ELDON BAKER & HIS BROWN COUNTY REVELLERS

This was one of those late 1930s country bands that was quite popular regionally (in this case, the mid-west) but left few records behind. The group made a name for itself in Kentucky, Ohio and Indiana, played over WLW radio in Cincinnati, and cut 18 songs for the Vocalion label in 1938 --however only 4 records (8 songs) were ever issued. The British BACM label has managed to obtain these and the remaining ten recordings from that session, and we can now get a good idea of the band's talents and versatility. It fit the description of a "hot string band", sounding very much like a western swing group and featuring the hot fiddle of Charlie Linville, good string bass, and take off guitar by Harry Adams. The band really swings on YOU CAN'T DO WRONG & GET BY, COME ALONG DOWN TO THE OLD PLANTATION, IT'S HARD, PLODDING ALONG and HAPPY ROVING COWBOY (the same song that became the early theme song for Hank Williams). Harmonica is featured on two other good tracks, LOST JOHN and CHOKING THE REEDS, there's a bluesy ONE EYED SAM and there's a fascinating super-speed FROGGIE WENT A-COURTIN' --the most effective and intriguing version of this old children's song that I've ever heard! Thanks to the British Archive label for presenting the full sessions in order.