Violin, Sing the Blues for Me: African-American Fiddlers 1926-1949
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Edition: Music CDCD Release Date: 1999-08-24
Music Label: Old Hat Records / Enterprises
Soundtracks:
- Violin Blues - Johnson Boys
- K.C. Railroad Blues - Andrew & Jim Baxter
- Beaver Slide Rag - "Peg Leg" Howell & His Gang
- Alma Waltz - Mississippi Mud Steppers
- Window Pane Blues - Tommie Bradley
- Travelin' Railroad Man - Alabama Sheiks
- Pig Meat Blues - Whistler & His Jug Band
- Right Now Blues - Frank Stokes
- East Jackson Blues - Bo Chatmon
- Memphis Blues - Mobile Strugglers
- Vine Street Drag - Tennessee Chocolate Drops
- Broken Bed Blues - Kansas City Blues Strummers
- Lonesome Blues - Henry Williams & Eddie Anthony
- Memphis Shakedown - Memphis Jug Band
- Adam And Eve - Tommie Bradley
- Tell Me Man Blues - Henry "Son" Sims
- Blue Coat Blues - "Blue Coat" Tom Nelson
- Salty Dog - Booker Orchestra
- Baby, Please Don't Go - Joe Williams' Washboard Blues Singers
- Stop & Listen Blues No. 2 - Mississippi Sheiks
- Stealin' Blues - Cow Cow Davenport
- The Moore Girl - Andrew & Jim Baxter
- Highway No. 61 Blues - Jack Kelly & His South Memphis Jug Band
- Ted's Stomp - Louie Bluie & Ted Bogan
Music reviews of Violin, Sing the Blues for Me: African-American Fiddlers 1926-1949
Music Review: Some not so pretty, but mostly Great. I want more from Old Hat!
Rating: 4 Stars
Inspired by my recent review of Sam Ku West's cd of Hawaiian steel guitar from 1927 and '28, and his version of Memphis Blues contained therein, I decided I need to review this disc which contains a killer Memphis Blues by the Mobile Strugglers.
What you get here is a very fine collection of mostly pre-war fiddle musics, covering a wide range of styles and abilities. From the abysmal toned, a-rhythmic atrocity of Alma Waltz (the very rare bad track) by the Mississippi Mudsteppers at the low end of the spectrum, to the bluesy drawl of Broonzy's fiddle, all the way up to the utter brilliance of the great Lonnie Johnson.
Still, the lesser-knowns are what this is about. Sure the titles of this and the "Folks, He..." disc put the emphasis on violins/fiddles but the music doesn't stop there. There are some seriously great bands here. Full-on killin groove units that will have you dancing on the couch as you listen... Memphis Shakedown and the "train impersonation" song, Moore Girl, for example. I've always found the latter interesting because, at least in my experiences thus far, I'm more familiar with black train-sound songs being done with harmonica, while whites seem to favor fiddle trains. A very cool track.
Also though, for me, Frank Stokes' Right Now Blues and the Alabama Sheiks' Travelin Railroad Blues give this disc a more pensive, vulnerable feeling than the "Folks, He..." disc.
Lots of stylistic variety, lots of great songs and playing. Had I reviewed this when it first came out I'd have probably given it 5 stars, but with the subsequent release of "Folks, He..." I do have to say that the "Folks, He..." disc has a touch better sound. A little less muffled. When I listen to these 2 right in a row, I listen to this one a few clicks louder to make it sound as good.
My continued thanks to all the collectors out there who saved this stuff, and to labels like Old Hat who've allowed people like me to enjoy!
Description of Violin, Sing the Blues for Me: African-American Fiddlers 1926-1949
"A top-notch compilation of classic performances with superb booklet and photos as well. This is an essential album for anyone interested in blues or string band music." Terry Zwigoff - film director Art School Confidential, Bad Santa, Ghost World, Crumb, Louie Bluie - oldhatrecords.com/ZwigoffInt.htmlThe violin played a significant role in the early history of recorded blues, with its crying vibratos and sliding notes creating a dramatic and soulful sound. Violin, Sing The Blues For Me offers 24 tracks of this rare music, played by many of the greatest black fiddlers who recorded before mid-century. From the sophisticated style of Lonnie Johnson to the raw Delta blues of Henry Sims to the rollicking tunes of the Memphis Jug Band, these musicians demonstrate the depth and diversity of African-American fiddle music. Included are two early instrumentals by the multitalented Howard Armstrong, also known as "Louie Bluie," whose career in music spanned seven decades. This unique collection presents 73 minutes of vintage fiddle music carefully remastered from original 78rpm records. In addition to blues, the album contains country dances, rags and stomps, folk songs and medicine show music. The CD comes with a 32-page, full-color booklet with detailed history, complete discography, and a host of rare photographs and illustrations.
Nearly essential for anyone interested in old-time music, Violin, Sing the Blues for Me may be quite simply the best single-disc anthology of the early 20th century black string-band movement available today. The emphasis here is on the bluesy fiddle playing heard between 1926 and 1949, but the music boasts reams of diverse styles and playing that is simply impossible to pigeonhole. Andrew Baxter milks his fiddle for all its plaintive worth against brother Jim's guitar on "K.C. Railroad Blues," the Mississippi Mud Steppers' "Alma Waltz" is as sublime as they come (perhaps the greatest side ever recorded to feature a banjo-mandolin), and there are plenty of other tracks featuring the now-forgotten wail of the blues violin. But the lively tunes steal the show here: the Mobile Strugglers's previously unissued "Memphis Blues" from 1949 is a classic breakdown; the Tennessee Chocolate Drops's "Vine Street Drag" (featuring the fast fiddling of Howard "Louie Bluie" Armstrong) showcases some true violin virtuosity; and the Memphis Jug Band's "Memphis Shakedown" is a tour de force of energy and great playing. Truth is, there's not a weak track here, and the copious liner notes will keep you busy long after the CD has played out. If you want to hear the roots of the blues, don't pass this disc up. --Jason Verlinde
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