Back in the day, about forty some odd years ago, one of my favorite haunts was Giant Music in Falls Church, Virginia. I made many an LP purchase there, as well as some of my early instrument purchases, but that is another story. One of my most beloved sections was that which held the vintage recordings of early country/mountain music, blues, jazz and so on. Here is where I found a treasure trove of recordings known as the RCA Victor Vintage Series, and these recordings are some of my favorites to this day.
The first LP I purchased in this series contained an all-star old time line-up from start to finish. Uncle Dave Macon kicks off the proceedings with “Cumberland Mountain Deer Chase” in his usual high spirited fashion complete with hound-sound effects on banjo and vocals and tempo changes. He also contributes “Railroadin’ and Gamblin’.” Fiddlin’ Arthur Smith shows the depth of his musical and songwriting abilities with “Chitlin’ Cookin’ Time in Cheathan County,” “There’s More Pretty Girls Than One,” and his wonderfully rollicking banjo tune, “Bound To Ride.” Wade Mainer, Steve Ledford and Zeke Morris are featured on several absolutely great tracks, including what to me is the definitive “Down in the Willow Garden.” Gid Tanner and the Skillet Lickers are on board as well with Tanner’s exuberant (and rather humorous) vocals on “Down on Tanner’s Farm.” The wonderful “Worried Man Blues” and “East Virginia Blues” are Carter Family classics. Bill and Charlie Monroe are heard on the beautiful “Where is My Sailor Boy,” and “Darling Corey,” both of which feature some fine instrumental and vocal work. Lastly, the Dixon Brothers’ recordings of the well-known “Intoxicated Rat” and “Down With the Old Canoe” are heard here, and showcase the songwriting talents of Dorsey Dixon.
Most of these recordings were made in the mid to late 1930’s, and many were made in Charlotte, NC. Other titles in the RCA Vintage Series included “Early Rural String Bands,” “The Railroad in Folk Song,” and “Early Bluegrass,” to name just a few. They serve as a great intro to pioneer recording artists, and have well-written and informative liner notes, as well. These recordings have always been a treasured part of my collection of LPs.
The first LP I purchased in this series contained an all-star old time line-up from start to finish. Uncle Dave Macon kicks off the proceedings with “Cumberland Mountain Deer Chase” in his usual high spirited fashion complete with hound-sound effects on banjo and vocals and tempo changes. He also contributes “Railroadin’ and Gamblin’.” Fiddlin’ Arthur Smith shows the depth of his musical and songwriting abilities with “Chitlin’ Cookin’ Time in Cheathan County,” “There’s More Pretty Girls Than One,” and his wonderfully rollicking banjo tune, “Bound To Ride.” Wade Mainer, Steve Ledford and Zeke Morris are featured on several absolutely great tracks, including what to me is the definitive “Down in the Willow Garden.” Gid Tanner and the Skillet Lickers are on board as well with Tanner’s exuberant (and rather humorous) vocals on “Down on Tanner’s Farm.” The wonderful “Worried Man Blues” and “East Virginia Blues” are Carter Family classics. Bill and Charlie Monroe are heard on the beautiful “Where is My Sailor Boy,” and “Darling Corey,” both of which feature some fine instrumental and vocal work. Lastly, the Dixon Brothers’ recordings of the well-known “Intoxicated Rat” and “Down With the Old Canoe” are heard here, and showcase the songwriting talents of Dorsey Dixon.
Most of these recordings were made in the mid to late 1930’s, and many were made in Charlotte, NC. Other titles in the RCA Vintage Series included “Early Rural String Bands,” “The Railroad in Folk Song,” and “Early Bluegrass,” to name just a few. They serve as a great intro to pioneer recording artists, and have well-written and informative liner notes, as well. These recordings have always been a treasured part of my collection of LPs.