Songcatcher II: The Tradition That Inspired the Movie

by Songcatcher 2: Tradition That I

Overview

The 2001 film Songcatcher told a semi-fictional story of a field musicologist who "discovers" authentic English and Scottish folk ballads being sung by people in the Appalachian region of the United States. The film (along with another popular film of the time) kindled interest in the old-timey music spotlighted in the movies, and due to popular demand Vanguard released a compilation of the original versions of the songs that ended up being re-recorded for the soundtrack. Legendary artists like Dock Boggs, Almeda Riddle, Doc Watson, and Roscoe Holcomb all contribute some of the best-known folk ballads of the era, including "Black Jack Davey," "Pretty Saro," "House Carpenter," and a gripping version of "Matty Groves." Although Songcatcher was set near the turn of the century, these gems from Vanguard's vaults are mostly from the '60s folk revival festival circuit, and although they offer crisp sound quality and strong presence, these artist's true golden recordings were done in the '20s and '30s. The 1927 recordings of the young and hungry Dock Boggs singing "Sugar Baby" blow away the versions of the same song 40 years later, as is the case with Clarence Ashley, Mother Maybelle Carter, and every other performer on this disc (with the exception of Watson, who will be equally astounding until the day he dies, and then beyond). Still, this is a spectacular folk revival collection, perfect for those who enjoyed the music in the movie but were disappointed with the contemporary updates on the film's soundtrack. ~ Zac Johnson

Product Details

Release Date:	05/07/2002
Label:	Vanguard
UPC:	0015707971621
Rank:	84621

Tracks

1. Babes in the Woods  - Almeda Riddle  -  Traditional
2. Georgie  -  Traditional  - Doc Watson
3. The Coo Coo Bird  - Hobart Smith  -  Traditional
4. The Two Lovers  - Almeda Riddle  -  Traditional
5. Matty Groves  -  Traditional  - Doc Watson
6. Oh Death  - Dock Boggs  -  Traditional
7. Girl of Constant Sorrow  - Sarah Ogan Gunning  -  Traditional
8. Winter's Night  -  Traditional  - Doc Watson
9. Black Jack Davey  - Almeda Riddle  -  Traditional
10. Sugar Baby  - Dock Boggs  -  Traditional
11. Wish I Was a Single Girl Again  -  Cousin Emmy  -  Traditional
12. Leather Britches  - Fiddlin' Arthur Smith  -  Traditional
13. Will the Weaver  - Almeda Riddle  -  Traditional
14. Little Birdie  - Roscoe Holcomb  -  Traditional
15. Pretty Saro  -  Traditional  - Doc Watson
16. House Carpenter  - Clarence Ashley  -  Traditional
17. Come All Ye Fair and Tender Ladies  - Maybelle Carter  -  Traditional

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Doc Watson   Primary Artist
Almeda Riddle   Primary Artist
Hobart Smith   Primary Artist
Roscoe Holcomb   Primary Artist
Mother Maybelle Carter   Primary Artist
Sarah Ogan Gunning   Primary Artist
Fiddlin' Arthur Smith   Primary Artist
Clarence Ashley   Primary Artist
Dock Boggs   Primary Artist
Cousin Emmy   Primary Artist

Technical Credits

Fiddlin' Arthur Smith   Performer
John Currie   Liner Notes
Doc Watson   Performer
Cousin Emmy   Performer
Fred Jasper   Liner Notes
Sarah Ogan Gunning   Performer
Dave Schultz   Compilation Engineer
Roscoe Holcomb   Performer
Clarence Ashley   Performer
Traditional   Composer
Sheila Adams   Liner Notes
Hobart Smith   Performer
Dock Boggs   Performer
Mother Maybelle Carter   Performer
Gina R. Binkley   Design
Georgette Cartwright   Executive Producer
Almeda Riddle   Performer