At first this new re-issue from England looks like a sampler of one of the great labels of the 1920's and early 30's, but a closer look at the 25 titles shows that the compiler sought to feature a few key artists. Specifically there are 5 cuts by Scottdale String Band, 4 by Narmour & Smith, and 4 by Bela Lam & His Greene County Singers. The remaining 12 tracks range from classic cuts by the North Carolina Cooper Boys (DANIEL IN THE LION'S DEN) and Fiddlin' Bob Larkan (WOMEN WEAR NO CLOTHES AT ALL) to rather pedestrian efforts by Andrew Jenkins, Phil Pavey and Ralph Richardson. Sound quality of the transfers is pretty free from noise but consequently lacks presence & brightness. Not a great anthology, but there are some fine cuts here, especially those by Bela Lam and Narmour & Smith. NEW COON IN TOWN, DRY GIN RAG, DEVIL IN THE WOODPILE, LITTLE MAUD, SCOTTDALE STOMP, TEXAS BREAKDOWN, ALL NIGHT LONG, etc.
