Friends of Old Time Music: The Folk Arrival 1961-1965

Smithsonian Folkways – SFW CD 40160

Format: 3 x CD, Compilation
Country: United States
Released: 2006
Genre: Blues, Folk, World, & Country
Style: Folk, Bluegrass, Blues, Gospel, & Old Time
[Tracklist]
1-01 I'm Troubled: Doc and Arnold Watson (03:10)
1-02 The Country Blues: Dock Boggs (04:24)
1-03 Going Down to the River: Fred McDowell (03:09)
1-04 East Virginia Blues: Roscoe Holcomb (04:51)
1-05 The Storms Are on the Ocean: Maybelle Carter (03:03)
1-06 The Dream of the Miner's Child: The Stanley Brothers (04:03)
1-07 Soldier's Joy: Hobart Smith (01:45)
1-08 Coffee Blues: Mississippi John Hurt (04:47)
1-09 Live and Let Live: Bill Monroe and His Blue Grass Boys (02:46)
1-10 Lonely Tombs: The Watson Family (02:25)
1-11 Rockin' Boogie: Jesse Fuller (03:46)
1-12 Brown's Dream: Gaither Carlton and Doc Watson (01:43)
1-13 Down South Blues: Dock Boggs (03:17)
1-14 Knoxville Blues: Sam McGee (02:30)
1-15 Have a Feast Here Tonight: The Stanley Brothers (03:12)
1-16 Riley: John Davis and the Georgia Sea Island Singers (02:09)
1-17 Buck and Wing: Jesse Fuller (01:22)
2-01 Hell Among the Yearlings: Arthur Smith (01:47)
2-02 Amelia Earhart's Last Flight: The Greenbriar Boys (03:47)
2-03 The Brakeman's Blues: Bill Monroe and His Blue Grass Boys (02:32)
2-04 Foggy Mountain Top: Maybelle Carter (02:07)
2-05 Hicks' Farewell: Doc Watson (05:00)
2-06 Jordan is a Hard Road to Travel: The New Lost City Ramblers (02:42)
2-07 Write Me a Few of Your Lines: Fred McDowell (02:54)
2-08 Bimini Gal: Joseph Spence (02:44)
2-09 Shady Grove: Bill Monroe and His Blue Grass Boys (01:37)
2-10 Grey Eagle: Bill Monroe and His Blue Grass Boys (01:36)
2-11 Walkin' the Dog: Bill Monroe and His Blue Grass Boys (02:03)
2-12 San Francisco Bay Blues: Jesse Fuller (03:24)
2-13 Short Life of Trouble: Doc and Arnold Watson (03:41)
2-14 John Henry: Roscoe Holcomb (01:59)
2-15 Kneelin' Down Inside the Gate: Stanley Thompson (03:45)
2-16 Tell Me Why You Like Roosevelt: McKinley Peebles (04:29)
2-17 Bury Me Under the Weeping Willow: Maybelle Carter (02:34)
2-18 Mansions for Me: The Stanley Brothers (02:27)
2-19 Before This Time Another Year: Bessie Jones and the Georgia Sea Island Singers (05:02)
3-01 My Creole Belle: Mississippi John Hurt (02:54)
3-02 Guitar Lesson: Jesse Fuller (01:26)
3-03 Cincinnati Blues: Jesse Fuller (02:27)
3-04 Poor Boy in Jail: Dock Boggs (02:41)
3-05 He's Solid Gone: Maybelle Carter (02:44)
3-06 Maggie Walker Blues: The Clarence Ashley Group (03:43)
3-07 Chevrolet: Ed Young and Emma Ramsay (03:14)
3-08 Rising Sun Blues: Roscoe Holcomb (03:03)
3-09 Lord, Build Me a Cabin in Glory: Bill Monroe and His Blue Grass Boys (01:37)
3-10 Frankie and Albert: Mississippi John Hurt (05:20)
3-11 Hard Times: The Stanley Brothers (02:23)
3-12 The Miller's Will: Horton Barker (03:17)
3-13 The Coo Coo Bird: Clarence Ashley (04:04)
3-14 Double File: Gaither Carlton and Doc Watson (01:30)
3-15 The Wandering Boy: Annie Bird (03:22)
3-16 Stranger Blues: Jesse Fuller (03:29)
3-17 I Saw the Light: Bill Monroe and His Blue Grass Boys (02:24)
3-18 Sugar Hill: Maybelle Carter (01:06)
3-19 Amazing Grace: The Clarence Ashley Group (04:29)
[Credits]
Producer, Recorder, Mastering Engineer and Liner Notes: Peter K Siegel, Photographer: David Gahr, John Cohen, Alan Lomax, Mike Seeger, Guy Droussart, and Anton Mikofsky
[Notes]
From 1961 to 1965, New York City's trailblazing Friends of Old Time Music presented 14 concerts that brought dozens of legendary traditional musicians before city audiences for the first time. This "folk arrival" changed the course of American folk music, expanding the vision of the Folk Song Revival and leaving an indelible mark on the musical landscape. For Friends of Old Time Music, Peter K. Siegel, who personally recorded most of the concerts, handpicked 55 tracks from the original master tapes. They include the first concert appearances by Doc Watson, Roscoe Holcomb, Clarence Ashley, and Joseph Spence, and the triumphant return visits to New York by Dock Boggs and Mississippi John Hurt, who had made classic recordings in the city during the 1920s. Three CDs of live concert recordings. 55 tracks, including 53 never before released tracks. Accompanied by a richly illustrated 60-page book. Recorded, produced, and annotated by Peter K. Siegel A Henry Street Folklore production Produced in association with City Lore, Inc.

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.

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.

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.

Virginia Traditions: Native Virginia Ballads and Songs

BRI Records – BRI 004

Series: Virginia Traditions
Format: Vinyl, LP, Compilation
Country: US
Released: 1981
Genre: Folk, World, & Country
Style: Folk, Country, & Bluegrass
[Tracklist]
A1 Claude Allen: Hobart Smith (3:33)
A2 Sidney Allen: Spence Moore (1:59)
A3 Poor Goins: James Taylor Adams and Finley Adams (3:59)
A4 The Vance Song: Branch W. Higgins (2:16)
A5 The Fate of Dewey Lee: Spence Moore (2:59)
A6 The Fate of Talmadge Osborne: Ernest V. Stoneman (3:06)
A7 The Wreck of the 1256: Vernon Dalhart (4:16)
A8 The Wreck of the Old 97: Kelly Harrell and Henry Whitter (3:49)
B1 The Life and Death of Charlie Poole: Ted Prillaman (2:25)
B2 The Story of Freeda Bolt: Floyd County Ramblers (3:41)
B3 The Ballad of Caty Sage: J.C. Pierce (3:43)
B4 The Cyclone of Rye Cove: The Carter Family (2:04)
B5 The Story of the Flood: The Stanley Brothers (3:12)
B6 The Pinnacle Mountain Silver Mine: Helen Cockram (2:08)
B7 New River Song: Jim and Artie Marshall (2:59)
B8 Highway 52: Little "Doc" Raymond and The Coleman Pardners (2:54)
B9 The Ballad of Fancy Gap: Jim and Artie Marshall (4:51)
[Credits]
Liner Notes: Doug DeNatale, Editor: Linda Linnartz, Recorders: Alan Lomax, Herbert Halpert, Elizabeth Lomax and Bobby Patterson, Engineers: Doug DeNatale and Glen Hinson
[Notes]
Few states in this country can boast of more diverse folkways than Virginia. Many of the material objects—such as barns, tools, and furniture—reflect the traditions that shaped the lives of its earliest settlers and the generations of Virginians who followed. The Commonwealth’s performance traditions of songs, tunes, and tales also tell of a shared heritage involving all classes of people in every facet of life. Because traditions naturally change over time, the documentation of Virginia folk culture is an ongoing process essential to our understanding of the past, present, and future. By recording the folkways of Virginia, the Blue Ridge Institute of Ferrum College and its BRI Record label strive to foster a greater appreciation of our folk roots through an array of interpretive programs. From murders to train wrecks to natural disasters, the ballads on this recording concern events and people of Appalachian Virginia. Performance styles range from traditional unaccompanied singing to sophisticated modern bluegrass.

Virginia Traditions: Ballads from British Tradition

BRI Records BRI-002

Format: Vinyl, LP, Compilation
Country: US
Released: 1979
Genre: Folk, World, & Country
Style: Folk, Bluegrass, Old Time
[Tracklist]
A01 Old Ireland (William Hall): Polly Johnson (2:38)
A02 The Three Maids (The Cruel Brother): Polly Johnson (3:41)
A03 The Farmer's Curst Wife: Joe Hubbard (0:53)
A04 As I Walked Over London's Bridge (Geordie): S.F. Russel (3:55)
A05 Little Massie Grove: Ruby Bowman Plemmons (4:31)
A06 Wild Hog in the Woods (Bangum and the Boar): Eunice Yeatts McAlexander (2:30)
A07 Barbara Allen: Dan Tate (2:52)
A08 Wind and Rain (The Two Sisters): Dan Tate (1:58)
A09 Devil's Nine Questions: Texas Gladden (2:32)
A10 The Bad Girl: Texas Gladden (3:23)
B01 The Turkish Rebelee (The Golden Vanity): Horton Barker (3:45)
B02 House Carpenter: Dorothy Rorick (2:38)
B03 Oh Death: Dock Boggs (3:20)
B04 The Three Babes (The Wife of Usher's Well): Spence Moore (2:57)
B05 Queen Sally: Kate Peters Sturgill (2:33)
B06 Froggie Went a'Courtin': Robert Russel (1:41)
B07 Raging Sea, How It Roars (The Mermaid): Ernest V. Stoneman (3:21)
B08 The Jealous Lover: The Stanley Brothers (2:17)
B09 The Butcher's Boy: Kelly Harrell (3:19)
[Credits]
Producer, Engineer and Liner Notes: Blanton Owen, Producers: Roddy Moore, Lornell and Ferrum College, Photographer: Alfreda Peel, Engineer: Charles Ellerton, Recorders: Herbert Halpert, Emory Hamilton, Mike Seeger, Sidney Robertson Cowell, Alan Lomax and Elizabeth Lomax
[Notes]
Few states in this country can boast of more diverse folkways than Virginia. Many of the material objects—such as barns, tools, and furniture—reflect the traditions that shaped the lives of its earliest settlers and the generations of Virginians who followed. The Commonwealth’s performance traditions of songs, tunes, and tales also tell of a shared heritage involving all classes of people in every facet of life. Because traditions naturally change over time, the documentation of Virginia folk culture is an ongoing process essential to our understanding of the past, present, and future. By recording the folkways of Virginia, the Blue Ridge Institute of Ferrum College and its BRI Record label strive to foster a greater appreciation of our folk roots through an array of interpretive programs. The songs on this recording are ballads in the traditional sense, i.e., they tell a story. The singers are all from southwestern Virginia and present in a variety of styles, ranging from strictly traditional to relatively modern with stringband accompaniment.

The Complete Columbia Stanley Brothers

Columbia CK-53798

Series: Country Classics
Format: CD, Compilation, Mono
Country: US
Released: 1996
Genre: Folk, World, & Country
Style: Bluegrass
[Tracklist]
01 A Vision Of Mother (2:58)
02 The White Dove (3:12)
03 Gathering Flowers For The Master's Bouquet (2:48)
04 Angels Are Singing (In Heaven Tonight) (3:02)
05 It's Never Too Late To Start Over (2:30)
06 Have You Someone (In Heaven Waiting) (2:40)
07 Little Glass Of Wine (2:57)
08 Let Me Be Your Friend (2:42)
09 We'll Be Sweethearts In Heaven (2:37)
10 I Love No One But You (2:36)
11 Too Late To Cry (2:57)
12 The Old Home (2:17)
13 The Drunkard's Hell (2:36)
14 The Fields Have Turned Brown (2:30)
15 Hey! Hey! Hey! (2:41)
16 The Lonesome River (2:43)
17 I'm A Man Of Constant Sorrow (2:55)
18 Pretty Polly (2:49)
19 A Life Of Sorrow (2:42)
20 Sweetest Love (2:21)
21 The Wandering Boy (2:13)
22 Let's Part The Best Of Friends (2:19)
[Credits]
Carter Stanley (guitar/vocals) Ralph Stanley (banjo/vocals) Pee Wee Lambert (mandolin/vocals)
Fiddle: Robert Sumner (tracks: 1 to 8) Les Woodie (tracks: 9 to 18) George Shuffler (tracks: 19 to 22), Bass: James Hughes (tracks: 1 to 8) Ernest Newton (tracks: 9 to 18)
Art Direction, Design: Julian Peploe, Artwork: Robert Contanzo, Compilation Producer: Lawrence Cohn, Graphics: Pat Jerina, Mastering: David Mitson, Product Manager: Rita Cox
[Notes]
Tracks 1 to 8 recorded 3/1/49 in Nashville; 9 to 14 on 11/20/49 in Nashville; 15 to 18 on 11/3/50 in Nashville; 19 to 22 on 4/11/52 in Nashville.

The Best Of The Stanley Brothers

Mercury Nashville 088 170 222-2

Series: 20th Century Masters The Millennium Collection
Format: CD, Compilation
Country: US
Released: 2002
Genre: Folk, World, & Country
Style: Bluegrass
[Tracklist]
01 Who Will Call You Sweetheart
02 Our Last Goodbye
03 (Say) Won't You Be Mine
04 I Long To See The Old Folks
05 A Voice From On High
06 I Worship You
07 Baby Girl
08 Just A Little Talk With Jesus
09 Will He Wait A Little Longer
10 Loving You Too Well
11 Daybreak In Dixie (Instrumental)
12 Angel Band
[Credits]
Carter Stanley (guitar/vocals) Ralph Staley (banjo/vocals)

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.

Blue Grass Special: Don Reno and Red Smiley / The Stanley Brothers

Angel Records HV-1048

Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: JP
Released: March 1960
Genre: Folk, World, & Country
Style: Bluegrass
[Tracklist]
A1 Dixie Brakdown (2:20) *
A2 Haw Mountain Girls Can Love (2:05) **
A3 Let's Live For Tonight (2:21) *
A4 Train 45 (2:40) **
A5 Tree Of Life (2:42) *
A6 Mastertone March (2:23) **
B1 Charlotte Brakdown (2:20) *
B2 Think Of What You've Done (2:06) **
B3 How I Miss My Darling Mother (2:36) *
B4 Clinch Mountain Backstep (2:18) **
B5 Love Me Darling Just Tonight (2:15) **
B6 Springtime In Heaven (2:38) *
[Credits]
* Don Reno and Red Smiley and the Tennessee Cut-Ups
** The Stanley Brothers and the Clinch Mountain Boys
[Notes]
Made in Japan by Toshiba Musical Industries LTD.

First Bluegrass Festival Fincastle VA. 1965

First bluegrass festival held in Fincastle Va. on Labor Day Weekend September, 1965.

In September of 1965 the first multi-day bluegrass festival was held at Cantrell’s horse barn in Fincastle, Virginia. The now legendary event was the brain child of the longtime manager of Reno and Smiley, Carlton Haney. Some of the entertainment lineup included Mac Wiseman, Jimmy Martin, Clyde Moody, The Osborne Brothers, The Stanley Brothers, Don Reno and Red Smiley (in their own separate bands), and the father of Bluegrass himself, . The festival proved to be one of the most significant events in bluegrass music history. In fact it may have actually saved the music itself. Carlton’s festival started a festival movement that spawned many more festivals throughout the country and eventually the world. These festivals provided the already struggling bluegrass industry with a venue for musicians to play, meet their fans, and most importantly make a living. And for the last 47 years festivals have been life blood for most professional bluegrass bands.

Bill Monroe, Carter and Ralph Stanley at Fincastle VA, 1965.

One of the most memorable things about Carlton’s early festivals was his narration of “the bluegrass story” or as he infamously pronounces it “the bluegrass stow-ree”. “The bluegrass story” was a history lesson on the music’s beginnings and usually featured Bill Monroe and former Bluegrass Boys playing the classic tunes that defined the music. For the 1965 festival, Bill Monroe, Don Reno, Clyde Moody, Benny Martin, and Mac Wiseman were all part of the first “stow-ree”. Luckily, portions of this historic event were captured on video. If you haven’t seen the video of Don Reno, Bill Monroe, Benny Martin, and Mac Wiseman all playing on stage together at the first festival, put down this magazine now and go to Youtube immediately! It can be found on my Youtube page: www.youtube.com/user/renopicker. They play several classic tunes, such as Rawhide, Orange Blossom Special, Can’t You Hear Me Calling, Six More Miles, Molly And Tenbrooks, and Traveling Down This Lonesome Road. You can tell how Don, Benny, and Bill were all feeding off each other in the video. This isn’t the slick, clinically sterilized perfection we hear in today’s bluegrass bands, this is raw real bluegrass played by the first generation masters. Even though the video and the audio isn’t the best quality, you can still feel the energy that these guys produced when watching them perform on stage. This is what made them great and why we still talk about them today. I can only imagine how incredible and exciting it was for those that were lucky enough to see the show live in 1965.

Of course like most of you, the first time I saw this video I was thrilled to see and hear my heroes playing together in their prime but I was mostly fixated on Don, of course. I couldn’t believe the things I was hearing. His breaks were ingenious and his back up was out of this world. The first time I heard his break to Rawhide I literally jumped out of my seat and got goose bumps! But the real stand out for me was his break to Traveling Down this Lonesome Road. Till this day it’s one of the coolest things I have ever heard him do. It’s pure rock and roll on the banjo. How he thought of these things still amazes me. For Traveling, Don implements a lot of Chuck Berry/Bill Monroe type riffs on the banjo that are similar to his kick off on I Know You’re Married. Most of the double stops are done with the thumb. Remember to mute the bridge with your palm to get the right sound when doing all the thumb brush work. They are playing in the key of F in the video but as with much of Don’s playing his break can easily be transposed to any key. One of the greatest things about this break is his ending lick as he walks away from the microphone. Pure genius!! What is also impressive about this break is that Don probably never played it exactly the same way again. He was the king of improvisation. He was never afraid to take chances and neither should you. So once you get the basic break down, use your imagination to add your own ideas to it and see what happens! If you have any questions or comments please contact me through my website: www.renopicker.com Until next time…Keep Pickin’ Reno!

Reno-Style Workshop
by Jason Skinner