The Songs and Ballads of Hattie Mae Tyler Cargill
Acie Cargill, Debra Cowan, Susan Brown, and Others
Folk-Legacy Records, Inc.
2001
22 tracks

Acie Cargill is an extraordinary person. In his zeal to preserve the unique music created by two families of which he is a proud descendent, he is also making an impressive contribution to the heritage of American folk music. Taught many of the songs and techniques at his grandmother's knee, Cargill is no scholar collecting field recordings but an insider with the songs, stories, and memories collected in his head and in family history. Cargill releases old tapes of the families playing and singing, and he makes new recordings in their authentic style. Anyone interested in the folk music of America should give Acie Cargill's work a listen.

The Songs and Ballads of Hattie Mae Tyler Cargill is a well-produced beautifully performed set of 22 songs sung and played by Acie Cargill, Debra Cowan, and Susan Brown with Kristina Olsen and Ellen and John Wright. The singers and instruments on this release had been personally selected by Cargill to ensure that the songs remain true to his grandmother's legacy. The result is one of the most authentic folk albums that I've heard in a very long time.

Some of the titles on this release may be familiar to many listeners. Others may not be familiar at all. In fact, it is quite possible that several had been written by Hattie Mae Tyler Cargill herself. Even the familiar songs may sound different than the versions listeners had heard before, with distinctive variations in both words and music. To listen to these songs is an adventure in American musical history.

Although most of these songs may have originated in England, Scotland, Ireland, or Wales, as performed here they have a sound that is very much of America. This is music cut from the very root of American music's family tree, still conscious of its British lineage but deeply rooted in the new land.

The music is at once sweet, quiet, and very lively and gripping. Instruments include acoustic guitar, fretted dulcimer, dulcimer, mandolin, violin, viola, string bass, and autoharp in various combinations. A couple of songs are performed a capella and one is a spoken-word performance of a poem written by Hattie Mae Tyler Cargill over music she had also composed. The music is simple and sophisticated, reflecting and complementing the rich stories told in simple words throughout this collection.

The vocals on this release are exceptional. Both Susan Brown and Debra Cowan have rich, full voices that would fill any room and carry the audience away. They are a joy to hear. Cargill has a warm dark baritone voice and a style in some ways reminiscent of Pete Seeger or Oscar Brand. The best comparison I can find for Cargill's voice is that of the late Canadian singer Stan Rogers. Both have the same deep vocal quality and sing with a comparable depth of feeling.

Folk-Legacy is to be commended for producing and releasing this collection of songs from the Tyler and Cargill families. This release should become a valuable addition to the archives of American music history.

Those who may be interested in learning more about Acie Cargill can check out his biography on the Acie Cargill website. You can find clips of four of the songs on "Hattie May Tyler Cargill" plus one full-length downloadable song here.

If you like, you can also read my previous Sound Bytes reviews of Acie Cargill's releases A Family Gathering and Old Time Music For A New Millenium.