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FRETS, FRIES & SHINE

Roots of American Country Music

 

Robert D. Morritt

 

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          The author introduces this book mentioning that he has accumulated “‘rural recordings’ for many years.  And noticed from their lyrics and structure, that they betrayed an earlier ‘old world’ provenance. In many cases these songs had evolved into American ballads, their origin long forgotten.  Many eighteenth century ballads featured on early recordings originated from rural Appalachia.  Where they had been preserved orally for generations.

 

          Other recordings had a more urban provenance; these reached rural communities from mail order catalogues and often were Victorian or tin Pan Alley era songs. These also passed into folk tradition and emanated later as the repertoire of country musicians.

 

          The book is a potpourri, a planned and disjointed view of early Country Music and highlights.  The sources of old recordings and presents a nostalgic overview of early recorded country music, Emphasis is placed on the mood of the era, rather than that of an academic viewpoint of the era. And Includes highlights of the first fiddlers to record country music and the earliest vocal sessions at Bristol, Tennessee and of recordings made in other rural areas..

The author further states that it is a  book not recommended for the reader who demands strict order and co-ordination and hopes it may be adopted as a ‘good read’.