The Clayton McMichen Story with Merle Travis, Mac Wiseman & Joe Maphis
With a respectful history in classic country & bluegrass, CMH has remastered the 1981 vintage title The Clayton McMichen Story with Merle Travis, Mac Wiseman & Joe Maphis (Drops Feb 21/CMH Records/74:37).
It features an all-star cast with a heavy load of 26 tracks that include Jackson D. Kane & Fiddlin’ Red Herron paying tribute to an unsung hero of roots music & fiddle player with the Skillet Lickers Clayton McMichen (Jan. 26, 1900 – Jan. 4, 1970) born in Georgia (1900).
Produced by Martin Haerle & Merle Travis the music was recorded in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Tunes of a deep basement vintage, attic dusty & arranged pristinely. It’s like an old car that’s been Simonized.
Yes, yes, yes, these types of performances are probably for completists, aficionados & die-hard fans. They are documents for the young who enjoy pure country, a country with a pinch of jazz, bluegrass, the infancy of World music & rootsy pieces still being breastfed to be nourished into Americana.
The rousing “Give The Fiddler a Dram,” opens with its “live” feel that spills from the speakers & sweetens the atmosphere. Sung songs & instrumentals alike are all prominent. The fiddles & other instruments interplay with vigor. These players lived the tunes & that gives it authenticity.
Recordings such as these can be entertaining but are often as important as the respected documents of the old blues waxings of the ‘20s & ‘30s. There’s a history in the melodies, an aching beauty in the antiquity of the music. Songs like these weren’t always written to be “hits” on the radio since some may predate that invention. The musicians manage to update the melodies with their musical prowess. “The Convict & The Rose,” is sung with a Jimmie Dale Gilmore intonation & tone quite effectively.
Blues played a big role in the development of rock ‘n’ roll. But country music & bluegrass of this stripe also distinguished itself on behalf of that genre development with these kinds of performances. Whiskey, cognac & brandy go through a fermenting process. Music goes through a similar process. This LP is an education. So…
Lay this LP down beside your blues. After a while, you will gravitate more enlightened to your Hot Tuna, Eric Clapton, Grateful Dead, Gram Parsons & Paul Butterfield. Enjoy the discovery & integration.
Highlights – “Give The Fiddler a Dram,” “In the Pines,” “Trouble In Mind,” “The Convict & The Rose,” “Carroll County Blues” & “I’m Looking Over a Four-Leaf Clover.”
Musicians – Merle Travis (vocals/electric & rhythm guitars/harmony vocals), Mac Wiseman (vocals/rhythm guitar), Joe Maphis (tenor banjo/lead & rhythm acoustic guitars/harmony vocals), Jackson D. Kane (bass) & Fiddlin’ Red Herron (fiddle).
CD cover photo by Dick Ruddy. Image of Mr. McMichen courtesy of Merle Travis. CD at Amazon & Discogs + https://linktr.ee/cmhrecords