Nashville: The Early String Bands Vol. 2 CD

Radio came to Nashville in 1923, but it wasn't until 1925 when WSL started the Grand Old Opry. In the beginning, the Grand Old Opry, overseen by George D. Hay, was a wild and rumpus program that utilized unpaid musicians who lived nearby. Nashville Early String Bands, Vol. 2 captures the energy and wildness of those early days. Deford Bailey offers fine versions of harmonica blues on "Muscle Shoals Blues" and "Alcoholic Blues," showing that early country music included a wide variety of instruments. Sam and Kirk McGee sing "Brown's Ferry Blues," a song made famous by the Delmore Brothers. While less polished than the Delmore Brothers, their more old-time version is filled with energetic banjo. Uncle Dave Macon's charisma shines through on "Over the Road I'm Bound to Go" and "Bake That Chicken Pie." Although many early string bands had singers, a singer was by no means necessary and many groups performed without one. Instrumental recordings like Theron Hale & Band's "Fire in the Mountain" and the fiddling of Uncle Jimmy Thompson on "Billy Wilson" are prominent throughout this album. Whatever these early recordings lack in "polish" they make up for in liveliness. These early recordings also prove widely eclectic, performing without the guidelines of a "country sound." Several cuts on Nashville Early String Bands, Vol. 2 contain a few scratches, but the overall fidelity is very good. These recordings offer a fine look at country music's roots, complete with fiddles and banjos, untrained singers, and traditional songs. ~ Ronnie D. Lankford, Jr.

Performers include: Uncle Jimmy Thompson, Deford Bailey, Sam & Kirk McGhee, Theron Hale & Daughters, Uncle Dave Macon.

Personnel: Kirk McGee (vocals, banjo, fiddle); Uncle Dave Macon (vocals, banjo); Sam McGee (guitar, banjo); Mamie Ruth Hale (mandolin, fiddle); Mazy Todd, Blind Joe Mangrum, Elizabeth Hale, Jimmy Thompson, Theron Hale (fiddle); DeFord Bailey (harmonica); Fred Shriver (accordion); Eva Thompson Jones (piano).

Audio Remasterer: Richard Nevins.

Liner Note Author: Charles K. Wolfe.

Recording information: Atlanta, GA; Chicago, IL; Knoxville, TN; Nashville, TN; New York, NY; Richmond, IN.Dirty Linen (4-5/01, p.70) - "...Freewheeling Southern rural music....featuring recordings by some early performers....Enlightening..."
No Depression (1-2/01, pp.75-6) - "...Both a historical document and a highly enetertaining collection of early country music by some of the greatest artists on the riotous frolic that once defined the Grand Ole Opry."