Traverse through the landscape of bluegrass and clog dancing, guided by the ghostly apparitions of Clarence Ashley and the vibrant performances of Alison Krauss. The symphony of Appalachian narratives swells with each note, creating an ongoing saga of hidden ballads waiting to be rediscovered by voices like Old Crow Medicine Show and The Flat Mountain Girls.
Fiddles, Banjos, and Unfamiliar Roads
The hills of Appalachia roll out a musical enigma where the fiddle reigns supreme and the banjo strums along with an ancient intensity. Acoustic wonders such as the guitar and dulcimer weave their subtle magic, crafting harmony out of the raw. Yet, the tunes echo from origins as diverse as the Appalachian hollers, with notes of English, Irish, Scottish, and African influence caught in the breeze. The Crooked Road becomes Virginia’s winding tribute, crafting a heritage trail for the ears.
“Wildwood Flower” once danced on the lips of the Carter Family, a vessel of cultural export across radio waves since the 1920s. This is no time-bound serenade. The youth from Lee, Scott, and Wise counties breathe life into old coalfields, rebellious against time’s erosion as they create collections to preserve and support. A banjo sang when a certain Dock Boggs of Pardee found his way to city streets, recording melodies carved in mountain air.
Narratives in Song
Appalachian ballads wield simplicity with a cunning twist, tales woven into music, recounting hardships and heartaches. “The Cuckoo” flutters among them, elusive yet resonant. Ralph Stanley, iconic in his command of bluegrass shadows, once gave voice to such stories with a chilling resolve, his banjo an accomplice. The coal-fired dreams of past ages find echoes in each communal gathering, with songs a tether to kin and land.
Yet the annals of Appalachia seem never entirely scribed. A spirit of mystery anticipates each rendition of “Bluegrass Clog Dancing,” the sound of shoes tapping tales long forgotten. Bascom Lamar Lunsford, “The Minstrel of the Appalachians,” channels rhythm from footfalls, sparking buck dances to life, where Scottish and Cherokee steps find common ground.
Trailblazers and Apparitions
Ola Belle Reed whispers her narratives through recollections that trace back to amusements in parks of bygone days. Her vibrant recollections emit nostalgia mingling with melody. The Flat Mountain Girls strike chords with the echoes of Truman Price, “St. Anne’s Reel” playing amidst recollections revised by time.
Clarence Ashley strides in, “The Johnson Boys” a mere dust of Appalachian footprints, carried forward to the rhythmic crescendos of The Rhythm Rangellers. This cacophony, this confluence, remains fluid as it folds into newer interpretations by voices like Alison Krauss and ensembles like Old Crow Medicine Show, each continuation but a footnote to an ongoing symphony of hidden and half-remembered ballads.
Tracklist :
The Carter Family – Wildwood Flower
“The Carter Family – Wildwood Flower” is a 1928 folk recording featuring Sara Carter’s vocals and Maybelle Carter’s distinctive guitar picking. It remains a foundational piece in American country and old-time music.
My God Aren’T These 1960S Bluegrass Clog Dancers Magnificent To See?
“Clarence Ashley – The Cuckoo” is a 1929 banjo version of the traditional folk tune, known for its modal tuning and phrasing. Ashley’s rendition influenced many revival-era musicians.
Clarence Ashley Performs “The Cuckoo”
“Flat Top Mountain Girls” likely refers to an old-time all-female Appalachian string band, though specific recordings or documentation are limited.
Flat Top Mountain Girls
“Old Time Fiddle – St. Anne’s Reel – Truman Price” is a traditional fiddle performance by Truman Price, capturing the lively character of this well-known reel.
Old Time Fiddle – St. Anne’S Reel – Truman Price
“Blue Ridge Mountain Blues” is a folk standard associated with Appalachian guitar-blues traditions. Various artists have recorded versions, though no specific one is indicated here.
Blue Ridge Mountain Blues
“The Rhythm Rangellers – Berkeley Old Time Music Convention 9/12/09” refers to a live performance at the 2009 Berkeley Old-Time Music Convention, showcasing traditional string band repertoire.
The Rhythm Rangellers – Berkeley Old Time Music Convention 9/12/09
“Johnson Boys – Annie & Mac Old Time Music Moment” appears to feature a duo performing the traditional tune “Johnson Boys,” often heard at festivals and informal jam sessions.
“Johnson Boys” Annie & Mac Old Time Music Moment
“Clifftop 2007 Old Time Music – Half Past Four” captures a performance of the tune “Half Past Four” at the 2007 Appalachian String Band Festival in Clifftop, West Virginia.
Clifftop 2007 Old Time Music “Half Past Four”
“Rebekah Weiler – Best Banjo Picker (IBMA)” suggests that banjoist Rebekah Weiler received recognition, possibly at an IBMA-related event, for her contributions to old-time music.
Rebekah Weiler, Old Time Music, Best Banjo Picker-Ibma
Rebekah Weiler, Old Time Music, Best Banjo Picker-IBMA