Customer Reviews

Volume 2: 1935-1941

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As a Christmas present to myself, I purchased the two JSP boxed sets, The Carter Family, 1927-1934 and The Carter Family, Volume 2, 1935-1941. I have been playing them non-stop for the past four days, and I am absolutely thrilled with both of them.

The RCA Victor sides were issued "complete" a few years ago by Rounder records. The Rounder releases are supposed to be re-mastered, yet they don't sound any better than the tracks presented in the JSP collections. And the JSP collections include complete information on the original recording dates, which the Rounder releases do not. Finally, one reviewer here observed that the sleeve notes for the JSP Box sets are minimal; that's true, but when compared to the Rounder releases, I find that the JSP releases actually proffer a bit more biographical information, and better details on the records.

The first set (1927-1934) pretty much covers almost all of the original Victor sides; I have carefully compared the first set with the Rounder series (I have all nine titles in the Rounder releases) and I have only found two or three tracks that are missing from the JSP sets. This is The Carter Family, country music's first family, as they should be heard. Sara's singing is strong and clear; Maybelle's guitar playing is amazing, and A. P.'s harmonious accompaniment is wonderful. The early years are raw and unpolished, but that adds to their aesthetic artistry, and actually enhances their simple charm.

But Volume 2, (1935-1941) is truly exciting for the bulk of material that has not been available of CD before. This box contains the balance of the RCA Victor sides not included in the first set, but also includes dozens of later recordings originally issued on the ARC and Decca labels (Decca owned both). These recordings are completely glorious, and floored me when I heard them (and I've been a fan of "roots" music for many years). The sound is amazing, and the performances, both in terms of instrumental skill and vocal harmony, are far more polished than the early Victor sides. Aside from an MCA (Decca) issue in the "Country Music Hall of Fame" Series and an issue from Sony Special Products on the Country Label, these songs have been totally neglected as CD issues. Between the two JSP sets, the material covered represents about 90% of the original Carter Family records that I am aware of, although there may be many more that are lost forever. This is not likely to be corrected anytime soon. Decca Records is notorious for neglecting to reissue historic recordings, which is a real shame. I wish I had a dollar for every artist I have on a Decca vinyl that has not seen a CD release. Decca has released many historic Jazz recordings on the "Decca Jazz" label, but aside from the Country Music Hall of Fame series (a limited anthology series) it has not seen fit to issue much of the classic country music rotting in its vaults. And there are probably thousands of wonderful popular music recordings in Decca's vaults that may never see the light of day on CD, either. Concurrent with these recordings, the Carter Family also spent years performing live concerts on "border radio". Many transcripts of these fine performances were made, and a few have been made available on obscure labels. But the JSP sets contain most of their studio sessions.

For anyone who doesn't know, the original Carter Family practically invented country music. Sara and Maybelle, who were cousins, married the Carter brothers, A.P. and Ezra, and a musical family was born. They found their way to the 1927 "talent auditions" conducted by Ralph Peer, which also "discovered" Jimmie Rodgers, the Father of Country Music. I often say that if Jimmie Rodgers was the father, than the Carter Family were the mothers. The original group (Sara, Maybelle and Alvin Pleasant) split up in 1941, never to record together again (aside from the wonderful "Historic Reunion" album that Maybelle and Sara recorded in 1965). For many years, Maybelle continued to tour and record with her daughters, June Helen and Anita, under the name of the Carter Family. Of course, June later married Johnny Cash, who toured with June for years; this association helped keep interest in the Carter Family legacy alive for many years.

I have to honestly say that I can't remember when I last enjoyed a boxed set so thoroughly. The simple, pure singing of the original Carter Family is truly wonderful. Their harmony is amazing, their playing incredible. One is always conscious while listening to them that these are self-taught musicians, yet their professionalism is obvious. As I write these words, my stereo is pouring forth their 1935 version of Are You Lonesome Tonight, a song that became a multi-million seller for Elvis Presley 25 years later. I prefer the Carter Family version. You may too.

This box set is a continuation of the Carter Family Saga, and shows this group at the peak of musical power for this trio. This is essential music for understanding what Country music was in the 1930s. The harmony vocals and driving rhythm of guitar and autoharp stand in sharp contrast with what is called Country music today. The sound quality is superb (at times, it sounds like a modern recording).

anyone who loves the carter family will be extremely happy owning this 5 cd set! this is vol. 2, but that doesn't mean it's any less wonderful than vol. 1! my only complaint is that A.P. doesn't sing enough songs!

More than six hours of old-time mountain, country and Gospel songs, by the pioneer ensemble in all of country music history, and the sound quality is fine considering the age of the recording. I found my set in a bargain bin for two-thirds of the listed price, so I am even luckier, but it is a good buy at this price if you really, really like the Carters. The first two discs are generally wonderful, as is the fifth in the set. The middle two, covering the years 1936-40, however, will not be getting much repeat play in my home. The songs on those two CD's are largely undistinguished and the performances a bit lethargic. Although not as great a bargain, the single CD "Can the Circle Be Unbroken?" on Columbia, and the RCA Legends CD for the Country Music Hall of Fame feature about an hour each of truly great Carter performances, wonderfully remastered. If you are only casually interested in the early history of recorded Americana music, I'd buy those two releases (for about the same total price as these five discs.) There is little duplication between those two choices as well. Although I was not totally captivated by all 129 tracks on this set, there are some obscure Gospel numbers which are wonderful to hear. I prefer the secular or romantic Carter tunes in general to the hymns, but some of the religious songs you can find here deserve new arrangements and a revival. On Disc One, my favorites are "Sinking in the Lonesome Sea" (aka "Golden Vanity") and "Gospel Ship." On the second CD, covering 1935-36, I like "The Storms are on the Ocean" and "On the Rock Where Moses Stood" among a bunch of other greats. For Disc Three, my favorite was "Honey in the Rock" which stood out way ahead of the other 25 tracks. For the fourth disc, "Walking on the King's Highway" was my choice. The final disc, covering the original group's last sessions, has several fine songs: "Heaven's Radio" and "There'll Be No Distinction There" and "Black Jack David" are all neat, and so are "We Shall Rise" and "Keep on the Firing Line." Despite my feeling that six hours of the Carters is more than I need, especially since I have two more hours on the single releases I mentioned above, if I found the other JSP five-disc set covering 1927-34, for the same price, I'd grab it.

Ralph Peer arrived in Bristol, Tennessee in August of 1927. He recognized that the "hillbilly" music of the rural South had commercial potential and was looking to sign some acts. Of the regional musicians that played for Peer the most impressive were Jimmie Rodgers and the Carter Family. Rodgers went on to become country music's first big star while the Carter Family became country's first popular group as well as one of its most important and influential.

This CD collection includes over 125 songs recorded in the latter half of the Carter Family's career. Some are gospel songs while others tell wondrous stories of rambling boys, lovestruck girls, green mountain tops and wildwood flowers. So many of these beautiful and timeless songs move me profoundly, taking me back to the days of my Southern mountain ancestors and the life experiences they might have had.

I highly recommend the purchase of not only this product but JSP"s collection of Carter Family recordings from 1927-1934. These slices of musical history would be worth paying much more for. But, with the bargain prices offered by JSP, this is a deal too good to pass up.

I bought this Two Part, 10 Disc collection because I wanted some of the earliest recorded music with origination in the Appalachia region. I was intrigued by the history behind the songs that were obtained from residents of the Appalachian Mountains. AP Carter would write down the lyrics and his associate, Lesley Riddle, would put the tune to memory. Songs that probably have been passed down for generations, songs originally brought from the residents' respective "Old Countries", probably dating back to the families that migrated there in the 1700's. I have a Great ancestor that fought in the Battle of Kings Mountain during the Revolutionary War, feel a kindred spirit and wanted to experience some of the music that has been passed down and preserved. The recording quality is surprisingly good considering the technology used in the 20's & 30's. It is said this is where Country Music started although it's far removed from anything being recorded today; however, if you enjoyed the music in the movie Oh Brother Where Art Thou you will appreciate this as a time capsule of music.

This compilation contains 130 of the songs that the Carter family (A P Carter, his wife Sara and Sara's cousin Maybelle, the wife of A P's brother Ezra, himself not a member of the group) recorded for Victor between 1927 and 1934. It does not contain everything, for which you would require the Bear Family 12-CD boxed set In the shadow of Clinch mountain. I compared the Bear Family track listing and identified the omissions, confirming that this set and the first set Carter Family 1927-1934 don't omit much and between them include everything that I need.

This set includes re-recordings of many of their classic songs that can be found on the first set, but also contains a few classics not featured in the earlier set, including Can the circle be unbroken? (now better known as Will the circle be unbroken?), My Dixie darling (later revived brilliantly by Carlene Carter, granddaughter of Maybelle), Hello stranger, My home's across the blue ridge mountains and You are my flower. The re-recordings are interesting because some of them are clearly different from the earlier versions. They are often smoother, which doesn't necessarily mean better, but in any case everything is relative. They still sound quite raw compared to a lot of recorded music, albeit less so than the originals to be found in the first box.

Another notable cover featured in this box is Are you lonesome tonight?, first recorded in 1927 by Vaughn DeLeath, one of the most popular female singers of the twenties, who had an American top five hit with it. Comparatively few covers of this excellent song were recorded prior to 1961. The credits in the track listing of this compilation list A P as the songwriter, but he definitely didn't write this one. The booklet notes acknowledge Lou Hardman and Roy Turk as the writers and these are names you'll find elsewhere, including on Elvis Presley`s recording. The writer of the notes in this compilation clearly didn't know the song's history when he wrote the notes. I guess he had thought Elvis was the original artist (as I once did) prior to hearing the Carter family version, as he didn't mention Vaughn DeLeath's version, which I knew about long before I knew about the version here, but he did notice the discrepancy in songwriting credits. The version here is very different from the other two and while I enjoy it, this is one song where I prefer the pop versions.

There is, of course, much more to the Carter family's music than the famous songs and there are plenty of other songs to keep listeners interested. There are plenty of great but lesser known songs here, as there are in the first set, covering love songs, gospel songs and story songs on a variety of subjects.

Both this set and its companion are excellent, and for those who can't afford (or who can afford but can't justify the price of) In the shadow of Clinch mountain, this box and its prequel Carter Family 1927-1934 between them offer excellent value.

Much of modern country music can trace its roots to the Appalacian mountain music that was brought to the attention of the world through the early recordings of the Carter family of western Virginia. These recordings preserved a form that was contained in the mountains until the 1930s. Fortunately quality recordings have been preserved and are available as an interesting resource for those interested in the history of country music.Appa

It is great to hear music that the musicians believe in. They seem to be convinced they are singing the truth and it is easy to hear in their music. I love it.