Release Date: March 20, 2001.
Recording Time: 60 minutes.
Recording Date: 1934 - 1943.
Series: The Alan Lomax Collection
Release Info: Compilation (ROUNDER 11661-1828-2).
Styles: Field Recordings, Traditional Folk, Country Blues, Folksongs, Pre-War Blues, Work Songs, Old-Timey.
Deep River of Song: Georgia is another entry in the series of Southern and Caribbean field recordings completed by Alan & John A. Lomax during the '30s and '40s. This disc contains 22 songs, including blues and group singing, performed by singers known and unknown. Four songs are sung and played by Blind Willie McTell, and they are highlights of this recording. "Boll Weevil" and "Dying Crapshooter's Blues" feature McTell's laid-back, soulful vocals and some nice guitar work. He adds a spiritual twist and a little slide work on "Just as Well Get Ready, You Got to Die" and "I Got to Cross the River Jordan." A number of songs, including "Captain Haney Blues" and "Longest Trail I Ever Saw," are performed by groups of male singers. These vibrant songs are easily accessible, with lively presentation and memorable melodies, making them a good entry place for those unfamiliar with field recordings. Robert Davis delivers the blues guitar instrumental, "Poor Joe Breakdown," complete with foot-stomping, and one shouldn't miss the harmonica playing of Buster Brown on "I'm Gonna Make You Happy." The liner notes are extensive and well-written, and there is a nice introductory essay by Dr. David Evans. While this album certainly has a historical value, it is also enjoyable and easy to recommend to anyone with a passing interest in field recordings. Beware though. Listening to this album will only lead one to pick up the other wonderful titles in Rounder's Deep River of Song series. ~ Ronnie D. Lankford, Jr.
Credits: Llynn Abbott - Research Assistant; Gary Atkinson - Composer; Mary Elizabeth Barnicle - Engineer; Matthew Barton - Production Coordination; Buster Brown - Harmonica, Primary Artist, Vocals; Anna L. Chairetakis - Producer; Reese Crenshaw - Guitar, Performer, Primary Artist, Vocals; Robert Davis - Guitar, Primary Artist; Michael Donaldson - Disc Transfers; Dr. David Evans - Liner Notes, Series Editor; Ellen Harold - Associate Editor; Bess Lomax Hawes - Series Consultant; Willis James - Engineer; Lewis Jones - Engineer; Phil Klum - Mastering; Alan Lomax - Engineer, Primary Artist, Research; Ruby T. Lomax - Engineer; Carole McCurdy - Editorial Consultation; Blind Willie McTell - Composer, Guitar (12 String), Primary Artist, Vocals; Bill Nowlin - Series Coordinator; Steve Rosenthal - Mastering, Restoration; Alvin Sanders - Guitar, Primary Artist; Doug Seroff - Research Assistant; Smith Band - Guitar, Kazoo, Mandolin, Primary Artist, String Bass; James Sneed - Primary Artist, Vocals, Washboard; Paul Sylvester - Primary Artist; Traditional - Composer; Jesse Wadley - Performer, Primary Artist; John Wadley - Primary Artist; John W. Work III - Engineer.
Tracklist:
01. Boll Weevil - Blind Willie McTell
02. Dying Crapshooter's Blues - Blind Willie McTell
03. Captain Haney Blues - Camp Morris And Group
04. Po' Laz'us - Male Convict Group
05. Longest Train I Ever Saw - Jesse Wadley With John Wadley, Will Jones And Felix Davenport
06. Oh Lawdy Me, Oh Lawdy My - Male Convict Group
07. Hammer Ring - Paul Sylvester And Group
08. Judgment - Camp Morris And Group Of Six Men
09. Just As Well Get Ready, You Got To Die - Blind Willie McTell
10. All Night Long - Sophie Wing And Mixed Group
11. I Got To Cross The River Jordan - Blind Willie McTell
12. I'm Gonna Make You Happy - Buster Brown
13. Sally Walker - Sidney Stripling
14. Coon Ci'nt (Coonjine) - Sidney Stripling
15. Breakaway - Sidney Stripling
16. Sevassafool (Sebastopol) - Gus Gibson And Sidney Stripling
17. John Henry - Reese Crenshaw
18. Fast Train - John Lee Thomas
19. Poor Joe Breakdown - Robert Davis
20. War Song - Buster Brown
21. Southern Rag - James Sneed, J. F. Duffey* And Alvin Sanders
22. Smithy Rag - The Smith Band