Violin, Sing the Blues for Me: African-American Fiddlers 1926-1949

Various Artists - Blues | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 24, 1999)
• Original Release Date: June 8, 1999
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Old Hat Records / Enterprises
• ASIN: B00000JC8X
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #54,534 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #29 in Music > Classical > Instruments > Strings > General
  • #31 in Music > Jazz > Traditional Jazz & Ragtime > Ragtime
  • #50 in Music > Blues > Regional Blues > Memphis Blues

Track Listings

1. Violin Blues - Johnson Boys

2. K.C. Railroad Blues - Andrew & Jim Baxter

3. Beaver Slide Rag - "Peg Leg" Howell & His Gang

4. Alma Waltz - Mississippi Mud Steppers

5. Window Pane Blues - Tommie Bradley

6. Travelin' Railroad Man - Alabama Sheiks

7. Pig Meat Blues - Whistler & His Jug Band

8. Right Now Blues - Frank Stokes

9. East Jackson Blues - Bo Chatmon

10. Memphis Blues - Mobile Strugglers

11. Vine Street Drag - Tennessee Chocolate Drops

12. Broken Bed Blues - Kansas City Blues Strummers

13. Lonesome Blues - Henry Williams & Eddie Anthony

14. Memphis Shakedown - Memphis Jug Band

15. Adam And Eve - Tommie Bradley

16. Tell Me Man Blues - Henry "Son" Sims

17. Blue Coat Blues - "Blue Coat" Tom Nelson

18. Salty Dog - Booker Orchestra

19. Baby, Please Don't Go - Joe Williams' Washboard Blues Singers

20. Stop & Listen Blues No. 2 - Mississippi Sheiks

See all 24 tracks on this disc

Editorial Reviews

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

Product 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.

See all Editorial Reviews

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Simply magnificent, July 16, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Violin, Sing the Blues for Me: African-American Fiddlers 1926-1949 (Audio CD)

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.

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great music - great supporting documentation, February 28, 2001

By 

AfroAmericanHeritage (Wisconsin) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Violin, Sing the Blues for Me: African-American Fiddlers 1926-1949 (Audio CD)

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.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Stunning recordings, rare music, July 26, 2002

By 

DJ Joe Sixpack (...in Middle America) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Violin, Sing the Blues for Me: African-American Fiddlers 1926-1949 (Audio CD)

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.