Search - Charlie Poole :: Old-Time Songs

Greatness and Great Fun lets not forget old Charlie

Tony Thomas | SUNNY ISLES BEACH, FL USA | 02/09/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Charlie Poole's North Carolina Ramblers were one of the greatest old time music bands ever. They were unique and because they tend to go against some of the current stereotypes about old time music spawned by people more interested in cashing in on the contra dance industry than on enjoying the traditions. With his guitar player Roy Harvey, and his fiddler Rorrer, Poole was the master of a tight knit sound that involved a high degree of musicianship. Some have called it the old time music equivalent of the string quartet. Some of the reproductions even those by the New Lost City Ramblers back in the 60s sound stiff compared with the real deal. Poole played a very precise banjo roll style of finger picking that kept the rhythm, beneath him Mr. Harvey played guitar runs and finger rolls not that different from what Charlie played, while Rorrer played the melody rocking back and forth above them all. The approach was not like some of the string bands and their modern misinterpreters. It was pecise and tight and well practiced. It was hard to do right, but the NC Ramblers did it right. Listen to Leaving Home. On this tune they all swing.
We have a very open and strong infusion of Rag Time and traces of Jazz here.
And they had fun. Listen to the words of Don't Let Your Deal Go Down, that Poole made into a standard, or Take A Drink on Me (recorded during Prohibition). There has been an attempt to cast Charlie as an old time hayseed who drank himself to death, but the facts are that Poole died after a celebration of an offer from Hollywood for him and the Ramblers go to California and appear in the new sound films. What a loss it is that such films were never made."

'SOME OF HIS GREATEST SONGS EVER!'

BALDWINBUNCH@WEBTV.NET | BURLINGTON,NORTH CAROLINA | 04/25/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"CHARLIE POOLE WAS MY GREAT UNCLE,OVER THE YEARS I HAVE HEARD MANY GOOD THINGS ABOUT THE MAN.HIS MUSIC LIVES UP TO THE GREAT LEGEND.THIS ALBUM HAS SOME GOOD OLE-TUNES THAT WILL TAKE YOU BACK IN TIME,HOPE YOU ENJOY IT AS MUCH I DO.LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK! BALDWINBUNCH@WEBTV.NET"

The right stuff

Jonathan Brown | Fair Oaks,, CA USA | 11/19/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Charlie Poole was a wonderful performer - who innovated at the beginnings of string band music. It is a pleasure to listen to this collection. A great list of songs and nicely remastered. If you like groups like the New Lost City Ramblers - you will love this album."