Sunset Waltz (Mississippi Mud Steppers)

Sunset Waltz is one of a handful of tunes recorded by members of the seminal African-American string band the Mississippi Sheiks under the name the Mississippi Mud Steppers. There are six known sides attributed to the group, and, curiously in an era of strict racial segregation, they were released in OKeh’s 45000 ‘Hillbilly’ series. Whether…

Saint Jobe's Waltz

This transcription is based on an October 1929 performance a group called The Red Headed Fiddlers, recorded in Dallas, Texas for the Brunswick company. It was released as Brunswick 460. According to Tony Russell’s discography, theirs is the only recording of St. Jobe’s Waltz made by a country string band prior to WWII. Like many good fiddlers,…

There's More Pretty Girls than One

This transcription is based on a performance by John D. Foster, recorded for the Gennett company on April 11, 1929. It was issued on the Gennett-affiliated label Challenge (#423), credited to ‘Crocker & Cannon.’ This performance is in waltz time. Modern performers often play this in 4/4. Though the lead sheet starts with the chorus,…