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
