Released in February 2003,
Kentucky Mountain Music
is the type of box set that will have old-time music lovers drawing up their holiday wish-list early. A roots music novice will probably question the size and scope of the set: Why would one state, after all, need seven full discs to document its music? But devotees know that (a)
Yazoo
wouldn't put out anything but a quality product and (b) Kentucky holds more old-time musical riches than most states. As
Richard Nevins
notes, "no other state comes even close in both terms of fascinating diversity of styles and prodigious amounts of great performances." Each disc contains 22-25 performances including fiddle tunes, string band music, and vocals from the 1920s and 1930s. A number of well-respected names make multiple appearances including
Burnett and Rutherford
,
Buell Kazee
, and
Fiddlin' Doc Roberts
. There are a number of fine cuts from
Jimmy Johnson String Band
(
"Gate to Go Through"
and
"Drink More Cider"
),and
Taylor's Kentucky Boys
"The Dixie Cowboy"
"Forked Deer"
). There's a fun, snappy version of
"Hot Corn"
by
Martin and Roberts
, and some nifty banjo work by
Henry L. Bandy
on
"Five Up."
There are also oddities like
Bill Bundy
's
"Poison in a Glass of Wine,"
about a jealous boy who poisons both himself and his true love, and the whimsical instrumental by the
trio called
"Honeymoon Stomp."
The overall sound quality is good, though, as the liner notes point out, old recordings offer their share of problems when it comes to fidelity. The
field recordings
in particular were poorly recorded, leaving less room for improvement. Many kinks, however, have been ironed out, and fans will be thankful to have these recordings. This massive set is supplemented by an attractive booklet featuring good photographs and solid liner notes by
Nevins
Charles K. Wolfe
.
is a lovingly completed box set that will prove the perfect present for old-time fanatics everywhere. ~ Ronnie D. Lankford, Jr.