Long Journey Home – A Century After The 1925 Mountain City Fiddlers Convention
This collection is “formed” from a laid-back traditional setting. So, even though technology has brightened the sound, the mood that’s captured on these newly recorded pieces is from another era. Surprisingly, the melodic structure is an ear-tugger with the upbeat & exciting “Cumberland Gap” as performed by Stuart Duncan (vocal/fiddle), Russell Carson (banjo) & Jeremy Stephens (guitar). It’s rousing.
Many tunes are vintage mountain music sung for decades & originated across the ocean from countries like Ireland, Scotland & England. Passed down through the ages from one fiddle to another, one banjo to another, the 17-song tribute compilation Long Journey Home – A Century After The 1925 Mountain City Fiddlers Convention (Drops Sept 5/AppalSongs/51:43) was produced by John McCutcheon (vocal/banjo/fretless banjo). It commemorates the assemblage of musicians in 1925 that became the iconic fiddlers’ convention in the small town of Mountain City, TN.
The LP is loaded with traditional melodic reels, ballads & folk tunes, exponents of the breadth & strength of the music that’s part of these people’s lives, not just songs to sing. Back when there was no TV or even radio. What brought families together at night was sitting around singing, playing & dancing. A long way from video games, cell phones & craft beers. Each song usually tells a true story about someone, something, or somewhere.
Even Bob Dylan has covered some of these vintage melodies. So, they must’ve been important to his development as an artist. “Don’t Let Your Deal Go Down” is performed by Sparky Rucker (guitar), who infuses the tune with a growl-like Dave Van Ronk vocal surrounded by Rhonda Rucker’s harmonica, banjo & vocal.
What’s good about this historical set is that the 17 tunes never wear on 2025 ears. It’s a pleasant diversion from the rat race, pressure & craziness that’s modern day. Yeah, some will dismiss this music as hokey pokey, but try playing it someday. Those elders were proficient musicians & they knew how to commit their story to music…like historians do.
Musicians – Becky Buller (vocals/fiddles), Mary Rachel Nalley-Norris (fiddle/mandolin), Tim O’Brien (vocal/fiddle/mandolin/banjo), Cathy Fink & Mark Olitsky (banjos), Jake Blount & Josiah Tyree (vocals/banjos), Adrian Davis, PJ George, & Stash Wyslouch (guitars), Molly Tuttle & Kody Norris (vocals/guitars), Bruce Molsky, Rachel Eddy & Earl White (fiddles), Marcy Marxer (guitars/mandolin), Harry Clark (mandolin), Dennis Crouch, Missy Raines, Lars Swanson, Morgan Jahnig, & Em Hammond (bass), Charles Lowman (bass/percussion), Ketch Secor (vocal/fiddle/harmonica), Cory Younts (banjo/Jew’s Harp), Mike Harris (guitjo), Tray Wellington (bluegrass banjo), Victor Furtado (old time banjo), Nat Smith (cello), & Becky Hill (dancing).
Highlights – “Cumberland Gap,” “I’ve Always Been a Rambler,” “Old Molly Hare,” “Rocky Road To Dinah’s House,” “Tennessee Mountain Fox Chase,” “Cuckoo,” “Don’t Let Your Deal Go Down,” “What You Gonna Do With the Baby?” & “900 Miles.”
A 16pp stitched insert is included & details the players & the music’s history. CD @ https://www.folkmusic.com/store/p490/Long_Journey_Home_-_LP.html & https://www.longjourneyhome.net/
