An essential collection
Tony Thomas | SUNNY ISLES BEACH, FL USA | 02/06/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Smith plays fiddle, banjo, guitar, and piano. He sings. His foot stomping and dancing while he plays is like another instrument. How did I survive as a fan of blues and old time music without this CD before it came out. What we get is an entire span of music that must have been played when he was young and the music he played was the music everyone wanted to hear. His banjo playing is in a class of its own which may at first be frightening to other banjoists who can't equal the speed, the power, and the musicality he provides. I love his guitar playing which is swingier than most old time guitar playing. His slide blues are wonderful. Even his piano music makes me want to dance. His voice is pretty good too. You get a real sense of this man, his strength, his longing, and the mighty joy that music brings
Having all of this on one CD creates an environment, a backgroup that transmits the traditional rhythm and techniques to the present. The blues and the banjo songs, the fiddle tunes and the sacred songs, all blend together.
"
Out of the Past
David Ralstin | Portland, Oregon | 08/28/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I am astounded to find Hobart's music on amazon. He was my great uncle and I was privilaged to hear him play and sing for me in 1957 when I traveled by train from Portland Oregon to visit my grandmother, Texas Gladden. She was also a large part of appalachian music history. I wasn't fully aware of their contribution until I was much older."