Search - John Dilleshaw :: Complete Recorded Works (1929-30)

Proud to be his Grandson!

Timothy J. Downs | Palmetto, GA United States | 12/16/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This CD is a classic! But more important to me, a link to my Grandfather, John Dilleshaw. He died in 1941 long before I was born. I came across this CD by accident and have enjoyed many hours of listening pleasure as I hear my grandfather belt his country vocals and run his fingers up and down that old guitar. This music will take you back to a time when the pace of life was much simpler. I hope my Grandfather's music will bring you half the joy it has brought me!Harry Kiker, also featured on this CD was my great Uncle."

Congratulations! You've hit paydirt!

Timothy J. Downs | 06/04/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"If you're reading this page, then chances are I am preaching to the choir here (can I get an "AMEN"?).But if chances are you were looking for something else, please stop and consider this undservedly unknown artist (who happens to look a bit like Bill Clinton).Simply put, this is **top-rate** old-time music. The fiddle and mandolin playing is fantastic, and Dilleshaw's guitar and vocal styles are quite pleasant (listen to Bad Lee Brown), and the unit plays very, very tight (and the Lowe Stokes numbers at the end are real barn burners!).But the REAL secret is in the vocals. This stuff is dance music. Doesn't always translate well to records. To ease the repetitiveness, Dilleshaw adds some VERY unusual and hilarious calls, commenting on such topics as getting his feet stuck in the mud and scrambled eggs stuck on someone's chin (check out "Lye Soap").Old time music fans are divided into two groups: those who know of "Seven Foot Dilly", and those who don't. Make the move, you'll never regret it.Note: There is the problem with cut 17. The song seems relatively innocuous (if not a bit unintelligble), but still, a permanent marker might be in order. This problem is prevalent in old-time music (think about the origins of it!); historical perspective should be maintained by the listener."