Dock Boggs - "Country Blues: Complete Early Recordings (1927-1929)"

I found out about this collection after buying the American Primitive CDs available on Revenant Records which, although i bought primarily for the blues recordings, had an amazing variation of country blues and bluegrass aswell. This sparked my interest in the whole pre-war bluegrass movement whereupon i stumbled upon this gem. Also out on Revenant Records, this insight into a long forgotten master of the banjo really pricked my ears up and got me heavily into the old country-esque sound.

More of a hidden influence on the country music of today than people realize, like Charley Patton is on blues, and Albert Ayler on Jazz, Dock Boggs is sadly pretty much unheard of nowadays. Although i hear there is still an annual festival in the states which is named after him which brings great country and bluegrass musicians from all over the world to play, which is nice.

Anyhow, here are a couple of songs from the collection. Bearing in mind the year(s) in which these songs were recorded, it must be noted that the originals have been polished up somewhat and sound surprisingly crystal clear, although his voice can sound a little "tinny" in places. Enjoy:

New Prisoner's Song
Hard Luck Blues

Now, this is another rare one nowadays, and the CD still fetches over £200, with the Vinyl still managing to reach around £100 (i would have thought the other way round, but nevermind), so happy bidding! Failing that, you can always ask me for a copy. Nicely! ;)

Recommended if you like: Bayless Rose, Stanley Brothers, Two Poor Boys.

Carolina Gospel Quartets (1938 - 1939)

Now, this is a beautiful compilation of three pre-war Gospel quartets from Carolina. I actually stumbled across this CD by accident whilst trying to unearth more information about another pre-war Gospel group named "The Delta Big Four". Needless to say, this collection of wonderful songs brings just as much nostalgic bluesy vocal noodling as anything of this ilk that you are likely to hear.

In a time before commercial radio, agencies and pop music, these groups were amongst blues musicians, big bands, jazz musicians, bluegrass banjo players and country singers all on the streets just trying to make some money to get by. Some were lucky enough to get picked up for recording sessions. These groups were some of the lucky few. If the crackling of the shellac and the shaky, almost eerie melodic harmonies don't make your hairs stand on end, then nothing is likely to.

Here is a song from each group. I hope you enjoy them as much as i do:

Spartanburg Famous Four - "I Know My Time Ain't Long"
Shelby Gospel Four - "New Burying Ground"
Gospel Light Jubilee Singers - "I Can Tell The World About This"

Buy the CD

Recommended if you like: The Golden Gate Quartet, The Beach Boys, The Four Freshmen.