Red Allen Sings In Memory of the Man: Dedicated to Lester Flatt

Folkways Records– FTS 31073

Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: United States
Released: 1980
Genre: Folk, World, & Country
Style: Bluegrass
[Tracklist]
A1 I'll Take the Blame (02:26)
A2 What's Good for You (02:32)
A3 Over the Hill to the Poorhouse (03:42)
A4 Somehow Tonight (03:05)
A5 I'll Never Shed Another Tear (02:32)
A6 Give Mother My Crown (02:34)
B1 Going Back to Harlan (01:37)
B2 I'm Waiting to Hear You Call Me Darling (02:45)
B3 Why Don't You Tell Me So (02:32)
B4 My Darling's Last Goodbye (02:15)
B5 Your Love is Like a Flower (02:25)
B6 Gone Home (02:36)
[Credits]
Red Allen (guitar/vocals) Curly Seckler (vocals) Harley Allen, Jr. (guitar/vocals) Marty Stuart (mandolin/guitar/vocals) Tater Tate (fiddle/vocals) Gene Wooten (dobro) Pete Corum (bass) Blake Willams (banjo)
Photographer: Ronald Clyne, Engineer: Stive Scruggs
[Notes]
In 1980, bluegrass performer Harley "Red" Allen (1930–1993) recorded an album to honor the memory and legacy of country and bluegrass legend Lester Flatt (1914–1979). Allen, known for his "high, lonesome sound," is backed by a band composed of veteran musicians including Marty Stuart on mandolin and several from Flatt’s last band, Nashville Grass, as well as his son Harley Jr. and Curly Seckler on vocals. The collection includes songs written by Flatt or associated with Flatt and Earl Scruggs of the Foggy Mountain Boys. The band gives a spirited vocal and instrumental workout to the bluegrass standard "Shady Grove," titled here as "Going Back to Harlan."

Across the Blueridge Mountains with Harley Allen

Folkways Records – FTS 31076

Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1983
Genre: Folk, World, & Country
Style: Bluegrass
[Tracklist]
A1 Carolina in the Pines (2:45)
A2 Dirt in My Face (2:54)
A3 Wildwood Flower Blues (2:40)
A4 Letters Have No Arms (2:49)
A5 Loving Another Man (2:24)
B1 Hey (2:58)
B2 Are You From Dixie? (3:15)
B3 Mandolin Man (3:03)
B4 Across the Blue Ridge Mountains (2:31)
B5 Things Have Changed (3:20)
[Credits]
Harley Allen (guitar/mandolin/vocals) Mike Lilly (banjo/vocals) Scott Adams (mandolin) Steve Bryant (electric bass) J.D. Crowe (banjo) Vassar Clements (fiddle) Josh Graves (dobro) Larry Nager (acoustic bass) Kathy Chiavoh (vocals) Jr. Bennett (fiddle)
Producer: Red Allen, Designer: Ronald Clyne, Engineer: Jr. Bennett
[Notes]
Harley Allen, son of prominent bluegrass singer (and Folkways recording artist) Red Allen, strikes out on his own in this inaugural recording. He is ably assisted by nine bluegrass musicians, including J.D. Crowe (banjo), Vassar Clements (fiddle), and Josh Graves (dobro). Red produced the recording. Like his father, Harley Allen is an exponent of the "high lonesome sound," a highly regarded vocal technique in mountain music, whether traditional or bluegrass. Harley explains his approach to bluegrass music in the following way: "Even though my brothers and I have experimented with the boundaries of bluegrass music, I wanted my first solo effort to be fairly straight 'grass.' I feel this album is."

Red Allen and Friends

Folkways Records – FTS 31088

Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1981
Genre: Folk, World, & Country
Style: Bluegrass
[Tracklist]
A1 She's Country (2:14)
A2 Dig A Hole In The Meadow (2:20)
A3 Stone Wall (2:52)
A4 Bill Cheatum (2:25)
A5 Troubles Round My Door (2:38)
B1 Hello City Limits (2:12)
B2 Sweet Love Ain't Around (3:04)
B3 Gold Watch & Chain (1:57)
B4 Bad News (2:44)
B5 Fire On The Mountain (1:48)
[Credits]
Red Allen (guitar/lead vocals) Harley Allen (guitar/tenor vocals) Greg Allen (baritone vocals) John Farmer (banjo) John McEuen (banjo) Steve Scruggs (banjo) Vassar Clements (fiddle) Marty Stuart (mandolin/guitar) Randy Scruggs (guitar) Gary Scruggs (harp) Terry Smith (bass)
[Notes]
Veteran bluegrass performer Red Allen (1930–1993) collaborates with sons Harley and Doug and several musician friends on this 1981 album. Among the friends joining Allen are Grammy-winning fiddler Vassar Clements, mandolin and guitar player Marty Stuart, and Scruggs brothers Randy (guitar), Gary (harp), and Steve (banjo). The playlist includes traditional and modern bluegrass songs including "Bill Cheatum," "Fire on the Mountain," Red Allen's "Trouble 'Round My Door," and John D. Lautermilk's "Bad News."

Classic Bluegrass Vol. 2 from Smithsonian Folkways

Smithsonian Folkways – SFW CD 40163

Format: CD, Compilation
Country: US
Released: 2005
Genre: Folk, World, & Country
Style: Bluegrass
[Tracklist]
01 Blue Grass Breakdown: David Johnson (3:12)
02 Roving Gambler: The Country Gentlemen (3:06)
03 Daniel Prayed: Doc Watson, Fred Price, and Clint Howard (2:53)
04 Fourteen-Carat Mind: Half & Half (2:28)
05 Won't You Come and Sing for Me?: Hazel Dickens and Alice Gerrard (2:45)
06 Rocky Run: Jerry Stuart, Pete Kuykendall, Smiley Hobbs, and Tom Gray (2:47)
07 The Girl Behind the Bar: Red Clay Ramblers (2:06)
08 Ain't Nobody Gonna Miss Me: B. Lilly, Chubby Anthony, Don Stover (2:16)
09 Are You Afraid to Die: Red Allen and Frank Wakefield (2:38)
10 Walls of Time: Bill Monroe and Peter Rowan (4:05)
11 Back Up and Push: The Friendly City Playboys (1:50)
12 I've Endured: Ola Belle Reed (2:48)
13 Carolina in the Pines: Harley Allen (2:42)
14 Jesse James: Eric Weissberg (2:30)
15 Two Orphans: The Georgia Pals (3:19)
16 China Grove, My Home Town: The Nashville Grass (2:31)
17 Bluegrass Spectacular: Bill Price (2:38)
18 Stoney Creek: Sonny Miller (1:22)
19 Little Maggie: Larry Richardson (1:13)
20 Miss Ferris: John Hartford (3:51)
21 Foggy Mountain Top: Earl Taylor and the Stoney Mountain Boys (2:00)
22 Sinner, You Better Get Ready: The Lilly Brothers and Don Stover (2:58)
23 Sitting on Top of the World: Doc Watson (3:05)
24 Renegade: Bob Everhart (1:59)
25 Possum Holler: Bill Price (2:58)
26 Red Wing: Tom Morgan (2:33)
27 I'll Take the Blame: Red Allen (2:21)
28 Watson's Blues: Bill Monroe and Doc Watson (2:26)
[Credits]
Producer: Lee Michael Demsey, Liner Notes: Jacob Love & Jeff Place, Designer: Sonya Cohen Cramer, Photographer: Stephanie P. Ledgin, Mastering Engineer: Pete Reiniger
[Notes]
Compiled from over 40 years of classic bluegrass recordings on the Folkways and Smithsonian Folkways labels, Classic Bluegrass, vol. 2 showcases many of the key artists who shaped the sound of this internationally-acclaimed, all-American music. "Father of Bluegrass" Bill Monroe, Doc Watson, Hazel Dickens, The Country Gentlemen, Red Allen, Frank Wakefield, John Hartford, and many others bring us the best of this diverse music tradition. 32-page booklet. 28 classic tracks. 73 minutes.

Red Allen & The Kentuckians: Live And Let Live

Folkways Records FTS-31065

Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1979
Genre: Folk, World, & Country
Style: Bluegrass
[Tracklist]
A1 Doing My Time (5:43)
A2 It's Only The Wind (2:58)
A3 Are You Teasing Me (2:30)
A4 Angel Band (4:09)
A5 Troubles Around My Door (1:48)
A6 Billie In The Low Ground (2:50)
B1 Live And Let Live (2:47)
B2 B.J. And D.J. (3:46)
B3 I'm Confessing (2:57)
B4 Christian Life (2:51)
B5 Home Sweet Home (2:59)
B6 O Don't Love Nobody (2:51)
[Credits]
Red Allen (gitar/vocals) Greg Allen (guitar/banjo/vocals) Ron Mesing (dobro) Harley Allen (guitar) Buddy Griffin (fiddle) Red Butler (mandolin/vocals) Dorsey Harvey Jr. (mandolin) Red Hartley (bass)
Liner Notes: Tom Teepen, Designer: Ronald Clyne
[Notes]
Veteran Bluegrass performer Red Allen (1930–1993) is joined by son Greg and the Kentuckians on this 1979 bluegrass recording. Known for his powerful tenor voice, Red and his son sing harmony on several songs, among them "It's Only the Wind" and "Live and Let Live." Two instrumentals—"Billie in the Lowground" and "Home Sweet Home"—also appear on the recording. Allen was inducted into the IBMA Bluegrass Hall of Fame in 2005. Cox Newspapers columnist Tom Teepen contributed the liner notes, which include a short biography of Allen and a review of the album, followed by song lyrics.

Bluegrass: Red Allen, Frank Wakefield And The Kentuckians

Folkways Records FA-2408

Label: Folkways Records FA-2408
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1964
Genre: Folk, World, & Country
Style: Bluegrass
[Tracklist]
A1 Little Maggie (3:11)
A2 Somebody Loves You Darlig (2:27)
A3 New Camptown Races (2:32)
A4 Are You Afraid To Die (2:41)
A5 Sweetheart You Done Me Wrong (2:57)
A6 Are You Washed In The Blood (2:47)
B1 Deep Elem Blues (2:31)
B2 Ground Hog (2:03)
B3 The Little Girl And The Dreadful Snake (3:21)
B4 Catnip (1:48)
B5 I'm Just Here To Get My Baby Out Of Jail (2:15)
B6 Shake Hands With Mother Again (2:42)
[Credits]
Red Allen (guitar/vocals) Frank Wakefield (mandolin/vocals) Pete Roberts (banjo/vocals) Bill Keith (banjo/vocals) Tom Morgan (bass/vocals) Fred Weisz (bass)
Producers: David Grisman and Peter K. Siegel, Designer: Nancy Grilikhes and Julian Winston
[Notes]
Allen and Wakefield's music ranges from strictly traditional songs like "Little Maggie" to pieces introduced by Bill Monroe to sacred material, all with their hallmark close harmonies and tight instrumental backing. Like Monroe and Roscoe Holcomb, Allen's voice embodies the "high lonesome" sound.

Classic Southern Gospel from Smithsonian Folkways

Smithsonian Folkways SFW CD 40137

Format: CD, Compilation
Country: US
Released: 2005
Genre: Folk, World, & Country
Stle: Folk, Country, Bluegrass
[Tracklist]
01 I'm Working on a Building: Bill Monroe and His Bluegrass Boys (1:51)
02 No Disappointment in Heaven: Dock Boggs (2:29)
03 Wondrous Love: Old Harp Singers of Eastern Tennessee (2:06)
04 Are You Washed in the Blood?: Red Allen (2:43)
05 What Are They Doing in Heaven Today?: Harry and Jeanie West (2:16)
06 The Lost Soul: The Watson Family (2:57)
07 Hallelujah Side: Ernest V. Stoneman (2:20)
08 Walking in Jerusalem (Just Like John): The Country Gentlemen (2:15)
09 Sinner, You'd Better Get Ready: The Lilly Brothers (2:57)
10 When He Reached Down His Hand For Me: Bill Monroe and His Bluegrass Boys (2:45)
11 Away Over in the Promised Land: The Phipps Family (2:15)
12 No Tears in Heaven: Kilby Snow (2:29)
13 Old Country Church: Tom Morgan (2:49)
14 Glory to the Lamb: The DeBusk-Weaver Family (2:43)
15 Amazing Grace: Clarence Ashley, Clint Howard, Fed Price, Jean Ritchie and Doc Watson (3:54)
16 River of Jordan: The Poplin Family (2:08)
17 Shake Hands with Mother Again: The Allen Brothers (2:54)
18 Gabriel's Call: Hazel and Alice (2:13)
19 What Would You Give in Exchange for Your Soul?: Bill Monroe and Doc Watson (4:26)
20 He Said, If You Love Me, Feed My Sheep): The Stancer Quartet (2:54)
21 I Am a Pilgrim: The Country Gentlemen (2:55)
22 I'm Going to a City: Indian Bottom Association of Old Regular Baptists (3:18)
[Credits]
Compiler & Liner Notes: Kip Lornell
[Notes]
Showcasing some of the best in bluegrass gospel and country gospel from the Smithsonian Folkways archives in a single, special priced album. The music's plain-spoken, direct, and earnest style stokes it with power and appeal, whether performed by widely known marquee-name artists Bill Monroe and the Watson family or by local churchgoers such as the Old Regular Baptists. The spirit of time-worn Southern Gospel music remains as rock-solid as the people who perform it on this moving collection of inspired songs. 28-page booklet with extensive notes. 59 minutes.

Classic Bluegrass From Smithsonian Folkways

Smithsonian Folkways SFW CD 40092

Format: CD, Compilation
Country: US
Released: 2002
Genre: Folk, World, & Country
Style: Bluegrass
[Tracklist]
01 Whitehouse Blues: Earl Taylor And The Stoney Mountain Boys (1:58)
02 Our Last Goodbye: The Johnson Mountain Boys (2:32)
03 When He Reached Down His Hand For Me: Bill Monroe And His Bluegrass Boys (2:44)
04 Tiny Broken Heart: Hazel Dickens And Alice Gerrard (3:01)
05 New Camptown Races: Red Allen, Frank Wakefield , And The Kentuckians (2:31)
06 Suzanne: Harley Allen-Mike Lilly Band (2:37)
07 I Heard My Mother Call My Name In Prayer: The Nashville Grass (3:07)
08 Teardrops In My Eyes: The Friendly City Playboys (2:26)
09 Cumberland Gap: Snuffy Jenkins (1:31)
10 Live And Let Live: Red Allen And The Kentuckians (2:44)
11 The World Is Waiting For The Sunrise: Roger Sprung And Doc Watson (2:37)
12 Hello City Limits: Hugh Moore (2:19)
13 (Legend Of The) Brown Mountain Light: The Country Gentlemen (2:32)
14 Lonesome Road Blues: Roni Stoneman (1:10)
15 The Train That Carried My Girl From Town: Doc Watson (2:16)
16 The Little Girl And The Dreadful Snake: The New Lost City Ramblers (3:29)
17 Little Birdie: The Stanley Brothers (2:37)
18 Rabbit In A Log: The Stanley Brothers (2:20)
19 Grey Eagle: David And Billie Ray Johnson (2:47)
20 Wayfaring Stranger: Cullen Gaylean And The Virginia Mountain Boys (5:07)
21 Billy In The Lowground: The Lonesome Strangers (1:00)
22 The Rebel Girl: Hazel Dickens (2:57)
23 Train 45: Smiley Hobbs (2:19)
24 'Neath That Cold Gray Tomb Of Stone: The Lilly Brothers And Don Stover (3:03)
25 Get Up John: Bill Monroe And His Bluegrass Boys (2:36)
[Credits]
Coordinator: Mary Monseur, Liner Notes: Carla Borden, Frank Proschan, Jeff Place & Lee Michael Demsey, Mastering: Pete Reiniger, Photography: John Cohen & Phil Zimmerman
[Notes]
It all began in 1956 with the release of the historic Folkways album American Banjo: Three-Finger and Scruggs Style (SFW 40037), the first-ever full-length bluegrass LP. From that point on, Folkways Records was synonymous with great bluegrass music. Folkways founder Moses Asch released scores of bluegrass albums, and this collection comprises the cream of the crop from these recordings, including works from giants of the genre such as Red Allen & Frank Wakefield, Bill Monroe, Doc Watson, the Stanley Brothers, and The Country Gentlemen. It serves as an outstanding introduction to the wealth of great bluegrass Smithsonian Folkways has to offer. Extensive notes, photos, 62 minutes. Compiled and annotated by Lee Michael Demsey and Jeff Place.