Masters of Old-Time Country Autoharp

The autoharp, invented in the 1870s and a fad in the 1890s, became a virtuoso instrument among the artists featured here as well as other players in the early to mid 20th century. Spirited breakdowns, sentimental and gospel songs—some played as instrumentals—and even a bluegrass song are presented here in this re-release of the only documentary of traditional Southern autoharp players. Includes 14 previously unissued tracks. Recorded, edited, and annotated by Mike Seeger. Song notes by Charles Wolfe. 32-page booklet. 38 tracks; 72 minutes.

Track Listing

101	Stoney’s Waltz Ernest Stoneman	01:56
102	Sweet Marie Neriah and Kenneth Benfield	02:00
103	John Henry Kilby Snow	02:07
104	May I Sleep in Your Barn Tonight, Mister? Kilby Snow	01:37
105	She’ll Be Coming Around the Mountain Kilby Snow with Wade Ward	01:11
106	Sweet Sunny South Ernest Stoneman	02:30
107	Bile ‘em Cabbage Down Ernest Stoneman	02:02
108	Marching Through Georgia Ernest Stoneman	01:20
109	Wreck of Number Nine Ernest Stoneman	02:49
110	Ella’s Grave Neriah Benfield	01:45
111	Waltz Neriah Benfield	01:21
112	Old Joe Clark Kenneth Benfield	01:25
113	Shortening Bread Kenneth Benfield	01:14
114	Cindy Kilby Snow	01:10
115	Budded Roses Kilby Snow	01:53
116	Flop-Eared Mule Kilby Snow	01:50
117	Home Sweet Home Kilby Snow	02:31
118	Springtime Again Little Annie Ernest Stoneman	02:11
119	Great Reaping Day Ernest Stoneman	02:04
120	Weeping Willow Tree Neriah and Kenneth Benfield	01:56
121	I’m Alone, All Alone Ernest Stoneman with Mike Seeger	02:48
122	All I Got’s Gone Ernest Stoneman	02:37
123	Benfield Hoedown (Idaho Girl) Neriah Benfield	01:07
124	Bonaparte’s Retreat Kenneth Benfield	01:47
125	Chinese Breakdown Neriah and Kenneth Benfield	02:13
126	Wildwood Flower Kilby Snow with Mike Seeger	01:22
127	Tragic Romance Kilby Snow with Hazel Dickens and Mike Seeger	01:25
128	Close By Kilby Snow	02:03
129	Way Down in the Country Kenneth Benfield	01:07
130	Golden Slippers Kenneth Benfield	02:11
131	Lights in the Valley Neriah and Kenneth Benfield	01:25
132	Chicken Reel Kilby Snow	00:47
133	Precious Jewel Kilby Snow	03:33
134	Muleskinner Blues Kilby Snow	02:18
135	Red River Valley Kilby and Jim Snow	02:11
136	Hallelujah Side Ernest Stoneman	02:17
137	Jacob’s Ladder Kenneth Benfield	01:09
138	I Ain't Gonna Work Tomorrow Kilby Snow	01:52