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Various Artists
Traditional Music from Alabama's Wiregrass
Alabama Traditions
CD
$10 |
A wonderful, budget-priced survey comprised of recordings made in the mid-'90s that show the broad sweep of Alabama's traditional music. Among the many highlights are Bishop Perry Tillis' raw riff and stomp praise music, a swinging "It's Hard to Stumble When You're on Your Knees," J. W. Warren's fine bottleneck blues, the Davis Brothers trio singing Sacred Harp, and the rich, uplifting St. Elizabeth Missionary Baptist Senior Choir. There's plenty more quality material here, too. Includes a detailed 24-page booklet. Unfortunately, this disc is out-of-print so get it while you can.
Track Listing:
AL-FL-GA Sacred Harp Convention - Amazing Grace
Pike County Seven-Shape Singing Convention - Come Heed the Love of the Lord and Let Your Joy Be Known
Pauline Jackson Griggs - I Heard the Angels Singing
Pauline Jackson Griggs - In a Time Like This
AL-FL-GA Sacred Harp Singing Convention - David's Lamentation
AL-FL Union State Sacred Harp Convention - Jesus Rose
Davis Brothers - Golden Harp
St. Elizabeth Missionary Baptist Senior Choir - I'm Traveling Home
Zion Juniors - Family Prayer
Glory Bound - One of These Days
Alabama State Seven-Shape Singing Convention - Soon I'll Be Going Home
Pike County Seven-Shape Singers - Glory, Glory, I'm So Glad
Mt. Olive #2 Missionary Baptist Choir - It's Hard To Stumble When You're On Your Knees
Southern Comfort Band - Working On A Building
Circle City Bluegrass Band - Glory Land March
Bishop Perry Tillis - I Found a Solid Rock In Jesus
A. Z. Stanley and the Sensational Bibletones - I'm Holding On
The Holy Bible - This Little Light of Mine
The Hartford Community Church - I Shall Not Be Moved/I'm Going Home to Jesus
Southern Comfort Band - No Hard Times
Jack Perkins - Wedding Bells
J. W. Warren - Louise
David Johnson - Freight Train Blues
Everis Campbell - Tom and Jerry
Everis Campbell - I've Decided to Follow Jesus
Everis Campbell - Soldier's Joy
Everis Campbell - Dill Pickle Rag
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Various Artists
Traditional Musics of Alabama, Vol. 1: A Compilation
Alabama Traditions
CD
$13
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A broad overview of Alabama vernacular music produced by the Alabama Center for Traditional Culture. A significant portion of the CD is devoted to Alabama's multifaceted sacred music tradition, but also among the 30 tracks are blues, Mardi Gras brass, polka, worksong, mariachi, and so forth. Of particular note are a stunning mourning hymn led by Luella Hatcher, Gary Waldrep's blazing banjo, Albert Macon and Robert Thomas doing a secular take on the familiar "Got to Move" theme, and a traditional Lao song that's about as far out as anything. Most of the material here dates from the late-'80s through mid-'90s, though there are some older recordings made by John Lomax and Ray Browne. The accompanying 24-page booklet provides plenty of details.
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Various Artists
Traditional Musics of Alabama, Vol. 4: African American Sacred Harp Singers
Alabama Traditions
CD
$13 |
Soaring Sacred Harp singing recorded at the Alabama and Florida Union Singing Convention at Greater Old Salem Baptist Church in Dale County, Alabama, and at Ozark County Library in Ozark, Alabama, in 1980. 12 extra cuts have been added to the material from the original vinyl issue, along with a 28-page booklet.
Our friend Kevin Nutt produced a special program regarding this release, complete with an interview with ethnomusicologist Steve Grauberger, who produced and mastered the CD. Hear it at WFMU.
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