Classic Old-Time Fiddle From Smithsonian

Playing Time - 78:30 -- For those who have studied old-time fiddling, you will recognize the names of Clark Kessinger, Wade Ward, Tommy Jarrell, Marion Sumner, Gaither Carlton, Eck Robertson, Melvin Wine and Fred Price. The 38 tracks on this generous album of archival material also feature many other Appalachian style fiddlers whose music has been preserved as part of the Folkways catalog. All of the fiddlers sampled are from LPs released between 1951-1997. Even though put out in 1951, "Jenny on the Railroad" played by Tracy Schwartz and Mike Seeger with the New Lost City Ramblers is a tune that appeared in an 1839 collection of Virginia reels. Ten years before his death is 1971, fiddle Wade Ward recorded his solo Galax-style version of "Mississippi Sawyer." It's nice that some of the solos like Gaither Carlton's rendition of "Old Man Below" also include singing to tell the story of the old man coming with a double-barrel gun. Buddy Pendleton provides a rousing "Bill Cheatum"...Read more

Well over 60 minutes of good listening with nice sound quality. Nothing to "weed through" here, just delightful, charming fun. I expected all of these selections to have been recorded prior to 1960, but the timeline for this collection is all over the map. Maybe "old-STYLE" would have described it better. I value this addition to my collection. My grampy was the (Vermont) fiddler of reels/slipper shuffler in my family, but this CD makes me want to just get in there and play spoons and watch the babies dance!!

This album is great. The music is so enjoyable and relaxing. This album is perfect with a cup of coffee on a lazy Sunday morning, and Wednesday Night Waltz is pure bliss!