HOLCOMB, ROSCOE - The High Lonesome Sound

"The third release from London based label Bo Weavil Recordings, goes further into the depth of traditional American folk music with the legendary Roscoe Holcomb performing 17 powerful songs shaped by the hard times and conflict between old and new that marked his life in the rural Appalachian mountains. The sounds on this record were collected 40 odd years ago. Sometimes when you listen to Roscoe Holcomb sing it mightve been 400 years ago. Sometimes it could be happening to you right now. These songs and instrumental pieces go back to the 20s and 30s and beyond, into the mists of pre-recorded time. They are the traditional songs of the Kentucky mountains before the advent of radio and record player when itinerant musicians, market places, church and country fair were the conduit of tradition. But these songs, recorded in the unique high and lonesome style of Roscoe Holcomb, were the last folk songs. Already, 40 years ago, Holcombs music was not appreciated in his own community. He was a throwback, a dinosaur in the age of the Twist. A singer with a truly high lonesome sound that sends shivers down the spine, and a hard-hitting wonderful banjo-player/guitarist. This LP also contains Roscoe performing unaccompanied ballads, banjo and harmonica solos. These recordings were previously released by Folkways in 1968 that had a powerful influence on the folk music revival, and has been crying out for a new vinyl release. Accompanied by some of the original notes on the lyrics and history of each song and some new comments on Roscoe in 2005". - Bo Weavil.