The Devil's Box: Masters of Southern Fiddling (Vanderbilt/Country Music Foundation Press) (Paperback)

by Charles Wolfe (Author) "OF THE PIONEERING PHONOGRAPH RECORDS MADE BY various fiddlers in the 1920s, which represents the most archaic or oldest style?..." (more)
Key Phrases: trick fiddling, fiddle records, stringband music, Uncle Jimmy, Arthur Smith, New York (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal
In this example of the bounty of country music history stemming from the Country Music Foundation/Vanderbilt University alliance, Wolfe (The Life and Legend of Leadbelly, LJ 11/15/92) concentrates on Southern fiddling in the years 1925-55, paying particular attention to early recordings by fabled old-timers. After a sparkling foreword by Mark O'Connor, the Texan fiddler whose playing strikes chills down the spine, Wolfe sets the stage with brief discussions on why the fiddle was called "the devil's box" in the South, the kinds of fiddles one found among the folk, and the popularity of fiddling contests. Wolfe's well-documented research compels the reader to salute the study of country music as a valid endeavor for scholarly contributions. Recommended for collections on American music in public and academic libraries.?Kathleen Sparkman, Baylor Univ., Waco, Tex.
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Kirkus Reviews
Knowledgeable but occasionally arcane collection of essays celebrating the Golden Age of ``old-time'' southern fiddling (192555). Old-time fiddling has an honored place in American culture and history: The industrialist Henry Ford recognized this and marshaled his resources to spark a revival of the art and to promote traditional values. Wolfe (coauthor, The Life and Legend of Leadbelly, 1992) originally published most of these essays in The Devil's Box, a magazine about old-time fiddling. (The fiddle was sometimes called the devil's box, Wolfe notes, ``because some thought it was sinful to play one.'') Like the magazine, this book caters to those with a substantial interest and knowledge in the field. Most of the essays take a scholarly approach to such things as discographies of unreleased ``sides'' by classic fiddlers or resolving the composition credit for ``The Black Mountain Rag.'' Those already familiar with fiddling giants such as Eck Robertson, Uncle Jimmy Thompson, Fiddlin' Powers, Doc Roberts, Clayton McMichen, Bob Wills, and Arthur Smith will find the level of detail satisfying; others, especially nonfiddlers, may feel awash in facts. However, there are revealing anecdotes throughout: Arthur Smith, for instance, once showed up for a photo session for the Grand Ole Opry in a suit and was forced to change into rural clothes (a more appropriate look, it was thought, for a country musician) and pose in a pigpen. The idiosyncratic Smith also once dynamited a fishing hole to guarantee himself a good catch. The great Clark Kessinger learned a few chops from the classical violinist Szigeti. Fiddling contests, the history of the Opry, and the early days of recorded country music are well covered. The collection provides a valuable storehouse of fiddling history, but copious research is generally undistilled. Not for the layperson. (13 b&w photos, not seen) -- Copyright ©1997, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Country Music Foundation Press (December 22, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0826513247
• ISBN-13: 978-0826513243
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #611,326 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good research and writing by one of the best in this field., June 24, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: The Devil's Box: Masters of Southern Fiddling (Hardcover)

Well-written, well-researched accounts of fiddlers whose time has passed but whose reputations as masters of the instrument grow with time. A bonus is Wolfe's research on many early recordings of these musicians and how they came to be. Highly recommended for anyone remotely interested in the subject. This author knows his subject. I went looking for CD samples of their music, which wasn't easy to find but was worth the effort. Jim Travis, Nashville

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Give Charles Wolfe a Dram, May 19, 2004

By	grasshopper4 (Arkansas) - See all my reviews

Charles Wolfe's book will appeal to fiddlers, fans of old-time and country music, and music historians. Mark O'Connor's introduction provides an interesting contemporary perspective on the old-time music, and each chapter is a historical sketch of an important fiddler. When read as a whole, the book provides a good social history of fiddling and fiddlers from the South. I especially like the articles on the obscure but really important musicians, but the articles on fiddlers like Eck Robertson and Bob Wills are also great reading. The book is written in an enjoyable style, and Wolfe's knowledge of fiddling and music history is incredible.