Search - Various Artists :: Old-Time Music on the Air, V. 1

A Greater Starter Compilation

Elizabeth Olds | Minneapolis, MN United States | 10/19/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If you are new to Old Time Music and want a good start this is a great CD. It contains music by some of the best bands playing in the current rennaisance of Old Time Music. If you are a long-time fan it is also a good choice to add to your collection. The musicianship is excellent, but the bands do not stray from a traditional sound. It was compiled by a group of radio programmers who specialize in the genre and they have picked the best of both toe-tapping instrumentals and singable traditional songs. Its companion, Old Time Music on the Air V. II is also an excellent buy. You can't miss with either one!"

Excellent! Refreshing!

"Gimpy" Peach Johnson | 09/24/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I happened on this by chance at a local used CD store and picked it up. I'm glad I did! The disc is an excellent sampling of traditional "old-time" music and the track list features a "who's who" of today's "old-time" musicians: fiddler extraordinaire Bruce Molsky, the multi-talented Mike Seeger, banjoist Clarke Buehling, cousins Joe and Odell Thompson, ballad singer Hazel Dickens, and so many others. These are all relatively recent recordings in crisp, clear stereo sound--not old 78s. It should also be noted that despite the title, with only one exception these are studio recordings--not live radio braodcasts. Apparently, the title for the CD was chosen to appeal to broadcasters in hopes that they would air some of the tracks on their radio stations. Every track on the CD is a gem. I can put this CD on and listen to it from start to finish every time (although occasionally I find myself skipping past the a capella Hazel Dickens track--I have to be in the right mood for that one). Performances run the gamut from solo balladry to string band to solo instrumental to group vocal harmony. The CD comes with a great 20-page booklet with plenty of notes (but no photographs). The CD runs a generous 71 minutes, but it flies by. I keep a copy in my car and listen to it often. The folks at Rounder have put together an all-around winning set. I'm glad to hear that there's a Volume 2. I'll be ordering that shortly!"