The Story That The Crow Told Me: Early American Rural Children's Songs (Classic Recordings from 1920s and 30s), Vol. 2 by Various Artists

Label: Yazoo Records.

Release Date: March 14, 2000.

Recording Time: 65 minutes.

Recording Date: 1920s - 1930s.

Release Info: Studio Recording (Yazoo-2052).

Styles:  Country Blues, Folk Blues, Traditional Folk, Old-Timey, String Bands, Traditional Country.

The Story That the Crow Told Me, Vol. 2 compiles a fun selection of rural folk songs for children. Included among these recordings of the 1920s and '30s are songs about pigs, hens, groundhogs, a gum-chewing girl, and biblical figures as with the tunes "Little David Play on Your Harp" and "Daniel in the Den of Lions." Also included on the compilation are the well-known classics "Jesus Loves Me" and "The Frog Went A-Courtin" (otherwise known as "King Kong Kitchie Kitchie Ki-Me-O"). Some of the performers, such as Leroy Carr, will be familiar to fans of the Yazoo label, while other performers -- such as Bradley Kincaid, the Carolina Tar Heels, and Bill Carlisle -- may be known to listeners of early rural recordings in general. 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 collection 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.

Front cover: C. 1895, courtesy of Jim Bollman.

Credits: Anna Canova - primary artist; Jim Bollman - photo courtesy; Bucklebusters - primary artist; Julietta Canova - primary artist; Bill Carlisle - performer, primary artist; The Carolina Tar Heels - performer, primary artist; Leroy Carr - composer, performer, primary artist; Vernon Dalhart - performer, primary artist; Ford - primary artist; Grace - primary artist; A.A. Gray - primary artist; Kelly Harrell - performer, primary artist; His Walker MOuntain String Band - primary artist; Lake Howard - performer, primary artist; Bradley Kincaid - performer, primary artist; The Leake County Revelers - performer, primary artist; Richard Nevins - compilation producer, liner notes, producer, remastering; Land Norris - performer, primary artist; North Canton Quartet - primary artist; Chubby Parker - performer, primary artist; Joan Pelosi - booklet design, design; The Prairie Ramblers - performer, primary artist; Joe Reed - performer, primary artist; Jack Reedy - primary artist; Seven Foot Dilly - primary artist; Seven Foot Dilly & His Hot Pickles - performer, primary artist; The Skillet Lickers II - performer, primary artist; Arthur "Guitar Boogie" Smith - performer, primary artist; McGee Brothers - performer, primary artist; Henry Thomas - performer, primary artist; Traditional - composer.

Tracklist: 

1. Little Honey Bee - Bill Carlisle; 

2. Chewing Chewing Gum - Lake Howard; 

3. The Frog Went A-Courtin - Anna & Julietta Canova; 

4. Devilish Mary - Skillet Lickers; 

5. Charley, He's A Good Old Man - Kelly Harrell; 

6. Groundhog - Jack Reedy & His Walker Mountain String Band; 

7. The Old Ark's A Moving - A. A. Gray & Seven Foot Dilly; 

8. The Little Red Caboose - Henry Thomas; 

9. Somebody's Tall And Handsome - Carolina Tar Heels; 

10. Chuck Old Hen - Bucklebusters; 

11. Charming Bill - McGee Brothers & Todd; 

12. Beaver Creek - Prairie Ramblers; 

13. A Paper Of Pins - Bradley Kincaid; 

14. Kiss Me Cindy - Ford & Grace; 

15. Carried Water For The Elephant - Leroy Carr; 

16. Pig At Home In The Pen - Arthur Smith Trio; 

17. Get Away Old Maids Get Away - Chubby Parker; 

18. Daniel In The Den Of Lions - North Carolina Cooper Boys; 

19. Sourwood Mountain - Bradley Kincaid; 

20. Molly Put The Kettle On - Leake County Revelers; 

21. Little David Play On Your Harp - Joe Reed Family; 

22. I Love Somebody - Land Norris; 

23. Jesus Loves Me - Vernon Dalhart.