Post by Ptarmigan on Dec 16, 2007 18:55:52 GMT
Marcus Martin
Marcus Martin was born August 2, 1881 in Macon County, North Carolina.
He was a farmer, logger, postmaster, woodworker, and watchman.
In my world he's a legendary North Carolina fiddler.
My first introduction to him was through two tracks found on the classic American Fiddle Tunes LP.
His Cotton-Eyed Joe and Sugar in the Gourd are mesmerizing renditions.
By the way, if you don't have American Fiddle Tunes you're missing out on another wonderful fiddle collection.
Soon after hearing these two tracks I started hearing some of his other well-known tunes surface at jam sessions, as well as on tenth-generation cassette copies of jam sessions.
Happy Hollow Booth and Shove the Pig's Foot a Little Farther in the Fire top that list.
Marcus Martin: North Carolina Fiddle Mage By David BraggerMarcus Martin
These recordings, made by Peter Hoover in the late fifties and early sixties near Swannanoa, North Carolina, document the seminal fiddling of Marcus Martin. Recorded first by field workers from the Library of Congress in the thirties, Marcus combined in his repertoire the archaic tunes he learned from Manco Sneed with jazzy numbers from then-contemporary recordings of Arthur Smith. A primary source for many of the crosstuned fiddle tunes that were such a novelty to the folk revival, his recordings remain a singular insight into Appalachian fiddling.
Field Recorders' Collective: Marcus Martin
These recordings, made by Peter Hoover in the late fifties and early sixties near Swannanoa, North Carolina, document the seminal fiddling of Marcus Martin. Recorded first by field workers from the Library of Congress in the thirties, Marcus combined in his repertoire the archaic tunes he learned from Manco Sneed with jazzy numbers from then-contemporary recordings of Arthur Smith. A primary source for many of the crosstuned fiddle tunes that were such a novelty to the folk revival, his recordings remain a singular insight into Appalachian fiddling.
Field Recorders' Collective: Marcus MartinMarcus Martin
The first-time-ever commercial release of these treasured recordings of Swannanoa, NC fiddler Marcus Martin, 1881-1974. 26 tracks, beautifully remastered, from field recordings collected by Alan Lomax, Jan Schinhan, Artus Moser and Margot Mayo -- some very rare recordings of his singing and banjo-playing, too. In a beautiful bifold digipak, including a booklet with extensive notes on Martin and his tunes. A rare glimpse of a great Appalachian stylist from a bygone era; what a treasure!
NC.Folk Marcus Martin: When I Get My New House Done, Western North Carolina Fiddle Tunes and Songs