Various Artists - Paramount Old Time Recordings (due to weight, this price for the USA only. Outside of the USA, the price will be adjusted as needed) 4 x CDs (Mega Blowout Sale)
SKU
23-JSP 7774
“Perhaps the most prized Paramount 78s are their blues and jazz issues - but that shouldn't detract from their recordings of hillbilly or old time music (otm). Once again, courtesy of Joe Bussard, we present 100 tracks of Paramount old time music.
Paramount first seems to have recorded old timey musicians in 1924. That continued until late 1932, by which time the label was foundering. Many of the artists here have been overlooked, perhaps because of the availability of work by better-known musicians such as Fiddlin' John Carson, Gid Tanner and his Skillet Lickers or Charlie Poole. So get acquainted with underrated artists like Emry Arthur, Frank Welling & John Mc Ghee and Hugh Gibbs's String Band.
The earliest items here are seven tracks from Arthur Tanner - which he made c. June 1925. The Fruit Jar Guzzlers were probably from West Virginia - their music is certainly in the style of string bands from that area. The one session they cut for Paramount produced fifteen sides, all of which were issued. The five here are fine examples of string band music at its best. The same applies to the pieces by Wilmer Watts and the Lonely Eagles. Wilmer Watts was born at Mount Tabor, now Tabor City, Columbus County, NC, his year of birth either 1896 or 1898. At a young age he played a number of musical instruments, although on record he plays banjo. Following WW1 he moved to Belmont. where he found mill work. There he met singer and guitarist Frank Wilson with whom he cut one unissued side. Around this time he fell in with another mill worker, Charles Freshour, who played guitar. Freshour and Wilson (on steel guitar) backed Watts on his first 1927 session for Paramount - which produced seven sides. Five tracks are featured here.
And so it went on - the millworkers, farmers, drovers, blacksmiths. Each had their day. Some succeeded, some didn't. In the end, Paramount itself became an early casualty of the Depression and, perhaps, its own lack of ambition.”
“Of all the box sets I've collected from JSP this one is very authentic based on sound and discography. I love that not only does this collection features old time music in terms of genre but it also features country blues, ballads, gospel and-I was pleasantly surprised by this-Cajun music as well, which by the way is really interesting to hear.
I particularly enjoyed listening to CDs C and D. And even though in the liner notes it is mentioned that the sound quality is terrible, its not that bad at all. Far from it, it could be worse. Sure there is a primitive sense when it comes to sound, but that's what makes these tracks authentic and genuine. Another wonderful collection from JSP!” - Cheri Regis