Quality, well-researched, authentic educational package
J. Ross | Roseburg, OR USA | 01/20/2004
(4 out of 5 stars)
"REVIEW FOR BOOK AND CD -- While it's admittedly difficult to capture the heart and soul of bluegrass music in a book and/or one-hour musical program, tapping the very core of the traditional repertoire allows one to present a large variety of material and explain the genre's development and influences. Wayne Erbsen's "Rural Roots of Bluegrass" includes songs from English balladry, turn-of-the century parlors, Tin Pan Alley, Scots-Irish fiddle tradition, minstrelsy, African-American tradition, early bluegrass pioneer recordings, and gospel.
It's certainly a formidable task and a lot of ground to cover, and Erbsen rises to the challenge. The 180-page book includes 94 songs and some basic history about the music and its early purveyors. The information is ideal for presentation at school assemblies, and I wish that something akin to lesson plans or behavioral objectives would've been somehow incorporated for direct application by educators around the country. Wayne Erbsen started his Native Ground Music in 1973 to teach and preserve Southern Appalachian music. He's dug into the roots of the music by learning first hand from masters like Homer Callahan, Wade Mainer, Zeke and Wiley Morris, Jim Shumate, Bobby Hicks, Bill Bolick and Walter Davis. Determined to ensure that this music was preserved and passed on to future generations, he began presenting traditional music programs and teaching banjo. His first book, "A Manual on How to Play the 5-String Banjo for the Compete Ignoramus!" sold well, and many other books and recordings from Native Ground Music have since followed that cover an even broader range of American folklore from cowboys to log cabin cooking, outlaws to railroads. A multi-instrumentalist, Erbsen's instruction books for banjo, fiddle, mandolin, guitar and dulcimer have also been well received.With its 16 songs, the accompanying 54-minute CD gives us a good, compact and condensed introduction to the rural roots of bluegrass. While some contemporary albums knock you right upside the head with their musical impact, others like "Rural Roots of Bluegrass" are simply vivid, genuine portrayals of solidly-founded traditional American music. Wayne Erbsen and his accompanists clearly love the simplicity of mountain music. Don't look for a lot of glossy licks on this project, but enjoy the raw-boned essence of pure music as the musicians sing and play their ballads, songs and instrumentals. Embrace the rustic feeling of a more rural and bucolic day. Preserve a rich musical tradition that's been inspired by the number of families that play music and have for generations, especially from the Asheville, N.C. area where the talented musicologist resides. Songs like Katie Dear, Blue Ridge Mountain Blues, Dig a Hole in the Meadow, Dream of a Miner's Child, Rabbit in the Log, Don't This Road Look Rough and Rocky, Handsome Molly, Old Mother Flanagan, and Bury Me Beneath the Willow are at the very core and spirit of bluegrass.Vocalist Laura Boosinger receives equal acknowledgment as collaborator on the recording. While Erbsen and Boosinger don't actually perform together, the friends have worked together on a number of previous recordings. Laura Boosinger has entertained and taught at concerts, workshops and schools for the past twenty years. She's played with local fiddlers in string bands and square dance groups. As an indication of her avid interest and devotion to traditional music, Laura earned a degree in traditional music and old-time banjo from Warren Wilson College in Swannanoa, N.C. For thirteen years, Laura performed a brand of "mountain swing" with the Luke Smathers String Band. She also currently plays occasionally with David Holt and the Lightning Bolts. Her solo album entitled "Down the Road" (LL-1001) is distributed by Copper Creek Records, and she also recently put out "Mountain Treasures" (Copper Creek CD-0217) with legendary guitarist/singer George Shuffler.Wayne Erbsen's "Rural Roots of Bluegrass" digs a hole deep in the bluegrass meadow to touch upon the songs, stories and history of the music in an informal and relaxed manner.
The project is reinforced by the CD with many favorite traditional songs, and features Erbsen's instruments and vocals, Laura Boosinger's mountain warbling, Jack Dillen's rhythm guitar, and Bob Willoughby's bass. The book and CD present a quality, well-researched, authentic educational package that celebrates bluegrass and its associated folklore. (Joe Ross, staff writer, Bluegrass Now)"
Track Listings (16) - Disc #1