MASTERS OF OLD TIME COUNTRY AUTOHARP

The autoharp, invented in the 1870s and a fad in the 1890s, became a virtuoso instrument among the artists featured here as well as other players in the early to mid 20th century. Spirited breakdowns, sentimental and gospel songs—some played as instrumentals—and even a bluegrass song are presented here in this re-release of the only documentary of traditional Southern autoharp players. Includes 14 previously unissued tracks. Recorded, edited, and annotated by Mike Seeger. Song notes by Charles Wolfe. 32-page booklet. 38 tracks; 72 minutes.

1 Stoneys Waltz Ernest Stoneman
2 Sweet Marie Neriah & Kenneth Benfield
3 John Henry Kilby Snow*
4 May I Sleep in Your Barn Tonight, Mister? Kilby Snow
5 Shell Be Coming Around the Mountain Kilby Snow with Wade Ward
6 Sweet Sunny South Ernest Stoneman*
7 Bile Em Cabbage Down Ernest Stoneman
8 Marching Through Georgia Ernest Stoneman*
9 Wreck of Number Nine Ernest Stoneman
10 Ellas Grave Neriah Benfield
11 Waltz Neriah Benfield
12 Old Joe Clark Kenneth Benfield
13 Shortening Bread Kenneth Benfield
14 Cindy Kilby Snow*
15 Budded Roses Kilby Snow*
16 Flop-Eared Mule Kilby Snow*
17 Home Sweet Home Kilby Snow*
18 Springtime Again Little Annie Ernest Stoneman*
19 Great Reaping Day Ernest Stoneman
20 Weeping Willow Tree Kenneth & Neriah Benfield
21 I'm Alone, All Alone Ernest Stoneman with Mike Seeger
22 All I Gots Gone Ernest Stoneman
23 Benfield Hoedown (Idaho Girl) Neriah Benfield
24 Bonapartes Retreat Kenneth Benfield*
25 Chinese Breakdown Neriah and Kenneth Benfield*
26 Wildwood Flower Kilby Snow with Mike Seeger
27 Tragic Romance Kilby Snow with Hazel Dickens &
28 Close By Kilby Snow*
29 Way Down in the Country Kenneth Benfield
30 Golden Slippers Kenneth Benfield*
31 Lights in the Valley Neriah & Kenneth Benfield*
32 Chicken Reel Kilby Snow*
33 Precious Jewel Kilby Snow
34 Muleskinner Blues Kilby Snow
35 Red River Valley Kilby and Jim Snow
36 Hallelujah Side Ernest Stoneman
37 Jacobs Ladder Kenneth Benfield
38 Ain't Going to Work Tomorrow Kilby Snow