R. Crumb compiles rare rural string band music for "My Soul Is Lost" LP

One of the more interesting RSD releases is the archival comp My Soul Is Lost assembled by R. Crumb & John Heneghan. 

Here's the scoop...

My Soul Is Lost presents a selection of rare old-time music compiled by R. Crumb and John Heneghan from their own collections. Crumb’s emergence the birth of underground comics with Crumb as its most recognizable force. Crumb owns almost five thousand 78 rpm records in his collection.

The Crowder Brothers

In the liner notes, Heneghan writes, “What i’m saying is, during the late 1920’s and early 1930’s in America, a treasure trove of rich rural music was recorded, before marketing maniacs could get there ghastly, grubby hands on it. as a result we have a true glimpse into what rural American music was and what it sounded like in all it’s raw distinctive nature. in the early 78 rpm era, countless records were recorded by some of the most unique sounding musicians and bands which never would’ve made it past the audition process once marketing ideas were set firmly in place by record companies to make music the most profitable.

"It's a strong experience to hear music made by the people, for the people, from a time when big money was just getting involved in the music making process and hadn’t yet fully crushed or cast out the most unique and richest sounding performers of the time. as a result we are left with, in my opinion, recordings of some of the most beautiful music ever made. i guess that’s what old-time music is to me.”

The limited edition RSD release (1000 copies) includes a multi-page booklet with beautiful photographs of early 20th century musicians and liner notes by John Heneghan and Tony Russell. Cover photo from the collection of R. Crumb with layout and hand-drawn text by R. Crumb. Watch Jalopy Records' teaser trailer here. Check out the tracklisting below followed by a few audio clips. 

My Soul Is Lost: 

Unknown & Forgotten Rural American Musicians

SIDE A

1. I Surely Am Living A Ragtime Life - W. A. Lindsey & Alvin Conder 3:03 (Memphis TN - February 1, 1928). W. A. Lindsey - vocal, prob. harmonica, guitar. Alvin Conder – banjo. 2. O Dem Golden Slippers - West Virginia Ramblers (Richmond IN - June 3, 1931) Jess Johnston - fiddle. Bernice Coleman - fiddle. Ernest Branch - banjo. Roy Harvey - guitar. 3. Look Here Mama - Uncle Bud Walker 3:01 (Atlanta, GA - July 30, 1928) Uncle Bud Walker - vocal, guitar. 4. My Soul Is Lost - Crowder Brothers 2:48 (New York City - September 22, 1937) Olfa Crowder - vocal, guitar. Ortive Crowder - vocal, guitar. 5. Livin’ In The Mountains - Lonesome Cowgirl 2:35 (Richmond, IN - March 18, 1931) The Lonesome Cowgirl - vocal, ukulele. 6. Bungalow Blues - Mary Butler 2:45 (New Orleans, LA - November 1928) Mary Butler - vocal. (probably) Harry Chatman - fiddle. Walter Vinson - guitar. Charlie McCoy – banjo-mandolin. 7. Wild Cat Hollow - Paul [& Charles] Johnson 3:01 (Richmond IN - September 4, 1930) Paul Johnson - vocal, slide guitar. Charles Johnson - guitar. 8. Come Be My Rainbow - Clover Leaf Old Time Fiddlin’ Team 3:41 (Atlanta, GA - August 9, 1928) (unknown vocal, fiddles, piano, guitar)

SIDE B

1. My Good Gal Has Thrown Me Down - Homer Callahan 2:42 (New York City - August 17, 1934) Homer Callahan - vocal, guitar. 2. Cotton Mill Girl - Lester Smallwood 2:57 (Atlanta, GA - October 18, 1928) Lester Smallwood - vocal, harmonica, banjo. 3. Down The Highway - Charlie Pickett 3:18 (New York City - August 3, 1937) Charlie Pickett - vocal, guitar. 4. Gold Diggers - The Grady Family 3:06 (Atlanta, GA - December 6, 1930) Prob.: W. T. Grady - slide guitar. Ethel Mae Grady - mandolin. Paul Grady - guitar. Elvia Grady - banjo-ukulele. Vernon Grady - string bass. 5. You Can’t Blame Me For That - Hazel Scherf 3:03 (Richmond, IN - January 31, 1934) Hazel Scherf - vocal. Archer Porter - harmonica, guitar. 6. Old Uncle Joe - McKinney Brothers 2:52 (Richmond, IN - September 25, 1934) (unknown vocal duet, guitar, mandolin) 7. Some Little Bug Is Goin’ To Get You Some Day - Bradley Kincaid 3:24 (New York City - September 14, 1933) Bradley Kincaid - vocal, guitar. 8. Black Snake Moan - Charles Underwood acc. Hack’s String Band 2:40 (Richmond IN - September 29, 1930) Charles Underwood - vocal. Slats Bethel - mandolin. Walter Cobb - banjo. Bill Brown - guitar. Gene Garrett - string bass.