Almost 40 years ago my school librarian (who I've reconnected with recently) saw me staring out the library window blankly while serving one of my many detentions (probably earned for staring out the CLASSROOM window blankly) and changed my life forever. He must have known that I had started to learn guitar and was investigating the mysteries of the Kingston Trio and The Weavers.(with some Buddy Holly and Elvis on the side)

He handed me a chunky Folkways album of early Black and White country/blues music compiled by Sam Charters, and pushed me into one of those little record-listening booths with headphones the size of mixing bowls.....AND NO WINDOWS!

Over the next hour I was introduced to Jimmie Rogers, Blind Lemon Jefferson, Rev. Gary Davis, Riley Puckett, and a dozen others. It was an epiphany. To say that any hope I had for achieving 'normalcy' in adulthood, flew out the window (had there been one) would be an understatement. I still loved Elvis and do to this day (the skinny one who rocked, anyway) but the "weird stuff" got it's claws in me, and still won't let go.

I just received my radio copy of John Cohen's collection of traditional and interpretive musicians (all of whom he's photographed) from Smithsonian Folkways, and I urge anyone who'd like to put "the sound" to a lot of the more obscure names mentioned on Mudcat, to beg, borrow, (steal, only as a last resort) or buy this album.

I won't list everyone represented, but there are 23 cuts, and many are seeing the light for the first time. Highlites for me are:

Rev. Gary Davis from his apartment in 1954 (before his fame) playing Samson and Delilah, in a way never captured on later recordings.

Libba Cotten's picking, and Doc Watson's beautiful ballad singing, both from the 'early days'.

Cuts by a young Muddy waters and even younger Bob Dylan. The similarities in their approaches is stunning. Totally extroverted, mannered, and much decorated vocals, driven by rock-solid instrumental work. Two artists who simply didn't give a shit (at that point) what their audiences wanted or expected. Dylan verbally credits Ralph Rinzler as his source for "Roll On John" before re-inventng and improvising on the original.

Since being 'discovered' by the mainstream, Ralph Stanley has gradually exaggerated his vocal delivery ( George Jones, as well) to the point where the 'decoration' sometimes obscures the song; especially on his "hit" "Man of Constant Sorrow". On this album, Roscoe Holcomb sings it beautifully and "straight" (the way he 'learned it from Ralph' in the early sixties).

My own favourite "singing" Stanley Brother is the late Carter S. and he does a beautiful rendition of "Come All you Tenderhearted" (learned the night before from Roscoe Holcomb) at a University....once again totally unlike any future recorded versions.

The man who was the first "country record Star", Eck Robertson (back in 1923) is captured in old age fiddling a "Sally Goodin" with amazing strength, pitch and even improvisations.

As part of his film "Gypsies Sing Long Ballads" Cohen recorded Mary Townsley singing "Young But Growing" in Dundee Scotland. Once again, harsh, and riveting. Never heard a version like it.

Dammit, If I comment on EVERY cut of this great album, this post will reach epic length, but I loved the old time banjo solo of Mountaineer Sid Myers, Hazel and Alice's twin falsetto yodelling, Bill Monroe's (once again, before he was 'discovered') "John Henry", and perhaps the biggest surprise, (for me, anyway) Alan Lomax's spirited take on Ironhead Baker's "Love My Darling-O". Nah...you'll have to listen yourself for the rest of the treasures, but I'll bet dollars to doughnuts that a few people are going to hear this album, and their musical tastes are never gonna be the same again.

Nothin' against the albums from "Oh Brother.." and "Songcatcher", but this is the REAL thing.

It's (long) title is:

"There Is No Eye: Music For Photographs". (recordings of musicians photographed by John Cohen) SFW CD 40091.

I imagine Mudcatter Dick Greenhaus can come up with a copy for you. He's at CAMSCO.COM or you can phone 800-548-FOLK. If I've got any of that wrong Dick, you can supply more info.

Rick