Since 2005, the best way to keep up with what’s new with the Takoma School has been to scoop up the Tompkins Square label’s indispensable Imaginational Anthem compilations, which seem to get better and better with each volume.
Vol. 6 shakes things up a bit — it’s a prequel of sorts, gathering some choice proto-American Primitive instrumental solo guitar recordings by Sam McGee, Bayless Rose, Sylvester Weaver and others from the 1920s and 30s. If you’re even remotely interested in Fahey and his acolytes, this is a fascinating document, an essential glimpse of the style’s roots. The transfers of these vintage 78s are marvelous — there’s the ubiquitous hiss and crackle, sure, but otherwise the sounds are bright and crisp, broadcasted to the 21st century from…
320 kbps | 104 MB | UL | CL | MC
…a long gone era. It’s nothing short of a miracle.
1. Sylvester Weaver – Guitar Rag [03:03]
2. Sam McGee – Buck Dancer’s Choice [02:57]
3. Riley Puckett – Darkey’s Wail [02:56]
4. Davy Miller – Cannon Ball Rag [02:45]
5. Lemuel Turner – Way Down Yonder Blues [03:08]
6. Frank Hutchison – Hutchison’s Rag [02:59]
7. Bayless Rose – Frisco Blues [03:04]
8. Riley Puckett – Fuzzy Rag [03:04]
9. Sam McGee – Knoxville Blues [03:06]
10. Sylvester Weaver – Guitar Blues [03:12]
11. Davy Miller – Jailhouse Rag [02:41]
12. Lemuel Turner – Tramp Waltz [03:00]
13. Sam McGee – Franklin Blues [02:52]
14. Bayless Rose – Jamestown Exhibition [02:45]