Recording Details

SFW40104
The High Lonesome Sound
Roscoe Holcomb


Notes - The legendary Roscoe Holcomb performs 21 powerful songs shaped by the hard times and conflict between old and new that marked his life in the Kentucky mountains. A hard-hitting singer and banjo-player, he also performs unaccompanied ballads, banjo and harmonica solos, and with a guitar. These recordings from 1961, 1964, and 1974 were previously released on three different Folkways LP records and had a powerful influence on the folk music revival. Accompanied by extensive new notes and photographs by John Cohen. 71 minutes. "Roscoe Holcomb is a true genius." — San Francisco Chronicle

Country(s) - United States

Culture Group(s) - Anglo-American

Keyword(s) - Banjo music; Folk songs--United States; Music--Appalachian Region, Southern.

Instrument(s) - Banjo

Language(s) - English

Year of Release - 1998

Record Label - Smithsonian Folkways Recordings

Source Archive - Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage

Credits - Produced by John Cohen ; Recorded by John Cohen ; Artist Roscoe Holcomb




Tracks -
101 Moonshiner
Roscoe Holcomb
Duration:2:00




102 On Top of Old Smoky
Roscoe Holcomb
Duration:3:44




103 Little Birdie
Roscoe Holcomb
Duration:2:28




104 House in New Orleans (House of the Rising Sun)
Roscoe Holcomb
Duration:3:50




105 Trouble in Mind
Roscoe Holcomb
Duration:2:18




106 The Wandering Boy
Roscoe Holcomb
Duration:4:34




107 Hook and Line
Roscoe Holcomb
Duration:1:54




108 Married Life Blues
Roscoe Holcomb
Duration:1:51




109 Omie Wise
Roscoe Holcomb
Duration:4:35




110 Willow Tree
Roscoe Holcomb
Duration:3:00




111 Boat's Up the River
Roscoe Holcomb
Duration:3:49




112 In the Pines
Roscoe Holcomb
Duration:2:25




113 Fox Chase
Roscoe Holcomb
Duration:1:24




114 Little Gray Mule
Roscoe Holcomb
Duration:1:12




115 Free Little Bird
Roscoe Holcomb
Duration:1:57




116 Little Bessie
Roscoe Holcomb
Duration:10:06




117 Motherless Children
Roscoe Holcomb
Duration:4:57




118 Darling Corey
Roscoe Holcomb
Duration:3:38




119 Roll on Buddy
Roscoe Holcomb
Duration:2:25




120 A Village Churchyard
Roscoe Holcomb
Duration:7:08




121 Walk Around My Bedside
Roscoe Holcomb
Duration:4:32