DESCRIPTION:
From THE ORIGINAL FOLKWAYS RECORDINGS were originally released as OLD TIME MUSIC AT CLARENCE ASHLEY'S, VOLS. 1 AND 2 (Folkways 2355 and 2359).

An intriguing document of two musical generations overlapping, this Smithsonian Folkways collection presents the debut of Doc Watson, then a promising young bluegrass guitarist, and the reintroduction of Clarence Ashley, a banjo player who had become well known in the South decades before these early-1960s sessions. This two-disc, 48-track set consists almost entirely of traditional tunes, as Watson and Ashley's earnest, no-frills vocals mesh wonderfully with those of the backing ensemble. Of course, the real draw here is the deft instrumental work of Watson and Ashley, which is showcased on all of these tracks (many of which are previously unreleased), including the lightning-quick "Cumberland Gap," the driving "Fire on the Mountain," and the lilting "Footprints in the Snow." The original release of many of these songs coincided with the early-'60s folk revival, leading to success for Ashley and particularly Watson, who would go on to become one of the most influential guitarists in folk/bluegrass history.

Personnel: Doc Watson (vocals, guitar, banjo, harmonica); Clarence Ashley, "New River Jack" Burchett, Dock Walsh (vocals, banjo); Jean Ritchie (vocals); Clint Howard (vocals, guitar); Garley Foster (vocals, guitar, harmonica); Arnold Watson (vocals, banjo, harmonica); Fred Price (vocals, fiddle); Ralph Rinzler (guitar); Jack Johnson (banjo); Gaither Carlton (banjo, fiddle); Tommy Moore (washboard).

Compilation producers: Ralph Rinzler, Jeff Place, Matt Walters.

1960-62