This cd was inspired by the great 78 rpm recordings of Narmour and Smith and is the result of my years of curiosity and supposition about 1920's fiddle music in Carroll County, Mississippi. - Harry Bolick: (Fiddle and viola)

Reviews:

"Carroll County, Mississippi" is a compelling insight into an important musical genre, and Harry Bolick is to be commended for keeping alive a vital segment of American culture. - Bluegrass Unlimited

"Harry Bolick, whose new CD, "Carroll County, Mississippi," offers homage to old-time musicians Willie Narmour, Shell Smith, Mississippi John Hurt, Gene Clardy, and others from his ancestral county, wielded his own fiddle bow on the porch of the Valley Store near Avalon during a trip back a couple of years ago." - Winona-now.com

..."Bolick and BLoom's version of "Jake Leg Rag" sounds just great! I imagine the sound of a good old-time Warner Brothers cartoon when I hear thes one. I can only say that this cut just makes me feel happy." ...."In fact, I would say that Harry seems to bridge the line between too smooth and too rough with amazing grace. There's just enought edge there without gutting the music or Harry's own playing style."..."This is old-time music with a true link to the past, but enjoyed and played as we like to today. If you are open to the reality that old-time music is more than many of us would think, I believe you will enjoy this disc as much as I do." - The Old Time Herald Winter 2004/05

"...the pure playing pleasure with which he makes this music accessible to a new audience is very contagious. If you like fiddle music this is an absolute must have album." - Holly Moors (www.moorsmagazine.com)

"...Not everything works, but most of it does and one con only admire the very creative musical intelligence at work here and hope that it continues to explore these less-travelled roads." - Dirty Linen

"A very different old-time record that will grow on you." - County Sales

The background of the cover photograph is based on the photo of William Thomas Narmour, c. 1958, Carrollton, MS. Photo courtesy of Mr. Norman Mellin.
The photograph of William T. Narmour (1889-1961) was taken by Clayton Tyler (d. 1986) of Winona, MS approximately three years before "Willie" died. Clayton asked Grover C. O'Briant (1912-1995) of the Friendship Community, MS to go with him to take the photograph since Grover knew Mr. Narmour and his whereabouts. Grover C. O'Briant knew all the old-time fiddlers in North-Central Mississippi. He helped to keep the Old-Time Fiddler's Contest alive that is held each year in Kosciusko, MS. Mr. O'Briant preserved the only known original print of this photograph until he gave it to Mr. Norman Mellin who has been researching old-time fiddlers in the state of Mississippi since 1990.

1. Jake Leg Rag
   - Ken Bloom: minstrel banjo, Dobro, guitar, bowed dulcimer.
2. Sweet Milk and Peaches
   - Pat Conte: minstrel banjo, Brian Slattery: banjo and pony banjo.
3. Where the Southern Crosses the Dog
   - Pat Conte: guitar, Trip Henderson: harmonica.
4. Texas Shuffle
   - Brian Slattery: banjo and guitar, Mark Murphy: bass.
5. Captain George, Has Your Money Come?
   - Pat Conte: guitar, Trip Henderson: harmonica.
6. The Sunny Waltz
   - Elsie Berryhill: piano
7. Avalon Quickstep
   - Pat Conte: lauto.
8. Limberneck Blues
   - Vicky Gould: accordian /Texas Breakdown - Brian Slattery: banjo and drums/Heel and Toe Polka - Brian Slattery: banjo and drums, Ken Bloom: guitar.
9. Little Star
   - Brian Slattery: banjo and drums.
10. The Last Shot Got Him
    - Pat Conte: guitar and vocals, Steve Uhrik: viola.
    The First(Last) Shot Got Him was recorded by Willie Narmour's neighbors: Mississippi John Hurt and the Mississippi Possum Hunters. This recording is a mixture of those versions. Blessed be the Name also comes from John Hurt.
11. Carroll County Blues
    - Pat Conte: guitar, Mark Murphy: bass.
12. Someone I Love
    - Elsie Berryhill: Piano, Brian Slattery: Fiddle, Ed Pitaro: guitar, Mark Murphy: bass.
13. Carrollton
    (©2004 Bolick) - Pat Conte: guitar and requinto, Trip Henderson: harmonica.
    This tune was named after my mother's birthplace and is my attempt to create a tune in Willie Narmour's style. This is enhanced by Pat Conte's unique vision. The website has a more straight forward old-timey rendering.
14. Charlestons No's 3, 2 and 1
    - Gil Sayre: guitar, Brian Slattery: banjo.
15. Kiss Me Waltz
    - Gil Sayre: guitar, Brian Slattery: fiddle, Mark Murphy: bass.
16. Gallop To Georgia
    - Gil Sayre: guitar, Brian Slattery: banjo
17. Dry Gin Rag
    - Gil Sayre: guitar, Brian Slattery - banjo.
18. Little Black Moustache
    - Pat Conte: guitar,bowlback mandolin, Trip Henderson: harmonica.
    Little Black Moustache was not recorded by Narmour and Smith, but by their neighbor Gene Clardy and the Ray Brothers. I wonder if Willie Narmour knew the tune.
19. Mississippi Breakdown
    - Brian Slattery: banjo, Charlie Shaw: guitar and drums.
20. Avalon Blues/Whistling
    - Ken Bloom: guitars, bowed dulcimer and domra, Brian Slattery: fiddle, Mark Murphy: bass and cello
21. Blessed Be The Name
    - Pat Conte: guitar and vocals, Pat Schories: bass, Background vocals: Brian Slattery, Trip Henderson, Steve Uhrik and Colleen Kiel

Flash 6 multimedia content. Maps, photos, comparison sound clips and notes.

Full notes for this recording in a printable format.
 
Carroll County Blues Tshirt