LEGACY OF ROSCOE HOLCOMB This is
simply a wonderful package that combines the various video appearances of this
amazing old time musician from Eastern Kentucky. It's hard to believe that it's
been almost 50 years since John Cohen made his classic documentary film HIGH
LONESOME SOUND. That landmark work has been combined with a new
piece by Cohen taken from out takes and leftover segments from his 1962 film. In
addition, there are another ten tunes recorded in different places over the years, a
fitting tribute to Holcomb, who died in 1981 at the age of 70. At first hearing,
Holcomb's high, piercing voice may scare the new listener, but those who are
ready for something real and truly rural should love this video. Shot in black &
white, Cohen's glimpses of the coalfields, the farms and the mountain people are
spellbinding --at times the viewer is transported to a time and place that might just
as well be 100 years ago. Though Holcomb's main weapon is his voice, he can
play some deft old time banjo, such as the spellbinding HOOK & LINE, LITTLE
BIRDIE, and LITTLE GREY MULE.. He also plays some bluesy guitar
(GRAVEYARD BLUES). Cohen and Shanachie Records were fortunately able to
borrow additional songs cut for the Pete Seeger TV show (1966), Alan Lomax
(1961), George Pickow, and John Ullman of Seattle (1972). Apart from Roscoe's
playing, singing and comments on life in the mountains, this DVD also contains
some unique segments that will fascinate the viewer: on one visit to Kentucky
Cohen happened to catch and film part of a Bill Monroe appearance on the
Courthouse steps of Hazard, Ky. --Bill and the Bluegrass Boys play LIVE & LET
LIVE here. Then there's a surprise appearance of the superb Kentucky fiddler
Marion Sumner playing a fine GREY EAGLE for a square dance, along with an
equally great RED APPLE RAG (with Holcomb and another picker supplying
guitar backing). There is also an emotion charged country baptizing. We can
thank John Cohen and the others involved with preserving sights and sounds of
this unique individual, and doing it so well.
DVD: $ 18.00
