Tony Schwartz – Music in the Streets

A fascinating collection of music and musicians recorded on the streets of New York City

Folkways Records - FD 5581

Format: Vinyl, LP
Country: US
Released: 1957
Genre: Folk, World, & Country
Style: Folk, Documentary
[Side A, Part I: Street Musician]
Untitled (Street Saxophone): Unknown Artist
Untitled (Glass Bowls): Unknown Artist
Bongo Boys: Unknown Artist
The Carnegie Hall Fiddler: Guisseppi Ravita
Untitled (Guitar): Rev. Gary Davis
Untitled (Time Square Accordion): Unknown Artist
Moondog: Moondog
[Side A, Part II: Washington Square]
Untitled (Banjo And Bass): Unknown Artist
Rambling Around: The Kosoy Twins
King Edward: Ralph Rinzler, The Kosoy Twins
When The Saints Go Marching In (Spoons And Ocarina): Unknown Artist
Met A Little Gipsy: John Gibbons
Deep Blue Sea: Jane Soyer
Another Man Done Gone: Fred Gerlach
[Side B, Part I: Religious Music}
Untitled (Church Bells): Unknown Artist
Untitled (Salvation Army Group): Unknown Artist
Untitled (Salvation Army Christmas Band): Unknown Artist
Untitled (Puerto Rican Street Gospel Group): Unknown Artist
Just A Closer Walk WIth Thee: Unknown Artist
[Side B, Part I: Street Festival]
Untitled (Jazz Group): Unknown Artist
Untitled (Band): Unknown Artist
Untitled (Parade): Unknown Artist
Untitled (Song): Unknown Artist
[Side B, Part I: Parades]
Untitled (Montage Of City Parades): Unknown Artist
[Credits]
Producer, Recorder and Liner Notes: Tony Schwartz, Cover Artwork: Don Freeman
[Notes]
From the streets of New York City comes a medley of musical styles that represents the cultural and musical diversity of the Big Apple. Recorded between the spring of 1950 and fall of 1957 by famed sound archivist Tony Schwartz, Music in the Streets attests to the view that music is a matter of "necessity [and] inclination." The selections here include not only that of street performers and musicians but also of street festivals, parades, and religious groups. Liner notes include photographs of street musicians in New York City, an introduction by Schwartz, and track notes.

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

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.

Music of Coal: Mining Songs from the Appalachian Coalfields

Lonesome Pine Records & Publishing

Format: 2 x CD, Compilation
Country: US
Released: 2007
Genre: Blues, Folk, World, & Country
Style: Blues, Folk, Bluegrass, Country
[Disc One}
01 Down in a Coal Mine: Edison Concert Band (01:21)
02 Mining Camp Blues: Trixie Smith (02:55)
03 Sprinkle Coal Dust on My Grave: Orville J. Jenks (02:41)
04 Coal Miner's Blues: The Carter Family (03:01)
05 Hard Times in Coleman's Mine: Aunt Molly Jackson (02:34)
06 He's Only a Miner Killed in the Ground: Ted Chestnut (02:32)
07 Coal Black Mining Blues: Nimrod Workman (01:12)
08 '31 Depression Blues: Ed Sturgill (02:45)
09 Prayer of a Miner's Child: Dock Boggs 01:47)
10 That Twenty-Five Cents You Paid: Sarah Ogan Gunning (02:21)
11 The L & N Don't Stop Here Anymore: Jean Ritchie (03:10)
12 Dark as a Dungeon: Merle Travis (01:54)
13 Come All You Coal Miners: Reel World String Band (02:20)
14 My Sweetheart's the Mule in the Mines: Mike Kline (00:21)
15 Thirty Inch Coal: Hobo Jack Adkins (02:34)
16 Blakc Waters:Jim Ringer (03:34)
17 Roof Boltin' Daddy: Gene Carpenter (02:25)
18 Dream of a Miner's Child: Carter Stanley (02:42)
19 Coal Miner's Boogie: George Davis (02:55)
20 The Yablonski Murder: Hazel Dickens (02:57)
21 What Are We Gonna Do?: Dorothy Myles (03:01)
22 Explosion at Derby Mine: Charlie Maggard (04:03)
23 Blind Fiddler: Jim "Bud" Stanley (03:00)
24 Loadin' Coal: John Hutchinson (02:30)
25 Coal Town Saturday Night: Randall Hylton (03:04)
26 It's Been a Long Time: Roger Hall & Sonny Houston (03:38)
27 Fountain Filled with Blood: James Caudill (03:50)
[Disc Two}
01 West Viriginia Mine Disaster: Molly Stemp (02:49)
02 Union Man: Blue Highway (03:34)
03 Blue Diamond Mines: Robin & Linda Williams (04:43)
04 Set Yourself Free: Billy Gene Mullins (00:49)
05 Redneck War: Ron Short (05:18)
06 Sixteen Tons: Ned Beatty (02:30)
07 There Will Be No Black Lung (Up in Heaven): Rev. Joe Freeman (02:01)
08 Deep Mine Blues: Nick Stump (03:30)
09 I'm a Coal Mining Man: Tom T. Hall (02:24)
10 Dirty Black Coal: Kenny Davis 04:30)
11 Black Lung: AJ Roach (03:21)
12 Coal Dust Kisses: Suzanne Mumpower-Johnson (04:05)
13 Coal Tattoo: Dale Jett 04:07)
14 A Strip Miner's Life: Don Stanley & Middle Creek (03:00)
15 Daddy's Dinner Bucket: Ralph Stanley II (03:30)
16 In Those Mines: Valerie Smith (03:43)
17 Miner's Prayer: Ralph Stanley & Dwight Yoakam (03:08)
18 Dyin' to Make a Livin': W.V. Hill (03:38)
19 You'll Never Leave Harlan Alive: Darrell Scott (05:51)
20 They Can't Put It Back: Jack Wright (02:30)
21 Which Side Are You On?: Natalie Merchant (05:01)
[Credits]
Hobo Jack Adkins (guitar/vocals) Stanley Almon (keyboards) Louis Armstrong (cornet) Ned Beatty Primary (bass/vocals) Buster Bailey(clarinet) Wayne Benson (mandolin) Junior Blankenship (guitar) Dock Boggs (banjo/vocals) Robert Bowlin (guitar) Mike Bub (bass) Becky Buller (banjo/viola) Jason Burleson (banjo/guitar/vocals) Maybelle Carter (guitar/vocals) Sara Carter (guitar/vocals) James Caudill (vocals) Curley Ray Cline (fiddle) Dudley Connell (guitar) Jack Cooke (bass) Steve Cooley (banjo/bass/guitar/mandolin) Dub Cornett (vocals) Ronny Cox (guitar) Jeff D'Angelo (bass) Beverly D'Angelo (vocals) Aaron Davis (choir) George Davis (guitar/vocals) Kenny Davis (guitar/vocals) Vernon Derrick (fiddle) Hazel Dickens (vocals) Charlie Dixon (banjo) Edith Drake (guitar) Glen Duncan (fiddle) Dave Edwards (bass) Steve Edwards (fiddle) Chris Eldridge (guitar) Mark Fain (bass) Danny Ferrington (guitar) Jeffery Freeman (bass) Rev. Joe Freeman (guitar/vocals) Jimmy Gaudreau (mandolin/vocals) Gabriel Gordon (bass) Charlie Green (trombone) Sarah Ogan Gunning (vocals) Andy Hall (dobro) Roger Hall (banjo) Tom T. Hall (vocals) Glen Harlow (mandolin) Oscar Harris (mandolin) Fletcher Henderson (piano) W.V. Hill (vocals) Sonny Houston (guitar/vocals) John Hutchison (guitar/vocals) Randall Hylton (guitar/vocals) Judy Hyman (fiddle) Rob Ickes (dobro/vocals) Aunt Molly Jackson (vocals) Kevin Jackson (fiddle) Orville J. Jenks (guitar/vocals) Dale Jett (guitar/vocals) Teresa Jett (bass) Jamie Johnson (vocals) Frank Joines (guitar) Karen Jones (fiddle/vocals) Rev. Sandra Jones (vocals) John Kaparakis (guitar) Anthony Keyes (vocals) Dwight Yoakam (guitar/vocals) Mike Kline (guitar/vocals) Curley Lambert (mandolin) Jessica Lee (bass) Nimrod Workman (vocals) Graham Maby (guitar) Asa Martin (guitar) Sue Massek (banjo/vocals) Jimmy Mattingly (guitar/mandolin) Matt McElroy (banjo) Todd Meade (bass) Natalie Merchant (vocals) Allison Miller (drums) James Price (fiddle) Denny Rice (piano) Chuck Rich (guitar)　John Rigsby (mandolin) Jim Ringer (guitar/vocals) Ralph Rinzler (mandolin) Jean Ritchie (guitar/vocals) Fiddlin' Doc Roberts (fiddle) Sharon Ruble (bass) Darrell Scott (guitar/vocals) Mike Seeger (bass/guitar) James Alan Shelton (guitar) Bob Siggins (banjo) Bill Airey Smith (bass/vocals) Trixie Smith (vocals) Valerie Smith (vocals) Steve Sparkman (banjo) Tim Stafford (guitar/vocals) Art Stamper (fiddle) Carter Stanley (guitar/vocals) Don Stanley (guitar/vocals) Ralph Stanley (banjo/ocals) Richie Stearns (banjo) Nick Stump (guitar/vocals) Ernie Thacker (mandolin) Chuck Tipton (guitar) Merle Travis (guitar/vocals) Jim Watson (bass/vocals) Aaron Williams (mandolin) Linda Williams (banjo/vocals)
Producer: Charles R. Freeland, Alan Maggard and Paul Kuczko, Photographers: John Cohen, Gene DuBey, Kenny Fannon, Jim Gibson, Trula M. Goostree, David Holt, Helen Lewis, Russell Lee, Earl Palmer, Earl Dotte and Doug Yarrow, Engineers: Paula Wolak, David Castle, George Cowan, Jeff Kiser, Doug Dorschug, George Korson, Jim Price, Todd Vos, Sandy & Caroline Paton
[Notes]
Music of Coal: Mining Songs from the Appalachian Coalfields is a 70-page book and two CD compilation of old and new music from southern Appalachian coalfields. The project was produced by Jack Wright and is a benefit for the Lonesome Pine Office on Youth in Wise County, Virginia. The songs included cover a range of topics related to coal culture such as mining accidents and black lung disease. Some of the artists are natives of the U.S. coal mining region while others have less direct ties. Both vintage recordings and contemporary music have been combined with detailed liner notes giving context to both the songs and the artists. Musicologist Archie Green adds a "Sanctus" note to Wright's "Introduction." In the preliminary round of nominations for the 50th Grammy Awards the boxed set was under consideration for a number of awards, including, Best Recording Package, Best Liner Notes and Best Historical Album. The compilation did not, however, make it the final round of nominees.

American Folk Songs Sung by the Seegers

Folkways Records – FA 2005

Format: Vinyl, LP, 10"
Country: US
Released: 1957
Genre: Folk, World, & Country
Style: Folk
[Tracklist]
A1 Old Molly Hare (2:32)
A2 When I First Came To This Land (2:33)
A3 Jane, Jane (1:35)
A4 The Rich Irish Lady (3:32)
A5 My Home Across The Smoky Mountain (2:35)
A6 Freight Train BLues (2:48)
B1 The Wedding Dress Song (2:11)
B2 Fair Ellender (3:57)
B3 Five Times Five (2:06)
B4 The Kicking Mule (2:39)
B5 Dance To Your Daddy (1:16)
B6 Goodbye, Little Bonnie (2:51)
[Credits]
Mike Seeger (autoharp/banjo/fiddle/guitar/mandolin/vocals) Peggy Seeger (banjo/guitar/vocals) Barbara Seeger (autoharp/vocals) Penny Seeger (guitar/vocals) Ralph Rinzler (guitar/mandolin/autoharp)
Liner Notes: Charles Seeger Sr.
[Notes]
Mike, Peggy, Barbara, and Penny Seeger join forces on this album of folk songs, which includes ballads, lullabies, and ring games. Particularly interesting is the accompanying essay by musicologist Charles Seeger, who writes about the communication between urban and rural musical forms.

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

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)

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

The Greenbriar Boys: Best of the Vanguard Years

Vanguard 206/07-2

Format: 2xCD, Album, Compilation
Country: US
Released: 2002
Genre: Folk, World, & Country
Style: Bluegrass
[Tracklist]
From New Folks (1961)
1-01 Katy Clyne (2:22)
1-02 I'm Coming Back But I Don't Know When (2:19)
1-03 Stewball (2:31)
1-04 Rawhide (2:01)
From Joan Baez Vol. 2 (1961)
1-05 Banks Of The Ohio (3:06)
1-06 Pal Of Mine (2:47)
From The Greenbriar Boys (1962)
1-07 We Shall Not Be Moved (1:45)
1-08 We Need A Lot More Of Jesus (2:00)
1-09 Girl On The Greenbriar Shore (2:20)
1-10 Life Is Like A Mountain Railway (3:37)
1-11 Down The Road (1:58)
1-12 Rosie's Gone Again (2:18)
1-13 Amelia Earhart's Last Flight (3:41)
1-14 Other Side Of Jordan (1:31)
From Ragged But Right! (1964)
2-01 Sleepy-Eyed John (2:37)
2-02 Ragged But Right (2:57)
2-03 McKinley (2:53)
2-04 Leevee Breaking Blues (3:07)
2-05 A Minor Breakdown (2:19)
2-06 Let Me Fall (1:57)
2-07 The Blues My Naughty Sweetie Gives To Me (2:20)
2-08 At The End Of A Long, Lonely Day (3:41)
2-09 Yellin Holler (2:06)
2-10 I Cried Again (2:56)
From Better Late Than Never (1966)
2-11 The Train That I Ride (2:19)
2-12 I Heard The Bluebirds Sing (2:23)
2-13 Morning Train (2:31)
2-14 Shackles And Chains (2:53)
2-15 Chicken (2:24)
2-16 Alligator Man (2:38)
2-17 Russian Around (2:26)
2-18 Up To My Neck In High Muddy Waters (2:50)
2-19 Little Birdie (2:53)
2-20 Prisoner's Song (2:16)
2-21 Different Drum (3:02)
[Credits]
John Herald (guitar/vocals) Bob Yellin (banjo/harmonica/mandolin/vocals) Ralph Rinzler (guitar/mandolin/vocals) Frank Wakefield (guitar/mandolin/vocals) Joan Baez (vocals) Buddy Pendleton (fiddle) Jackie Cook (bass/vocals) Eric Weissberg (bass) Sandy Block (bass) Russ Savakus (bass) Richard Romoff (bass) Jim Buchanan (fiddle)
Producer: Fred Jasper, Liner Notes: Ed Ward, Designer: Jules Halfant & Amy L. VonHolzhausen, Photographer: Joe Alper & David Gahr, Engineer: David Glasser
[Notes]
This two-CD, 35-song compilation could probably hardly be bettered as a summation of this band's best-recorded work. Disc one focuses on tracks from 1961-1962, including four songs from the 1961 New Folks various-artists compilation, two songs from Joan Baez, Vol. 2 on which they played backup, and eight songs from their proper full-length debut, 1962's The Greenbriar Boys. Though their accent at this time was on traditional songs and covers of bluegrass tunes by the likes of Bill Monroe, this does include "Stewball" (here crediting the band as authors, though different writing credits were used when Peter, Paul & Mary covered it slightly later) and Wayne Raney's sly "We Need a Lot More of Jesus" ("and a lot less rock & roll," goes the end of the couplet when the title is sung on the refrain). Disc two contains 21 songs from their mid-'60s albums Ragged but Right! (1964) and Better Late Than Never! (1966). The first of these was the last to feature the trio lineup of John Herald, Bob Yellin, and Ralph Rinzler. Frank Wakefield replaced Rinzler for Better Late Than Never!, the record that was by far their most contemporary Vanguard effort, with more original material and some very interesting covers, like Floyd Chance's Cajun-flavored "Alligator Man." Far more familiar to rock and pop fans, though, is the original version of Mike Nesmith's "Different Drum," a slower and more whimsical arrangement than that used by the Stone Poneys on their 1967 hit cover of the tune. Linda Ronstadt also covered the Greenbriar Boys' best original song, "Up to My Neck in High Muddy Waters," also originally on Better Late Than Never! (and included on this compilation). As a whole, this is a good survey of a band who did a lot to popularize and preserve traditional bluegrass with skill, as well as take some occasional ventures into progressive directions, not only on the above-mentioned songs, but also on unusual (for bluegrass) Bob Yellin-penned instrumentals like "A Minor Breakdown" and "Russian Around." (AllMusic Review by Richie Unterberger)

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.

Old Time Music At Clarence Ashley's Part 2

Folkways Records FA-2359

Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: United States
Released: 1963
Genre: Folk, World, & Country
Style: Bluegrass, & Country
[Tracklist]
A1 Free Little Birds
A2 Little Sadie
A3 Way Downtown
A4 Tough Luck
A5 Hump Backed Mule
A6 Daniel Prayed
A7 Walking Boss
A8 My Home's Across The Blue Ridge Mountains
B1 Coo-Coo Bird
B2 Crawdad
B3 Rising Sun Blues
B4 Lee Highway
B5 Shady Grove
B6 Corinna
B7 Omie Wise
B8 Amazing Grace
[Credits]
Clarence Ashley (banjo/vocals) Doc Watson (guitar/harmonoca/vocals) Fred Price (fiddle) Garley Foster (harmonica/guitar/vocals) Dock Walsh (banjo/vocals) Clint Howard (guitar/vocals) Jack Burchett (banjo) Jean Ritchie (vocals)
Recorded by Eugene Earle, Ralph Rinzler and Mike Seeger