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 (Click here for Newsletter 302 in PDF format) |
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Once again this holiday season we are combining
our last Newsletter of the year with our Christmas
catalog of gift suggestions. There are many
wonderful items in the realm of BOOKs, VIDEOS and
BOXED SETS that will make wonderful gifts for
family members & friends who love this music.
Gift suggestions start on page 9—there are some
Christmas CDs and many recent DVDs that are new to
our catalog this year.
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BOOK: Constant Sorrow "Man Of Constant Sorrow: My Life & Times" Ralph Stanley BOOK: “ MAN OF CONSTANT SORROW: My Life And Times” by Dr. Ralph Stanley (Gotham Books, 2009) 450 pages.
The outstanding writer Eddie Dean has helped Dr. Ralph put this together, and it is well worth reading—in fact it is essential reading for any fans of Ralph and his late brother Carter. It is a huge book, and the 27 chapters include fascinating accounts of the Stanleys’ childhood in the Clinch Mountains, their days on the“Farm & Fun Time” radio show, recording for Mercury, the killing of Roy Lee Centers, the “O Brother” phenomenon and “Down From the Mountain” tour, and extensive recollections about Curly Ray Cline, Bill Monroe, Porter Wagoner, Jimmy Martin, Bob Dylan, Dick Freeland and many others in the music business.
(more...) $25.00 Buy Now
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ROU-0610-CD DAILEY & VINCENT "Singing From The Heart" It might seem like Jamie Dailey and Darrin Vincent have become top “stars” of the Bluegrass world almost overnight, but like most “overnight successes” they have certainly “paid their dues”. Dailey was a member of Doyle Lawson’s group for 9 years and Darrin Vincent worked at length with Ricky Skaggs’ Kentucky Thunder after growing up in the musical family that gave us his sister Rhonda as well. This is the third record that Dailey & Vincent have produced in a relatively short time, and it is stunningly beautiful. Actually, it is a recording that was started years ago, in answer to a request from the leader of the Tennessee Bible College, and part of the proceeds will go to that organization. It is all a cappella gospel, with Jamie and Darrin joined by various others in the dozen quartets. Glenn Dustin does the outstanding bass vocals, but also heard in the tenor and baritone parts are Shawn Lane, Doyle Lawson, Tony King, Molly Skaggs and Andy Ball. Every song here is a gem, but it‘s hard not to point out particularly wonderful treatments of NEAR THE CROSS, JESUS IS COMING SOON, David Marshall’s DON’T YOU WANT TO GO TO HEAVEN and the stunning I AM RESOLVED, as well as an unusual and fine version of AMAZING GRACE, where the group modulates several times to higher registers. For those of us who love the traditional standards set by the first generation of Bluegrass artists, this album—and what Dailey & Vincent are doing in general—is confirmation that the music is in excellent shape today. I think it’s safe to say that anyone who likes Bluegrass gospel, a cappella, or just plain great harmony singing will treasure this superb recording. (more...) $13.50 Buy Now
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SFW-40180-CD NEW LOST CITY RAMBLERS '50 Years' This 3-CD set that includes some 80 tunes and songs is a wonderful retrospective of, and tribute to, a fine and very important band that has had an extensive influence on the Old-Time, Bluegrass, and American music scene in general (Bob Dylan is among those who credit the NLCR for inspiration). Starting some 50 years ago, and learning from old 78s as well as visits with surviving musicians of the “golden Age” of commercial recordings, this trio (Mike Seeger, John Cohen & Tom Paley—later Tracy Schwarz) introduced a generation of urban listeners to the treasures of old-time rural American music. Importantly, they showed a real respect for the music, as well as a love for songs and tunes that others might have seen as merely “quaint”. They made over a dozen LP albums for the Folkways label of Mo Asch, from which this set was compiled. Although at first the CD-sized package looks not very imposing, on opening the set one sees a very nicely done job of arranging and presenting this collection: There are 3 CDs, and each disc has its own 24 to 40-page booklet of notes, the first two annotated by Jon Pankake and the third by Ray Allen. About half of the third disc is devoted to artists whom the NLCR discovered or helped popularize, people like Dock Boggs, Roscoe Holcomb, Cousin Emmy, Eck Robertson, Kilby Snow, Sara & Maybelle Carter, Elizabeth Cotton, Tom Ashley and the Balfa Brothers. Hats off to everyone connected with this superb project—it’s a beauty!. (more...) $35.00 Buy Now
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BT-208-CD BUCK MOUNTAIN BAND 'Chicken In The Snowbank' A very enjoyable 18-track album of old-time songs and tunes (mostly tunes) from this central Virginia 6-member string band that includes Bob Taylor on fiddle and Dan Peck on banjo. The group here features a good number of waltzes (8), and a nice (and unexpected) feature is the presence of Larry McPeak of the McPeak Brothers—a fine Bluegrass band: Larry sings a very nice WIDOW’S LAMENT, his own ballad. Nice versions of tunes like LAST DAYS IN GEORGIA, FORKS OF SANDY, BLACK MOUNTAIN RAG, ROCK THE CRADLE LUCY,RED HAWK WALTZ, FIDDLER’S REEL, etc. (more...) $13.50 Buy Now
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LPR-534-CD BUDDY MERRIAM 'Back Roads Mandolin' A fine mandolin record from the veteran Merriam, who comes from eastern Long Island, an unlikely locale for Bluegrass. Merriam is backed by guitar, fiddle, banjo and bass, and all do a solid, professional job on this very listenable disc with many good tunes. RIVERHEAD POLKA, BALDASSARI, FRIAR TUCK, EXTRA SPECIAL, SPIRIT OF ROSINE, BATCHIN’ IT, etc. (more...) $13.50 Buy Now
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NWT-009-CD NORTHWEST TERRITORY 'Good Old Boys' Pleasant and enjoyable straight Bluegrass by this Ohio band on a generous 18-cut CD. The group, which has had several previous releases, includes Mike Gorrell on guitar & mandolin, Radford Vance on banjo), Kerri Lehman on bass and lead vocals, and Michelle Birkby-Vance on fiddle & harmony vocals. LISTENING TO THE RAIN, SEND THE LIGHT, IF IT AIN’T LOVE, SALLY ANN, BLUEBIRDS ARE SINGING, LITTLE RAYMOND, etc. (more...) $13.50 Buy Now
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PL-90001-CD CONSTANT CHANGE 'Hills Of Home' Excellent straight, traditional Bluegrass from this North Carolina band that includes Brian and Daniel Aldridge, Dan Wells, Gary Baird and fiddler Clifton Preddy. All the members of the group except Preddy take turns with the lead vocals, and all prove to be good singers. A nice mixture of songs includes a couple of old A.L. Wood songs (HILLS OF HOME, ROSES & CARNATIONS), some band originals and nice versions of LET ME REST, WALK THE WAY THE WIND BLOWS, BENEATH STILL WATERS, etc. A-1 Bluegrass. (more...) $13.50 Buy Now
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CO-2744-CD VARIOUS ARTISTS 'Rural Parlor Guitar' This super collection of guitar tunes by 4 fine rural musicians should have come out in the early 1970s but for some master tapes getting misplaced. These recordings were made between 1967 and 1971 by Charlie Faurot, who is also responsible for preserving some of the best work of the great Texas fiddlers like Benny Thomasson, Major Franklin and the Solomon family. Fact is, Lewis Thomasson—related to Benny—is one of the pickers on this 21 tune collection, along with Earl Blair (from Arkansas), E.C. Ball (from Virginia) and Lena Hughes, a wonderful musical from Missouri. Parlor guitar developed in the 19th century for “genteel” musicians (including mostly young ladies). Fact is, it presented many fascinating and lovely tunes like the classics SPANISH FANDANGO, SEBASTOPOL, DEWDROP, CANNON BALL BLUES and THE OLD SPINNING WHEEL, among others that have survived over the years. E.C. Ball will be known to most old-time fans; the others probably not, but here’s a chance to be introduced to them and to hear some lovely “picking”. WILD ROSE MEDLEY, ARLINGTON, HOME SWEET HOME WALTZ, ECHOES, VIRGINIA RAG, SAN SABA, etc (more...) $13.50 Buy Now
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SHDVD-4805-DVD VARIOUS ARTISTS 'Country Bluegrass Homecoming Vol. Two' See our description of Volume 1 (SHDVD-4802) for a general idea of these Bill Gaither productions. (This is a DVD, but is also available in CD form). George Jones and Marty Stuart take part in the proceedings here too, in addition to most of those who appear on Volume 1. The songs done Bluegrass style include pieces by Cherryholmes (WILL HE WAIT A LITTLE LONGER), Ralph Stanley (I AM THE MAN THOMAS), Rhonda Vincent (I HEARD MY SAVIOUR CALLING ME), the Grasscals (DID YOU FORGET GOD TODAY), Larry Sparks (JESUS WALKS AHEAD OF ME), Doyle Lawson (HELP ME LORD), and the Dailey & Vincent song that has already become a classic, BY THE MARK. These DVDs are professionally done in all respects, and a good way to see some fine Bluegrass artists in action. (more...) $25.00 Buy Now
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REB-1827-CD DAVID DAVIS & THE WARRIOR RIVER BOYS 'Two Dimes & A Nickel' This fine Bluegrass artist from Alabama continues to put out first class traditional music with a hard-core, Monroe flavor. Over the years he has developed a style and a confidence that is impressive, choosing interesting material and presenting it in a dynamic way that grabs the listener, whether in person or through his recordings. This, his 3rd album for Rebel, is another fine assemblage of songs, most of them new to the genre. BROKEN PROMISE, THE BRAMBLES, BRIARS, & ME, HARD TIMES, BLUE RIDGE MOUNTAIN SKIES, TRAIN THAT CARRIED MY GIRL FROM TOWN, etc (more...) $13.50 Buy Now
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BACM-249-CD ERNEST TUBB 'Just Rollin' On' There’s probably a good deal of Tubb’s many recordings still available on the market, especially if you consider the several multiple CD Boxed sets that the German Bear Family label has issued, and a recent 4-CD set from the British JSP label. This one is a bit different in that all 22 tracks are taken from WORLD RADIO transcriptions made in 1944 (when Tubb was at the height of his popularity). Bryan Chalker’s notes give a nice appreciation of Tubb, but provide absolutely no information on the source of the recordings (which were cut in Los Angeles). Tubb’s band here is credited: Butterball Paige on bass, Johnny Sapp on fiddle, and Jimmie & Leon Short on lead and rhythm guitars. We are not sure how many of the songs here were commercially recorded, but Tubb fans should certainly be glad to see this record out—in many cases the songs cut as radio transcriptions were simpler and better than the equivalent studio cuts. A very nice disc here for those who like Tubb—a real pioneer of post-war, honky tonk country music. (more...) $15.00 Buy Now
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CLG-83008-CD PAM GADD 'Benefit Of Doubt' Ms. Gadd, who has had previous records on the Vanguard and OMS labels, has a very nicely produced 14 song album of contemporary Bluegrass here, with a good variety of material and excellent backing by a group of musicians that includes Bryan Sutton on guitar, and Andy Leftwich and Aubrey Haynie interchangeably on fiddle and mandolin (Ms. Gadd plays the banjo). She is backed on vocal harmonies by Dale Ann Bradley and Steve Gulley, as well as giving guest spotlights to Dolly Parton (APPLEJACK) and Marty Raybon (AFTER THE FIRE IS GONE). Gadd, who was a member of Porter Wagoner’s band at one time, includes a very nice tribute to Wagoner (FAREWLL WAGON MASTER). About half the songs are Gadd’s originals on this well done, enjoyable album. (more...) $13.50 Buy Now
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HL-001-CD HARRY LIEDSTRAND 'Traditional Fiddle Tunes' Joined by Cary Lung on mandolin and David Green on guitar, this California based fiddler has released this nicely done collection of 16 well played fiddle tunes. According to the notes this project was originally recorded as an LP for the old Philo label in 1973, but never was released. With simple but informative notes that identify the sources of the tunes, this is a very enjoyable album that is certainly worthy of issue (better late than never). Tunes include CAMP CHASE, ELZIC’S FAREWELL, DUBUQUE, TEXAS, INDIAN WAR WHOOP, HENRY REED’S CLOG, SAIL AWAY LADIES (Jarrell Version) (more...) $13.50 Buy Now
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