The Singing Brakeman

by

Jimmie Rodgers

Edit

..., this set is certainly amazing & worth every bit of it.

These are the complete known recordings of Jimmie Rodgers & Bear Family should be applauded.

I know many are thinking what big difference is there between this set and the 8 CD's out by Rounder? Dependent upon your perspective, it could be a little or a lot. Now, this set is not for everybody-the casual fan should probably stick with a single disc compilation and then spring for a couple of the Rounder issues to see if they like more, but for those serious about their Rodgers, this set is indispenable.

First of all, you get several alternate takes not presented on the Rounder releases. There is an outtake of "T.B. Blues" that, while similar to the "official" release, differs greatly in some respects. Rodgers varies it melodically and changes the wording a slight bit. There are the additional alternate takes of "Travelin' Blues" and "Let Me Be Your Side Track" that didn't find their way onto the Rounder set.

Of fascination, though, is the inclusion of the soundtrack to the movie short Jimmie Rodgers made. Sound quality is not good on the two cuts, but they are still revelatory nonetheless.

Also not on the Rounder set are the posthumous overdbuds done by the Rainbow Ranch Boys (actually Chet Atkins and a group of session musicians) in 1955. For those with memories of the horrible overdubs done by MGM on Hank Williams, you have a pleasant surprise here. These are actually quite tastefully done. Possibly the best cut is "Muleskinner Blues". I've always felt that there should've been additional instrumentation when Rodgers took an instrumental, but here the problem is solved. Rodgers goes solo with full band backup. His sound was updated with these handful of cuts without losing their original flavor.

I will voice again the complaint made by the former reviewer-the box is way too big-LP size and very annoying. But, that's the Bear Family way of doing things and that's a minor thing at best.

In short, if you like Rodgers more than just casually, this is the set for you. In the long run, you're better off buying this because the Rounder sets leave you longing for more!

It is almost impossible to describe the corruption of Jimmie Rodgers on some of the pieces in this set. The depth of his guitar has been destroyed; background music has been added to produce a sound somewhere between the music of Gene Autry and Bob Wills; there is the unmistakable sound of steel guitar (i.e. distinguishably NOT dobro). It is just awful. I was so disappointed and this is not, I think, typical of Bear Family Records. I have every Bear production of the music of Hank Snow and those are absolutely faithful to the originals. I'm just glad that I did not throw out my vinyls of Jimmie Rodgers, scratchy but faithful. 170 bucks out the window.

Sincerely, George H Cadwell Jr