The Story That The Crow Told Me: Early American Rural Children's Songs (Classic Recordings from 1920s and 30s), Vol. 1 by Various Artists
Label: Yazoo Records.
Release Date: March 14, 2000.
Recording Time: 67 minutes.
Recording Date: 1920s - 1930s.
Release Info: Studio Recording (Yazoo-2051).
Styles: Country Blues, Folk Blues, Traditional Folk, Old-Timey.
The Story That the Crow Told Me, Vol. 1 compiles a fun selection of rural folk songs for children. Included among these recordings of the 1920s and '30s are songs about cows, rabbits, birds, the barnyard, and classics like "Animals Coming In" ("...who built the ark? Noah, Noah...") and "King Kong Kitchie Kitchie Ki-Me-O" ("froggy went a-courtin' and he did ride..."). Some of the performers, such as Bo Carter, will be familiar to fans of the Yazoo label, while other performers may be known to listeners of early rural recordings in general, such as Bradley Kincaid, Uncle Eck Dunford, and Clayton McMichen. Obviously, this album is not about presenting big names, nor is its focus excellent sound quality, since it draws from historical recordings of the 1920s and '30s. This album succeeds in gathering upbeat bluegrass and folk tunes with whimsical lyrics that can be enjoyed by kids and adults alike. ~ Joslyn Layne
This compact disc was compiled from extremely rare old 78s, which have been remastered to produced the best possible sound. However, the listener is advised to approach this CD in its historical perspective realizing that there are some imperfections and noise in the original recordings. These should be viewed as being of minor consequence in view of the considerable musical and historical importance of this project.
Original recordings are from the collections of Richard Nevins, Joe Bussard, Frank Mare, Dave Freeman, Eugene Earle and Don Kent.
Credits: Gene Austin - performer, primary artist; Virginia Mountain Boomers - primary artist; Homer Briarhopper - primary artist; Bill Carlisle - performer, primary artist; The Carolina Buddies - performer, primary artist; Bo Carter - performer, primary artist; Lew Childre - performer, primary artist; Cousin Emmy - performer, primary artist; Dixie Crackers - primary artist; Uncle Eck Dunford - performer, primary artist; Dykes Magic City Trio - performer, primary artist; Four Wanderers - performer, primary artist; Fruit Jar Guzzlers - performer, primary artist; Fisher Hendley - primary artist; His Aristocratic Pigs - primary artist; Bradley Kincaid - performer, primary artist; Clayton McMichen - primary artist; Richard Nevins - compilation producer, producer, remastering; Charlie Parker - composer; Chubby Parker - performer, primary artist; Joan Pelosi - design; The Pickard Family - performer, primary artist; Pope's Arkansas Mountaineers - primary artist; Riley Puckett - performer, primary artist; Ridgel's Fountain Citians - primary artist; Three Georgia Crackers - primary artist; Traditional - composer; Utica Institute Jubilee Singers - performer, primary artist.
Tracklist:
1. I Am Just What I Am - Homer Brierhopper;
2. Poor Little Thing Cried Mammy - Three Georgia Crackers;
3. Barnyard Tumble - Bill Carlisle;
4. Old Molly Hare - Clayton McMichen & Riley Puckett;
5. Animals Coming In - Four Wanderers;
6. Johnny Booker - Cousin Emmy;
7. The Old Grey Goose Is Dead - Pickard Family;
8. Pretty Little Pink - Bradley Kincaid;
9. Free Little Bird - Dykes Magic City Trio;
10. King Kong Kitchie Kitchie Ki-me-o - Chubby Parker;
11. Hop Along Peter - Fisher Hendley & His Aristocratic Pigs;
12. Horsie Keep Your Tail Up - Lew Childre;
13. The Nick Nack Song - Ridgel's Fountain Citians;
14. The Story That The Crow Told Me - Carolina Buddies;
15. Sue Cow - Bo Carter;
16. Skip To Ma Lou, My Darling - Uncle Eck Dunford;
17. Cindy - Gene Austin;
18. Say Darling Say - Virginia Mountain Boomers;
19. Liza Up In The Simmon Tree - Bradley Kincaid;
20. The Old Bell Cow - Dixie Crackers;
21. George Washington - Pope's Arkansas Mountaineers;
22. Sourwood Mountain - Fruit Jar Guzzlers;
23. Angels Watching Over Me - Utica Institute Jubilee Singers.