The Leake County Revelers recorded Lazy Kate at their final session, December 18, 1930, in Jackson Mississippi. It was paired with a side recorded two years earlier, Memories, and released as Columbia # 15767. Theirs is the only recording of this tune under this title. The tune is comprised of two eight-bar strains played in the standard…
Avalon Quickstep
Narmour and Smith recorded Avalon Quickstep at a June 7, 1930, session in San Antonio. It was released on OKeh’s country 45000 series as OKeh #45469. It was also released on OKeh’s Mexican 16000 series as #16732. The Mexican series issue was titled Tiempo Alegre, and, per Tony Russell’s discography, may have been credited to ‘Duo Instrumental.’ Avalon…
Eighth of January, The
This transcription of the Eighth of January is based on a performance by the Fox Chasers, a band about which little is known, and whose entire recorded output consists of four sides recorded in San Antonio over two days in 1930. Like the performance by Ted Gossett’s band recorded a few months later, this is a…
Bug in the Taters
Al Hopkins and His Buckle Busters recorded Bug in the Taters on May 14th, 1927 in New York City. It was paired with Boatin Up’ Sandy, and released as Brunswick #182. The tune is comprised of four short four-bar strains D Major, played AABBCCDD. Al Hopkins and His Buckle Busters were the same group as The Hill…
Molly Put the Kettle On
The Leake County Revelers recorded Molly Put the Kettle On at a December 13th, 1928 session in New Orleans. It was released as Columbia # 15380-D. The tune is a simple AABB fiddle tune in D major, with short 4-bar strains. If anyone wants to take a crack at the lyrics go for it. Aside from,…
Liberty for two mandolins, with tablature
Here’s a simple two-mandolin arrangement of the warhorse fiddle tune Liberty. With the exception of the pickup to the ‘A’ strain, both the melody and harmony parts can be played entirely in first position. You can hear the arrangement via the embedded audio player at the bottom of this post.
Walking in the Parlor
The Hill Billies (aka Al Hopkins and His Buckle Busters) recorded Walking in the Parlor at a New York session on October 22nd, 1926. It is one of three recordings listed in Tony Russell’s Country Music Records under that title, the others being by Dr. D.D. Hollis and The Pickard Family. The tune is a simple AABB fiddle…
Blue Eyed Girl
Blue Eyed Girl is, for all intents and purposes, Fly Around My Pretty Little Miss. The Hill Billies (aka Al Hopkins and His Buckle Busters) recorded it at an October 22nd, 1926, session for Vocalion. It was released as Vocalion # 5017, paired with Fisher’s Hornpipe. As with several other of the group’s recordings, the fidelity of the…
Mississippi Sawyer
The Hill Billies (aka Al Hopkins and His Buckle Busters) recorded Mississippi Sawyer at their second recording session, an April 30th, 1926, date for Vocalion. The recording features four Hopkinses: Elmer, Al, Joe, and John. The band would never again realize such a Hopkins density. Tony Russell’s Country Music Records lists 13 recordings of Mississippi Sawyer made before…
Johnson Boys
This transcription is based on a performance by Al Hopkins and His Buckle Busters, recorded in New York City on May 14th, 1927. It was released as Brunswick # 179. Al Hopkins and His Buckle Busters were the same group as The Hill Billies. The group’s releases on Vocalion were credited to The Hill Billies,…