Recorded in 1964 Appalachian Swing is considered to be one of the most essential and groundbreaking recordings in bluegrass music history. Featuring the legendary Clarence White on guitar and his brother Roland on mandolin, this album is filled with Clarence's brilliant, syncopated, lead guitar and Roland's innovative licks as well. Just listen to "Listen to the Mockingbird" or "Nine Pound Hammer" and then try and play it the way the brothers do. Rounding out the band were Billy Ray Lathum on banjo, Bobby Slone on fiddle, Roger Bush on double bass, and guest artist Leroy Mack McNees on dobro. For one who played bluegrass guitar, I still consider Clarence White to be at the top of the heap when it comes to flatpicking. Frankly, I don't know that I would have ever had much interest in the genre if it weren't for listening to this album and Clarence's later work as lead guitarist with the Byrds, Muleskinner, and the latter day Kentucky Colonels. (Has anybody out there heard when there might be a re-release of "The New Kentucky Colonels Live in Sweden 1973)?
There have been several versions of this album released over the years. I have a copy of the LP version I bought in the 80's that includes the original 12 instrumentals plus two bonus vocal tracks "For Lovin' Me" and "The Ballad of Farmer Brown". I believe this was also released on CD but may be out of print. Possibly the best version and currently available from Sierra Records includes three cuts from Tut Taylor's "Dobro Country" album, an excellent album itself from the same era and features Tut along with Clarence and Roland. This all instrumental, remastered, version of Appalachian Swing includes: CLINCH MOUNTAIN BACKSTEP / NINE POUND HAMMER / LISTEN TO THE MOCKING BIRD / WILD BILL JONES / BILLY IN THE LOWGROUND / LEE HIGHWAY BLUES / I AM A PILGRIM / THE PRISONER'S SONG / SALLY GOODIN / FADED LOVE / JOHN HENRY / FLAT FORK / Bonus Tracks from Dobro Country: PICKIN' FLAT / A FOOL SUCH AS I / BLACK RIDGE RAMBLE.
Whatever version you might find, I would highly recommend this classic even if you are not a bluegrass fan. Any guitar player would benefit from listening to Clarence White who was a pioneer flatpicker as well as a virtuoso acoustic and electric guitar player. Tragically, Clarence was killed in an auto accident in 1973 but his music lives on and Appalachian Swing is one of the best examples from his legacy.
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