You can download any of these mp3s with a right-click, “save as” on each link, or you can single-click on the links to play them without downloading. All free and perfectly legal. Sucks, doesn’t it?
Diddie Wa Diddie shows off Blind Blake’s distinctive vocal and guitar rhythm. This song was later covered by Ry Cooder and Hot Tuna.
Robert Allen Sisson – “Rhymers Favorite”
Allen Sisson was the stage name of North Georgian fiddle master Robert Allen Sisson. Allen Sisson came from a long line of mountain fiddlers and won the Tennessee State Fiddle Champion in 1921. “Rhymers Favorite” shows off Allen’s flare for complex chord progression that eventually landed him in the Edison studios in East Orange, NJ in 1925.
Chubby Parker – “Down On The Farm”
Chubby Parker recorded for the Colombia label in the mid to late 1920s. He specialized in homely “farmer friendly” folk tunes. Sears underwrote his Chicago-based radio station WLS specifically to entertain not only the residents of the Chicago area but also the community of farmers outside the metro area. He was one of the first artist to use radio to market and sell his music. Enjoy “Down on the Farm” featuring His Old Time Banjo.
Drums of the Sosyete Boumba – “Drummers of the Sosyete boumba”
From 1936 to 1937 Allen Lomax and his then-newlywed wife Elizabeth worked in Haiti documenting the music and rituals under the auspices of the Library Of Congress. Now during Haiti’s most devastating disaster to date we are reminded of Haitians rich-cultural roots deeply planted in African tradition. This is a welcome reprieve from the destruction and political turmoil that Haiti’s experiencing. Maybe this recording will offer hope in a seemingly hopeless situation. Uncle PD’s heart goes out to all of Haiti’s survivors.
Drummers of the Sosyete boumba
“Drumming – 3 Drums of the Sosyete Boumba” (mp3)
from “Alan Lomax in Haiti”
(Harte Recordings)
Garfield Akers & Joe Calicott – "Cottonfield Blues (Part One)"
This is one of the few blues recordings that has a bonafide recording date – September 23, 1929. Garfield Akers on lead guitar and vocals with Joe Calicott on second guitar and is often cited by musicologist as one of the greatest blues guitar duets of all time. The intensity and raw passion of these great guitarist is clearly apparent as Garfield and Joe shine with rhythmic complexity and raw passion.
The great Jelly Roll Morton and his incredible band ladies and gents. “Black Bottom Stomp” is the lead-off cut from the “Birth Of The Hot” CD, which compiles Morton’s Chicago recordings from 1926-27. During Jelly Roll Morton’s prestigious career he played and mentored some of the greatest masters of jazz. Known for producing songs that fit perfectly onto a 78 RMP pressing, his legendary band and recordings live on in the mp3 format. Pick it up, it’s a real treasure.
Bill Helms & His Upson County Band – “Roscoe Trillon” (mp3)
The violin melody in “Roscoe Trillon” is quite possibly one of the most pervasive scores in pop culture. Many of you may recognize it as the musical accompaniment anytime we watched a movie or cartoon with scene in it showing old time-y western style dancing. Rejoice because now you have a beautiful, but dusty, digital copy of the original song by Bill Helms & His Upson County Band (recorded circa 1929).
