Review: Friends of Old Time Music (box set)

Subject: Review: Friends of Old Time Music (box set)
From: outfidel
Date: 24 Oct 06 - 06:01 PM

Friends of Old Time Music, 1961-1965

I picked up my copy of this box set yesterday and listened to some of it last night. This is marvelous stuff -- terrific performances with great sound quality.

Doc Watson is all over this set, playing in various combinations -- with Clarence Ashley, with Fred Price & Clint Howard, and with his brother Arnold.

Great to hear Mississippi John Hurt talking about his show (Dec 1963) being his first chance to perform in NYC since 1928 -- then he launches into his beautiful version of "My Creole Belle".

Once again, I'm amazed at how much Mike Seeger & John Cohen were involved in the early days of the "folk scare" in getting traditional artists exposed to a broad audience. It seems like Seeger & Cohen were everywhere.

The only (minor) disappointment with the box set is that the liner notes mention a 1963 FOTM show featuring Gus Cannon, Furry Lewis and Memphis Willie B -- but no songs from that show are included on the CDs. I wonder if this show didn't get recorded?