Those who love the old time re-issues will find this 4-CD set a bonanza of great old time string band music from the 1920s and 1930s. Britain's JSP label has done this box up nicely, featuring several of the most interesting string bands of the rural south. Though it could just as easily be called "Old Time String Band Music", the "Country Fiddle" titling is just as appropriate, as several fine fiddlers show their wares on the 100 tunes & songs presented here. The first two discs each feature single artists: Earl Johnson with 25 highly energetic cuts on one, and The Leake County Revelers on the 2nd disc, featuring the more stately, but lovely fiddling of Will Gilmer. Disc 3 is mainly devoted to the wonderful East Texas Serenaders and the super fiddling of D.H. Williams --whose more sophisticated playing is remarkable on tunes like ACORN STOMP, BEAUMONT RAG, MINEOLA RAG, etc. Rounding out the 3rd disc are a few tracks by Dixie Ramblers, Freeny Harmonizers, Grinnell Giggers and Walker's Corbin Ramblers. The 4th disc presents selected songs & tunes by Dr. Humphrey Bate, Aiken County String Band, Floyd Ming, Dr. Smith and Dykes Magic City Trio. Sound quality is generally good, apart from 4 very rough tunes on the Earl Johnson CD. Whether or not you already have much of this fine music, the 4-CD set is a huge bargain
TRACK LISTING:
DISC 1:
EARL JOHNSON & HIS CLODHOPPERS:
- I'VE GOT A WOMAN ON SOURWOOD MOUNTAIN
- LEATHER BREECHES
- THE LITTLE GRAVE IN GEORGIA
- RED HOT BREAKDOWN
- I GET MY WHISKY FROM ROCKINGHAM
- EARL JOHNSON'S ARKANSAS TRAVELLER
- POOR LITTLE JOE
- OLD GREY MARE KICKING OUT OF THE WILDNERESS
- ALL NIGHT LONG
- MISSISSIPPI JUBILEE
- JOHNNIE GET YOUR GUN
- LAUGHIN' RUFUS
- TWINKLE LITTLE STAR
- IN THE SHADOW OF THE PINE
- WIRE GRASS DRAG
EARL JOHNSON & HIS DIXIE ENTERTAINERS:
- THREE NIGHTS EXPERIENCE
- DIXIE
- AIN'T NOBODY'S BUSINESS
- JOHN HENRY BLUES
- I DON'T LOVE NOBODY
- I'M SATISFIED
- JOHNSON' OLD GREY MULE
- SHORTENIN' BREAD
- HEN CACKLE
- MISSISSIPPI SAWYER
DISC 2:
LEAKE COUNTY REVELERS:
- SATURDAY NIGHT BREAKDOWN
- GEORGIA CAMP MEETING
- JOHNSON GAL
- LEATHER BREECHES
- THE OLD HAT
- MONKEY IN THE DOG CART
- WEDNESDAY NIGHT WALTZ
- I'M GWINE BACK TO DIXIE
- UNCLE NED
- LONESOME BLUES
- GOOD FELLOW
- DRY TOWN BLUES
- MISSISSIPPI BREAKDOWN
- SWEET ROSE OF HEAVEN
- LAKE COUNTY BLUES
- BEEN TO THE EAST - BEEN TO THE WEST
- MOLLY PUT THE KETTLE ON
- THIRTY FIRST STREET BLUES
- JULIA WALTZ
- IN THE GOOD OLD SUMMERTIME
- ROCKIN' YODEL
- BIRDS IN THE BROOK
- THEY GO WILD, SIMPLY WILD OVER ME
- CROW BLACK CHICKEN
- LAZY KATE
DISC 3:
EAST TEXAS SERENADERS:
- ACORN STOMP
- COMBINATION RAG
- SWEETEST FLOWER
- BABE
- THREE IN ONE TWO-STEP
- DREAM SHADOWS
- BEAUMONT RAG
- ARIZONA STOMP
- SHANNON WALTZ
- DEL RIO WALTZ
- SAY A LITTLE PRAYER FOR ME
- EAST TEXAS DRAG
- GULF BREEZE WALTZ
- ALDELINE WALTZ
- OZARK RAG
- BEFORE I GREW UP TO LOVE YOU
- SHANNON WALTZ
- MINEOLA RAG
- SERENADER'S WALTZ
- DEACON JONES
- MEADOW BROOK WALTZ
FREENY HARMONISERS:
WALKERS CORBIN RAMBLERS:
GRINNEL GIGGERS:
- DUCK SHOES RAG
- PLOW BOY HOP
DISC 4:
AIKEN COUNTY STRING BAND:
- CHARLESTON RAG
- SAVANNAH RIVER STRIDE
- HARRISBURG ITCH
- HARD TIMES BREAKDOWN
DR. SMITH'S CHAMPION HOSS HAIR PULLERS:
- GOING DOWN THE RIVER
- JUST GIMME THE LEAVINGS
- UP IN GLORY
- SAVE MY MOTHER'S PICTURE FROM THE SALE
- IN THE GARDEN WHERE THE IRISH POTATOES GROW
DR. HUMPHREY'S BATE & HIS POSSUM HUNTERS:
- GOIN' UP TOWN
- MY WIFE DIED SATURDAY NIGHT
- BILLY IN THE LOW GROUND
- EIGHTH OF JANUARY
- THROW THE OLD COW OVER THE FENCE
- TAKE YOUR FOOT OUT OF THE MUD AND PUT IT IN THE SAND
CHENOWETH'S CORNFIELD SYMPHONY ORCH:
CHEROKEE RAMBLERS:
- GOIN' DOWN THE ROAD FEELIN' BAD
- MAGNOLIA WALTZ
FLOYD MING & HIS PEP-STEPPERS:
- INDIAN WAR WHOOP
- TUPELO BLUES
- WHITE MULE
MOATSVILLE STRING TICKLERS:
- WEST VIRGINIA HILLS
- MOATSVILLE BLUES
DYKES MAGIC CITY TRIO:
