Details

Field of Interest

American Music

Content Type

Music recording

Duration

43 mins

Format

Audio

Sub Genre

Country

Label

Rounder Records

Performer

Merle Travis, 1917-1983

Release Date

2003

Review

This warm live recording from 1959 finds Merle Travis all alone on his acoustic six-string, the perfect accompaniment to his robust voice. Splitting time between instrumentals and vocal numbers like "Dark as a Dungeon," "John Henry," and the ubiquitous "Sixteen Tons," Travis' singing and legendary picking are pristinely recorded, alternating between being darkly chilling and joyously grinning. It may seem like a foot race to have 22 tracks in 43 minutes, but nearly every tune is introduced by Travis with a quick story or humorous anecdote, so the 16 actual songs are each given ample time. Blurring the line between country and folk, Travis was never in better form, and his songs are as timeless in the 21st century as they were when they were written. ~ Zac Johnson, All Music Guide

Subject

American Music, Music & Performing Arts, American Studies, American Folk Music, Música Folklórica Norteamericana, Folk Music Norte-Americana

Keywords and Translated Subjects

Música Folklórica Norteamericana, Folk Music Norte-Americana