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Across the Blue Ridge #136 - Rev. Frank Newsome, Bluegrass and Gospel, Old-time Mountain

by Paul Brown

Frank Newsome of southwest Virginia is an Old Regular Baptist preacher – and a compelling singer of the ancient style of gospel music prevalent in his denomination. A new album features him singing solo, rather than with a congregation. On this ATBR episode, we listen to selections from the album, and hear similarities to bluegrass and bluegrass gospel music which derive melodic, rhythmic and phrasing elements from religious music of the mountain south. Pat Jarrett, Virginia Humanities, courtesy Free Dirt Records

This week we hear haunting Old Regular Baptist gospel singing – from the preacher himself, without the congregation.  Frank Newsome's new album, Gone Away With A Friend, was recorded in his southwest Virginia church to showcase his ancient style and repertoire which have influenced bluegrass gospel, bluegrass secular songs, and old time mountain singers for generations.  Also on the program, bluegrass classics with the Johnson Mountain Boys, Jimmy Martin and James Reams & The Barnstormers, plus some wonderful old-time mountain tunes and songs from Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia and North Carolina.

Playlist

  1. Fire On The Mountain
    Ron Hughey
    Country Fiddlin' Ozark Style
    American Heritage Music
     
  2. Waltz Across Texas
    Johnson Mountain Boys
    At The Old Schoolhouse
    Rounder
     
  3. Georgia Stomp
    Johnson Mountain Boys
    At The Old Schoolhouse
    Rounder
     
  4. Daniel Prayed
    Johnson Mountain Boys
    At The Old Schoolhouse
    Rounder
     
  5. Who's Calling You Sweetheart
    Jimmy Martin
    12 Memories from Jimmy Martin
    Gusto
     
  6. Paul and Silas
    Stanley Brothers
    Good Old Camp Meeting Songs
    Gusto
     
  7. Turn Back, Turn Back
    Ralph Stanley & The Clinch Mountain Boys
    Great High Mountain
    Rebel
     
  8. Break 1 - Coal Creek March
    Dock Boggs
    His Folkways Years 1963-68
    Smithsonian Folkways
     
  9. Far Away There Is A Land
    Frank Newsome
    Gone Away With A Friend
    Free Dirt
     
  10. Long Black Train
    Frank Newsome
    Gone Away With A Friend
    Free Dirt
     
  11. Wild Geese Cry Again
    Ralph Stanley & The Clinch Mountain Boys
    Great High Mountain
    Rebel
     
  12. The Touch Of His Gentle Hand
    Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver
    Burden Bearer
    Mountain Home
     
  13. When I Heard
    Frank Newsome
    Gone Away With A Friend
    Free Dirt
     
  14. Are You Washed In The Blood
    Norman Edmonds & The Old Timers
    Norman Edmonds & The Old Timers
    FRC
     
  15. Break 2 - Get Off Your Money 
    Dillof, Rice & The Cuyahogians
    On The Job Too Long
    Montana Peak Records
     
  16. Roving Piper
    Scott Prouty & John Gallagher
    No Corn On Tygart
    Scott Prouty & John Gallagher
     
  17. Coal Dust In My Soul
    James Reams & The Barnstormers
    Barnstormin'
    Copper Creek
     
  18. Green River March
    Roane County Ramblers
    Roane County Ramblers
    County
     
  19. Cumberland Gap
    Roan Mountain Hilltoppers
    Down Home
    Roan Mountain Hilltoppers
     
  20. Little Maggie
    Lee Sexton
    Whoa Mule
    June Appal
     
  21. Polly Put The Kettle On
    Marcus Martin
    When I Get My New House Done
    Southern Folklife Collection
     
  22. Elk Horn Ridge
    Paul Brown
    ATBR recording

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