SACRED HARP SINGERS OF THE SOUTHLAND-
FA SOL LA 
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          There is very little information out there about this Sacred Harp crew aside from what's written on the back of this record.  I'm not going to reprint it or anything, but here's a little taste:

             "The Chattahooche Sacred Harp Singing Convention was organized at                      Macedonia Church, in Coweta County, Georgia, on the first Sunday in                    August, 1852... the Chattahooche Convention is one of the very few                            Sacred Harp Singing Conventions whose activities are conducted to an                  established procedure laid down in a written constitution, and so far as we          know, it is the only convention having a recorded membership list     dating  from the first session in 1852 to the last session in 1965."  

          This is a sterling example of the form.  Spiraling exhalations and crowded shouts on high, echoing in a chamber of stained glass, and printed pages.  

      



"During the War Between the States, only token sessions were held..."
-Mrs. Ruth Denson Edwards
John Sebastian and Terry Snyder-
Inca Dance (78rpm)

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 This is a very dusty side of harmonica and bongo meandering.      



  

New Horizons 

of the Josh Noland Guitar Duo 

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Josh Noland, lead guy of the New Horizons guitar duo, writes on the back cover, “Please realize that this album was not made for the purpose of competing with the Guitar Greats.  It’s just a souvenir for your listening enjoyment… [My sound is] a sort of combination of Chet Atkins, Howard Roberts, and Jerry Reed… recorded by only two musicians and an electronic drummer.”   


The sound is sparse, impressionistic, lonesome, sturdy and American.  Some of the tracks wouldn't be out of place in a David Lynch film.  The “electronic drummer” Noland refers to is actually a Rhythm-Ace drum machine, and, as with most utilizations of the instrument, the drum programming is very straight forward.   The machine is turned on.  The simple pattern repeats throughout the entirety of the song without change.  The machine is turned off.  Drum machines wouldn't be unlocked for years to come.  Extra points for the duo's cover of Elizabeth Cotton’s “Freight Train.”  




 "My answer is simple.  I feel we are all a part of everyone we meet." 
-Josh Noland