Search - Lee Moore :: 20 Early Country Favorites

Obscure songs that songcarriers may want to check out

J. Ross | Roseburg, OR USA | 01/02/2007

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Playing Time - 40:56 -- With over 50 years in business, Rural Rhythm Records has built a catalog that connects many dots from past to present. Since its 1955 creation, Rural Rhythm has released hundreds of classic performances by many legendary bluegrass and old-time musicians such as J.E. Mainer, Don Reno, Red Smiley, Mac Wiseman, Vassar Clements, Hylo Brown, Bill Harrell, Jim Eanes, and many others. This album is part of that archival catalog. The label owes its Arcadia, California start to Uncle Jim O'Neal whose vision was to release the music of many top bluegrass and old-time musicians in the 1950-70s, seeking success where Starday had failed by producing records of limited appeal by lesser known, albeit talented, musicians.



Produced by Lee Sutton (the same visionary who captured the music of the legendary J.E. Mainer), this album captured the sound of the coffee-drinking nighthawk Lee Moore, and Ohio native who plunked guitar and sang. Lee is backed up by Tater Tate (fiddle), Billy Edwards (banjo), John Palmer (bass), and Danny Milhon (Dobro). As part of Rural Rhythm's archive, Uncle Jim O'Neal liked to offer 20 tracks on the LPs originally issued. This album was originally released in 1968 entitled "Everybody's Favorites," and it was Lee's second project for Rural Rhythm label. Unfortunately, many of the tunes have similar tempos, melodies, and the set comes across as rather banal. However, Lee's big popular hit "The Cat Came Back" is included, and he also had an affinity for other novelty tunes like "She's Some Daisy for 19 Years Old," about a woman who's actually 90. Lee and the band also do a nice job on a ¾-time song like "When Mother Played the Organ."



For CD, the music's been remastered. Liner notes are included from Barry Willis, author of "America's Music: Bluegrass." Born in 1914, Lee was a well-liked deejay on WWVA out of Wheeling, W.V. whose show aired at 2 A.M. from 1953-69. Insomniacs and long-haulers were a large part of his audience. Even after retiring from his radio show, he continued playing WWVA's Jamboree until 1973.



If interested in Moore's obscure songs heard in the 50s and 60s, check out his favorites. Some of them (e.g. "Streamlined Cannonball") might have potential for songcarriers to revive for the 21-st century. Lee also especially liked folk songs that told stories like "Strawberry Roan." Don't expect to hear vocal harmonies, elaborate arrangements or the same level of clarion studio recording quality we hear today. Rather, just enjoy and relive a classic bluegrass sound of yesteryear. Most of the cuts span about 2 minutes apiece. Just enjoy and relive a classic bluegrass sound of yesteryear. (Joe Ross, staff writer, Bluegrass Now)

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