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Friday, January 4, 2013
TEXAS FAREWELL Texas Fiddlers 1922-1930
Thursday, December 20, 2012
Mining more of the fantastic County 500 series catalog, I came up with a transfer of this superb 1969 collection of rare old Texas Fiddle 78s from the twenties era. Since transferring this album the Lewis Brothers' "Bull at the Wagon" has stuck in my head day and night, but there's never a bad tune on a collection such as this. There's not much for me to add to the album's liner notes (by Charles Faurot), scans of which are included in the download. Enjoy!
The transcript from a telephone interview with Denmon Lewis, made by Charles Faurot on November 18, 1969 to obtain information for the liner notes of this album is here.
Tracks:
1. Red Headed Fiddlers-Texas Quick-Step
2. The Lewis Brothers-Bull At The Wagon
3. Solomon & Hughes-Sally Johnson
4. Eck Robertson & H. Gillilland-Arkansas Traveler
5. The Lewis Brothers-Sally Johnson
6. Fiddlin' Jim Pate-Texas Farewell
7. Eck Robertson & J.B. Cranfill-Great Big Taters
8. Oscar & Doc Harper-Dallas Bound
9. Red Headed Fiddlers-The Fatal Wedding
10. East Texas Serenaders-Babe
11. Smith's Garage Fiddle Band-Beaumont Rag
12. East Texas Serenaders-Three-In-One Two-Step
*download here*
LEAKE COUNTY REVELERS 1927-1930
Monday, December 10, 2012
I haven't posted any Old Timey Southern music here at the Attic in some time and felt that another great title from County's old 500 series was due. County 532 features twelve great 1927-1930 recordings by a legendary Mississippi string band, "The Leake County Revelers". The Revelers' sound was somewhat more subdued that of many of their contemporaries, but is very enjoyable nonetheless. Their legacy seems to have lasted beyond the heyday of such bands; their recording of "Wednesday Night Waltz" remained in print throughout the 78rpm era, Ned Landry re-popularized the "Saturday Night Breakdown" in the fifties, and a later edition of the band appeared in a 1976 movie adaptation of the song "Ode To Billie Joe".
Unfortunately the jacket of this LP (scans of which along with the labels are included in the download folder) contains no notes, but an excellent biographical account of the group's members is on the Mississippi Country Music Trail's website and can be read here.
Tracks:
1. Saturday Night Breakdown
2. Lonesome Blues
3. The Old Hat
4. Georgia Camp Meeting
5. Sweet Rose Of Heaven
6. Monkey In The Dog Cart
7. Dry Town Blues
8. Leather Breeches
9. Wednesday Night Waltz
10. Good Fellow
11. I'm Gwine Back To Dixie
12. Mississippi Breakdown
*download here*
HAWKSHAW HAWKINS Original King LPs
Tuesday, December 4, 2012
For a long time now followers of the Scratchy Attic have been requesting that I post some King albums by "The Hawk of the West Virginia Hills", Hawkshaw Hawkins. Hawkshaw was born on the 22nd of December, 1921 in Huntington, WV and famously perished in the same plane crash that claimed the lives of Cowboy Copas and Patsy Cline on the 5th of March, 1963.
Hawkins recorded for different labels throughout his career, but his finest recordings were made during his first stint at King from 1946 to 1953. It is those recordings which are featured on these two LP compilations first released in 1958 (the covers shown here are the second editions from 1963). Hawk went from King to RCA Victor in 1953, then to Columbia in 1959. In my opinion, his output for the latter two labels never really matched the quality of his earlier material. He returned to King in 1962 and achieved the only number one chart hit of his career, "Lonesome 7-7203"; ironically it only hit number one a short time after his death.
Click here to see an informative tribute page to Hawkshaw Hawkins.
Hawkshaw Hawkins
"Volume 1" King 587
Tracks:
1. Slow Poke
2. Sunny Side Of The Mountain
3. I'm Kissing Your Picture Counting Tears
4. If I Ever Get Rich Mom
5. Rattlesnakin' Daddy
6. I Am Slowly Dying Of A Broken Heart
7. I Suppose
8. I Can't Tell My Broken Heart A Lie
9. Picking Sweethearts
10. Barbara Allen
11. I Love The Way You Say Goodnight
12. Got You On My Mind
13. Would You Like To Have A Broken Heart
14. Teardrops From My Eyes
15. Somebody Lied
16. I Hope You're Cryin' Too
*download here*
Hawkshaw Hawkins
"Sings Grand Ole Opry Favorites Volume 2" King 592
Tracks:
1. The Life Story Of Hank Williams
2. Blue Skies In Your Eyes
3. Two Roads
4. I'm Waiting Just For You
5. Unwanted
6. Tangled Heart
7. Pardon Me For Loving You
8. You Don't Belong To Me
9. A Heartache To Recall
10. Life Lost Its Color
11. I Hate Myself
12. Loaded With Love
13. All Because Of My Jealous Heart
14. I Wasted A Nickel
15. Handcuffed To Love
16. That's All She Wrote
*download here*
GRAHAM TOWNSEND House Party
Friday, October 26, 2012
Almost a year ago I posted all of Graham Townsend's 1960s LPs on Rodeo Records' Banff label and those transfers proved themselves exceptionally popular. Although Graham recorded for many labels over the course of his astounding career, he remained associated with Rodeo Records his entire life. In fact, both his very first (Fiddling To Fortune, 1958) and last (Still Going Strong, 1997) studio albums were released by the company.
One of my personal favourites of all of Townsend's albums is this 1987 collection of tunes, "Graham Townsend's House Party" (Rodeo RLP 8015). Although the liner notes claim "In this recording you are blessed with an actual taping of a real live ‘house party’ (no studio, no canned sound effects)", the back cover also states that the recording was made at "NRS Productions, Rd #2, Waterbury, Vt.", so I believe this session was done in a studio, albeit a relaxed and informal one. Accompanying Graham are many of the same crew from he and Eleanor's 1981 "Live at Barre, Vermont" album; both seem to have been produced during the Townsend's appearances on behalf of Vermont's Northeast Fiddler's Association. However the recording came to be, it's a blessing that it did, as here are preserved sixteen great tunes played exquisitely by Graham with as good a backup band as he ever had, in excellent sound quality to boot! To me, this album epitomizes what good fiddle music is all about, where technical mastery meets incredible feel and melodic inventiveness. Enjoy!
Graham guests on a 1993 episode of "Jubilee Years" here. Graham's first appearance on Don Messer's Jubilee is shown and he discusses the Messer show and his career.
Tracks:
1. Snowflake Breakdown
2. Lamplighter's Hornpipe
3. Parkdale Jig
4. Georgiana Moon
5. Lonesome Indian
6. Portland Fancy
7. Diamond Lil
8. Black & White Rag
9. Away Back
10. Billy In The Low Ground
11. Skipper's Fancy
12. Lisa Lynn
13. Argonaut Two-Step
14. St. Lawrence Jig
15. Kitchen Reel
16. Blackberry Blossom
*download here*
16 Great CANADIAN COUNTRY SONGS x2!
Sunday, September 9, 2012
I'm pleased to report that of all my posts here at the Attic, some of the best response has been garnered by my own transfers of vintage Canadian Country. This pleases me because so little of this material has circulated otherwise, especially in the digital era. I feel that by transferring and encoding clean versions of these rare recordings I am hopefully perpetrating them for posterity. It is in the aforementioned spirit that I present two great collections of such material from the great Rodeo/Banff catalogue.
Two different albums titled "16 Great Country Songs by 16 Great Canadian Country Artists" were released on the Banff label in 1963 (RBS 1125) and 1964 (RBS 1190). Banff had an ongoing "16 Great" series with titles representing the various genres in which the label specialized such as fiddle, folk songs, country, etc. The collections were presumably meant to promote the label's artists to buyers who would perhaps pick up on a new favourite and purchase more of their recordings. Today the collections make great samplers by which collectors can familiarize themselves with artists whose original LPs and singles are scarce and out of circulation.
The present transfers are sourced from a pair of rare cassettes issued in the early 1980's on a series of tapes called "Canadian Cavalcade". Rodeo used the "Canadian Cavalcade" label on and off from the late 60's right through to the company's eventual demise. The tapes provide great fidelity on these rare, classic tracks.
Below are some brief notes on the artists/tracks:
RBS 1125
Luke Simmons & The Blue Mountain Boys, "Wabash Cannonball" - A performance of one of the most ubiquitous Country songs by Vancouver born Luke Simmons, who for a time had a significant career in New Zealand. The track was first featured on the late 50's Rodeo LP "Canadians Make Good Abroad" (RLP 53).
Donn Reynolds, "No One Will Ever Know" - This song, first popularized by Roy Acuff in the 40's, was a 1962 chart hit in Canada for champion yodeller Donn Reynolds. It was released as a single and also included on the Winnipegger's Banff LP "The Wild One".
Bob King, "The Little Shirt My Mother Made For Me" - An old novelty song popularized by Wilf Carter is rendered here by the Ottawa Valley legend, Bob King. The track is taken from his album "Just Me & My Old Guitar, Bob King Sings Songs That Tell A Story" (Banff RBS 1103). The album can be downloaded here.
Joyce Smith, "Jambalaya" - Joyce Smith was born in Lethbridge, Alberta. She toured with the Rodgers Brothers band for many years, and in the early 60's was the first to record "Leavin' On Your Mind", a song associated with the late Patsy Cline.
Stu Phillips, "Streets Of Laredo" - Calgary's Stu Phillips was a broadcasting and recording personality in Western Canada before becoming a member of the Grand Ole Opry in 1967. He performs in a gentle folk style reminiscent of the late Jim Reeves as is evidenced by his rendition of this western classic.
Angus Walker, "If Teardrops Were Pennies" - Angus Walker was a Nova Scotia artist who was an early Canadian practitioner of the emerging Bluegrass style. Here he turns in a performance of a tune made famous by Carl Smith.
Ron McMunn, "Wedding Bells" - The late Ron McMunn was a legendary exponent of Old-Time Country Music in the Ottawa Valley, performing over CJET, Smith's Falls and making many recordings for Rodeo in his prime.
Gerry Myers, "The French Song" - First recorded in 1945 by Annette and Carmen Richer as "Bonjour mon soleil", the tune was adapted by Moncton, New Brunswick broadcasting legends Gerry Myers and The Bunkhouse Boys whose late 50's recording was a regional favourite. In 1964 Lucille Starr had an international pop hit based on Myers' version.
Joe Kozak, "Tennessee Central No. 9" - Edmonton's Joe Kozak with a track from the LP "Canada Salutes Nashville, Tennessee" on which he was accompanied by the Rodgers Brothers Band (Banff RBS 1102).
Marg Osburne, "Sweet Betsy From Pike" - Don Messer's legendary vocalist Marg Osburne with a track taken from the 1959 LP "Marg Osburne Celebrates Rodeo's 100th Anniversary Album with a Century of Folk Songs" (Rodeo RLP 100). The LP was reissued in the later sixties as "The Golden Era of Marg Osburne" (Banff SBS 5329).
Russ Wheeler, "Tragic Romance" - This 1945 hit for Cowboy Copas was the title track from Wheeler's 1964 debut album on Banff. For a fantastic bio of Russ Wheeler, click here.
Gerry Hatton, "Mansion On The Hill" - A track from Hatton's (his first name is usually spelled "Jerry") first LP "The Texas Beat with Jerry Hatton" (Banff RBS 1122). Check out Jerry & Debbie Hatton's website here.
Hank Smith, "Hey, Good Lookin'" - German born Hank Smith (1934-2002) moved to Canada in 1957 to pursue a career as a Country singer. Here he sings a Hank Williams favourite.
Terry Parker, "He Taught Me To Yodel" - "Miss" Terry Parker began recording for Rodeo/Banff in 1961 and this track was on her debut album as well as being issued as her first single. Miss Parker was apparently a fixture on the nightclub circuit in Ontario and Quebec, and is featured on a rare soundtrack recording from an early 60's episode of CJSS-TV Cornwall's "OK Jamboree" previously posted here.
Billy Whelan, "Bouquet Of Roses" - Nova Scotian Bill Whelan was a veteran of Maritime radio, having performed on stations such as CJCH Halifax, CKBW Bridgewater, and CKCW Moncton, some of his broadcasts being picked up for national transmission via the CBC network. He can be viewed singing "From A Jack To A King" on a 1963 episode of "Don Messer's Jubilee" here at 5:03.
Hank LaRiviere, "Maple Sugar Sweetheart" - The original and definitive recording of LaRiviere's vocal adaptation of Ward Allen's 1956 hit fiddle solo "Maple Sugar". Ward plays fiddle on the present recording. Henri "Hank" LaRiviere performed later in his career as Hank Rivers. A bit of his amazing story can be read here.
RBS 1199
Ron McMunn, "Salty Dog" - Ottawa Valley legend Ron McMunn performs this Bluegrass standard.
Carl Ellis, "I Wonder Where You Are Tonight" - A fine rendition of a Country classic from the pen of Johnny Bond. Carl Ellis had an LP on the Banff label titled "The Country Sound of Carl Ellis". I have been unable to uncover any additional information about Ellis, so if anyone has anything to add, please comment.
George Beck, "Foolish Questions" - Maritime country legend George Beck performs a Country novelty tune. Beck and his Maritime Playboys had a popular TV Show on CHAU-TV in Chaleur Bay, Quebec when he recorded this tune for his Rodeo LP "George Beck's Jamboree" in the late 50's. He also made a classic album around the same time with a young Fred McKenna. McKenna later recorded this tune himself for Arc.
The Boutilier Bros, "My Walkin' Shoes Don't Fit Me Anymore" - A pioneering Canadian Bluegrass act, Nova Scotia's Boutilier Brothers made several albums for Banff in the early 60's. Here they perform a Jimmy Martin classic.
Hank Smith, "Tired Of Livin'" - A track from the LP "Hank Smith And The Fabulous Rodgers Brothers" (Banff RBS 1161).
Hank LaRiviere, "I'm A Convict With Old Glory In My Heart" - This track is from Hank's 1964 LP "A Salute to Gallant Men" (Banff RBS 1143).
Linda Longard, "Sweet Lies" - A Marty Robbins classic performed by Linda Longard. I assume Linda was either the wife or sister of George Longard (see below).
George Longard, "My Everlasting Love" - A veteran of the Halifax country scene, Longard is still performing. His website can be viewed here.
Jerry Hatton, "The Wild Side Of Life" - From Jerry's second album, "Sittin' and Thinkin'" (Banff RBS 1187).
Shirley Field, "Shattered" - This 1963 recording was the lead track on Field's 1963 LP "Two Sides of Shirley Field" (Banff RBS 1186) and was released as a single as well (Rodeo 3177). Shirley Field is an accomplished yodeller and is still an active performer today. Her website is here.
Carl Lofstrom, "Tell Me Why My Daddy Don't Come Home" - Carl (sometimes spelled "Karl") Lofstrom of Fredericton, New Brunswick had a style reminiscent of both of Canada's first true country stars, Hank Snow and Wilf Carter. A short bio of Lofstrom, "The Yodelling Night Herder", can be read here.
Billy Whelan, "Rockin' Alone In An Old Rockin' Chair" - Whelan performs a classic "mother" song that was composed by Bob Miller in the early 30's.
Mac Beattie, "The Log Drivers' Song" - "The Log Driver's Song" was Mac Beattie and the Ottawa Valley Melodiers' first recording in the 1950's and it launched the group on an extraordinary recording career on the London, Rodeo, and Banff labels. Most of the groups original LPs have been featured at the Attic (click here) and the great Steve Fruitman of CIUT has a great Mac Beattie tribute page here.
Bob and Marie King, "The French Song" - Yet another version of this enduring standard, performed by Bob King and his wife, Marie. Marie's French singing on her English speaking husband's shows attracted so much attention that he made her the centre of their act. Rodeo started the Caprise label to release her and other francophone artist's recorings.
Brent & Harry, "Foolin' Round" - Nova Scotian neighbours Brent Williams and Harry Cromwell were pioneers in many ways. The were among the first Canadians of African descent to perform country music commercially, and also some of the first to perform Bluegrass. Here they're on the country side, singing a Buck Owens classic. Brent Williams is still a very active performer, check out his website here.
Angus Walker, "Poor Little Bullfrog" - Another Bluegrass number by Angus Walker, composed and first recorded by Jimmy Martin.
16 Great Country Songs by 16 Great Canadian Country Artists
(Banff RBS 1125)
Tracks:
1. Luke Simmons & The Blue Mountain Boys-Wabash Cannonball
2. Donn Reynolds-No One Will Ever Know
3. Bob King-The Little Shirt My Mother Made For Me
4. Joyce Smith-Jambalaya
5. Stu Phillips-Streets Of Laredo
6. Angus Walker-If Teardrops Were Pennies
7. Ron McMunn-Wedding Bells
8. Gerry Myers-The French Song
9. Joe Kozak-Tennessee Central No. 9
10. Marg Osburne-Sweet Betsy From Pike
11. Russ Wheeler-Tragic Romance
12. Gerry Hatton-Mansion On The Hill
13. Hank Smith-Hey, Good Lookin'
14. Terry Parker-He Taught Me To Yodel
15. Billy Whelan-Bouquet Of Roses
16. Hank LaRiviere-Maple Sugar Sweetheart
16 Great Country Songs by 16 Great Canadian Country Artists
(Banff RBS 1199)
Tracks:
1. Ron McMunn-Salty Dog
2. Carl Ellis-I Wonder Where You Are Tonight
3. George Beck-Foolish Questions
4. The Boutilier Bros-My Walkin' Shoes Don't Fit Me Anymore
5. Hank Smith-Tired Of Livin'
6. Hank LaRiviere-I'm A Convict With Old Glory In My Heart
7. Linda Longard-Sweet Lies
8. George Longard-My Everlasting Love
9. Jerry Hatton-The Wild Side Of Life
10. Shirley Field-Shattered
11. Carl Lofstrom-Tell Me Why My Daddy Don't Come Home
12. Billy Whelan-Rockin' Alone In An Old Rockin' Chair
13. Mac Beattie-The Log Drivers' Song
14. Bob and Marie King-The French Song
15. Brent & Harry-Foolin' Round
16. Angus Walker-Poor Little Bullfrog
HOMER & JETHRO at the Country Club
Sunday, August 19, 2012
This wonderful album by my perennial favourites, Homer & Jethro, was recorded in November 1959 at the Hillwood Country Club in Nashville on the occasion of the 8th Annual Disc Jockey Convention. Released in January of the next year, it was the duo's first live album. It was also the first to include banter, which was as big a part of their act as music, zany or legit.
This recording is a truly fascinating document of a Nashville long gone, when musicians, producers, deejays, and "industry types" from all over North America (and I suspect the world) pow-wowed in Music City for one wild weekend a year. The backup band is a group of "ringers" headed by legendary saxophonist Boots Randolph. Grandpa Jones, Jim Reeves and Jerry Byrd are in the audience. Oh, to be a fly on the wall!
Includes scans of the excellent jacket, and labels. Each side is a presented as a complete mp3 file.
Tracks:
Side 1 - Introduction, Don't Let the Stars Get in Your Eyeballs, Let Me Go, Blubber, Fascination, Sixteen Tons, Lullaby of Bird Dog, C-Jam Blues, The Billboard Song
Side 2 - Yaller Rose of Texas, You-All, San Antonio Rose, Battle of Kookamonga, (How Much Is) That Hound Dog in the Window, Skater's Waltz, Hart Brake Motel
ROY ACUFF Great Speckled Bird
Thursday, July 26, 2012
During my youth, the late, great Roy Acuff reigned as the "King of Country Music" and really was the music's figurehead. Acuff was the first national star to emerge from the Grand Ole Opry in the late 1930s, and though his recording career generally trailed off in the postwar years, he became for the remainder of his life a visual symbol of Country Music's heritage. Indeed, he was probably the most authentically "mountain" styled performer to have an international reputation in commercial Country Music. In his later years he was practically the dean of the Grand Ole Opry, and was featured prominently on Opry programs and many specials airing on mainstream network television. He kept his band of "Smoky Mountain Boys", featuring his legendary sidekick "Bashful Brother Oswald" together and performed on the Opry nearly until his death in 1992.
It is hard for me to believe that November 23 of this year will mark the 20th anniversary of Mr. Acuff's passing. It is also hard for me to believe the degree to which his legacy has faded in those years. His vacancy from the Opry stage and mainstream media allowed other performers to become similar figureheads, such as Bill Monroe and Johnny Cash, both gone now as well. It could be said that Little Jimmy Dickens, still performing on the Opry at over 90 years of age, is the current equivalent to this trend in a genre that despite it's commercial excesses, seems to still manage to at least sometimes honour it's veterans.
Presented here are two albums of Acuff's original Columbia recordings, released on the label's Harmony line in 1958 and 1961, respectively. The first features many of his best selling titles, while second focuses on sacred material, a large and important part of his repertoire. As I transferred these old LPs, I found I can truly say I still enjoy Roy's music as much now as I did during my boyhood when Acuff represented a dignified and enduring genre of music.
Roy Acuff and His Smoky Mountain Boys
"Great Speckle Bird"
Tracks:
1. Great Speckle Bird
2. Wreck On The Highway
3. Fire Ball Mail
4. The Precious Jewel
5. Pins And Needles
6. Tennessee Waltz
7. Wabash Cannon Ball
8. Freight Train Blues
9. Wait For The Light To Shine
10. Low And Lonely
Roy Acuff and His Smoky Mountain Boys
"That Glory Bound Train"
Tracks:
1. Great Speckle Bird No. 2
2. That Glory Bound Train
3. This World Can't Stand Long
4. I Saw The Light
5. Tell Mother I'll Be There
6. The Pale Horse And His Rider
7. Were You There When They Crucified My Lord
8. I'll Reap My Harvest In Heaven
9. Thank God
10. The Great Shining Light
R.I.P. DOC WATSON 1923-2012
Thursday, May 31, 2012
As I'm sure almost any followers of this blog are aware, the great Doc Watson passed away Tuesday. I won't go into details of his phenomenal life, those who are curious can read the New York Times obituary here.
In memory of Doc, I present the first four albums he recorded for the Vanguard label, 1964-1966. These are not my transfers, and these folders don't contain any back jacket or label scans, but I believe this incredible material speaks for itself.
Long live the music of Doc Watson!
Doc Watson
Self Titled, 1964
Tracks:
1. Nashville Blues
2. Sitting On Top Of The World
3. Intoxicated Rat
4. Country Blues
5. Talk About Suffering
6. Born About Six Thousand Years Ago
7. Black Mountain Rag
8. Little Omie Wise
9. Georgie Buck
10. Doc's Guitar
11. Deep River Blues
12. St. James' Hospital
13. Tom Dooley
*download here*
Doc Watson
Doc Watson & Son, 1965
Tracks:
1. Muskrat
2. Weary Blues
3. Fiddler's Dram, Whistling Rufus, Ragtime Annie
4. Dream Of The Miner's Child
5. Rising Sun Blues
6. Mama Blues
7. We Shall All Be Reunited
8. Little Stream Of Whiskey
9. Little Sadie
10. Beaumont Rag
11. Otto Wood The Bandit
12. Faithful Soldier
13. Memphis Blues
14. Gonna Lay Down My Old Guitar
*download here*
Doc Watson
Southbound, 1966
Tracks:
1. Walk On Boy
2. Blue Railroad Train
3. Sweet Georgia Brown
4. Alberta
5. Southbound
6. Windy And Warm
7. Call Of The Road
8. Tennessee Stud
9. That Was The Last Thing On My Mind
10. Little Darling Pal Of Mine
11. Nothing To It
12. Riddle Song
13. Never No More Blues
14. Nashville Pickin'
*download here*
Doc Watson
Home Again!, 1966
Tracks:
1. Down In The Valley To Pray
2. Georgie
3. The Old Man Below
4. Katie Morey
5. F.F.V.
6. Winter's Night
7. Dill Pickle Rag
8. Sing Song Kitty
9. Froggie Went A-Courtin'
10. Pretty Saro
11. Childhood Play
12. Rain Crow Bill
13. Matty Groves
14. Victory Rag
*download here*
