This 6 disc, 130 song collection is the second volume of an essential anthology that puts together essentially all of the material that the groundbreaking Carter Family recorded on various labels. Any words trying to state the importance of the influence from the homespun trio of Sara, AP and Maybelle Carter would not suffice. All that can be said is that the material on these discs are the taproot of American folk, country, blues, western, gospel and beyond.
The most well-known of the songs here are “Can The Circle Be Unbroken” , “Coal Miner Blues” and “You Are My Flowers”. The plaintive harmonies are both haunting and riveting, making you feel that you’re sitting on the back porch at a family get together or eating a chicken leg at the local church picnic. Other pieces that have been covered ad infinitum are “My Dixie Darling “ “Hello Stranger”, but it will soon come to your mind after a few listens that the popularity of a song has nothing to do with the quality. The standard is high on everything, and its just the luck of fate that some have caught on.
“Keep On The Sunny Side” is a cozy comforter, and if you’re in the Sunday kind of mood, look no further than “River Of Jordan”, “Glory To The Lamb”, “Sea Of Galilee” and “God Gave Noah the Rainbow Sign” for list of spirituals. Blues abound as well, with “Bear Creek Blues” and “Lonesome Homesick Blues” while some campfire stories are spun on “My Old Virginia Home”, “Girl On The Briar Shore’ and “Rambling Boy”. This trio didn’t change with the times, they created them.