Hi, Leadbelly!

i can't single out either 'My Dixie Darling' or 'Putting On The Style' - they're a little bit contrived for my taste. 'Style' simply irritates me now, even though, as usual, Donegan's rhythm section - and his own banjo-playing - are working perfectly. No - I'm afraid neither of them are exceptional vocal jobs, in my opinion. I will qualify that by saying that I've always enjoyed that final verse of 'Dixie Darling' where Mickey starts playing that 'walking' bass pattern and LD raises the temperature a bit with his vocal embellishments.

'Wabash Cannonball' and, to a lesser extent, 'Wreck of the Old 97' sound as though they could have used a bit more preparatory work. They sound a bit like 'album fillers' to me (same with 'I Shall Not Be Moved' - I wasn't!!!); in view of the fact that the whole LP only took two days, I suppose that's hardly surprising!

A further note on Lonnie's voice....

Not long ago I was at an old friend's house and we were thoroughly enjoying playing some of Lon's old records. His young daughter came in the room expressing her irritation at LD's constant high tenor and its nasal quality. It made me think - and I can easily see how it would grate on someone less invested in the whole culture of the music.

One thing's for sure, though - you could never ignore him! Lonnie had a way of demanding your attention. He still has mine fifty years later.....

Roger Rettig