The British Archive label here presents another generous helping of obscure country music that would otherwise remain unheard. The York Brothers --George & Leslie --made a few very nice recordings in 1941 for the Decca label, including the fine MY LITTLE HONEYSUCKLE ROSE that was later picked up and sung by Jim & Jesse (and also by Lester Flatt while a member of Bill Monroe's Blue Grass Boys). In the late 1940s the York Brothers joined the King label for a string of mostly lackluster country/western records. In between they recorded for Bullet, Universal and Mellow, with their best known hit being HAMTRAMCK MAMA. This re-issue is basically devoted to their Mellow label tracks (20 of them), which feature a fairly rudimentary electric guitar and OK but unexceptional singing. For fans of their early duet sound, the first 7 cuts will be of the most interest --these include 2 of the Decca sides plus their Universal recordings of GOING HOME (LITTLE WHITE WASHED CHIMNEY) and SPEAK TO ME LITTLE DARLING, nicely sung and played in the brother duet style. The group had its following, especially in the Detroit area where it settled, and for those fans this will be a welcome release. For others, this is mostly average country music with not very much to recommend it. Import
