American Acoustic

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
This warm, charming two-CD set from duo Eric Tingstad and Nancy Rumbel is a collection of new, "live studio" recordings of their most popular compositions as well as a sprinkle of new, original pieces. This, their seventh collection, holds the best of the airy, melodious music that these two versatile musicians give birth to so well together. In addition to playing oboe, Rumbel blends in the English horn, double alto, and tenor ocarinas on these discs while Tingstad works masterfully on classical and steel-string guitars. Known for their love of and inspiration from the environment, this twosome draws expansively on experiences from their beloved Pacific Northwest, the Great Plains, the Southwest, the Southeast, and various American legends for their muse here. And the booklet's beautiful photos of America set an uplifting mood. --Karen Karleski

American Acoustic,Eric Tingstad & Nancy Rumbel,Narada,Chamber Jazz,Neo-Classical,New Age,New Age / Meditation,Pop

American Acoustic

Tracks:

Henry Lee - Dick Justice
Fatal Flower Garden - Nelston's Hawaiians
House Carpenter - Clarence Ashley
Drunkard's Special - Coley Jones
Old Lady And The Devil - Bill & Belle Reed
The Butcher's Boy - Buell Kazee
The Wagoner's Lad - Buell Kazee
King Kong Kitchie Kitchie Ki-Me-O - Chubby Parker
Old Shoes And Leggins - Uncle Eck Dunford
Willie Moore - Richard Burnett And Leonard Rutherford
A Lazy Farmer Boy - Buster Carter And Preston Young
Peg And Awl - Carolina Tar Heels
Ommie Wise - G.B. Grayson
My Name Is John Johanna - Kelly Harrell

Tracks:

Bandit Cole Younger - Edward L. Crain
Charles Giteau - Kelly Harrel
John Hardy Was A Desperate Little Man - Carter Family
Gonna Die With My Hammer In My Hand - Williamson Brothers And Curry
Stackalee - Frank Hutchison
White House Blues - Charlie Poole And The North Carolina Ramblers
Frankie - Mississippi John Hurt
When That Great Ship Went Down - William And Versey Smith
Engine 143 - Carter Family
Kassie Jones - Furry Lewis
Down On Penny's Farm - Bently Boys
Mississippi Boweavil Blues - Masked Marvel
Got The Farm Land Blues - Carolina Tar Heels

Tracks:

Sail Away Lady - Uncle Bunt Stephens
The Wild Wagoner - Jilson Setters
Wake Up Jacob - Prince Albert Hunt's Texas Ramblers
La Danseuse - Delma Lachney And Blind Uncle Gaspard
Georgia Stomp - Andrew And Jim Baxter
Brilliancy Medley - Eck Robertson
Indian War Whoop - Hoyt Ming & His Pep-Steppers
Old Country Stomp - Henry Thomas
Old Dog Blue - Jim Jackson
Saut Crapaud - Columbus Fruge
Acadian One-Step - Joseph Falcon
Home Sweet Home - Breaux Freres
Newport Blues - Cincinnati Jug Band
Moonshiner's Dance (Part One) - Frank Cloutier And The Victoria Cafe Orchestra

Tracks:

You Must Be Born Again - Rev. J.M. Gates
Oh Death Where Is Thy Sting - Rev. J.M. Gates
Rocky Road - Alabama Sacred Harp Singers
Present Joys - Alabama Sacred Harp Singers
This Song Of Love - Middle Georgia Singing Conv. No. 1
Judgement - Sister Mary Nelson
He Got Better Things For You - Memphis Sanctified Singers
Since I Laid My Burden Down - Elders McIntorsh & Edwards' Sanctified Singers
John The Baptist - Rev. Moses Mason
Dry Bones - Bascom Lamar Lunsford
John The Revelator - Blind Willie Johnson
Little Moses - Carter Family
Shine On Me - Ernest Phipps & Holiness Singers
Fifty Miles Of Elbow Room - Rev. F.W. McGee
In The Battlefield For My Lord - Rev. D.C. Rice And Congregation

Tracks:

The Coo Coo Bird - Clarence Ashley
East Virginia - Buell Kazee
Minglewood Blues - Cannon's Jug Stompers
I Woke Up One Morning In May - Didier Hebert
James Alley Blues - Richard 'Rabbit' Brown
Sugar Baby - Dock Boggs
I Wish I Was A Mole In The Ground - Bascom Lamar Lunsford
Mountaineer's Courtship - Ernest And Hattie Stoneman
The Spanish Merchant's Daughter - Stoneman Family
Bob Lee Junior Blues - Memphis Jug Band
Single Girl, Married Girl - Carter Family
Le Vieux Soulard Et Sa Femme - Cleoma Breaux & Joseph Falcon
Rabbit Foot Blues - Blind Lemon Jefferson
Expressman Blues - Sleepy John Estes & Yank Rachell

Tracks:

Poor Boy Blues - Ramblin' Thomas
Feather Bed - Cannon's Jug Stompers
Country Blues - Dock Boggs
99 Year Blues - Julius Daniels
Prison Cell Blues - Blind Lemon Jefferson
See That My Grave Is Kept Clean - Blind Lemon Jefferson
C'est Si Triste Sans Lui - Cleoma And Ophy Breaux And Joseph Falcon
Way Down The Old Plank Road - Uncle Dave Macon
Buddy Won't You Roll Down The Line - Uncle Dave Macon
Spike Driver Blues - Mississippi John Hurt
K.C. Moan - Memphis Jug Band
Train On The Island - J.P. Nestor
The Lone Star Trail - Ken Maynard
Fishing Blues - Henry Thomas

Amazon.com

This impressive--and frankly, fun--musical document is still sending out shock waves almost 50 years after its original 1952 vinyl release. The Smithsonian's six-CD reissue is painstakingly researched, annotated, and packaged (even boasting an enhanced disc for the techno-capable). Unlike field recorders, eccentric filmmaker/collector/musicologist Harry Smith assembled the Anthology from commercially released (though obscure) 78 rpm discs issued between 1927 and 1935. Its broad scope--from country blues to Cajun social music to Appalachian murder ballads--was monumentally influential, setting musicians like Bob Dylan down the path to folk fandom. The White House started its own national music library with the Anthology; anyone with more than a passing interest in American roots music should do the same. --Michael Ruby

More from Smithsonian Folkways

The Harry Smith Connection: A Live Tribute To The Anthology Of American Folk Music
Classic Maritime Music from Smithsonian Folkways Recordings
Smithsonian Folkways American Roots Collection

Classic Mountain Songs from Smithsonian Folkways
Classic Blues From Smithsonian Folkways
Folkways: The Original Vision

Album Description

This deluxe 6-CD collector's boxed set contains a 96-page book featuring Harry Smith's original songbook framed by essays by Greil Marcus and other noted writers, musicians, and scholars. Play the enhanced sixth disc on your CD-ROM drive and access historic video footage, rare photos, artist interviews, and additional background information. Edited by Harry Smith. Reissue compiled by the staff of Smithsonian Folkways. Reissue liner notes by Greil Marcus, Neil Rosenberg, Jeff Place, Jon Pankake, Luis Kemnitzer and others. "...the missing link in rock's official history." -Newsweek ***** (five stars) -Rolling Stone

Customer Reviews:

THE Chronicles.......2007-07-12

Great stuff. Yet some of the singing is almost too real, too raw. Bob Dylan cites this album as a main inspiration, and you can hear his singing and songwriting style in a lot of the songs. Not for everybody, and may be even too much for casual folk music fans. Has to be listened to in the context of a historical document.

totally essential listening.......2007-02-15

This CD compilation set is more than just an album of music--it's a historical document. I first heard of the AAFM in a Bob Dylan biography--after buying this and listening to it, I can understand how Bob was inspired to ditch his Little Richard aspirations and travel the rugged road of folk. Through the three sections--Ballads, Social Music (mostly instrumentals), and Songs (kind of like ballads, but less story-oriented), this collection not only contains some great, timeless music and performances, it's also steeped in pure humanity--the real essence of true folk music. The people Harry Smith collected and anthologized were mostly just that: folk. People like you and me who love music, and play the songs they've been handed down. You don't have to be Bob Dylan to appreciate and be moved by songs that have been passed down through the generations and soulfully interpreted by many different artists.

Aside from some essential listening ("Coo Coo Bird," "Stackalee," "Mississippi Boweavil Blues," "I wish I Was a Mole in the Ground," etc. etc.), the package has some great supplementary material. It's very interesting to learn about the song information and performer information that Smith collected with his anthology, but it's also interesting to get a glimpse into his project, seeing how he relentlessly collected and chose which songs to represent. He was a true lover of music, and that love is reflected in his project.

Please don't come to this compilation expecting pristine sound quality--it was assembled in the 50's, which means that the recordings come from then as well as much earlier--it's about the music and performers anyway, and a little bit of scratch really doesn't detract that much from the organic, down home experience. It IS a bit of a shame that there are 6 CDs, but really only about 4 full CDs worth of music--it would have been OK with me if the Ballad/Social Music/Songs organization was not cleanly divided between discs to save space, since the division isn't very efficient, but I suppose the reissuers wanted to emulate the original vinyl collection. I don't really find the material to be homogeneous like the second spotlight reviewer does, although I do agree that Roots and Blues: A Retrospective is also a great compilation--I'd recommend getting both for a great complementary experience.

Hopefully this set never goes out of print, as it's a great piece of art that any music fan or musician can learn a lot from--and enjoy, too! It's a shame that Smith had to preserve this music as it was beginning to die out even as he was collecting it, but it's also heartwarming that such classic sounds can be preserved for us to hear so many years later and keep the tradition alive. Enjoy the living history!

The grandfather of the reissue records.......2005-02-21

This collection led to the "re-discovery" of many artists who had dissapeared after when the depression crippled the recording industry. Mississippi John Hurt is probably the most famous as of now, but others, like Clarence Ashley were major finds at the time - and when Folkways sent a field crew to do a new record by Ashley he requested some assist from a young friend named Doc Watson. Watson was unknown outside his home town at the time but went on to become a major star in a field which has very few stars.
Listening to many cuts on this album you can hear the source of much material for folk groups as diverse as the New Lost City Ramblers and The Holy Modal Rounders, rock groups like Canned Heat, and The Grateful Dead. Some of the melodies will be familiar to fans of Dylan, others to Jorma Kaukonan listeners. There are otehrs -- many many others.
This set is the source, the headwaters of reissues, and revivals. An essential part of any folk music collection.

Necessary........2003-05-28

I dont think there is a need to go into to much detail about this *6 CD* set. If you can fork over the cash, just buy it. If you have any interest in roots music, just buy it. If you thought ol' Bobby Dylan and the Band made some great weird music in the basement of big pink in '67 .. for the love of god, BUY THIS! strange, unadorned, raw music , just buy it.

Essential.......2002-11-30

Much ink & many electrons have been devoted to explaining both Harry Smith (and a lot of explanation is necessary -- very interesting man) and this wonderful collection of recordings from the 1920's and 30's, so I won't go into too much detail here. If you'd like a good treatise on the work itself as a cultural object, and how it relates to other thematically similar items, I would reccomend Griel Marcus' book Invisible Republic.
This is the greatest mix tape ever made, and an essential cultural artifact, not only of the vernacular music of the hills & highways of pre-electrification America, but also of the folk movement ofthe fifties and sixties (the primer fromwhic all else was derived) and by extension of the hippy movement following closely thereafter.
SOme of this music is really wild...

Average customer rating:

Not the best Idol debut
Total Garbage
c'mon now
Nice little debut
Could not get past Baby Mama

Free Yourself
Fantasia Barrino
Manufacturer: J-Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Fantasia
I Need an Angel
Destiny Fulfilled
Life Is Not a Fairy Tale
The Way It Is

ASIN: B00065BYAY
Release Date: 2004-11-23

Tracks:

Ain't Gonna Beg
Free Yourself
Truth Is
Selfish
Summertime
Baby Mama
Got Me Waiting
It's All Good
You Were Always On My Mind
Good Lovin
Don't Act Right
This Is Me
I Believe

Amazon.com

Few would accuse Fantasia of a reluctance to abide by the wisdom that what you've got, you should flaunt, and the vocal gusto she slathers over her full-length debut gets partial credit for earning--and keeping--your attention. To a greater extent, though, the high-wattage help heaped over the Idol 3 champ and Patti LaBelle-sound-alike makes the disc dazzle. In addition to pitch-ins from Missy Elliott, who produced and co-wrote three tracks and busts out a two-snaps-up rhyme on "Selfish (I Want U 2 Myself)," Jazze Pha duets on the ultra-mod "Don't Act Right" and Jermaine Dupri wrote and produced the smolderer "Got Me Waiting." Surprisingly, though, it's not those tracks or even the Idol-propelled cover of the Gershwins' "Summertime" that will stick with listeners most. Instead, first single "Truth Is," a sweet, old-school R&B lament directed toward a lost love, and "Baby Mama," a spirited shout-out to hard-working single mothers, snare standout status with their from-the-gut authenticity. Keeping it real is what won Fantasia the hearts of millions on TV, and despite Free Yourself's likable slickness, it convinces that--hot commodity or no--she's not about to forget it. -Tammy La Gorce

Customer Reviews:

Not the best Idol debut.......2007-08-02

I think Carrie Underwood and Kelly Clarkson's debut albums were much better than Fantasia's. I was a Jennifer Hudson fan from season 3 (I thought Fantasia was okay, but nothing like J Hud). Her voice is very unique and almost sounds like Macy Gray (whatever happened to her anyway?). I bought this album on itunes and I only liked some of the songs such as "Truth Is", "Free Yourself', "I Believe", "You Were Always On My Mind" and "Got Me Waiting." I am a fan of R&B so I gave this album a chance. It's actually pretty good but not as good quality as Kelly Clarkson's debut or Carrie Underwood's debut. Her voice just isn't as good as those two idols. Overall I would reccomend this album but I don't think it's the best Idol debut. Some of the songs are reccomended.

Total Garbage.......2007-02-27

This album and this artist should never be heard. There were sooo many more talented people on American Idol when she won. This album is a perfect example of that. All the studio effects in the world can't help this over-rated, so-called singer. You can't make chicken salad out of chicken s$%^.

c'mon now.......2007-02-16

what happened to that voice we wanted to hear from American Idol? maybe it was the choice of songs but I really was disappointed.

Nice little debut.......2007-01-02

When the three diva's Jennifer Hudson, Latoya London and Fantasia Barrino
were killing the competiion on Amercian Idol in 2004 it was almost a given that an female R&B singer would take the crown that year. Well Fantasia ended up taking the crown and lived up to her promise on her first CD. Her first single Truth Is was an excllent R&B single and the song Baby Mama was catchy and fun.

Could not get past Baby Mama .......2006-12-29

I am sorry but I could not get past the Baby Mama song. Unlike some of the other complaints it does not bother me if people are single moms or had a child out of wedlock. The whole "baby mama" stuff is just so played out and ignorant sounding. There must have been a more classy way for her to get her story across and empower moms. She has a great voice but this song was beneath her, it ruined it for me.

Average customer rating:

Wow!!!
Great Music
Outstanding music.
It's worth a listen
Elevator music

American / English
Acoustic Alchemy
Manufacturer: Higher Octave
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:

The Very Best of Acoustic Alchemy
Wild Card
Got It Goin' On
Positive Thinking
Flipside

ASIN: B0007QCLS6
Release Date: 2005-03-29

Tracks:

The Crossing
Say Yeah
So Kylie
Trinity
The Detroit Shuffle
Cherry Hill
She Speaks American English
Lilac Lane
The 14 Carrot Cafe
Get Up (Levantar Y Bailar)
The Moon And The Sun

Customer Reviews:

Wow!!!.......2007-04-03

I must disclose; I'm an Alchemy fan and have been one for about 15 years. However, this fact does not keep me from hearing the truth and the truth on this one is... This one is a must have!!! Do you remember Red Dust and Spanish Lace? Yeah, it's that good and more. The Crossing is destined to become a classic. So Kylie will get you moving and She Speaks American/English is just plain good music. Enjoy a great cd.
Cheers

Great Music.......2007-03-10

I love this group! Great Jaz sound you can listen to all day long!

Outstanding music........2007-01-10

Same as "The Very Best of Acoustic Alchemy" I consider very relaxing music while I am driving going home no matter traffic jam and of course listening the CD at home with my family.

It's worth a listen.......2007-01-06

I have been a fan for 12 years and still love their sound. Since the death of Nick Webb Acoustic Alchemy has continued in his memory and honors his influence while moving forward and trying to incorporate other styles. Radio Contact and American English continue on with quality music. This is worth adding to your collection.

Elevator music.......2006-04-21

A pale, half-hearted set. Reminiscient of Positive Thinking from 1998, but without the energy. I can't fault the technical musicianship of the band: they're all super-accomplished. But this album left me cold. Blah.

Average customer rating:

Calming and comforting
Spiritually rich and imaginative musical flows

Ancient Power
Steve Gordon and Deborah Martin
Manufacturer: Spotted Peccary
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Shaman's Vision Journey
Sacred Earth Drums
Drum Medicine
Drum Prayer
Sacred Drum Visions: 20th Anniversary Collection

ASIN: B00000DC1S
Release Date: 1998-10-06

Tracks:

Spirit Of The Mountain
Coming Of The Wolf
Heart Of Fire
Earth Dweller
Ancient Power
Sundancer
Moon Over Cloudless Sky
Wind Of Spirits

Album Description

Undercurrents of thundering tribal drums and primal rhythms awaken the wisdom of the ancients while haunting Native flute and keyboard melodies conjure the elements of the Earth in this greatly anticipated collaboration between best-selling Sequoia Records artist Steve Gordon (Sacred Earth Drums) and acclaimed Spotted Peccary Music artist Deborah Martin (Under the Moon). Rattles and shakers, ocarinas, acoustic guitars, textural electric guitars, hand drums, and sculpted electronic soundspaces are all combined to transport the listener to a world of delicate beauty and raw power.

Customer Reviews:

Calming and comforting.......2002-04-18

I enjoy New Age genre and Native American music and this collection was recommended to me by a 19 year old friend who shares the interest. Although my husband complains that it's a little "repetitious," I find Ancient Power very relaxing. It speaks for a more spiritual part of self than I can usually express in words. I have recently suffered the loss of a close personal friend, and this collection has allowed me to come to terms with it without the need to intellectualize. Calming and comforting.

Spiritually rich and imaginative musical flows.......1999-01-24

The liner notes accompanying this CD tell you about the instruments used -- Taos Drums, Shakers, Turtle Rattles, Keyboards, Rainstick and so on. And apparently both the artists (Deborah Martin/Under the Moon and Steve Gordon/Sacred Earth Drums) have achieved some recognition independently.

Their combined effort here is seamless. If you can imagine sitting out West in the high desert, perhaps a thousand years ago, and if you could hear the sounds of the spirits of the people and the elements of sun, wind and fire that were the basis of their spiritual life, this is what you'd hear.

Tracks:

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

Amazon.com

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

Album Description

"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.html

The 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.

Album Details

24 Tracks of Rare Blues, featuring Mississippi Sheiks, Lonnie Johnson, Memphis Jug Band, Booker Orchestra, Andrew Baxterm Mobile Strugglers, Peg Leg Howell and Many More.

Customer Reviews:

Some not so pretty, but mostly Great. I want more from Old Hat!.......2006-07-27

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!

Stunning recordings, rare music.......2002-07-27

It's pretty amazing, this late in the folkloric/historic reissues game, to find a whole album's worth of "undiscovered" old-timey music that is of such a high caliber. Old Hat Records, a tiny North Carolina indie label, packs its discs with some of the best music in the style that you're ever likely to hear. (You might also want to check out the "Lost Provinces" and "Folks, He Sure Do Pull Some Bow" CDs...) This disc highlights a rare style of African-American fiddle music, featuring rare recordings by the bands that dotted the southern landscape 'way back when. These groups mixed stringband styles and jazzy jug-band blues and, not incidentally, made some of the catchiest music ever. In addition to great sound quality and great material, the CD is handsomely packaged; the insert booklets include some really cool archival photos, as well as extensive liner notes of the sort that have been woefully absent on similar recent reissue efforts.

An album to live with.......2001-10-25

This has rapidly become one of my favorite discs. Excellent selection of tracks, excellent transfers, excellent booklet. My only complaint would be that the text in the booklet is not in the same order as the tracks on the disk.

Great music - great supporting documentation.......2001-03-01

As early as colonial times, free and enslaved blacks were widely known for their virtuosity on the fiddle, so it was only natural that the instrument would eventually find a home in the blues...even though most people probably don't tend to think of it there. And that's the beauty of this CD. It contains samples of the blues and many of the traditions that preceded it: country dances, rags and stomps, folks songs and medicine show music, all lovingly remastered from early recordings to create 73 minutes of vintage fiddle music. The 32-page full-color booklet alone is worth the price. This is a must-have for any student of African American culture in general, or anyone who just enjoys good music.

Simply magnificent.......1999-07-16

I don't believe this release can be improved. The song selection is terrific from both a musical and historical perspective. Sound mastering is excellant. The notes, artwork and photographs were not an after thought. They are very well done. OLD HAT has now released two top notch volumes and I really hope there is a lot more in the pipe. This is a mandatory disc for all blues and old timey fans. About the only negative is the sad fact that it probably won't get out to a wider audience. A reissue done by people who love and respect this music. Just superb.

Average customer rating:

The Essential Mark O'Connor

Essential Mark O'Connor

Manufacturer: Sony Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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More Motown Classics Gold
Gold
The Essential Mario Lanza

ASIN: B000NDIAXS
Release Date: 2007-04-03

Tracks:

Appalachia Waltz - Yo-Yo Ma, Edgar Meyer, , Mark O'Connor
Tiger Rag - Jon Burr, Wynton Marsalis, , Mark O'Connor, Frank Vignola
Caprice No. 1 in a Minor - Mark O'Connor
Butterfly's Day Out - Yo-Yo Ma, Edgar Meyer, , Mark O'Connor
Caprice for Three - Yo-Yo Ma, Edgar Meyer, , Mark O'Connor
Stephane and Django - Jon Burr, , Mark O'Connor, Frank Vignola
Midnight on the Water/Bonaparte's Retreat - Mark O'Connor
College Hornpipe - Yo-Yo Ma, Edgar Meyer, , Mark O'Connor
Flailing - Mark O'Connor
Brave Wolfe - Wynton Marsalis, , Mark O'Connor
Misty Moonlight Waltz - Yo-Yo Ma, Edgar Meyer, , Mark O'Connor
F.C.'s Jig - Yo-Yo Ma, , Mark O'Connor
Caprice No. 6 in G Major - Mark O'Connor
Vistas - Yo-Yo Ma, Edgar Meyer, , Mark O'Connor
Amazing Grace - Mark O'Connor

Tracks:

Surrender the Sword for Violin and Strings - Nashville Symphony Orchestra, , Mark O'Connor
Call of the Mockingbird from Fanfare for the Volunteer - London Philharmonic Orchestra, , Mark O'Connor
Sons of the Liberty Bell for Violin and Strings - Nashville Symphony Orchestra, , Mark O'Connor
American Seasons (Seasons of an American Life) For Violin and Orchestra - Metamorphosen Chamber Orchestra, , Mark O'Connor
American Seasons (Seasons of an American Life) For Violin and Orchestra - Metamorphosen Chamber Orchestra, , Mark O'Connor
American Seasons (Seasons of an American Life) For Violin and Orchestra - Metamorphosen Chamber Orchestra, , Mark O'Connor
American Seasons (Seasons of an American Life) For Violin and Orchestra - Metamorphosen Chamber Orchestra, , Mark O'Connor
Appalachia Waltz - Metamorphosen Chamber Orchestra, , Mark O'Connor

Customer Reviews:

The Essential Mark O'Connor.......2007-06-13

This is a wonderful 2-disc set. Mark O'Connor is extremely versatile. He plays beautifully, no matter what type of music he is playing; classical, jazz, bluegrass. His talents as a composer and as a violinist are showcased.

Average customer rating:

5 Stars Is Not Enough
The Borders of Heaven
Dances with Wolves
Beautiful Renditions of Traditional American Songs
Connie's renditions set a standard which is hard to match.

The Border of Heaven
Connie Dover
Manufacturer: Taylor Park
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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If Ever I Return
Wishing Well
Somebody
Daughter Of Lir
Heart Of The Celts: Songs Of Love

ASIN: B00004SUM0
Release Date: 2000-03-28

Tracks:

The Blessing
Sweet Betsy From Pike
I Am Going To The West
The Streets Of Laredo (The Sailor Cut Down In His Prime)
Lord Franklin
An Spailpin Fanach
Last Night By The River
The Water Is Wide
Wondrous Love
Winter's Night
My Dearest Dear
Brother Green

Customer Reviews:

5 Stars Is Not Enough.......2005-11-15

I have exposed a number of people to Connie Dover, young and old, and have yet to find anyone who doesn't immediately fall in love with her. Let's put it in a nutshell: If you listen to Connie and don't become instantly hooked, by all means have your head examined!
However if I have already conviced you and you want to know which of her titles to purchase, sorry, I can't recommend just one. Stick a crowbar in your wallet and get all 4! It will be the best $60+/- you've ever spent. Now stop reading these reviews and place your order!

The Borders of Heaven.......2005-08-12

Connie Dover's latest, "The Borders of Heaven", is an apt this for this CD. Her vocals are crisp and clear as ever.
The accompanying musicians are the cream of the crop. They include Phil Cunningham and John Hartford. It's another production triumph for Phil Cunningham. All in all a beautiful set of tunes.
I have all of Connie's recordings and I believe that this is the best to date.

Dances with Wolves.......2004-11-30

This is a great CD, I love Connie Dover, and anything she sings is always beautiful. I am writing this particular review for any of those folks who are looking for the name of the song (or the song itself) that Kevin Costner sings in the wonderful movie Dances with Wolves. Connie actually sings this old folk song here, it is track #10, "Winter's Night". Why it is called that is beyond me, but there ya go. Song titles....go figure. Connie sings many wonderful old folk songs on this CD, but she makes them her own, and that is her talent. This is a great CD. Period.

Beautiful Renditions of Traditional American Songs.......2004-06-26

It's hard not to fall in love with Connie Dover, who looks and sings like an angel. She has cited Steeleye Span and its lead singer, Maddy Pryor, as an early influence. That makes sense, because she is perhaps the purest soprano folk singer I have heard since Maddy Pryor. Before I acquired this CD, my only exposure to Ms. Dover was several songs here and there on various Celtic music collections, but on each and every one, her voice always stopped me in my tracks. So when I saw this collection of early American folk tunes (and the songs that inspired them), I thought it was a bit of a departure for her. But these arrangements strikingly emphasize the Scots-Irish influence on American folk music. Even old chestnuts like "Sweet Betsy from Pike" and "Streets of Laredo" can be heard in a new light. Ms. Dover gets expert assistance, too, from familiar names like Phil Cunningham (who also produced), Jerry Douglas and John Hartford. This is an impressive effort from one of the most beautiful voices in traditional music.

Connie's renditions set a standard which is hard to match........2002-05-25

'The Border of Heaven' is aptly named, for many of the songs on this - Connie Dover's fourth solo CD - have a dreamy, angelic feel to them. Of course there are more upbeat numbers too, but then that is typical of this singer's records - a bold but effective mix of gentle Celtic ballads, 18th and 19th century American folk songs, a spiritual piece or two, and a smattering of Connie Dover's own compositions, which on this CD include the intriguingly original 'Last Night by the River', complete with the sound of an eagle wing-bone whistle!

As is usual with this artist, all the songs are very very good. Several of the tracks may be familiar to lovers of traditional music, but Connie Dover's versions invariably set a standard which is hard to match. Her rendition of the sad but true story of 'LORD FRANKLIN' and his ill-fated crew of adventurers is simply the best I have heard. 'THE WATER IS WIDE' is also performed beautifully. And as for 'THE SAILOR CUT DOWN IN HIS PRIME', I think Connie's version of this familiar melody is perfection itself, although the style in which guest artist Skip Gorman sings the companion piece 'The Streets of Laredo', is not to my own personal taste. The up-tempo songs include the jolly 'SWEET BETSY FROM PIKE' and 'WINTERS NIGHT', whilst 'I AM GOING TO THE WEST' is another of Connie Dover's own compositions - and yet it sounds just as 'traditional', and every bit as good, as the old, tried and tested standards. The spiritual song on this CD is the hymn 'WONDROUS LOVE' - wondrous indeed! The CD closes with two more lovely tracks, the achingly sentimental 'MY DEAREST DEAR', and finally 'BROTHER GREEN', a melody, not so much from the border, as from the very heart, of Heaven.

The standard of this artist has been well maintained in this, her most recent CD to date - happily Connie Dover is seemingly still singing, and writing, the most charming of songs. Less happily, Connie Dover CDs seem to come out rather sparsely, at three year intervals - so here's hoping we don't have to wait yet another three years for the next one. It pains me to say this as a Brit living in the land where so much of Connie's inspiration comes from, but there's nobody better in the world at singing this kind of material than this American. Certainly nobody I know of in my country. And there's still a huge wealth of beautiful material out there just awaiting her attention; so come on Connie - get recording again! In the meantime, just enjoy this, her latest contribution to the world of tradional folk. She is, as I say, the best in the business.

Average customer rating:

I'd give this album six stars if I could!

Way Overpriced but...

My 2 cents

Vol. 4, H. Smith's Anthology Of American Folk Music

Overdue Closure for Harry's American Folk Masterpiece

Anthology Of American Folk Music Volume 4 (Edited By Harry Smith)
Various Artists
Manufacturer: Revenant Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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American Primitive, Vol. 1: Raw Pre-War Gospel (1926-36)

Anthology of American Folk Music (Edited by Harry Smith)

American Primitive, Vol. 2

Good For What Ails You: Music of the Medicine Shows 1926-1937

The Harry Smith Connection: A Live Tribute To The Anthology Of American Folk Music

ASIN: B00004SUA0
Release Date: 2000-05-23

Tracks:

Memphis Shakedown - Memphis Jug Band
Dog And Gun (An Old English Ballad) - Bradley Kincaid
Black Jack David - The Carter Family
Down On The Banks Of The Ohio - Blue Sky Boys
Adieu False Heart - Arthur Smith Trio
John Henry Was A Little Boy - J.E. Mainer's Mountaineers
Nine Pound Hammer Is Too Heavy - Monroe Brothers
Southern Casey Jones - Jesse James
Cold Iron Bed - Jack Kelly And His South Memphis Jug Band
Packin' Trunk - Lead Belly
Baby Please Don't Go - Joe Williams' Washboard Blues Singers
Last Fair Deal Gone Down - Robert Johnson
Parchman Farm Blues - Bukka White
Mean Old World - Heavenly Gospel Singers

Tracks:

Hello Stranger - The Carter Family
Stand By Me - Sister Clara Hudmon
West Virginia Gals - Al Hopkins and His Buckle Busters
How Can A Poor Man Stand Such Times And Live? - Blind Alfred Reed
Wreck Of The Tennessee Gravy Train - Uncle Dave Macon
Governor Al Smith - Uncle Dave Macon
Milk Cow Blues - John Estes
No Depression In Heaven - The Carter Family
I'll Be Rested (When The Roll Is Called) - Roosevelt Graves And Brother
He's In The Ring (Doing The Same Old Thing) - Memphis Minnie
The Cockeyed World - Minnie Wallace
Barbecue Bust - Mississippi Jook Band
Dans Le Grand Bois (In The Forest) - Hackberry Ramblers
Aces' Breakdown - The Four Aces

Amazon.com

Originally released in 1952, Harry Smith's landmark three-volume Anthology of American Folk Music literally instigated a revolution in music--suddenly, this collection of scratchy 78 sides made "folk" cool again (it would stay that way forever after). But Smith--filmmaker, guru, and alchemist--originally intended for a fourth volume of the set to be created. Thanks to Revenant, we have it now--nearly five decades after its gathering. Smith's two-CD collection takes works from the Blue Sky Boys, the Carter Family, Bukka White, Robert Johnson, and a dozen or so forgotten blues and old-time artists, mostly from the '20s and '30s. In the copious liner notes, the late Smith confesses that this volume was "lost" because his original liner notes went missing; he had hoped to create a thorough analysis of how each song's theme was interrelated. Thus, there are some truly great transitions--"John Henry Was a Little Boy" by J.E. Mainer's Mountaineers leads ironically into "Nine Pound Hammer Is Too Heavy" by the Monroe Brothers; Lead Belly's breakup ode "Packin' Trunk" segues into Big Joe Williams's "Baby Please Don't Go." Gorgeous packaging and thorough liner notes by Dick Spottswood, Greil Marcus, Ed Sanders, and others makes this set even more essential. Like so many of the musicians he admired and promoted, Harry Smith's real genius wouldn't be recognized till after he died. Here it is, folks. --Jason Verlinde

Customer Reviews:

I'd give this album six stars if I could!.......2001-07-29

It's hard to imagine that anything could be better than the original Folkways box set (Volumes 1-3), but this album is. Everything I love about V1-3, there is even more of here. The eerie juxtaposition of darkness and jubilation pretty much sums up the whole 20th Century in an hour and a half. Yes, it's short and pricey, but better in my mind to preserve Smith's original vision - after all, he scuttled the original release of this album in order to stay true to that vision.

Way Overpriced but..........2000-10-10

it's an excellent collection. I mean, for about the price of two of these you can almost buy the original 6-CD Anthology. Fortunately, the songs are beautiful, and like the original Anthology, way weird. The Carter Family cuts are scary in their dead-pan beauty; Bukka White's Parchman Farm Blues is one of the saddest blues ever and the Blue Sky Boys' On the Bank of the Ohio is sort of like Jim Thompson's The Killer Inside Me meets Bill Monroe. A great selection.

Is it worth the hefty price though?

My 2 cents.......2000-09-07

The price is too high and the discs too short. It really does lack the magic of the original mainly due to the lack of Harry Smith's original notes and overall design. What it does have is a brilliant biography of Smith who was an all around oddball and flake (he refused to release this originally because the label wanted to include a pro FDR song!). However he came about compiling this list from his enormous collection (shortly before he sold it the New York Public Library), the result is a brilliant mix of obscure and known tracks from the depression.

So, if you liked the original, you know you are going to buy this someday (where else can one find such an appreication for jug band music?). If you are a fan of "Race and Hillbilly" like me you'll give blood to get this.

Vol. 4, H. Smith's Anthology Of American Folk Music.......2000-07-20

Volume 4 fits very well with the previous three. There are a lot of old-time music anthologies out there these days but there's something going on with Mr. Smith's work that seems to be lacking in the others. I find all of the tracks of Vol-4 to be memorable performances. The Leadbelly cut particularly sticks in my mind, but on another day I might single out any of the others as well.

The accompanying notes are extensive & well-presented although it's black ink on dark brown paper in tiny font, so the reading can be tough. And you are paying for the presentation in the pricetag.

I was half-expecting to be disappointed by this album because the earlier release was so important to me, but it turns out that this one makes for great listening as well i.e. it has the elusive 'HS-factor' going for it too. If you are the type of person who got changed by the 3-Volume Folkways Anthology, then you will dig Volume 4. Really, it's been a rumor for so long .. it's incredible that it is now generally available.

Overdue Closure for Harry's American Folk Masterpiece.......2000-06-21

Thanks to John Fahey and The Harry Smith Archives 'The Anthology' has now been respectfully completed (sans Harry's original liner notes and design). Volume 4 is a well qualified supplement to 'Smithsonian Folkways' volumes 1 through 3, and is very close to what Harry originally intended. The Monroe Brothers, The Carter Family, The Memphis Jug Band, Leadbelly, Sleepy John Estes, Bukka White, Uncle Dave Macon, Robert Johnson---the forgotten folk masters who became American icons after Harry shared his record collection with us in 1952---are represented here with outstanding performances. Not to mention the several artists you possibly haven't heard---just revel in the acapella beauty of The Heavenly Gospel Singers 'Mean Old World'. Aside from wondrous historic music 'Volume 4' is another loving tribute to the eccentric genius of the irascible Harry Smith. Without this offering, you certainly don't have the entire 'Anthology', and although the packaging doesn't match the Smithsonian set, it is very nicely done---just don't try to put it in your plastic CD rack. If you're into your folk roots don't miss this one!

Tracks:

Fishing Blues
Old Country Stomp
Charmin' Betsy
Lovin' Babe
Railroadin' Some
Don't Leave Me Here
The Little Red Caboose
Bob McKinney
Honey, Won't You Allow Me One More Chance?
Run, Mollie, Run
Shanty Blues
Woodhouse Blues
John Henry
Cottonfield Blues
Arkansas
The Fox And The Hounds
Red River Blues
Jonah In The Wilderness
When The Train Comes Along
Bull Doze Blues
Don't Ease Me In
Texas Easy Street
Texas Worried Blues

Amazon.com

Henry "Ragtime Texas" Thomas (1876-?) was a railroading hobo from the Lone Star State whose style and repertoire were obsolete long before the first of his two recording sessions in 1927. His last recorded song, "Don't Leave Me Here," a plaintive version of his "Don't Ease Me In," was his bluesy take on the popular early 20th-century standard "Alabama Bound" and is one of many gems in this unique collection of extra-Delta country blues, "rags," and medicine show or vaudeville tunes. With Thomas punctuating most of his songs by tooting on pre-harmonica quills, or panpipes, these colorful numbers offer a glimpse into a vanished world. After recording such delights as "Railroadin' Some," "Jonah in the Wilderness," "Red River Blues," and "Honey, Won't You Allow Me One More Chance?," the mysterious minstrel disappeared--unless that really was Thomas on the corner of Crawford and Capitol during Houston's winter of 1949. --Alan Greenberg

Customer Reviews:

Absolutely Joyous.......2007-03-07

This music is absolutely joyous! It is thoroughly ancient dance music. I am listening to the album for the first time at this very moment, and I am overwhelmed with emotion. Henry Thomas's voice is perfectly inoffensive and endearing. Whole books can be written on the lyrics he sings and how they crop up in later tunes that would be called "Blues". The quills he plays make his music unlike anything else in all of Americana. His guitar playing can be plain, old, trance-like on the dance tunes, and intricate and glorious on the blues songs. At this exact second, I am listening to "Railroadin' Some," and I must conclude that this is one of the greatest albums I've ever heard in my life.

Glimpse of a unique personality.......2006-11-07

Much is made of Henry Thomas's stature as a 'pre-blues' musician, on whose music offers us a representation of the shift in black popular and social music from 'country' to 'blues' that was taking place in the earliiest years of the last century. It's clear that with Thomas's music the shift wasn't comlete.
However you look at it, this is great music, and if you like roots music there will be something in it for you. He's the only guy I've heard of play quills on a harmonica harness; heck, he's the only guy I've heard play quills who's not from the Miss. hill country, and he obviously plays them in a different style.
The oft-covered Fishin' Blues and the Old Country Stomp are deservedly famous from inclusion on the Harry Smith set and covers by the likes of Taj Mahal and Lovin' Spoonful in the case of the former, but the real surprise was hearing the clearly recognizable inspiration for Canned Heat's 'Goin' Up The Country.' I also love the way Thomas strings together disparate tunes as medleys without really missing a bit, clearly a holdover from country instrumental traditions.

henry and john hurt are the best.......2005-07-20

henry thomas plays the quills on harry smith's folk anthology.
he has a warm happy feeling like miss. john hurt's sound.
both are first rate musicians, country folks who know their soul.

Great music from the Black South.......2004-02-20

Henry Thomas was not a blues musician, although the four blues titles in this album are excelent. Henry Thomas was a songster, a performer of popular country songs. Fans of modern blues will find it hard to compare Thomas with people like Robrt Cray, Albert Collins or Albert King. But the music played on this CD does represent what was going on and popular in the beginning of the century. I found the Panflute playing reminiscent of African flute music. This in itself makes the CD worth listening to. The CD contains many types of songs. All are delivered with a great voice and inimitable - though simple - guitar backing. Henry Thomas has the musical charisma similar to that of blues greats such as Charlie Patton, Blind lemon Jefferson or Blind Willie Johnson (himself an example of a non-blues singer who is popular among blues fans). To me all the songs are great, but Railroadin' Some, Shanty Blues, and Texas Easy Street deserve special honors. I highly recommand the album.

Fantastic CD, but the liner notes?..........2003-03-02

This CD, containing every one of Henry Thomas's recordings, is a must-have if you're a fan of Lead Belly and other black musicians who performed pre-blues and early blues(but you probably won't care for it if you're expecting to hear something similar to Muddy Waters or Howlin' Wolf). Thomas's songs are full of energy and humor, the delicacy with which he played the quills providing an interesting contrast with his rough guitar and vocal style.
My only quibble with Yazoo's otherwise excellent packaging has to do with the liner notes written by Stephen Calt. Couldn't they have found someone who had more favorable things to say about Thomas? While acknowledging Thomas's deft picking on the few straight blues numbers like "Texas Easy Street Blues", Calt questions the "documentary value" of this music--in other words, he seems to have serious doubts as to whether Thomas was representative of the black music of his time. He points out the influence of white music on Thomas's recordings, but the same thing can be said of every black musician of his generation(Thomas was born in the 1870s); blacks and whites often performed and recorded the same songs.
There is one point in particular, albeit a minor one, on which I question Calt's analysis. He calls Thomas's "Shanty Blues", a slide piece, "a truncated version of a hillbilly song Fiddlin' John Carson recorded in 1927 as 'The Smoke Goes Out the Chimney Just the Same'...". I have never heard Carson's version so I don't know how similar the Thomas song is to it, but Calt is either unaware of or completely ignores the great similarity between Thomas's vocal phrasing on "Shanty" and the slide licks on "Guitar Rag", a popular instrumental recorded by black musician Sylvester Weaver in 1923(and itself later copied by white country musicians).

Average customer rating:

Taco Bell all the way...
Finally, Good Music
Smoking Hot!!!
Los Lonely Boys - The Real Deal
my all time favorite

Los Lonely Boys
Los Lonely Boys
Manufacturer: Or Music
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B0000AINKA
Release Date: 2003-08-12

Tracks:

Senorita
Heaven
Crazy Dream
Dime Mi Amor
Hollywood
More Than Love
Nobody Else
Onda
Real Emotions
Tell Me Why
Velvet Sky
La Contestacion

Amazon.com

California's Los Lobos are the reigning kings of Tex-Mex/Rock Espanol. But this debut CD by the San Angelo, Texas band Los Lonely Boys might herald a changing of the guard. This is truly a band of brothers, led by guitarist/vocalist Henry Garza and his younger, bass-and-drum-playing siblings Jojo and Ringo (no kidding). Like a lot of groups, they had to move away to achieve fame--in their case, to Nashville. But after the release of their EP, Willie Nelson heard them, put them on tour as his opening act, and recorded them at his studio--and the rest may be history. Stylistically, the Garza brothers' bilingual songs about love and life combine Stevie Ray Vaughan blues, Santana-style guitar licks and R&B. Nelson helps out on guitar, with Reese Wynans on keyboards. Produced by Keb Mo and B.B. King producer John Porter, the music is honest, driving, and down home, especially on the organ-filled uptempo tracks "Senorita" and "Tell My Why." The stinging guitar solo on the Afro-anthemic "Onda" recalls the '70s grooves Santana built his chops on, while "The Answer" and "More than Love" are raw power ballads that show off this group's dynamism and diversity. --Eugene Holley, Jr.

Customer Reviews:

Taco Bell all the way..........2004-12-23

Somehow my previous review of this facile cd has dropped off the screen. Since I feel so strongly about it, I have rewritten this (its all just a joke doncha get it?)I glanced at the reviews and this album scored as high as it did because that is the state of pop music today. Welcome to the Britanny (sp)nation...Really this music lacks any depth, its a pale echo of Los Lobos and Santana...I like the lead guitarist tho, and I am told they are very good live...But the lyrics are banal and really most of the music is unoriginal...But you have to understand I also believe Garth Brooks and Shannia Twain (whatever her name is) were the logical extension of the Nashville country music machine and as the result of their mass popularity, we have disco pop computer non melodic airwave crap that is dominated by image and lack of substance..but you know to each their own..its all relative...my opinion is no better than anyone elses...So in my opinion, if you really wanna hear what this music should be all about listen to Los Lobos' cuts "One time, One night" or Don't Worry Baby"....or check out Lila Downs... Yeah, I love Willie Nelson too...but clearly everyone needs to make a buck...have at it...But if you could just return CDs because you don't like them...this would be at the top of my list.Taco Bell here we come..yes I'll have the fajita in the tortilla, extra velveta please...

Finally, Good Music.......2004-07-04

I had lost hope. A music lover, I bought on average one new album every week, wishing that it will be the One.

A decade passed. Then Los Lonely Boys came along. WOW...

I am hooked, my wife is hooked, my kids too.

Thank you LLB.

They are the best thing that happened to rock n'roll since...I can't even remember.

I just hope that they will keep producing good music.

Keep bringing us joy.

Smoking Hot!!!.......2004-06-25

I haven't heard music this good for a while. Every single track on this CD is awesome, which is rare for new bands these days. Vocals, guitar, bass, and percussions are solid, these guys can really play, unlike most of todays bands. I've travelled 5 straight hours listening to just this one CD and never got tired of it. In fact I'm listening to it right at this moment. Thinking of buying CD's, put this on your list. Can't wait till the next album comes out.

Los Lonely Boys - The Real Deal.......2004-06-24

I just got back from seeing los lonely boys live for the first time (first, because I will definitely see them at every possble opportunity in the future.) Despite being relatively new and having little material to their catalogue, they put on quite an impressive show. MASSIVE jamming, I haven't seen amazing guitar like that since I saw the Crossroads Guitar Festival a few weeks ago, but that's another story. First of all, these guys are amazing, one day I'll be saying "yeah I saw the Los Lonely Boys for free in Dallas before they ever made it big." The first power trio was Cream, and these guys do great honor to the power trio tradition (underscore POWER!) The drums and bass are very good, but I am enthralled by the guitar capability of Henry Garza, this guy truly shreds the guitar with amazing capability. He was doing wah wah like I've only heard on Clapton albums and much more! At one point the bassist and lead guitarist were playing their instruments with one hand and changing chords by dropping or pulling the guitar up/down to change notes. They were showing off their musicianship and it was great. Henry even brought out a harmonica and was showing some mad skills. I bought the CD after seeing someone on audioscrobbler who liked the Jayhawks play their music alot so I checked them out at the music store and really enjoyed their CD and the single heaven. Now that I have seen them live, and heard Onda live with ~2 min. guitar solo intro to the song, I know that these guys will be around for a long time. One thing that always distinguished the really greats- Clapton, Santana, SRV for example- was the ability to create amazing catchy riffs and powerful songs that caught people's attention and drew them to the rest of their blues/rock output. "Heaven" is like that, it has an amazing riff that will draw people to an amazing musical talent. Quite refreshing!

my all time favorite.......2004-06-23

i am not exaggerating - these guys are my all time favorite music. i am 45 years old and love all kinds of music. this is the best! i am in love with this amazingly talented band. every song..................this is it!

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The Harry Smith Connection: A Live Tribute To The Anthology Of American Folk Music	Classic Maritime Music from Smithsonian Folkways Recordings	Smithsonian Folkways American Roots Collection
Classic Mountain Songs from Smithsonian Folkways	Classic Blues From Smithsonian Folkways	Folkways: The Original Vision