Track Listing

1. Rambling Hobo
2. Story That the Crow Told Me
3. Farmland Blues
4. Cannonball
5. Twin Sisters
6. Highwayman
7. Buck Dancer's Choice
8. Which Side Are You On?
9. Sugar in the Gourd
10. Fine Sally
11. Chittlin Cookin' Time in Cheatham County
12. Chilly Winds
13. Danville Girl
14. Talkin' Hard Luck
15. Sally in the Garden
16. My Name Is John Johanna
17. Twin Sisters
18. Dark Holler
19. It's Hard to Love
20. I Walk the Road Again
21. Alabama Gals
22. Rolling Mills Burning Down
23. Chinquapin Pie

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #274449 in Music
• Released on: 1999-02-16
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .23 pounds

Amazon.com
John Cohen's genius lies in his persistent devotion to the rawest, densest, and most playful shades of old-time music. Forty years ago he helped found the seminal New Lost City Ramblers--a band that continues to perform today--and began his life's work of documenting and mastering string-band music, especially the banjo. In the process he has exposed a whole new generation to old-time country played as it is meant to be--with passion, wit, and skill. Accompanied by David Grisman, Jody Stecher, and Sue Draheim, Cohen offers his first solo album, a smattering of familiar tunes such as "Cannonball," "Which Side Are You On?" and "Danville Girl." His voice cackles and cracks, and if not an easy listen, the songs reveal a secret history of American music. Fans of the Grateful Dead, Bob Dylan, and contemporary bluegrass will recognize melodies and lyrics across this album, and perhaps hear in Cohen's banjo and moan a deep connection to acoustic music of all kinds. --Roy Kasten

Customer Reviews

Stories you'll want to hear
John Cohen is a member of the NEW LOST CITY RAMBLERS but on this cd he has gone "solo", with a little help from his friends of course... David Grisman (mandolin, autoharp, etc...), Sue Draheim (fiddle), and Jody Stecher (fiddle, guitar, etc...).

The NEW LOST CITY RAMBLERS have many great recordings, but if you're not already familiar with them I would suggest you start with this cd simply because this is the most crisply and perfectly recorded cd that any member of them has released. Although maybe someone could point to the other Acoustic Disc release, RETROGRASS, as a counter argument. I wouldn't argue with that actually, but I prefer the music on this cd more. The clear, ringing tone of the banjo on this cd is beautiful.

The mountain-banjo-style tracks are particularly great, such as CHILLY WINDS, CHINQUAPIN PIE, and TWIN SISTERS. Some of my favorites of the vocally-accompanied songs would be DANVILLE GIRL, WHICH SIDE ARE YOU ON?, and DARK HOLLER.

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This is one of the finest DC's I have heard. John Cohen is not only an excellent singer but he has great taste in the choice of his music. If you can't see him live, then you must get this CD.My personal favorite is "My Name is John Johanna". He is faithful to the flavor of this music.

John Cohen is a fine photographer, film maker and musician.
Many readers might have seen and learned something of John in the Scorcese documentary about Dylan. In a great long career, he has created most kinds of art we know. This CD of oldtime music is a fine introduction to his singing and playing.