By Alan Jabbour and John Cuthbert
CD: 978-0-937058-51-0 | $15.95
A century ago, Edden Hammons was known as one of the strongest and most distinctive fiddlers in the music-rich territory of Central West Virginia. Edden was also known for his individualistic lifestyle, always seeking out the remote fringes of his rugged home terrritory. As an old man, in 1942, Edden played his music into the homemade disc-recording machine of a visiting WVU folklore professor, and the result was magic. Old Edden's skills were still strong, and his reclusive existence had isolated him from the inroads of radios, recordings, and music festivals. When you listen to the fiddling of Edden Hammons, you look straight back into 19th-century West Virginia. West Virginia University Press released 15 of these legendary tunes on CD in 1999, remastered to modern audio standards and packaged with extensive notes, photos, and information. With the release in 2000 of 35 more tunes on the two-CD second volume, practically every existing recording by this legendary master is now available. Musicians, musicologists, and proud West Virginians have unanimously praised these recordings, which mark the launch of Sound Archive series.
Tracklist
1. Washington's March
2. Fine Time at Our House
3. Arkansas Traverler
4. Big Fancy
5. Love Nancy
6. Sandy Boys
7. Shaking Off the Acorns
8. Mississippi Sawyer
9. Queen of the Earth and Child of the Skies
10. Falls of Richmond
11. Waynesboro
12. Forked Deer
13. On My Way to See Nancy
14. Digging Potatoes
15. Old Greasy Coat
Reviews
"This is some very important fiddling -- a real find for fans of old time fiddle." Fiddler Magazine
"A very lovingly put together collection of classic fiddle performances by this legendary West Virginian musician. Recorded in 1947, these tracks document one of the most original & distinctive fiddle players that never went on to record commercially. Fantastic notes, decent sound, and a beautiful package make this a 'must-have' for the old-time music buff. Highly recommended!" County Sales Catalog
"A classic recording by a highly influential player!" Elderly Instruments Catalog
"A powerfully rendered set of tunes, played gloriously ... One of the very important recordings of American old-time traditional fiddling. ... We must congratulate the production team for a job excellently done." Old Time Herald
