Search - Various Artists :: Bona Fide Bluegrass & Mountain Music

Great Bluegrass/Mountain Music Sampler

07/23/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If you're the least bit curious about those genres of music known as Bluegrass and Mountain Music this is as good a CD as any to satisfy that curiosity. The music represented runs from 1928 to 1956 and the sound quality is excellent, even for the first three tracks which were recorded in 1928.



You also get an insert containing comprehensive liner notes wriiten by Rick Kienzle, together with vintage photos of the acknowledged father of Bluegrass, Bill Monroe, the Carter Family, Prairie Ramblers, Jimmy Martin, and "The Father Of Country Music" Jimmie Rodgers. There is also a discography of the contents showing the recording dates and, where applicable, the original single release label and number.



The only item not provided is any national chart details, one reason likely being the fact that such music seldom, if ever, made such charts. However, for what it's worth, In The Jail House Now by Jimmie Rodgers did reach # 14 in July 1928 on what then passed for the national Pop charts on Victor 21245, one of eight he put onto those charts from 1927 to 1932 (the Billboard Country charts - then known as the Most Played Juke Box Folk Records - did not appear until 1944).



The Carter Family - Alvin Pleasant Carter, his wife Sarah and her cousin Maybelle (mother of June Carter Cash) - also had eight make those early Pop charts from 1928 to 1935, including Keep On The Sunny Side (track 3) which went as high as # 9 on Victor 21434 in November 1928 (the song actually dates back to 1905/06 when Billy Murray and Byron G. Harlan had hits with it).



None of the others made any charts, although several were later covered by others and which did: Big Rock Candy Mountain by Bill Phillips in 1971; Little Maggie by Darden Smith in 1988; Roll In My Sweet Baby's Arms by Hank Wilson in 1973; Mule Skinner Blues by The Fendermen in 1960 and by Dolly Parton in 1970; Six White Horses by Tommy Cash in 1970; Salty Dog Blues by Red Foley as Salty Dog Rag in 1952. And, of course, In The Jail House Now which Webb Pierce took to # 1 C&W in 1955, Johnny Cash to # 8 C&W in 1962, Sonny James to # 15 Country in 1977, and Willie Nelson & Webb Pierce to # 72 in 1982.



But chart performances aside, this music was never much about that aspect of the business. Rather, right from it's beginnings it formed a fiercely loyal following that continues to this day, led by the likes of Ricky Skaggs, whose own mandolin playing rivals that of the late great Bill Monroe. If you already love the music, get a copy. If you're in the curious stage, start here."