The British Archive of Country Music has been doing a good job in documenting some of the more obscure record labels (mostly of the 1940s and 50s), and they are just now turning their attention to the interesting EXCELLENT label, which was based in Ohio. The casual country or Bluegrass record fan needs to be aware that much of the music from these early local or regional companies is strictly mediocre, but at least on this volume there are a number of cuts that could be of interest to lovers of funky, odd-ball country music. For the fan of early Bluegrass there are a couple of good tracks by Harlan & Stanley The Wright Brothers, including WHAT CAN I DO and CAROLINA MOUNTAIN HOME --the latter picked up later by the Stanley Brothers and others --catch the wonderful mandolin break on this piece. Dave Woolum and Noah Crase will be familiar names to some longtime 'grass' fans, as will the Logan Valley Boys --later known as Harley Gabbard and Aubrey Holt --the song FAMILY REUNION is done by them here in this early version. There are also 5 instrumentals by Ray Lunsford in his primitive but distinctive electric mandolin style (CARROLL COUNTY BLUES, BLUE GRASS BLUES, SHEILA, MOUNT VERNON RAG, etc). And here is where you will find another version of the TRAGEDY OF SCHOOL BUS 27, to compare with the Stanley Brothers' NO SCHOOL BUS IN HEAVEN about the same tragic event in eastern Kentucky. Not a great record, but there are some interesting items here. (IMPORT)
TRACK LISTING:
- BLUE GRASS BLUES - Ray Lunsford
- UNDER THE DOUBLE EAGLE - Ray Lunsford
- ROCK AND ROLL COUNTRY STYLE - Logan Valley Boys
- WILD ROSE - Logan Valley Boys
- DON'T BLAME ME - Dave Woolum & Noah Crase
- JIMMIE BROWN THE NEWSBOY - Dave Woolum & Noah Crase
- JEALOUS HEART - Rogers Sisters
- MY MISERY - Rogers Sisters
- FAMILY REUNION - Logan & Laurel County Boys
- LET THE SAVIOUR IN - Logan & Laurel County Boys
- HELP YOURSELF - Eddie Adams & Mountain Rhythm Boys
- HAVE YOU BEEN TO SEE YOUR MOTHER - Eddie Adams & Mountain Rhythm Boys
- MOUNT VERNON RAG - Ray Lunsford
- CARROLL COUNTY BLUES - Ray Lunsford
- I'M SORRY - Tommie Lee & Kentucky Drifters
- THAT'S ALL THAT MATTERS - Tommie Lee & Mildred Edwards & Kentucky Drifters
- SHE'S AN ANGEL WAY UP THERE - Cumberland Valley Boys
- HANDWRITING ON THE WALL - Cumberland Valley Boys
- CAROLINA MOUNTAIN HOME - Harlan & Stanley & The Wright Brothers
- WHAT CAN I DO - Harlan & Stanley & The Wright Brothers
- DREAMLAND - Rondell Barker & Rainbow Drifters
- COURTIN' UNDER THE MOON - Rondell Barker & Rainbow Drfiters
- I LOVE YOU TILL THE END OF THE WORLD - Dunbar Faris & Gene Muse with J. D. Faris The Fox Valley Gang
- YOU HAVE FORGOTTEN ME - Dunbar Faris & Gene Muse with J. D. Faris The Fox Valley Gang
- YOU AIN'T NEVER GONNA CHANGE - Indez Hellman
- I GOTTA LIVE WITH ME - Index Hellman
- TRAGEDY OF SCHOOL BUS 27 - Ralph Bowman
- SHEILA - Ray Lunsford
- A BLIND DATE - Frank Deskins & His National Ramblers
- SOME BRIGHT TOMORROW - Frank Deskins & His National Ramblers
