Music In The Old Time Way

In 1985, Philip Morgan toured the Southern Appalachian Mountains of Virginia and North Carolina, recording the sights and sounds of Old Time dance music. Although it is often confused with Bluegrass, Old Time is about a hundred and fifty years older (and is a lot more fun to listen to). Over the course of an hour, this program delivers some thirty-odd tunes, performed by over two dozen bands. You'll hear Benton Flippen on fiddle with his band the Smokey Valley Boys; Enoch Rutherford playing the banjo, clawhammer style; and Blanche & Ellis Nichols of the Peach Bottom Band. You'll hear how people got their start in Old Time (Mike Kraus: "I went and bought me a number two tub.") You'll visit the Independence & Pulaski Fiddler's Conventions ("No electric instruments allowed.") And you'll notice a rhythmic thumping sound down below you--that'll be your foot. Highly recommended. (Available from: Moving Image Productions, 1011 Boren Ave., No. 830, Seattle, WA 98104)