The Carter Family Album: “Anchored in Love: Their Complete Victor Recordings (1927-28)”

This is it, the beginning of time as far as country music is concerned. It's important to remember that this is music from another world and values, long ago and far away; before advanced science and aesthetics and before information overload intruded, accessible now only through these recordings. It's also important to remember that the participants were quite young at the time-Maybelle was still a teenager and her cousins Sara and A.P. were in their mid-twenties and mid-thirties, respectively. Because of all this, the topics available were God, the life-to-come, forsaken love, Mother and Father, my old Clinch Mountain home, and most of the rest of Dixie, in just about that order, but thinking about it, is there really much else in life? Maybelle was already a budding guitar master and Sara's vocals, in a higher register than later years, gradually draw you in and hook you permanently and the primitive recording techniques actually helps the other-worldly quality of the songs and harmonies. I do wish Charles Wolfe would expand his invaluable liner notes for the series into a full-fledged biography, concentrating on the personalities involved, particularly the relationship between Sara and A.P.

The other reviews are accurate in terms of the importance of the music. The music is simple and enjoyable and the Carter Family's earliest recordings set the stage for what came later in both country and folk music. What holds this back from being a five star review is the poor remastering of the music. The process used created a high pitched whine near the end of most tracks, which is very annoying. There are better remastered versions out there, starting with the great Bear Family box. Seek out this music, but go for a different remastering.

I guess not, but it seems that way. I'm working my way through the whole re-issue series. This is simply timeless, essential music.