VARIOUS ARTISTS
The Beautiful Old: Turn-of-the-Century Songs
Doubloon Records
Popular music began to change in the 1920s with the advent
of radio and phonograph records. Before records, in the 1800s and early-1900s, it
was the sale of sheet music that led to hit songs. People bought sheet music so
they could play the songs in their living rooms, or parlors. Songs from that era
are often referred to as parlor music.
On The Beautiful Old: Turn-of-the-Century Songs, producers
Paul Marsteller and Gabriel Rhodes have assembled a lovely compilation of
parlor songs from between 1805 and 1918 – including a couple of instrumentals –
performed by a stellar collection of singers and musicians. The songs are performed
strictly on instruments that could have been used back in the day. Despite the
fact that the performers span several generations, several genres of music and
come from a couple of continents, there is a seamless quality to the production
– thanks, no doubt, to the lovely arrangements and excellent performances.
Among my favorite selections are Richard Thompson and
Christine Collister’s perfectly charming version of “The Band Played On,” which
opens the CD; Jimmy LaFave’s heartfelt rendering of “Long Time Ago”; and Eric
Bibb’s uncharacteristic take on “Just A-Wearyin’ For You,” a song once
performed by Paul Robeson, his legendary godfather.
Another favorite is Carrie Elkin’s version of “The Dying Californian.”
When Kimmie Rhodes adds her lovely harmony to Carrie’s voice I’m reminded of
hearing Kate and Anna McGarrigle sing some of the parlor songs they were raised
on.
Kimmie Rhodes – whose West Texas Heaven remains one of my all-time
favorite country albums – turns in three great performances as lead vocalist. And,
if I have a new discovery thanks to this album, it’s Kimmie’s daughter, Jolie
Goodnight, who sings two songs including the folksong, “Silver Dagger.”
I also couldn’t help but smile listening to Dave Davies of
the Kinks sing “After the Ball” or be moved by Christine Collister’s touching
rendition of “Home Sweet Home.”
Of special note among the instrumentalists are pianist Garth
Hudson of The Band and producer and multi-instrumentalist Gabriel Rhodes
(Kimmie’s son).
--Mike Regenstreif
