County

County CD-2735 / Back in the late 1960s, Charlie Faurot and Rich Nevins recorded 3 albums worth of great old-time music by these North Carolina artists. The 3 original LPs have been condensed into two CDs, both them chock full of delightful songs and tunes featuring three superb musicians who had continued to play the music of their fathers and grandfathers right up to present times. Tommy Jarrell--the son of the legendary Ben Jarrell--was one of the giants of old-time music, as was Fred Cockerham of Low Gap, NC--his fretless banjo work is amazing. Oscar Jenkins--son of another Round Peak legend, Frank Jenkins--ads his own distinct banjo stylings to this marvelous collection of 15 songs & tunes that includes such classic performances as OLD BUNCH OF KEYS, GROUND HOG, POLICEMAN, SUGAR HILL, JUNE APPLE, WHEN SORROWS ENCOMPASS ME ROUND, etc. Wonderful and essential old-time music!
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County CD-2726 / Out of print for many years, this album is one of the finest that this legendary old-time musician ever cut, even tough it features Jarrell's "second" instrument, the 5-string banjo rather than his fiddle. There's lovely fascinating playing on the 12 songs & tunes here highlighted by a good dose of Tommy's wonderful singing. Recorded in the early 1970s by Charles Faurot & Rich Nevins, this is one of the all-time gems of old-time music, right up there with Tommy's "SAIL AWAY LADIES" album.
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County CD-2725 / Though this was in fact the last album that Tommy Jarrell recorded (just a few months before his death in 1985), it still has plenty to offer to the old-time enthusiast. Though his fiddling and singing were obviously stronger when he made his first recordings for County in the late 1960’s, he is still in good form here and very much his dynamic self, and has a good backing crew of able & sympathetic musicians that help make this a very solid album overall. Verlen Clifton, Andy Cahan and Alice Gerrard provide that backing, and a conscious effort was made to record songs & tunes that Tommy had not previously recorded, so this really is a key release for fans of Jarrell, whom many consider the finest indigenous old-time musician to record & perform in the past 30 years or so. Wonderful old-time music! SAY DARLING SAY, TEMPIE, IDA RED, OLD MOLLY HARE, CHAPEL HILL SERENADE, SUGARFOOT RAG, GRANNY WILL YOUR DOG BITE, OLD TIME SALLY ANN, LITTLE MAGGIE, etc.
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County CD-2724 / This, the first in four volumes to be released by County Records, features the solo fiddle work of the legendary TOMMY JARRELL. Inspiring countless persons to take up the fiddle, to study old-time music, or simply to appreciate the rich Appalachian culture of the North Carolina/Virginia border, Tommy Jarrell is considered an icon of old-time music and a link to the otherwise inaccessible past. Tommy's fiddle style and vocal delivery marks him as both unique and facinating in the history of Rural American Music. This CD captures what many consider to be the finest performances of Tommy Jarrell. Working from a body of tunes that he learned after the turn of the century, Tommy provides the listener with deftly executed performances supplimented with stories about the origin, development, and tunings of the songs.
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County CD-2732 / One of 12 albums that Kenny Baker recorded for the County label, this one has been unavailable the longest, which is surprising when one notes the impressive tune list that includes such Baker favorites as DENVER BELLE, JOHNNY THE BLACKSMITH, DOC HARRIS THE FISHERMAN, BLACK MT. RAG, CROSS-EYED FIDDLER and INDIAN KILLED A WOODCOCK. With backup work by Butch Robins, Sam Bush (one of his earliest recorded appearances), John Kaparakis and Ebo Walker, this is a gem for any Bluegrass fiddle fan, and a most welcome re-issue.
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County CD 2731 / Originally recorded in 1976, this is one of the 12 great fiddle albums recorded for the COUNTY label by a man in who Bill Monroe called “The finest fiddler in Bluegrass music”. Re-issued onto CD format after many years off the market, it presents 7 Baker originals along with such standards as BACK UP & PUSH, PASS ME NOT and SILVER THREADS AMONG THE GOLD. Baker is backed by Bob Black (banjo), Joe Stuart (guitar) and Sam Bush (mandolin) with Blaine Sprouse adding 2nd fiddle on a few tracks. Some of the superb pieces are K & B POLKA, BLUEGRASS IN THE BACKWOODS, MAKE A LITTLE BOAT, CHEYENNE BREAKDOWN and the title tune.
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County CD 2718 / Completing this series is this 18 track compilation on which Faurot also collaborated with Rich Nevins. It has more fine tracks by some of the artists on the first two volumes, on tunes like GEORGIE, JIMMY SUTTON, SUGAR HILL, TATER PATCH, AS TIME DRAWS NEAR, LET OLD DRUNKARDS BE, etc. The above 3 discs make up a great set, beautifully packaged with artwork by David Lynch. Some of the finest old-time banjo ever recorded!
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County CD 2717 / This volume contains 19 more tunes by such artists as Tommy Jarrell, Gaither Carlton, Matokie Slaughter, Glen Smith and Oscar Wright
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County CD 2705 / Kenny Baker and his brilliant fiddling have been around us for so long now that many on the bluegrass scene may take him for granted. This compilation is a gem of a collection that will remind us what a true master he is. Baker has never recorded a weak piece, but the 20 tunes here, recorded between 1968 and 1983 are truly some of the finest he ever cut and the disc is a joy from start to finish. Baker is in total command of technique and plays with a tone that is envied by even the very best fiddlers. Truly a gem from start to finish and highly recommended.
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County CD 3532 / For those who like the Sacred Harp Singing tradition (as heard in Alabama and Georgia for over 100 years), County Records second album devoted to this little-heard style features a generous helping of 19 religious songs by a number of different groups that recorded in the late 1920s. This will complement a full album (CO-3531, $ 13.50) that presented the most prolific of the Sacred Harp groups, Allison’s Sacred Harp Singers--this new CD has 4 more of that great group’s songs. With this release one can compare the subtle differences in style between such groups as Dye’s Sacred Harp Singers, Lee Wells, the Denson-Paris and Denson outfits, the Fa-So-La Singers and the fine Alabama Sacred Harp Singers, among others. For those not familiar with this tradition, we suggest you hear 2 or 3 examples before purchasing this disc—it’s powerful music but not for every ear. LAND OF BEULAH, ROCKY ROAD, RAGAN, ODEM, NINETY-FIFTH, PLEYEL’S HYMN, LONG SOUGHT HOME, etc.

County CD 3531 / This is not a record for everybody, but it will be special for those who have long awaited a sizable well-presented sampling of the fascinating, archaic style known as Sacred Harp Singing and native to a very small area of North Georgia and Alabama. Allison's Sacred Harp Singers were the most prolific of the relatively few such groups that recorded in the late 1920s, and thanks to a few dedicated collectors like Alabaman Robert Nobley we have a chance to hear 21 of these amazing rare original recordings. The songs, taken from the old shape note hymnals of the 19th century are first lined out note by note, followed by the singing of the words. Some cuts are unaccompanied, some have piano, but most feature a pump-organ accompaniment, sometimes in a modal structure. N.Y. Times reviewer termed this music "spookily beautiful." With 24-page booklet of ine notes by John Bealle and Joyce Cauthen.
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County CD 3528 / Various Artists / County Records has enlarged on—and remastered—a classic old LP that has been out of print many years now. There are now 19 tracks that include many superior rural blues by such artists as Sam McGee, Dock Boggs, Byrd Moore, Jimmie Tarlton, Frank Hutchison and Dick Justice, among others. The cuts, taken from old 78s of the 1927-1939 era, are well documented in a nice 16-page booklet that includes vintage photos and a good set of notes by Kerry Blech. Some tracks here that did not appear on the original LP include a neat CANNON BALL RAG by David Miller, EASY RIDER by Sam McGee, K.C. WHISTLE by Lester McFarland, and a nice TROUBLE IN MIND by Cliff Carlisle. Great stuff here, beautifully transfered and presented.
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County CD 3524 / Musicians from the state of Texas have provided a lot of wonderful music in many different genres over the past 100 years or so, and these two superb albums beautifully document one particular facet of that tradition. The 39 cuts presented on the two CDs comprise many of the very finest fiddle and string band performances from the Lone Star state recorded between 1922 (the earliest cuts of Eck Robertson) to some mid 1930’s tracks (East Texas Serenaders) that really foreshadow the advent of Western Swing music. There are fiddle solos, archaic fiddle-banjo duets by the Red Headed Fiddlers that sound strikingly like their Appalachian counterparts, some wild work by Prince Albert Hunt, and lots of just plain lovely fiddling by The Lewis Brothers, Eck Robertson, Oscar & Doc Harper, and Solomon & Hughes. Great music here for old-time fans, with extensive notes, fine photos and lovely graphics from David Lynch. Vol. 1 includes the Prince Albert Hunt, Fiddlin’ Jim Pate, Eck Robertson and Lewis Bros. material, plus samplings of the Red Headed Fiddlers & East Texas Serenaders. FAR IN THE MOUNTAIN, ACORN STOMP, BLUES IN A BOTTLE, WAKE UP JACOB, PRISONER BOY, HOUSTON SLIDE, BULL AT THE WAGON, TEXAS QUICKSTEP, CHEAT ‘EM, TERRELL TEXAS BLUES, etc. Vol. 2 includes Solomon & Hughes, Smith’s Garage Fiddle Band, Capt. M.J. Bonner, Texas Night Hawks, and further cuts by East Texas Serenaders and the Red Headed Fiddlers. BILLY IN THE LOW GROUND, SALLY JOHNSON, BITTER CREEK, STEELEY RAG, CUBAN TWO-STEP, POSSUM RAG, BABE, etc.
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County CD 3523 /Various Artists / A superb compilation of some of the finest recordings that came out of the musically rich corner of southwestern Virginia in the 1920s and 30s. While some of these cuts (notably those of the great Dock Boggs) have appeared on numerous other re-issues over the years, there are many gems here new to re-issue, all beautifully transferred by Chris King. Included are the high lonesome HARD FOR TO LOVE and PEDDLAR & HIS WIFE by the Appalachian Vagabond (Hayes Shepard), the fascinating SHE LIED TO ME, REUBEN OH REUBEN, CARELESS LOVE and SHORT LIFE OF TROUBLE by Emry Arthur, and the Boggs’ classics DOWN SOUTH BLUES., PRETTY POLLY, DANVILLE GIRL, OLD RUB ALCOHOL BLUES and COUNTRY BLUES. Instrumentally there are 4 tracks by the uniquely appealing Dykes’ Magic City Trio, a couple by the womnderful Fiddlin’ Powers Family, and a previously undiscovered FAVORITE TWO-STEP by fiddler Melvin Robinette and guitarist Byrd Moore. With fine notes by Charles Wolfe, some neat photos and great graphics by David Lynch, this is a gem of a disc for any lover of old-time music. CALLAHAN’S REEL, HUCKLEBERRY BLUES, LAST DAYS IN GEORGIA, HOOK & LINE etc. Carefully remastered from the original 78 RPM recordings, this collection features several rarely heard performances such as "Hook & Line," "Huckleberry Blues," "Last Days In Georgia," and "Old Rub Alcohol Blues." In addition, a newly discovered fiddle performance by Byrd Moore & Melvin Robinette, "Favorite Two-Step," appears for the first time. Old Time ballads and songs such as "Pretty Polly" and "Careless Love" are featured alongside fiddle tunes like "Free Little Bird" and "Patty On The Turnpike." This exciting new collection from County Records features many previously unpublished photos and extensive notes by historian Charles Wolfe. This is a "must have" CD for those looking for old-time mountain music, from its original source.
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County CD 3521 / Here, in two separate volumes are 38 great recordings from the late 1920s and early 1930s played by string bands from central Tennessee. Almost all of these bands played on the Grand Ole Opry in its earliest days, and their histories and significance are detailed in two superb sets of notes by the noted country historian Charles Wolfe. There’s a lot of variety here, from the solo fiddle of Uncle Bunt Stephens and Uncle Jimmie Thompson to DeFord Bailey’s harmonica solos, rousing solos & ensembles featuring the inimitable Uncle Dave Macon to the full string band dance tunes by Dr Bate and Paul Warmack’s Gully Jumpers. Reissues of two similar LPs long out of print, these have been reworked by County, with additional tracks added, superb new remastering by Rich Nevins and additional photos & data. Great music here, beautifully presented. (The CDs can be purchased separately).

County CD 3518 / Various Artists / An outstanding collection of old-time performances from the late 1920s & early 1930s by some of the most facinating West Virginian artists to ever record. Volume one of this collection has sides by the Kessinger Brothers, Frank Hutchison, Dick Justice, Williamson Brothers & Curry, Blind Alfred Reed, Fruit Jar Guzzlers, Tweedy Brothers, Harvey & Copeland, Leftwich & Lilly, McClung Brothers, & the Corn Cob Crushers. This is an absolutely fantastic collection, with fine, insightful notes, rare photos, beautiful design, and clean, sharp sound. A "must-have" for the old-time enthusiast.
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County CD 3516 / Charlie Poole is recognized as one of the most influencial old-time musicians to come out of the "Golden Age" of recorded music. This album rounds out most of the sessions that Poole and his classic string band recorded in New York City between 1926 and and 1930. Be sure to check out Volume 1 (CO-3501-CD) and Volume 2 (CO-3508-CD).
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County CD 3514 / Various / The same comments for Volume 1 can be made of this, a second generous helping of great string band sounds—only the artists are mostly different. Here you can hear the hauntingly lovely sounds of Freeny’s Barn Dance Band, the bluesy tunes of the Nations Brothers, and more great cuts by Narmour & Smith (including their classics CHARLESTON # 1 and CARROLL COUNTY BLUES) and the Leake County Revelers. Another 20 fabulous tracks. MISSISSIPPI SQUARE DANCE, BANKHEAD BLUES, SALLY ANNE, MAGNOLIA 2-STEP, LONESOME BLUES, LITTLE PRINCESS FOOTSTEPS, etc. Great sound, too.
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County CD 3513 / Various Artists / The wonderfully rich fiddle tradition of the state of Mississippi in the early years of this century is beautifully captured on this attractive & musically powerful collection of 20 superb tunes featuring several of the state’s greatest bands. There are no less than 6 fabulous tracks by one of the wildest, most exciting rural groups ever to record, the Carter Brothers & Son, plus 2 gems by the wonderful Floyd Ming’s Pep-Steppers, and a generous helping of stellar cuts by the Ray Brothers, Mississippi Possum Hunters, Leake County Revelers, and Narmour & Smith. This is a feast for anyone who enjoys the highly individualistic & thoroughly musical sounds of old time music at its best. RUFUS RASTUS, NANCY ROWLAND, SWEET MILK & PEACHES, LAST SHOT GOT HIM, JAKE LEG WOBBLE, MISS BROWN, OLD HAT, JENNY ON THE RAILROAD, TUPELO BLUES, INDIAN WAR WHOOP, SADDLE UP THE GREY, etc.
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County CD 3511 / This, the 2nd in an ongoing series of anthologies devoted to early commercial rural recordings of the South shows some of the riches to be found in the Volunteer state between 1925 & 1930. Lovers of old-time string bands will find a bunch of gems in the 18 tracks here that feature stellar performances by WEEMS STRING BAND, GRAYSON & WHITTER, VANCE’S TENN. BREAKDOWNERS, CHARLIE BOWMAN, ROANE COUNTY RAMBLERS and RIDGEL’S FOUNTAIN CITIANS among others. Fine notes by Charles Wolfe, good sound and photos of almost all the bands highlight this super collection. (The disc contains no recordings by the early Opry bands—those are to be covered in a separate release). DAVY, BOLL WEEVIL, TENNESSEE BREAKDOWN, SARO, ALABAMA TROT, I’M SAD & BLUE, etc
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