This project, sponsored by the Smithsonian Folkways label, is a sampler of the enormous holdings of that institution, and as such it spans the range of banjo music from primitive to Bluegrass. There are 30 tracks on this well annotated disc, and many will recognize the names of at least some of the pickers --a list that includes Pete Seeger, Hobart Smith, Wade Ward, Dock Boggs, Rufus Crisp, Pete Steele, Roni Stoneman, Ola Belle Reed, Doc Watson, and Snuffy Jenkins. Bluegrass stylings here are represented by Tony Trischka (BANJOLAND) and Bill Keith (BLUEGRASS BREAKDOWN). A 42-page booklet contains good notes by Greg Adams and Jeff Place. An excellent anthology here.
TRACK LISTING:
- FLY AROUND MY BLUE-EYED GIRL/CRIPPLE CREEK/IDA RED/OLD JOE CLARK -- Pete Seeger
- BANGING BREAKDOWN -- Hobart Smith
- JOHNSON BOYS -- Frank Profitt
- PEACHBOTTOM CREEK -- Wade Ward
- COO COO -- Dink Roberts
- JOSH THOMAS'S ROUSTABOUT -- Mike Seeger
- JAW BONE -- Willie Chapman
- BRIGHT SUNNY SOUTH -- Dock Boggs
- COAL CREEK MARCH -- Pete Steele
- MISSISSIPPI HEAVY WATER BLUES -- Josh Thomas
- WALK LIGHT LADIES -- Rufus Crisp
- BUCK CREEK GIRLS -- Bill Cornett
- GUT BUCKET BLUES --Don Vappie
- SKYLARK/ROARING MARY -- Mick Moloney
- ST. ANNE'S REEL/LA RENFLEUSE GORBEIL -- Ken Perlman
- SMOKEY MOKES -- Roger Sprung
- GOLDEN BELL POLKA -- A. L. Camp
- BANJOLAND -- Tony Trischka with Bill Evans
- SALLY ANN -- Snuffy Jenkins
- LONESOME ROAD BLUES -- Roni Stoneman
- FOX CHASE -- Lee Sexton
- HOP ALONG LOU -- John Tyree
- COTTON EYED JOE -- "Big Sweet" Lewis Hairston
- FOGGY MOUNTAIN TOP -- Ola Belle Reed
- RAMBLING HOBO -- Doc Watson
- OLD RATTLER -- John Snipes
- GEORGIA BUCK -- Elizabeth Cotten
- I WISH TO THE LORD I'D NEVER BEEN BORN -- Irvin Cook
- BLACK EYE SUSIE -- Roscoe Holcomb
- BLUEGRASS BREAKDOWN -- Bill Keith with Bill Monroe and the Blue Grass Boys
