Early String Bands, Vol. 2: Nashville / County CD-3522

Description

County CD 3522 / 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. Going Across the Sea – Crook Brothers String Band
2. Over the Road I’m Bound to Go – Uncle Dave Macon
3. Hale’s Rag – Theron Hale & Daughters
4. Ice Water Blues – DeFord Bailey
5. Old Master’s Runaway – McGee Brothers & Todd
6. Karo – Uncle Jimmy Thompson
7. Bill Cheatham – Blind Joe Mangrum & Fred Shriver
8. Brown’s Ferry Blues – Sam & Kirk McGee
9. Uncle Jimmy’s Favorite Fiddling Pieces: Flying Clouds/Leather Breeches – Uncle Jimmy Thompson
10. Jolly Blacksmith – Theron Hale & Daughters
11. Jobbin Gettin’ There – Crook Brothers String Band
12. Alcoholic Blues – DeFord Bailey
13. Bacon and Cabbage – Blind Joe Mangrum & Fred Shriver
14. Billy Wilson – Uncle Jimmy Thompson
15. Muscle Shoal Blues – DeFord Bailey
16. Love Somebody – Crook Brothers String Band
17. Fire on the Mountain – Theron Hale & Band
18. Bake That Chicken Pie – Uncle Dave Macon & his Fruit Jar Guzzlers
19. John Henry – DeFord Bailey