The High Lonesome Sound

Roscoe Holcomb SFW40104

The legendary Roscoe Holcomb performs 21 powerful songs shaped by the hard times and conflict between old and new that marked his life in the Kentucky mountains. A hard-hitting singer and banjo-player, he also performs unaccompanied ballads, banjo and harmonica solos, and with a guitar. These recordings from 1961, 1964, and 1974 were previously released on three different Folkways LP records and had a powerful influence on the folk music revival. Accompanied by extensive new notes and photographs by John Cohen. 71 minutes. "Roscoe Holcomb is a true genius." — San Francisco Chronicle
Country(s) United States
Culture Group(s) Anglo-American
Keyword(s) Banjo music; Folk songs--United States; Music--Appalachian Region, Southern.
Instrument(s) Banjo; Vocals
Language(s) English

Year of Recording 1998
Record Label Smithsonian Folkways Recordings
Source Archive Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage
Credits Produced by John Cohen ; Recorded by John Cohen ; Artist Roscoe Holcomb

Download Liner Notes

101	Moonshiner	Roscoe Holcomb	2:00
102	On Top of Old Smoky	Roscoe Holcomb	3:44
103	Little Birdie	Roscoe Holcomb	2:28
104	House in New Orleans (House of the Rising Sun)	Roscoe Holcomb	3:50
105	Trouble in Mind	Roscoe Holcomb	2:18
106	The Wandering Boy	Roscoe Holcomb	4:34
107	Hook and Line	Roscoe Holcomb	1:54
108	Married Life Blues	Roscoe Holcomb	1:51
109	Omie Wise	Roscoe Holcomb	4:35
110	Willow Tree	Roscoe Holcomb	3:00
111	Boat's Up the River	Roscoe Holcomb	3:49
112	In the Pines	Roscoe Holcomb	2:25
113	Fox Chase	Roscoe Holcomb	1:24
114	Little Gray Mule	Roscoe Holcomb	1:12
115	Free Little Bird	Roscoe Holcomb	1:57
116	Little Bessie	Roscoe Holcomb	10:06
117	Motherless Children	Roscoe Holcomb	4:57
118	Darling Corey	Roscoe Holcomb	3:38
119	Roll on Buddy	Roscoe Holcomb	2:25
120	A Village Churchyard	Roscoe Holcomb	7:08
121	Walk Around My Bedside	Roscoe Holcomb	4:32

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