Always Lift Him Up: Tribute to Blind Alfred Reed

Subject: Tribute to Blind Alfred Reed
From: Arkie
Date: 08 Oct 08 - 11:43 AM

I have been listening to Always Lift Him Up, a tribute to Blind Alfred Reed and have enjoyed every track. This led me to wonder how many other folk here at Mudcat are familiar with the tribute CD or Blind Alfred Reed.

Blind Alfred Reed is a relatively obscure West Virginia musician who did not leave a large body of recorded music but there is a quality to his music that deserves to be heard. Some songs such as Why Do You Bob Your Hair Girls seem a bit dated and a bit narrow minded but do reflect an era of time and the treatment they receive on the Tribute CD is lighthearted and fun. According to Tim O'Brien's comments, Reed was unknown to many of the West Virginia artists who participated in the project. The artists did, however, put new life into Reed's songs and some of these songs do deserve a much wider circulation. "Always Lift Him Up" is one of those songs. The Old Crow Medicine Show did my favorite version of this song on their recent CD Tennessee Pusher. Dwight Diller sings the song on the Tribute CD. I also really liked Bare Bones version of "There'll Be No Distinction There" another song that should be better known.

I did find one other thread about Reed with some excellent comments by Stewie on Reed's music and debated about whether to continue that thread or start a new one. If someone decides to tie them together that is no problem. Anyone not familiar with Reed's music should definitely read Stewie's comments.

Subject: RE: Tribute to Blind Alfred Reed
From: MoorleyMan
Date: 08 Oct 08 - 01:34 PM

Yes, the cd is well worth checking out, not least because much of it features Tim O'Brien!
There's a recent review at www.netrhythms.co.uk/reviews.html

Subject: RE: Tribute to Blind Alfred Reed
From: peregrina
Date: 08 Oct 08 - 01:41 PM

I've been listening to it for a while, very nice project, now eager to hear a bit of Alfred Reed himself...

Subject: RE: Tribute to Blind Alfred Reed
From: Mark Ross
Date: 08 Oct 08 - 02:02 PM

HOW CAN A POOR MAN STAND SUCH TIMES AND LIVE is a great Depression song. I also really like his WRECK OF THE TENNESSEAN. Haven't heard the tribute CD yet though.

Mark Ross

Subject: RE: Tribute to Blind Alfred Reed
From: RangerSteve
Date: 08 Oct 08 - 02:42 PM

Glad to hear about this. Rounder reissued some of his music a long time ago, but like most of their best albums, I don't believe it's in print.

Subject: RE: Tribute to Blind Alfred Reed
From: Severn
Date: 08 Oct 08 - 02:55 PM

The original stuff was at one time available on a Rounder LP in The States.

I have it all on CD as "Blind Alfred Reed: Complete Recorded Works In Chronological Order 1927-1929" (Document Records DOCD 8022)

Available from Dick Greenhaus through Camsco (where I purchased mine) or check out

[e-mail]

(I couldn't get the blue clicky to connect with it. but that's what's on the CD notes. Try a google, if all else fails)

Only 19 cuts by him exist and one by his son and occaisional accompaniest Arville (billed as Orville) Reed. All are on this CD.

Subject: RE: Tribute to Blind Alfred Reed
From: Severn
Date: 08 Oct 08 - 02:57 PM

make that


[e-mail]

or

www.document-records.com

Subject: RE: Tribute to Blind Alfred Reed
From: peregrina
Date: 08 Oct 08 - 02:59 PM

So what is so distinctive about his fiddle style? The tribute CD mentions that he had this very unique style.I'm curious...

Subject: RE: Tribute to Blind Alfred Reed
From: nutty
Date: 08 Oct 08 - 03:27 PM

Samples from the CD that Severn mentioned (above) can be heard .....

HERE

Subject: RE: Tribute to Blind Alfred Reed
From: Mark Ross
Date: 08 Oct 08 - 03:48 PM

Sorry, I meant THE WRECK OF THE VIRGINIAN. What was unusual about his fiddle playing was that he didn't play many double stops(2 strings at once), and his voice and his fiddle were directly entwined. He plays every note he sings,


Mark Ross

Subject: RE: Tribute to Blind Alfred Reed
From: Arkie
Date: 08 Oct 08 - 06:12 PM

That Reed plays fiddle while he is singing is somewhat unique. I think Mark's comment of fiddle and voice being entwined is a good way of describing it. It would certainly we worth listening to Reed's own version of his songs. He had a rich singing voice and though the accompaniment was not all that complex it was appropriate and involved with the vocals. Doc Watson does a really fine version of the Telephone Girl which while dated because of the situation is still quite nice to listen to.