VARIOUS ARTISTS
Songcatcher II (Vanguard)
Reviewed by Shaun Dale

---

While the movie Songcatcher helped promote the popularity of Appalachian mountain ballads, the "soundtrack" album was made up primarily of music "inspired" by the theme of the film, with contemporary artists performing updated versions of traditional songs. The performances were fine and the material was authentic, but it lacked the genuine feel of the mountain music the movie evoked. In response, Vanguard has released Songcatcher II, which draws from the label's extensive vault of performances by some of the best traditional artists of the 20th century. With access to the masters from the Newport Folk Festivals of the early sixties, producer Fred Jasper was able to cull some memorable performances by folk legends like Dock Boggs, Hobart Smith, Maybelle Carter and Roscoe Holcomb. Altogether, 17 performances by 9 artists were assembled. Of those 9, only Doc Watson is still with us, still active at 79. Most of the others were 20 or more years Watson's senior. These are recordings by the last generation to learn their songs before the advent of recording itself, direct links to the oral tradition of American folk music.

There's nothing fancy here, just some of the best songs in our musical legacy performed purely and authentically by genuine musical legends. It's a valuable historical document and a great musical document at the same time.

Track List:

Almada Riddle/Babes In The Woods * Doc Watson/Georgie * Hobart Smith/The Coo Coo Bird * Almada Riddle/The Two Lovers * Doc Watson/Matty Grove * Dock Boggs/Oh Death * Sarah Ogan Gunning/Girl Of Constant Sorrow * Doc Watson/Winter's Night * Almada Riddle/Blue Jack Davey * Dock Boggs/Sugar Baby * Cousin Emmy/Wish I Was A Single Girl Again * Fiddlin' Arthur Smith/Leather Britches * Roscoe Holcomb/Little Birdie * Dock Watson/Pretty Saro * Clarence Ashley/House Carpenter * Maybelle Carter/Come All Ye Fair And Tender Ladies

© 2002 - Shaun Dale