now contains 16 additional tracks, a total of 43 tunes played by the immortal Snuffy Jenkins and others, including Smiley Hobbs. A banjo classic that runs 60 minutes in length. "...[A]s unspoiled as the day they were recorded..." — Rolling Stone

"Earth is Earth" sung by The New Lost Bang Boys

Folkways Records - FF 869

Format: Vinyl 7" EP
Country: US
Released: 1963
Genre: Folk, World, & Country
Style: Folk, Old Time
[Tracklist]
A1 My Sweet Farm Girl (2:24)
A2 Bang Bang Lulu (2:44)
B1 Then It Won't Hurt (2:56)
B2 Women Wear No Clothes At All (2:38)
[Credits]
McKinley (John) Cohen, Wilbur (Mike) Seeger and Delmore (Tom) Paley
[Notes]
These four earthy old-time songs are performed by the New Lost City Bang Boys, three young men who were born and raised in and around New Lost City, which is famGus fOi earth and old-time songs. The New Lost City Bang Boys is a pseudonym for the New Lost City Ramblers.

Close to Home: Old Time Music from Mike Seeger's Collection 1952-1967

Smithsonian Folkways – SF CD 40097

Format: CD, Album
Country: US
Released: 1997
Genre: Folk, World, & Country
Style: Old Time
[Tracklist]
01 In the Sweet Bye and Bye: Elizabeth Cotten (1:24)
02 Tie Your Dog, Sally Gal: Will Adam (2:41)
03 Banjo Instrumental: J.C. "Cleve" Sutphin (2:01)
04 Lost Train Blues: V.L. Sutphin (1:16)
05 Shortening Bread: V.L. And Cleve Sutphin (1:45)
06 The Train That Carried My Girl from Town: V.L. And Cleve Sutphin (1:30)
07 Old Gambling Man: J.J. Neece (3:24)
08 John Henry: J.J. Neece, Cleve and V.L. Sutphin (2:16)
09 Shout Little Lulu: Louise Foreacre (0:51)
10 He Will Set Your Fields on Fire: Kilby Snow (2:19)
11 Gather in the Golden Grain: Ernest V. and Hattie Stoneman (0:53)
12 Going to Lay Down My Burdens: Elizabeth White and Gideon Craig (1:42)
13 John Henry: Lesley Riddle (2:26)
14 Pretty Fair Damsel: Clarence Ashley (2:29)
15 It's These Hard Times: Pearly "Grandma" Davis (1:23)
16 Old Time Reel: Pearly "Grandma" Davis and Oliver Davis (2:13)
17 Jackson Schottische: A.L. Hall (2:12)
18 Lone Prairie: Wade Ward (1:36)
19 Molly Put the Kettle On: Wade Ward (1:23)
20 Last Gold Dollar: Edsel Martin and Bill McElreath (1:43)
21 John Henry: Bill and Jean Davis (1:11)
22 Three Nights Drunk (Our Goodman): The Blue Ridge Buddies with E.C. and Orna Ball (2:36)
23 Jimmie Sutton: The Blue Ridge Buddies with E.C. and Orna Ball (1:44)
24 Going to Lay Down My Old Guitar: Snuffy Jenkins and Ira Dimmery (0:59)
25 Black Mountain Rag: The McGee Brothers and Arthur Smith (2:21)
26 A Talk on the World: Clyde Lewis (4:52)
27 Red Wing: Lost John Ray and Walt Koken (0:53)
28 Leather Britches: Eck Robertson and the New Lost City Ramblers (3:02)
29 Blackberry Blossom: Sherman Lawson (2:01)
30 Alabama Gals: Emmett Cole (0:59)
31 Old Joe Clark: George Landers (0:50)
32 Sugar Baby: Dock Boggs (2:41)
33 Queen Sally: Archie Sturgill (1:47)
34 Poor Orphan: Kate Peters Sturgill (3:09)
35 My Virginia Rose: Scott Boatright (2:19)
36 I'm Leaving You: Sara Carter and Maybelle Carter (2:38)
37 He Said If You Love Me, Feed My Sheep: The Stancer Quartet (2:56)
38 I Would Not Live Always: Clarence Ferrill (1:32)
[Credits]
Producer, Recorder, Liner Notes & Photographer: Mike Seeger, Photographer (Cover): Alice Gerrard, Mastering Engineer: Dave Glasser
[Notes]
In the 1950's and sixties musician-collector Mike Seeger, inspired by the great folksong collectors of the 1930's, visited traditional musicians of the rural South. This is his handpicked selection of the recordings made during those visits. Included in the 38 selections are previously unreleased recordings by the well-known Sara & Maybelle Carter, Arthur Smith, Elizabeth Cotten, and Dock Boggs, as well as treasures by lesser-known artists. The enclosed booklet contains photographs and notes on the performance, which include virtuoso fiddle, banjo, and guitar music, unaccompanied ballad singing, and a story-teller entertaining his buddies in a fiddler's convention parking lot.

Tony Trischka: Territory

Smithsonian Folkways – SFW 40169

Format: CD, Album
Country: US
Released: 2008
Genre: Folk, World, & Country
Style: Bluegrass
[Tracklist]
01 Fox Chase: Tony Trischka (3:30)
02 Leatherwing Bat: Tony Trischka with Pete Seeger & Bruce Molsky (3:32)
03 Rainbow Yoshi: Tony Trischka (2:27)
04 French Creek / Burning Springs: Tony Trischka (3:21)
05 Zoe: Tony Trischka (2:16)
06 John Henry Medley: John Henry / Bonaparte's Retreat / etc.: Tony Trischka (3:18)
07 Trompe de L'Oreille: Tony Trischka with Bill Keith & Paula Bradley (2:47)
08 Hawaii Slide-O: Tony Trischka (2:22)
09 John Cohen's Blues: Tony Trischka (1:47)
10 Molly and Tenbrooks: Tony Trischka (2:46)
11 Sean: Tony Trischka (1:57)
12 The Next Big Thing: Tony Trischka (4:03)
13 Noah Came to Eden: Tony Trischka with Mike Seeger (4:12)
14 Eighteen: Tony Trischka (1:54)
15 Celtic Medley: St. Anne's Reel / Drowsy Maggie / Red Haired Boy / etc.: Tony Trischka (3:01)
16 Salt River: Tony Trischka (2:43)
17 Banjoland: Tony Trischka with Bill Evans (3:00)
18 Old Stone Church: Tony Trischka with Bruce Molsky & Paula Bradley (4:30)
19 Gourd Banza: Tony Trischka (1:44)
20 Medley: Brightshade / Carolina Traveler / Casey Jones: Tony Trischka (3:57)
21 Lake Flora: Tony Trischka (3:29)
[Credits]
Producer and Liner Notes: Tony Trischka, Associate Producer: Deborah Miller and Richard James Burgess, Liner Notes: Bob Carlin, Editor: Carla Borden, Designer: Sonya Cohen Crame, Photographer: Michael Stewart, Engineer: Michael Daves, Pete Reiniger, Ronnie Freeland, Aaron Hurwitz, Tom Tedesco and Russ Martin
[Notes]
With fearless musical curiosity as the guiding force, Tony Trischka's Territory roams widely through the banjo's creative terrain. Twelve all-Trischka solo tracks explore a panorama of tunings, banjo sounds, and traditions. Nine selections partner Tony with fellow banjoists Pete Seeger, Mike Seeger, Bill Evans, Bill Keith, Bruce Molsky, and other guest artists to tap the creative potential of America's signature musical instrument. 62 minutes, 21 tracks, 32-page booklet, extensive notes, photos.

Dock Boggs: His Folkways Years, 1963-1968

Smithsonian Folkways – SFW 40108

Format: 2 x CD, Compilation
Country: US
Released: 1998
Genre: Blues, Folk, World, & Country
Style: Appalachian Music, Country Blues
[Disk One]
01 Down South Blues (2:11)
02 Country Blues (3:53)
03 Pretty Polly (2:56)
04 Coal Creek March (1:57)
05 My Old Horse Died (1:48)
06 Wild Bill Jones (2:12)
07 Rowan County Crew (6:10)
08 New Prisoner's Song (2:55)
09 Oh, Death (3:20)
10 Prodigal Son (3:55)
11 Mother's Advice (3:42)
12 Drunkard's Lone Child (4:08)
13 Bright Sunny South (3:40)
14 Mistreated Mama Blues (1:54)
15 Harvey Logan (3:28)
16 Mixed Blues (3:53)
17 Old Joe's Barroom (2:50)
18 Danville Girl (2:38)
19 Cole Younger (1:52)
20 Schottische Time (1:15)
21 Papa, Build Me A Boat (2:44)
22 Little Black Train (2:55)
23 No Disappointment In Heaven (2:32)
24 Glory Land (4:01)
[Disk Two]
01 Banjo Clog (1:47)
02 Wise County Jail (1:48)
03 Sugar Baby (2:50)
04 The Death Of Jerry Damron (4:13)
05 Railroad Tramp (3:10)
06 Poor Boy In Jail (2:54)
07 Brother Jim Got Shot (1:56)
08 John Henry (3:27)
09 Davenport (1:41)
10 Dying Ranger (3:25)
11 Little Ornie Wise (3:23)
12 Sugar Blues (1:22)
13 Loving Nancy (2:26)
14 Cuba (1:26)
15 John Hardy (2:02)
16 Peggy Walker (2:52)
17 Hope I Live A Few More Days (4:07)
18 Turkey In The Straw (0:47)
19 Calvary (3:30)
20 Roses While I'm Living (3:21)
21 Leave It There (3:20)
22 Prayer Of A Miner's Child (3:17)
23 Coke Oven March (1:00)
24 Ruben's Train (2:19)
25 Cumberland Gap (2:26)
26 Careless Love (4:05)
[Credits]
Dock Boggs (banjo/vocals) Mike Seeger (guitar)
Producer and Liner Notes: Mike Seeger, Liner Notes: Barry O'Connell, Photographer: Dan Seeger and Frederick Baldwin, Designer: Scott Stowell, Engineer: Charlie Pilzer
[Notes]
Dock Boggs recorded only 12 songs in the 1920s, but his raw, powerful singing and distinctive banjo-playing caused Harry Smith to include him in his Anthology of American Folk Music (SFW 40090) and Mike Seeger to search for him in the hills of Kentucky in 1963. A new series of recording sessions captured the 50 blues, instrumentals, regional and religious songs included in this two-CD set. Originally released to high acclaim on three Folkways Records LPs in the 1960s, they have influenced musicians ever since. Extensive notes by Mike Seeger and Barry O'Connell.

American Folk Songs for Christmas

Mike, Peggy, and Penny Seeger and members of their friends

Rounder Records – 0268/0269

Format: 2 x Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1989
Genre: Folk, World, & Country
Style: Folk
[Tracklist]
A01 Stars In The Heaven (1:06)
A02 Oh, Watch The Stars (2:12)
A03 Great Big Stars (0:52)
A04 Shine Like A Star In The Morning (2:18)
A05 Bright Morning Stars Are Rising (3:01)
A06 Rise Up, Shepherd And Follow (2:08)
A07 Shepherd, Shepherd (0:55)
A08 Don't You Hear The Lambs a-Crying (1:35)
A09 Found My Lost Sheep (2:20)
A10 Look Away To Bethlehem (1:40)
A11 How Many Miles To Bethlehem? (1:20)
A12 Jehovah Hellelujah (1:30)
A13 Joseph And Mary (2:50)
A14 A Virgin Most Pure (2:01)
A15 Baby Born Today (2:04)
B01 Go Tell It On The Mountain (1:32)
B02 Shepherds, Rejoice (1:27)
B03 The New Born Baby (1:35)
B04 Oh, Mary And The Baby, Lamb (0:58)
B05 Star In The East (2:24)
B06 Babe Of Bethlehem (2:58)
B07 Child Of God (1:53)
B08 Cradle Hymn (3:16)
B09 Ain't That a-Rocking All Night (2:15)
B10 Sing-a-Lamb (1:32)
B11 Mary, What You Gonna Name That Pretty Baby? (2:10)
B12 Sing Hallelu (2:24)
B13 Mary Had A Baby (3:04)
C01 Jesus Borned In Bethlea (3:23)
C02 Wasn't That A Might Day (1:14)
C03 January, February The Last Month Of The Year (2:02)
C04 Poor Little Jesus (2:52)
C05 Heard From Heaven Today (2:37)
C06 'Twas A Wonder In Heaven (1:29)
C07 Mariner's Hymn (1:20)
C08 O Mary, Where Is Your Baby? (2:14)
C09 Yonder Comes Sister Mary (2:27)
C10 The Blessings Of Mary (2:47)
C11 Awake (2:13)
C12 Exultation (0:47)
C13 Children Of The Heavenly King (1:47)
D01 Singing In The Land (3:20)
D02 Rejoice My Friends (1:09)
D03 The Twelve Apostles (2:58)
D04 Holy Babe (4:26)
D05 Twelve Days Of Christmas (3:55)
D06 The Angel Band (2:30)
D07 Almost Day (1:30)
D08 Heaven Bell Ring (1:34)
D09 A Mince Pie Or A Pudding (1:40)
D10 Christmas Day In The Morning (1:53)
D11 Turkey Run Away (0:45)
D12 Breaking Up Christmas (2:54)
[Credits]
Mike Seeger (autoharp/banjo/fiddle/guitar/harmonica/jawharp/mandolin/vocals) Peggy Seeger (banjo/concertina/guitar/piano/vocals) Penny Seeger (bells/dulcimer/guitar/mandolin/vocals) Ewan MacColl (vocals) Calum MacColl (guitar/guitar/psaltery/vocals) Kirsty MacColl (vocals) Kitty MacColl (vocals) Sonya Cohen (guitar/vocals) Kim Seeger (dulcimer/spoons/vocals)
[Notes]
This set is based on the famous Ruth Crawford Seeger book of the same name. Among the 53 (!) songs are "Bright Morning Stars Are Rising," "Look Away to Bethlehem," "Go Tell It on the Mountain," "Sing Hallelu," and "Breaking up Christmas." Mike Seeger, Penny Seeger, Peggy Seeger, Sonya Cohen, Calum MacColl, Ewan MacColl, Kitty MacColl and Kim Seeger accompany their own vocals on traditional acoustic instruments. Liner notes explain the traditions behind these lesser-known Christmas songs, and the cover is decorated with wonderful woodcuts.-- AllMusic Review by Roundup Newsletter

Indian Summer: Original Soundtrack

Pete Seeger and Mike Seeger

Folkways Records – FS 3851

Format: Vinyl, LP, Album, Mono
Country: US
Released: 1960
Genre: Folk, World, & Country
Style: Folk
[Tracklist]
A1 Indian Summer: Complete Original Soundtrack (25:32)
B1 Horizontal Lines (6:10)
B2 The Many-Colored Paper (5:45)
B3 The Country Fiddle A (1:28)
B4 The Country Fiddle B (1:28)
B5 The Country Fiddle C (1:19)
[Credits]
Mike Seeger (fiddle/banjo/guitar/chalil/harmonica/organ/drum) Pete Seeger (guitar/banjo)
Producer: Jules Victor Schwerin, Liner Notes: Moses Asch, Designer: Ronald Clyne
[Notes]
Pete Seeger and Mike Seeger composed and performed the music for the soundtrack to Indian Summer, singing and playing fiddle, five-string banjo, guitar, twelve-string guitar, chalil (bamboo flute), harmonica, pump organ and drum. As Pete notes, this is an "attempt to demonstrate what can be done with relatively simple American folk instruments to provide a programmatic score closely following the action on the screen."

The New Lost City Ramblers: The Early Years, 1958-1962

Smithsonian Folkways – CD SF 40036

Format: CD, Compilation
Country: US
Released: 1991
Genre: Blues, Folk, World, & Country
Style: Folk, Country, & Old Time
[Tracklist]
01 Colored Aristocracy (2:08)
02 Hopalong Peter (2:07)
03 Don't Let Your Deal Go Down (2:29)
04 When First Into this Country (2:48)
05 Sales Tax on the Women (3:16)
06 Rabbit Chase (2:33)
07 Leaving Home (Frankie and Johnny) (3:08)
08 How Can a Poor Man Stand Such Times and Live? (3:36)
09 Franklin D. Roosevelt's Back Again (2:22)
10 I Truly Understand You Love Another Man (2:32)
11 The Old Fish Song (4:55)
12 The Battleship of Maine (3:08)
13 No Depression in Heaven (2:59)
14 Dallas Rag (2:05)
15 Bill Morgan and His Gal (My Name is Morgan But it Ain't J.P. ) (2:58)
16 Fly Around My Pretty Little Miss (Pretty Little Miss) (2:32)
17 The Lady of Carlisle (3:34)
18 Brown's Ferry Blues (2:49)
19 My Long Journey Home (2:39)
20 Talking Hard Luck (2:42)
21 The Teetotals (1:02)
22 Sal Got a Meatskin (3:27)
23 Railroad Blues (2:44)
24 On Some Foggy Mountain Top (2:28)
25 My Sweet Farm Girl (2:25)
26 Crow Black Chicken (2:37)
[Credits]
Mike Seeger (fiddle/mandolin/autoharp/guitar/banjo/vocals) Tom Paley (banjo/guitar/vocals) John Cohen (guitar/banjo/vocals)
Producer: Jon Pankake, Photographer: Robert Frank, Designer: Carol Hardy, Recorders: Moses Asch, Peter Bartok and Mike Seeger
[Notes]
Moses Asch had a unique method of recording artists back in the '40s and '50s. Someone like Woody Guthrie, for instance, would just drop by Folkways when he had an idea and record. Asch might pay him five dollars for the session, and in this way he accumulated a vault full of material. Perhaps this explains the incredible fact that the New Lost City Ramblers recorded 12 albums between 1958-1962. The Early Years (1958-1962) collects 26 songs, over 70 minutes of music, from these dozen discs, creating an excellent document of the band's years with Tom Paley. John Cohen, and Mike Seeger formed the New Lost City Ramblers in 1958 with the idea of playing old-time music recorded between the late '20s and 1940. While it has often been stated that the trio intended to copy -- phrase for phrase, lick for lick -- the old 78s, Jon Pankake points out in the liner notes that this wasn't the case. Instead, the New Lost City Ramblers wanted to insert the same vim and vigor into "The Battleship of Maine" and "Fly Around My Pretty Little Miss" as the original players. What stands out now, some 60 years after these recordings, is the band's versatility. Whether cutting loose on an instrumental like "Colored Aristocracy" or singing tight harmony on "Brown's Ferry Blues," the three comrades form a tight unit. While the arrangements never outgrow the number of persons in the band, each player's ability to play multiple instruments lends diversity to the material. The Early Years (1958-1962) offers a very good introduction to an innovative and influential band. -- AllMusic Review by Ronnie D. Lankford, Jr.

Strange Creek Singers

Arhoolie Records – 9003

Format: CD, Album, Reissue
Country: US
Released: 1997
Genre: Folk, World, & Country
Style: Bluegrass, Appalachian Music, Country, Hillbilly
[Tracklist]
01 When I Can Read My Titles Clear (2:13)
02 In the Pines (3:48)
03 Sunny Side of Life (2:19)
04 Poor Old Dirt Farmer (2:18)
05 Sally Ann (1:22)
06 I Truly Understand That You Love Another Man (2:29)
07 Old Black Choo Choo (2:39)
08 Today Has Been a Lonesome Day (3:16)
09 No Never No (4:11)
10 New River Train (2:55)
11 Get Acquainted Waltz (2:38)
12 Will the Circle Be Unbroken (3:41)
13 Black Lung (3:27)
14 Difficult Run (Pt. 2) (2:48)
[Credits]
Mike Seeger (mandolin/fiddle/banjo/guitar/autoharp/vocals) Hazel Dickens (bass/vocals) Tracy Schwarz (fiddle/guitar/dobro/vocals) Alice Gerrard (guitar/vocals) Lamar Grier (banjo)
Producer: Mike Seeger and Chris Strachwitz, Liner Notes: Richard K. Spottswood, Designer: Dix Bruce, Tom Diamant and Wayne Pope, Photographer: Betsy Siggins
[Notes]
Composed of Mike Seeger, Tracy Schwarz (two-thirds of the New Lost City Ramblers), Hazel Dickens, Alice Gerrard, and Lamar Grier, the Strange Creek Singers bring new life to hymnals and old-time country classics. Utilizing a combination of instrumental and vocal talent, the singers perform solo as well as in duets, trios, and quartets to bring a traditional country voice into the cities where four of them grew up. Of particular note is the song “Black Lung,” written and sung by Hazel Dickens and dedicated to her brothers, who were coal miners.

Hazel Dickens and Alice Gerrard – Won't You Come & Sing For Me?

Folkways Records – FTS 31034

Format: Vinyl, LP, Album, Reissue
Country: US
Released: 1978
Genre: Folk, World, & Country
Style: Bluegrass
[Tracklist]
A1 I Just Got Wise (2:21)
A2 Please Mommy Please Stay Home with Me (3:05)
A3 They're at Rest Together (3:21)
A4 Sugar Tree Stomp (2:03)
A5 Memories of Mother & Dad (2:34)
A6 Train on the island (1:38)
B1 Won't You Come & Sing for Me (2:39)
B2 A Tiny Broken Heart (2:58)
B3 A Distant Land to Roam (2:56)
B4 John Henry (1:46)
B5 Weary Lonesome Blues (2:39)
B6 The One I Love is Gone (3:05)
[Credits]
Hazel Dickens (bass/vocals) Alice Gerrard (guitar/vocals) Fred Weisz (mandolin/bass vocals) David Grisman (guitar/baritone vocals) Lamar Grier (banjo) Billy Baker (fiddle) Mike Seeger (guitar)
[Notes]
Alice Gerrard's voice lifts and rises from the bottomless. And Hazel Dickens' vocal joins her in the chorus to affirm a unity through loneliness. Dickens, raised poor in the coal mining territory of West Virginia, and Gerrard, a classically trained singer approaching music from a rather more academic angle, were separated by a decade in age when they began running into each other in the lively folk scenes of Baltimore and Washington, D.C., in the '60s. They found that their voices meshed well and that they shared an eclectic approach to the music that they enjoyed singing.

Mike Seeger: Southern Banjo Sounds

Smithsonian Folkways – SFW 40107

Format: CD, HDCD
Country: US
Released: 1998
Genre: Folk, World, & Country
Style: Folk, Country
[Tracklist]
01 Soon In The Morning Babe (1:21)
02 Josh Thomas's Roustabout (2:39)
03 Jim Crack Corn (2:14)
04 Darling Cora (3:49)
05 Devil's Dream (1:51)
06 Little Birdie (3:21)
07 Around The World (2:21)
08 Whoopin' Up Cattle (3:00)
09 Flop Eared Mule (1:46)
10 Lost Gander (2:19)
11 The Sailor And The Soldier (1:57)
12 American Spanish Fandango (2:10)
13 Got No Silver Nor Gold Blues (2:21)
14 We're Up Against It Now (2:30)
15 That's What The Old Bachelor's Made Out Of (2:36)
16 The Last Of Callahan (1:47)
17 Lady Gay (3:42)
18 Down South Blues (2:47)
19 Last Night When My Willie Came Home (3:22)
20 Wabash Blues (2:00)
21 Bright Sunny South (2:54)
22 Roll On John (3:10)
23 Needlecase (1:30)
24 Come My Little Pink (2:42)
25 Battle In The Horseshoe (1:24)
26 I'm Head Over Heels In Love (2:23)
[Credits]
Mike Seeger (banjo)
Recorder, Producer and Liner Notes: Mike Seeger, Cover Art: Dane Penland, Engineer: Chrlie Pilzer, Production Superviser: Pete Reinuger, Production Coodinater: Mary Monseur and Michael Maloney
[Notes]
A survey of traditional Southern banjo techniques, styles, instrumentals and songs played solo on a variety of 23 mostly vintage banjos. Styles range from 19th-century African-American Mississippi style to a song played in the style evolved in the 1940s by Northern Carolinian Earl Scruggs. Recorded and annotated by Mike Seeger.

Maybelle Carter – Wildwood Pickin'

Vanguard – 77021-2

Series: Newport Folk Festival Classics
Format: CD, Compilation
Country: US
Released: 1997
Genre: Folk, World, & Country
Style: Appalachian Music, Folk
[Tracklist]
01 Introduction (02:19)
02 Bury Me Under The Weeping Willow (02:40)
03 Cannonball Blues (02:07)
04 Two Sweethearts of Mine (05:01)
05 Wabash Cannonball (01:56)
06 Coal Miner's Blues (00:56)
07 Lover's Farewell (02:24)
Autoharp Workshop With Mike Seeger
08 Little Brown Jug (00:58)
09 Unknown Fiddle Tune (01:55)
10 San Antonio Rose (01:52)
11 Liberty Dance (01:17)
12 Bully of The Town (01:55)
13 My Native Home (03:55)
14 Come All Ye Fair And Tender Ladies (03:59)
15 Tennessee Waltz (01:22)
16 Never on Sunday (02:51)
17 Gathering Flowers From The Hillside (00:51)
18 Little Darling Pal of Mine (02:27)
New Lost City Ramblers & Maybelle
19 Worried Man Blues (03:11)
20 The Storms Are on The Ocean (03:40)
21 Wildwood Flower (03:49)
22 Gold Watch And Chain (02:26)
[Credits]
Maybelle Carter (guitar/autoharp/vocals) Mike Seeger (guitar) John Cohen (guitar) Tom Paley (guitar) Bill Clifton (intro)
[Notes]
In the late 1950s the daughters stopped performing, but Maybelle Carter remained with the Opry until 1967. The folk revival of the late 1960s revitalized interest in the Original Carter Family, and Maybelle performed at the Newport Folk Festivals 26/28 July 1963.

Masters of Old-time Country Autoharp

Smithsonian Folkways – SFW CD 40115

Format: CD, Compilation
Country: US
Released: 2006
Genre: Folk, World, & Country
Style: Folk
[Tracklist]
01 Stoney's Waltz: Ernest V. Stoneman (1:56)
02 Sweet Marie: Neriah and Kenneth Benfield (2:00)
03 John Henry: Kilby Snow (2:07)
04 May I Sleep in Your Barn Tonight, Mister?: Kilby Snow (1:37)
05 She'll Be Coming Around the Mountain: Kilby Snow with Wade Ward (1:11)
06 Sweet Sunny South: Ernest V. Stoneman (2:30)
07 Bile'em Cabbage Down: Ernest V. Stoneman (2:02)
08 Marching Through Georgia: Ernest V. Stoneman (1:20)
09 Wreck of Number Nine: Ernest V. Stoneman (2:49)
10 Ella's Grave: Neriah Benfield (1:45)
11 Waltz: Neriah Benfield (1:21)
12 Old Joe Clark: Kenneth Benfield (1:25)
13 Shortening Bread: Kenneth Benfield (1:14)
14 Cindy: Kilby Snow (1:10)
15 Budded Roses: Kilby Snow (1:53)
16 Flop-eared Mule: Kilby Snow (1:50)
17 Home Sweet Home: Kilby Snow (2:31)
18 Springtime Again Little Annie: Ernest V. Stoneman (2:11)
19 Great Reaping Day: Ernest V. Stoneman (2:04)
20 Weeping Willow Tree: Kenneth & Neriah Benfield (1:56)
21 I'm Alone, All Alone: Ernest Stoneman with Mike Seeger (2:48)
22 All I Got's Gone: Ernest Stoneman (2:37)
23 Benfield Hoedown (Idaho Girl): Neriah Benfield (1:07)
24 Bonaparte's Retreat: Kenneth Benfield (1:47)
25 Chinese Breakdown: Neriah and Kenneth Benfield (2:13)
26 Wildwood Flower: Kilby Snow with Mike Seeger (1:22)
27 Tragic Romance: Kilby Snow with Hazel Dickens & Mike Seeger (1:25)
28 Close By: Kilby Snow (2:03)
29 Way Down in the Country: Kenneth Benfield (1:07)
30 Golden Slippers: Kenneth Benfield (2:11)
31 Lights in the Valley: Neriah and Kenneth Benfield (1:25)
32 Chicken Reel: Kilby Snow (0:47)
33 Precious Jewel: Kilby Snow (3:33)
34 Muleskinner Blues: Kilby Snow (2:18)
35 Red River Valley: Kilby and Jim Snow (2:11)
36 Hallelujah Side: Ernest V. Stoneman (2:17)
37 Jacob's Ladder: Kenneth Benfield (1:09)
38 I Ain't Gonna Work Tomorrow: Kilby Snow (1:52)
[Credits]
Producer, Recorder, Photographer and Liner Notes: Mike Seeger, Liner Notes: Charles Wolfe, Designer: Sonya Cohen Cramer, Editor: Carla Borden, Product Manager: Mary Monseur, Engineer: Pete Reiniger
[Notes]
The autoharp, invented in the 1870s and a fad in the 1890s, became a virtuoso instrument among the artists featured here as well as other players in the early to mid 20th century. Spirited breakdowns, sentimental and gospel songs—some played as instrumentals—and even a bluegrass song are presented here in this re-release of the only documentary of traditional Southern autoharp players. Includes 14 previously unissued tracks. Recorded, edited, and annotated by Mike Seeger. Song notes by Charles Wolfe. 32-page booklet. 38 tracks; 72 minutes

Old Timey Songs for Children Played and Sung by the New Lost City Ramblers

Folkways Records – FC 7064

Format: Vinyl, LP, 10", Album
Country: US
Released: 1960
Genre: Children's, Folk, World, & Country
Style: Children's
[Tracklist]
A1 Old Bell Cow (3:12)
A2 Hopalong Peter (2:09)
A3 Beware, Oh Take Care (2:23)
A4 Soldier, Soldier Will You Marry Me (1:25)
A5 Eyes are Blue (1:35)
A6 Charley He's a Good Ol' Man (2:13)
A7 Adam in the Garden Pinnin' Leaves (1:25)
A8 Chewing Gum (2:37)
B1 Cotton Eyed Joe (1:15)
B2 Jennie Jenkins (2:34)
B3 Barbara Allen (3:24)
B4 Hop High Ladies (Hop Up Ladies) (2:31)
B5 Rabbit Chase (2:36)
B6 Common Bill (1:47)
B7 Johnny Get Your Gun (1:39)
[Credits]
The New Lost City Ramblers: John Cohen (banjo/guitar/vocals) Tom Paley (banjo/vocals) Mike Seeger (fiddle/guitar/autoharp/vocals)
[Notes]
On this record, the New Lost City Ramblers perform traditional children's songs from the Appalachian Mountains, characterized by the fiddle, the banjo, and a strong narrative. As John Cohen writes in the liner notes, there are "some songs with common sense and common nonsense...songs to listen to, songs you can sing to others. Some of these songs I heard when I was a kid—and some of them I wish I had heard then." Favorites include "Cotton Eyed Joe," "Barbara Allen," and "Hop High Ladies."

Mike Seeger: True Vine

Smithsonian Folkways – SFW CD 40136

Format: CD , Album
Country: US
Released: 2003
Genre: Folk, World, & Country
Style: Folk, Country
[Tracklist]
01 Breaking Up Ice In The Allegheny (1:47)
02 Coo Coo Bird (2:38)
03 Johnson Jinkson (2:52)
04 Little Rabbit, Where's Your Mammy? (3:18)
05 The Raftsman's Song (1:42)
06 Honeycutt's Holler (0:27)
07 Did You Ever See The Devil, Uncle Joe? (2:13)
08 Blow The Horn, Blow (2:10)
09 Old Man (2:46)
10 Spoonful (3:34)
11 Shouting In Jerusalem (3:19)
12 When Sorrows Encompass Me Round (1:39)
13 Calico (2:34)
14 Early In The Spring (3:14)
15 Freight Train (3:14)
16 Goodbye, My Little Darling (2:08)
17 Don't Let Your Deal Go Down (4:06)
18 I'm Gonna Go Huntin' For The Buffalo (1:39)
19 Granddad Jim's Waltz (1:56)
20 The Golden Willow Tree (7:02)
21 California Cotillion (2:36)
22 Young Johnnie (3:04)
23 Sail Away Ladies (3:19)
[Credits]
Mike Seeger (artist/recorder/producer/engineer)
Liner Notes: Jay Orr, Artwork: Laura Pharis, Designer: Sonya Cohen Cramer, Photographer: Ellen M. Martin and Mandi Wright, Engineer: Pete Reiniger
[Notes]
Mountain music legend Ralph Stanley said of six-time Grammy nominee Mike Seeger, "He's got his own style. He's an old-timer, and he does his style just fine." From the fertile ground of American folk music, through the roots of field recordings, vintage discs, and personal encounters with traditional artists, Seeger's creative spirit finds flower again on this solo album. True Vine reflects his connection to deep musical roots and represents the latest blossoming of his life-long exploration of diverse traditional musical styles.

Tom Paley, John Cohen, and Mike Seeger Sing Songs of the New Lost City Ramblers

Folkways Records – FA 2494

Format: Vinyl, LP
Country: US
Released: 1978
Genre: Folk, World, & Country
Style: Folk, Bluegrass
[Tracklist]
A1 Colored Aristocracy (2:17)
A2 Don't Let Your Deal Go Down (2:41)
A3 Brown's Ferry Blues (2:51)
A4 Talking Hard Luck (2:40)
A5 Railroad Blues (2:41)
A6 Likes Likker Better Than Me (2:38)
A7 Hop High Ladies The Cakes All Dough (2:07)
A8 It's A Shame To Whip Your Wife On Sunday (2:42)
A9 Crow Black Chicken (2:07)
B1 Battleship Of Maine (2:41)
B2 Beware (2:19)
B3 The Lady Of Carlisle (3:36)
B4 Tom Dooley (2:35)
B5 Chewing Gum (2:23)
B6 Who's That Knocking At My Window? (2:19)
B7 Serves 'Em Fine (2:20)
B8 Old Age Pension Check (2:21)
B9 Whitehouse Blues (2:50)
[Credits]
Tom Paley (banjo/mandolin/guitar/vocals) John Cohen (guitar/banjo/vocals) Mike Seeger (fiddle/autoharp/mandolin/banjo/guitar/vocals)
Recorder: Peter Bartok
[Notes]
This album, recorded in 1960-1961, shows these three musicians' passionate love for mountain music. The New Lost City Ramblers learned their music from impeccable sources—from old time commercial discs made between 1922 and 1941, and from field recordings in the Library of Congress Archive of American Folk Song.