This is a great addition to the Old-Time music library, with no less than 36 performances by a variety of rural country, Cajun and blues musicians who were captured on film in the 1960s and early 70s. Most of us were not aware that such precious footage was preserved --what a treat it is to see Clark Kessinger, Kilby Snow and the Coon Creek Girls, among others, in this 103-minute black & white DVD. These artists were still in their prime when they were captured on film. Clark Kessinger --one of the finest old time fiddlers of all time --is seen here on 6 rousing tunes including SALLY ANN JOHNSON, BILLY IN THE LOW GROUND and POCA RIVER BLUES, accompanied well on banjo and guitar by Wayne Hauser and Gene Meade respectively --the lineup that backed Clark on the several fine LPs that he made in the 1960s. Lily May Ledford sings and plays banjo on a couple of fine numbers: EAST VIRGINIA BLUES and JOHNSON BOYS. And what Kilby Snow could do with his autoharp is fascinating and thoroughly musical --his 4 tracks here include SHADY GROVE, WILDWOOD FLOWER and an unexpected but fine version of Bill Monroe's CLOSE BY. Other tracks on this DVD include a fife & drum band from Mississippi and 5 nice songs by the Cajun duo of Canray Fontenot and Bois Sec Ardoin. The only problem with this DVD --and it is a glaring one --is the lack of any information on the musicians and when and where they were filmed: any who buy this item will most likely be expecting to find a booklet of notes inside, but there is nothing. Still, to be able to see and hear these wonderful musicians is a huge treat and an instructive one.

SONG AND ARTIST LISTING:

CLARK KESSINGER

1. SALLY ANN JOHNSON

2. POCA RIVER BLUES

3. WEDNESDAY NIGHT WALTZ

4. BILLY IN THE LOWGROUNDS

5. LEATHER BRITCHES

6. CHICKEN REEL

KILBY SNOW

7. KILBY TALKS ABOUT LEARNING THE AUTOHARP

8. SHADY GROVE

9. PLEASE DON'T TAKE ADVANTAGE OF ME

10. WILDWOOD FLOWER

11. CLOSE BY

JIMMY DRIFTWOOD

12. JIMMY TALKS ABOUT THE MOUTH-BOX

13. OLD JOE CLARK

14. GALLOPING HORSE

FIDDLE GROUP

15. TURKEY IN THE STRAW

COON CREEK GIRLS

16. EAST VIRGINIA BLUES

17. SIGHT OF A PRETTY GIRL

CANRAY FONTENOT & ALPHONSOS "BOIS SEC" ARDOIN

18. EUNICE TWO STEP

19. BON SOIR MOREAU

ED AND LONNIE YOUNG AND THE FIFE & DRUM BAND

20. OREE

21. ED YOUNG TALKS ABOUT PLAYING THE FIFE

22. ED AND LONNIE YOUNG AND THE FIFE & DRUM BAND

CANRAY FONTENOT & ALPHONSOS "BOIS SEC" ARDOIN

23. LACASSINE SPECIAL

24. JEUNE GENS DE LA CAMPAGNE

25. LES BARRES DE LA PRISON

ED AND LONNIE YOUNG AND THE FIFE & DRUM BAND

26. SNAKE DANCE

JESSIE MAE HEMPHILL & GROUP

27. GET RIGHT CHURCH

28. WORKING ON THE RAILROAD

NAPOLEAN STRICKLAND

29. ROLL AND TUMBLE BLUES

30. BOTTLE UP AND GO

GLEN ROY FAULKNER

31. BO-DIDDLEY BLUES

32. WHEN I LAY MY BURDEN DOWN

MOSE VINSON

33. BLUES JUMPED THE RABBIT

34. ROLL AND TUMBLE BLUES

JOHN (PIANO RED) WILLIAMS

35. ROLL AND TUMBLE BLUES

BOOKER T. LOW

36. ROLL AND TUMBLE BLUES