Customer Reviews

Old-Time String Band Songbook

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I spent years between the time this book came out in 1964 and when I lost it some time around 1976 going through every page of this book, learning about every song, playing them in bands with people, or just by myself. If you like old timey music this is it.

The emphasis is on the most songs per page written down in music, not on tab or instruction. All these songs and what little commentary there is in this book was impossible to find elsewhere when this came out in 1964. Remember this comes from the early 60s when you were a weirdo pinko freak if you liked this kind of music (contrary to fantasies some folks have about the folk revival)s. This is a book to buy, go through all the songs, and enjoy.

To go along with this book, you should get the recordings of the NLCR. Several compilations are available on Smithsonian Folkways that can be bought wherever you get CDS. However, if you contact Smithsonian folkways, they will dub you a CD or a cassette tape of any of the original complete albums (I think there were about 20). This is not exactly stereophile music where a dubbed version will be unenjoyable. In fact, it probably will sound more like the original old time music 78s that the Ramblers were trying to imitate.

The most perfect matches here would be the records of the original group with Tom Paley. I am not one to claim, as many do, that the NLCR was no good after Paley left. In fact, the band continued and expanded its own musician horizons. Now with them nearing their 70s they still put out good interesting music although the NLCR has now disbanded officially. John Cohen and Mike Seeger continue to put out solo albums.

All I am saying is that these were the records made before this book, originally their songbook, came out and contain most of the songs in the book. I would note that "Songs from the Depression" is a masterpiece with some of the best picking and best songs I have ever heard.

Here's the list of the original; records.

FA 2396 New Lost City Ramblers (1958)
FA 2397 New Lost City Ramblers, Volume 2 (1959)
FA 2398 New Lost City Ramblers, Volume 3 (1961)
FA 2399 New Lost City Ramblers, Volume 4 (1961)
FA 2395 New Lost City Ramblers, Volume 5 (1962, released 1963)
FC 7064 Old Timey Songs for Children (1959, originally a 10" disc)
FH 5264 Songs from the Depression (1959)
FA 2494 Tom Paley, John Cohen and Mike Seeger Sing Songs of the New
Lost City Ramblers (1961)
FH 5263 American Moonshine and Prohibition (1962)

I rate this highly because its so damn informative. It's chock full of old string band standards from the twenties through the forties. Most, if not all, have been recorded at one time or another by the New Lost City Ramblers. It's geared toward those who are already musicians, although the novice instrumentalist can get a lot from it. It has very little in terms of tablature, but there is tuning and key information so you can strum along and figure out the accompaniment. In the introduction the book clearly points out that the best way to learn to play this music is by listening to the records if you can find them. In any event, if you're a fan of old-timey music, this book is something you have to have.

traditional old tyme type stuff it was originaly called the new lost city rambelers song book.

I was very pleased with the purchase of this book.......it was exactly as described, the service was great.

Late Mike Seeger and John Cohen (New Lost City Ramblers) present some very interresting songs among thousands they know.

A must for the culture of the French Man I am who got so much relation with the US.

Dont miss this book.

Jacques Gayan
Paris France