Joe Meadows - Super Fiddle

(Old Dominion OD-498-13) 1979

---

On this splendid fiddle album Joe Meadows is backed by Jesse McReynolds, plus fellow members of the Virginia Boys: Tim Ellis, Vic Jordan, Keith McReynolds, Charlie Collins and Joe Stuart.

Recorded at Hilltop Studios in Madison, Tennessee, the LP was produced by Jesse McReynolds and issued on Jim & Jesse's own Old Dominion label.

The song arrangements and Jesse McReynold's production are top notch, although some may find the punchy electric bass a bit overbearing at times.

Two Bob Wills' numbers, Just Friends and Please Don't Leave Me Darling, are included and the traditional Good-By Liza Jane is also (I think) patterned after Bob Wills version of the tune.

Other sources of material include Bill Monroe (Big Mon), Howdy Forrester (Wild Fiddlers Rag), and Benny Martin (Me And My Fiddle).

Alabama Jubilee and Beaumont Rag are straight-ahead versions of the old early 1900's / 1920s rag-time tunes, with neat mandolin breaks from Jesse McReynolds; Tennessee Wagoner is likewise an old fiddle tune with it's roots in the 19th century.

More recent material includes: Sugar Foot Rag, an uptempo number with catchy banjo refrain. This was first recorded by Hank Garland, who co-wrote it with George Vaughn Horton in 1949 and subsequently by Red Foley; and Diggy Liggy Low which has a cajun feel & was a country music hit for Rusty & Doug in 1961.

The album features one original composition by Joe - Just A Waltz, which is a slow number with banjo intro & tremelo mandolin break.

Joe also cut a version of Benny Martin's Me And My Fiddle on his 1973 Ralph 'Joe' Meadows Rejoins Bluegrass With The Goins Brothers LP; and Good-By Liza Jane on his 1977 West Virginia Fiddler LP.

• Ralph 'Joe' Meadows: fiddle
• Tim Ellis: banjo
• Vic Jordan: banjo
• Jesse McReynolds: mandolin, fiddle
• Joe Stuart: guitar
• Charlie Collins: guitar
• Keith McReynolds: bass

Other artwork / related images: