Old-Time String Band Songbook Review

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(More customer reviews)I spent years between the time this book came out in 1964 and when I lost it some time around 1976 going through every page of this book, learning about every song, playing them in bands with people, or just by myself.If you like old timey music this is it.
The emphasis is on the most songs per page written down in music, not on tab or instruction.All these songs and what little commentary there is in this book was impossible to find elsewhere when this came out in 1964.Remember this comes from the early 60s when you were a weirdo pinko freak if you liked this kind of music (contrary to fantasies some folks have about the folk revival)s.This is a book to buy, go through all the songs, and enjoy.
To go along with this book, you should get the recordings of the NLCR.Several compilations are available on Smithsonian Folkways that can be bought wherever you get CDS.However, if you contact Smithsonian folkways, they will dub you a CD or a cassette tape of any of the original complete albums (I think there were about 20).This is not exactly stereophile music where a dubbed version will be unenjoyable.In fact, it probably will sound more like the original old time music 78s that the Ramblers were trying to imitate.
The most perfect matches here would be the records of the original group with Tom Paley. I am not one to claim, as many do, that the NLCR was no good after Paley left.In fact, the band continued and expanded its own musician horizons. Now with them nearing their 70s they still put out good interesting music although the NLCR has now disbanded officially. John Cohen and Mike Seeger continue to put out solo albums.
All I am saying is that these were the records made before this book, originally their songbook, came out and contain most of the songs in the book.I would note that "Songs from the Depression" is a masterpiece with some of the best picking and best songs I have ever heard.
Here's the list of the original; records.
FA 2396 New Lost City Ramblers (1958)
FA 2397 New Lost City Ramblers, Volume 2 (1959)
FA 2398 New Lost City Ramblers, Volume 3 (1961)
FA 2399 New Lost City Ramblers, Volume 4 (1961)
FA 2395 New Lost City Ramblers, Volume 5 (1962, released 1963)
FC 7064 Old Timey Songs for Children (1959, originally a 10" disc)
FH 5264 Songs from the Depression (1959)
FA 2494 Tom Paley, John Cohen and Mike Seeger Sing Songs of the New
Lost City Ramblers (1961)
FH 5263 American Moonshine and Prohibition (1962)

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Product Description:
One hundred and twenty-five classic tunes as played by The New Lost City Ramblers. Arranged for banjo, mandolin, fiddle, guitar, etc. Includes Little Maggie, Sweet Willie, Tom Dooley, Johnny, Get Your Gun, and Freight Train.

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