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Backcountry Barrelhouse

Barrelhouse Buck
Backcountry Barrelhouse

Thomas “Barrelhouse Buck” McFarland (1903–1962) was raised in St. Louis, where many of his contemporaries played a gutsy style of boogie-woogie piano known as “barrelhouse.” McFarland’s playing had a rougher and more insistent rhythm, perhaps inspired by his early days as a drummer. Producer Sam Charters described Buck’s playing as having a rural quality to it, giving it the “backcountry” name. Although this session was recorded only eight months prior to his death in 1962, it is clear that McFarland remained faithful to the classic barrelhouse style he had developed in the 1920s and 1930s. As in other Charters productions, the artist also entertains the listener with reminiscences of his early recording career.

The liner notes describe McFarland’s musical influences and the evolution of his “backcountry” style.

Track Listing

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101
Thomas McFarland (Barrelhouse Buck)
02:41
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102
Thomas McFarland (Barrelhouse Buck)
01:38
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103
Thomas McFarland (Barrelhouse Buck)
01:58
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104
Thomas McFarland (Barrelhouse Buck)
02:17
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105
Thomas McFarland (Barrelhouse Buck)
01:37
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106
Thomas McFarland (Barrelhouse Buck)
02:30
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107
Thomas McFarland (Barrelhouse Buck)
03:41
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201
Thomas McFarland (Barrelhouse Buck)
02:52
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202
Thomas McFarland (Barrelhouse Buck)
03:23
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203
Thomas McFarland (Barrelhouse Buck)
02:59
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204
Thomas McFarland (Barrelhouse Buck)
03:53
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205
Thomas McFarland (Barrelhouse Buck)
02:43