Roane County Ramblers: Complete Recordings 1928-1929 / County CD-3530

Description

County CD-3530 / County Records came out with an LP of this group from Tennessee over 30 years ago, while 3 of the 4 group members were still living. While “new and improved” are often words to be wary of these days, we can honestly say that this CD re-issue was worth waiting for. Led by the amazing fiddler Jimmy McCarroll, the group recorded only 12 tunes that were released on six 78 RPM records between 1928 & 1930, so the disc may seem a bit short. But the tunes are stunning, and the re-mastering by Chris King is a marked improvement over the vinyl release. Add to that an attractive cover by David Lynch, some neat photos, and a fine set of notes by Bobby Fulcher, and the listener will get a real appreciation of a superb fiddler (whose HOMETOWN BLUES was the earliest recorded version of what has since become known as LEE HIGHWAY BLUES). CALLAHAN RAG, ALABAMA TROT, JOHNSON CITY RAG, GREEN RIVER MARCH and EVERYBODY TWO-STEP are some of the wonderful pieces to be heard here. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!