"Public Domain is critical to our society. PublicDomain2ten's collection of musical gems is fabulous." Matthew King Kaufman, Fun Fun Fun Recordings
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)
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).
Before Ritchie Valens, and before Los Lobos who backed actor Lou Diamond Phillips in the movie of Ritchie Valens life, “La Bamba” was a Mexican folk song traditionally sung during weddings in the state of Veracruz. This is truly an universal pop hit that’s sure to entertain generation after generation — like it already has.
Conjunto Sotavento de Nacho Fierro – "La Bamba" (mp3)
The Cartwright Brothers have a beautiful country ballad to sing to you. If you ever wondered what it was like to be a lonesome cowboy on the plains, then wonder no more. This ballad puts you in the horses saddle during an era where time stood still.
