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As I entered the 5th year of operation at cdRoots, I found myself heading back to my own roots in American music, which started back in the 60s with a love of old-time string band music coupled with the irreverence of the counter-folk music of bands like the Fugs and the Holy Modal Rounders.
Here, then, are just a few of the CDs, new and old, that are redefining American music or looking deep into its past. This is far from the complete catalog of American music, just a few choice titles that are personal favorites at the moment.
Authentic Rare Bluegrass: Independent Label Sides 1951-54 - VA
$28.99
(cdRoots# sst-jsp77110)
4 CDs, 100-cut collection of artists who recorded for smaller labels such as Mutual, Blue Ridge, among others. Featuring Wade Mainer and The Mountaineers, Bill Clifton and his Dixie Mountain Boys, Larry Richardson and Happy Smith, Jim Eanes and His Shenandoah Valley Boys, others.
Little Walter and The Kings Of The Blues Harmonica: Blowin' and Suckin' - VA
$27.99
(cdRoots# sst-prp145)
4 CD, comprehensive set of early harmonica masters, presented in both solo and accompanied settings. Featuring a whole slew of harp greats such as Sonny Boy Williamson, Sonny Terry, Billy Boy Arnold, Walter Horton, Slim Harpo, Junior Wells, others - with 2 whole CDs spotlighting the genius of Little Walter. 108 cuts, including "Decoration Blues," "I Wish You Would," "I'm A King Bee," "Hoodoo Man," "Boom, Boom, Out Go The Lights," "Mellow Down Easy," more.
How Long Has That Evening Train Been Gone?: Vol. 1, 1928-1934 - Leroy Carr and Scrapper Blackwell
$29.99
(cdRoots# sst-jsp7104)
4 CDs with 95 tracks of early citified blues from this popular piano/guitar duo: "How Long, How Long Blues," "Naptown Blues," "Christmas in Jail," "Papa's on the House Top," "Midnight Hour Blues," "Mean Mistreater Mama," and much more. Essential listening
Testament - Peter Lang
$16.99
(cdRoots# sst-lang08)
IN 2008 my favorite guitarist releases another beauty: a 15-cut homage to early blues, played on tenor, 6- and 12-string guitars. Tunes by Elizabeth Cotten, Mississippi John Hurt, Blind Blake, Sylvester Weaver, Leadbelly, plus traditional material: "I'm Satisfied," "Guitar Rag," "Keep Your Hands Off Her," "Delia," "Buckdancer's Choice," "Stackolee," "Nobody's Business But My Own," and more
Dirt Farmer - Levon Helm
$16.99
(cdRoots# sst-helm07)
The drummer and vocalist's first solo, studio recording in 25 years, an all-acoustic release, is a most welcome sight for me (and all of you who loved The Band). Brian Mitchell on piano and accordion, Byron Isaacs on bass, Glenn Patscha on pump organ and George Receli on percussion. with a guest vocals by Buddy and Julie Miller. Listen!
Anger and Marshall with Väsen - Darol Anger, Mike Marshall, Vasen
$16.99
(cdRoots# av-1039)
The self-dubbed "Duo" of American jazz-roots join forces with the Swedish trio of Olov Johansson (nyckelharpa), Roger Tallroth (guitar) and Mikael Marin (viola) for a shared look at their resppective roots.
Mandolin Boogie - The Armstrong Twins
$10.98
(cdRoots# arh-9046)
Stars of radio, records, and TV, the Armstrong Twins performed on the Louisiana Hayride, KXLA Pasadena, CA, Cliffie Stone's Dinner Bell Round Up and his legendary TV show "Town Hall Party." For the first time on CD the sound of their classic country brother duets featuring their first recordings from the late forties to the early fifties, and a reunion session in 1979. And a nice price, too!
Fulani Journey - Afrissippi
$15.99
(cdRoots# tg-afri)
Things like this are just too irresistible: a Senegalese musician moves to Oxford Mississippi, meets up with some local blues talent and before you know it, a new band is born. Guitarist Guelel Kumba is joined by Eric Deaton (of the RL Burnside Band) and local legends, The Taylor Grocery Band, with a special bonus video that includes a guest appearance by the MC5 legend, John Sinclair. highly recommended
La Cantina (Entre Copa Y Copa) - Lila Downs
$14.99
(cdRoots# nar-cantina)
Downs focuses her talents on the repertoire of Mexico's beloved ranchera songs. Rancheras are ballads usually tackling heartbreak, loneliness, love and longing – songs typically sung in local cantinas throughout Mexico. A fine ensemble backs her up incluing accordionist Flaco Jimenez, bassist Max Baca, keyboardist Michael Ramos, and harp, violins and much more.
World's on Fire - The Crooked Jades
$15.99
(cdRoots# cj-world)
A potent mix of all-acoustic old-time mountain instruments (banjo, guitars, jews harp, fiddle, double bass, etc) and modern edge, this band writes their own material in a style that at first seems to be in the tradition, but on closer listening reveals a sharp, contemporary approach to lyrics and playing style.
The Player: A Retrospective - David Bromberg
$12.99
(cdRoots# sst-brom06)
The guitar player's guitar player, Bromberg forged a unique path with his first recordings. This is a collection of the best of those, and includes brilliant work like 'Sammy's Song," "Sharon", "The Holdup," and "Dehlia" as well as a good dose of his humor, and some traditional songs, too. If you wore out your old LPs, here's the replacement.
Flying Saucers - Mad Tea Party
$13.99
(cdRoots# mtp-1)
True Americana by a quirky crew from North Carolina delve into old blues, hokum and folk tunes, with a touch of coutry pop music from the 20s and such. Ami Worthen (vocals, ukulele), Jason Krekel (vocals, guitar, fiddle, and kazoo) and Lora Pendleton (vocals, bass) recorded this little gem of American roots in their home in North Carolina and the energy and spontaneity overflow in every tune, from the clever novelty of "Flying Suacers" to the warmth of the old country standard, "Walking on the Kings Highway." I was priveleged to have these folks on my radio show in CT in 2005 and fell in love with their personable and witty approach to all kinds of American roots music. Highly recommended.
Rub That Rhythm - The Bluelights
$14.99
(cdRoots# bl-2)
They call it 'Roots Music In Overdrive' and while this might be a jug band in some sense, they have moved past the strict definition in this new recording, offering rock, rockabilly and R'n'B in the mix, as well. Folk and blues legend Eric Von Schmidt calls them 'absolutely the best since Kweskin's Jug Band... traditional music in overdrive.'
Ethiopiques 20: Live in Addis (2 CDs) - Either/Orchestra
$16.99
(cdRoots# buda-ethio20)
The 10-piece jazz orchestra from Boston, in a 2 CD set recorded live in Addis with a number of great Ethiopian performers including vocalists Bahta Gebre-Heywet, Michael Belayheh and Tsedenia Gebre-Marqos, saxophonist Getatchew Mekurya and percussionist Mulatu Astatqe. Inspired by the great Ethiopian pop and jazz of the '60s and '70s, they bring a full array of modern jazz and Afro-Cuban innovations to an Ethiopian repertoire. Unusual, to say the least.
Bahamut - Hazmat Modine
$15.99
(cdRoots# gecko-1)
On my list of quirkly originals, this crew just moved towards the top. Duel harmonicas, guitar, trumpet and a drum/tuba rhythm section back vocals of real originality, while guests add Romanian cimbalom, electric banjitar, contrabass sax, claviola and bass marimba, while a gang of genuine Tuvan throat singers round it all out. Totally unique.
Gloryland - Anonymous 4, Anger and Marshall
$18.99
(cdRoots# hm-gloryland)
A sequel to their American Angels, Gloryland delves into traditional American folk music, joined by n Darol Anger (violin, mandolin) and Mike Marshall (mandolin, guitar, mandocello). Lyric folk songs, religious ballads, shape-note tunes and gospel hymns are given new interpretations in a mix of traditional and classical vocal styles.
Citizens Awake! - John Millard and Happy Day
$14.99
(cdRoots# jm-citizens)
'...a mixture of the Lone Ranger and Kurt Weill' really sums this all up pretty damned well. Banjo-mult-instrumentalist-singer Millard is as quirky as they come; part John Hartford, part kamikazee poet, he and his band (on vibes, banjo, four singers, accordion and bass among other assorted tools) range all across the musical landscape, touching on theater music, old-timey tunes, political diatribes and traumatic nightmares.
Soon Be Time - Bruce Molsky
$16.99
(cdRoots# sst-molsky06)
Molsky's first truly solo recording, alone on fiddle, guitar, banjo and vocal, explores the roots of Appalachia, Delta blues, Ireland and eastern Europe. Essential listening for anyone who loves traditional music, performed by one of its best contemporary champions.
Traveling Chamber Blues Show - Corky Siegel
$15.99
(cdRoots# sst-chamber)
I heard Corky Siegel's Traveling Chamber Blues Show on the radio (WPKN in CT) one night and it just bowled me over. It was weird, it was funky, it had grit and class. Here is the famous blues harp and piano man, joined by a string section (cello, violins, viola) and percussion on one of the most unexpected CDs of the year 2005. Listen
Dogie Music - Skip Gorman and the Waddie Pals
$16.99
(cdRoots# aco-dogie)
Old timey music from the American west by Skip Gorman and pals Ruthie Dornfeld on fiddle, Mary Burdette on bass, Tom Sauber on banjo, fiddle and mandolin and Patrick Sauber on accordion and mando. Sweet old tunes familiar and un, played with love and spirit.
Weatherhole - Michael Hurley
$temp out of stock-16.99
(cdRoots# nav-weather)
More snock, complete with a band and, as always, some great, quirky songs.
Plea for Peace - The Afro-Semitic Experience
$15.99
(cdRoots# chevan2)
This African-Jewish jazz alliance offers a unique perspective, both musically and philosopically. Using tools expected and unexpected (bass, horns and drums are met by dobro, violin, African percussion and clarinet) they make a music that will grab the ear of mainstream jazz and Jewish fusion fans because no matter the genre, it is genuine, original and surprising.
Zarana: Ragtime Banjo - Jean-Marc Andres
$16.99
(cdRoots# sst-andres1)
1997 recording by the French banjo master performs compositions from the early greats of ragtime including Joe Morley, Alfred Cammeyer, Emile Grimshaw, Fred van Eps. Accompanied by pianist Philippe Yvron.
American Primitive Vol. II: Pre-War Revenants 1897-1939 - various
$26.99
(cdRoots# sst-revenants2)
2 CDs, 50 tracks with a 72 page booklet - a collection of obscure commercial recordings of early Americana: the NuGrape Twins, Bayless Rose, the Salty Dog Four, Geeshie Wiley, the Mississippi Moaner, Blues Birdhead, the Bubbling Over Five, Pigmeat Terry, Mattie May Thomas and many others
Freshet - Freshet
$16.99
(cdRoots# aco-freshet)
You can't really assemble a much better acoustic music group than this collaboration of Finnish and American musicians: Ruthie Dornfeld on fiddle, Petri Hakala on mandolin, John Miller on guitar and Tapani Varis on bass and overtone flute. They move effortlessly between Finn and American folk, swing and jazz (and a touch of bossa nova, samba, choro!) in a trans-continental, trans-oceanic music fest. (This ensemble was originally called Helsinki Express.)
Haricots Sont Pas Sales - various
$temp out of stock-16.99
(cdRoots# cp-01934)
Live sessions made in Louisiana in the 1970s, in Acadia and Evnageline. Some of the greatest Cajun musicians of the era captured in true local spirit. Artists include Bee Fontenot, Canray Fontenot, Dewey Balfa, Will Balfa, Rodney Balfa, Burkman Balfa, Sherley Bergeran, Alphee Bergeran, Bee Deshotels, Ed Deshotels, Terry Bearb, Nathan Abshire, Alphonse 'Bois sec' Ardoin, Dennis McGee, Sady Courville, Preston Manuel, Wallace Lafleur, Terry Bertrand, Ambroise Thibodeaux, Jack Léger.
There is a lot more in the catalog!
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