Nashville: The Early String Bands, Vol. 1 / County CD-3521

Description

County CD 3521 / Here, in two separate volumes are 38 great recordings from the late 1920s and early 1930s played by string bands from central Tennessee. Almost all of these bands played on the Grand Ole Opry in its earliest days, and their histories and significance are detailed in two superb sets of notes by the noted country historian Charles Wolfe. There’s a lot of variety here, from the solo fiddle of Uncle Bunt Stephens and Uncle Jimmie Thompson, to DeFord Bailey’s harmonica solos; rousing solos & ensembles featuring the inimitable Uncle Dave Macon; to the full string band dance tunes by Dr Bate and Paul Warmack’s Gully Jumpers. Reissues of two similar LPs long out of print, these have been reworked by County Records, with additional tracks added, superb new remastering by Rich Nevins and additional photos & data. Great music here, beautifully presented.

“Like the Wild West frontier, the early Opry was a brief, glorious, and exciting era that made an indelible impact on American life. These recordings preserve the sound and the spirit that gave the Opry its first and finest impetus, and that gave generations of Americans an institution they could truly call their own.” – Charles K. Wolfe

1. Green Backed Dollar Bill – Dr. Humphrey Bate and his Possum Hunters
2. Railroadin’ and Gamblin’ – Uncle Dave Macon
3. Robertson County – Paul Warmack & his Gully Jumpers
4. I’ll Rise When the Rooster Crows – Binkley Brothers’ Dixie Clodhoppers
5. Sugar Tree Stomp – Arthur Smith Trio
6. Salt Lake City Blues – Sam & Kirk McGee
7. Candy Girl – Uncle Bunt Stevens
8. Eighth of January – Dr. Humphrey Bate and his Possum Hunters
9. I’m Goin’ Away in the Morn – Uncle Dave Macon & his Fruit Jar Drinkers
10. Fiddler’s Dream – Arthur Smith Trio
11. Chevrolet Car – Sam McGee
12. Give Me Back My Fifteen Cents – Binkley Brothers’ Dixie Clodhoppers
13. Throw the Old Cow over the Fence – Dr. Humphrey Bate and his Possum Hunters
14. Charming Bill – Sam & Kirk McGee with Uncle Dave Macon
15. Old Joe – Grady Moore & Sid Harkreader
16. Stone Rag – Paul Warmack & his Gully Jumpers
17. Stood on the Bridge at Midnight – Arthur Smith Trio
18. My Wife Died Saturday Night – Dr. Humphrey Bate and his Possum Hunters
19.  Oh Baby, You Done Me Wrong – Uncle Dave Macon & Sam McGee