Customer Reviews

Wildwood Pickin

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is as fine a bluegrass/country/folk CD as you will find. Maybelle Carter fans will be delighted; newcomers-- is there is still anyone who fits into that category--will be overwhelmed. This CD of 22 tracks, all but one of which have never been previously recorded, is vintage Maybelle. The music is taken from her 1963 Newport Folk Festival appearance.

Maybelle plays both the guitar and autoharp on this CD and does mostly Original Carter Family songs. She demonstrates her unique "Carter Scratch" guitar playing technique and other examples of her unique playing on both instruments. I suppose that's of interest to people who play those instruments; I frankly don't care how she did it. I'm just so happy she played and sang over a long and apparently very happy life.

There isn't a mediocre cut on this CD. Many of the Carter gems are here: "Bury Me Under the Weeping Willow," "The Storms Are On the Ocean," "Gold Watch and Chain" and certainly "Wildwood Flower." On this live recording, Maybelle discusses the songs she sings and thanks the folks for having her in such a sincere way that only the truly great artists can pull off, in my opinion. The liner notes are well written. There is a diagram of how to do the "Carter Scratch."

This is a great, great CD that will bring you much joy. Maybelle Carter was one of our best, an American Institution.

This is an interesting and highly entertaining album - Maybelle Carter recorded live at the Newport Folk Festival back in 1963. The voice is a little shaky, but then, she was 54 years old at the time. However, the technique on guitar is as distinctive and faultless as ever, whilst her autoharp playing is a revelation. There are interviews by Bill Clifton and Mike Seeger, but they are not sufficiently probing. I would have liked to have known more of her actual playing technique, but the surface of this subject is barely scratched. But the playing itself makes up for that; particularly her work on the autoharp. Items range from the Carters' 'Little Darling, Pal of Mine' through the evergreen 'San Antonio Rose' to the then newly popular 'Never on Sunday'; all performed with the consummate skill one would expect from a seasoned veteran such as Maybelle. Recording quality is good, though it is possible to pick up intrusive sounds from what are, presumably, neighbouring concerts. That aside, this is an album well worth adding to the collection of any Carter Family fan, and anyone appreciative of top quality guitar and autoharp playing.

I bought this CD as research about the Carter family. I have always been a fan of Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash, and I wanted to hear more of the Carter family.

I played this CD right after I opened it, and to my surprize, it was some of the best music I have ever heard. Mother Maybelle Carter can play a guitar and autoharp better than anyone I have heard. She is modest, but a strong woman with strong playing techniques. From the first few moments of her first song, Maybelle will capture you with her unique voice and unusual guitar playing. This is an essential CD for anyone who likes the Carter family.

This CD really inspired me to play autoharp, since Maybelle made it sound so beautiful. This collection of songs will certainly sing to you, and Maybelle's introductions on some of the songs will make you appreciate the music even more. At some points, it sounds like there are several guitars playing, not just one. Maybelle changed the face of music, and helped make it what it is today, she is our roots. Let us not forget them.

This live recording from various workshops at the Newport Folk Festival in 1963 showcases Mother Maybelle in a way I've never heard her before. She demonstrates a number of guitar techniques including the "Carter scratch" and some incredible picking when she puts the finger picks on. She also takes us to school on the autoharp, demonstrating her unique technique of hitting the buttons in the midst of chording. I sat in the car listening to it after I got home because I didn't want to miss anything she said or did. When I first heard her on the NGDB's first "Circle" album, I thought I was extremely fortunate. To listen to this whole album of the mother of country music was more than I could have imagined. Amazon, stand back, I'm ready to buy more Carter albums! :) Buy it, you won't regret it for a second!

Like many I am sure, I am so sorry I missed her when she was here with us making her beautiful music. This CD gives everyone an opportunity to spend an hour with her. She talks about her guitar and auto harp playing and the making of her music. The sound of her voice and her laughter is enjoyed here as much as the music she makes for us. She does them all here...."Gold Watch and Chain", "Wildwood Flower" and "Fair and Tender Ladies" just to name a few. The fact that she was also a fine guitar and auto harp player as well as a singer is driven home with each selection. This is definately "The" must have for Maybelle Carter fans!

I recently `discovered' the original Carter Family recordings. On this CD, it is rather poignant to hear Maybelle without Sara and AP; as if one speaker channel were missing, but don't despair. The good news is that you get to hear Maybelle! Compared to the old 78's, Maybelle's extraordinary guitar picking comes thru even more brilliantly. She is also equally awesome on the autoharp. Tracks 8 - 12 leave me speechless. Five Stars!

I'm a life-long Mother Maybelle fan and was thrilled to have the opportunity to attend the 1963 Newport Folk Festival. It was all I'd hoped for, and more. Now, nearly 40 years later, I have my own autoharp and what would I give to sit at her feet to watch and listen to her play! This recording almost fills the bill...I wish the producers had included more of her simple, straight-forward dialogue as that was, to me, as captivating as her music. Well done, Mother Maybelle!

I'm a life-long Mother Maybelle fan and was thrilled to have the opportunity to attend the 1963 Newport Folk Festival. It was all I'd hoped for, and more. Now, nearly 40 years later, I have my own autoharp and what would I give to sit at her feet to watch and listen to her play! This recording almost fills the bill...I wish the producers had included more of her simple, straight-forward dialogue as that was, to me, as captivating as her music. Well done, Mother Maybelle!

I really love the music of the carter family, and bought this album being familiar with mother maybelle as a member of the group, but not with her as a solo performer...man what a treat this album is. Anyone who has even a vague interest in folk or early country should get this. It's a very intimate performace by one of the most talented women in traditional music. This is a gem that takes your breath away...makes you feel like you're right in the audience (i found myself feeling relieved when she announed an encore song...even though i knew from the tracklist there'd be one). there should be more records like this out there...because maybelle on her own is just as overpowering as any outfit she has been a part of. Get this !

Much of the Carter Family history comes to us through the written word,so it was wonderful to hear Mother Maybelle talking about her experiences.