Roots of American Fiddle Music - Early Fiddlers

Charlie Poole & the North Carolina Ramblers
Charlie Poole was born in 1892 in Spray, North Carolina and learned to play the banjo at an early age.  He developed his own style of  three fingerpicking which was instrumental in defining the sound of the North Carolina Ramblers.  He was joined initially by guitarist Norman Woodlief and later by Roy Harvey from West Virginia.  Posey Rorer fiddled in the earlier sesssions, and  Lonnie Austin or Odell Smith in the later sessions.  Charlie was a bit of a wild man and drinker and this ultimately resulted in a premature death following a three week binge in celebration of a bit part in a Hollywood movie.  The band recorded prolifically from 1925-30 a variety of songs and tunes in various styles.

Thanks to Kerry Blech for additional information and corrections.

The following is in part from  Jane Keefer's Folk Song Database.

Charlie Poole and the North Carolina Ramblers
   Appearance as principal performer

  1. Baby Rose
    • Charlie Poole and the North Carolina Ramblers, Vol .4, County 540 (1976), cut # 10 
  2. Baltimore Fire
    • Charlie Poole and the North Carolina Ramblers, County 509 (197?), cut # 2 
  3. Beale Street (Blues)
    • Old Time Songs, County 505 (196?), cut # 9 
    • White Country Blues, 1928-36 - A Lighter Shade of Blue. Vol. 1, Columbia Legacy CT47920 (1993), cut # 20 
  4. Bill Mason
    • Charlie Poole and the North Carolina Ramblers, County 509 (197?), cut # 5 
  5. Budded Roses
    • Legend of Charlie Poole, County 516 (), cut # 9 
  6. Can I Sleep in Your Barn
    • Charlie Poole and the North Carolina Ramblers, County 509 (197?), cut # 10 
  7. Come Take a Trip in My Airship
    • Charlie Poole, 1926-30, Historical HLP-8005 (1975), cut # 10 
  8. Coon From Tennessee
    • Charlie Poole and the North Carolina Ramblers, Vol .4, County 540 (1976), cut # 2 
    • Blacks, Whites and Blues, CBS 52796 (1970), cut #A.02 
  9. Cripple Creek
    • Old Time Songs, County 505 (196?), cut # 3 
  10. Didn't He Ramble
    • Old Time Songs, County 505 (196?), cut # 4 
  11. Dixie
    • Charlie Poole and the North Carolina Ramblers, Vol .4, County 540 (1976), cut # 7a
  12. Don't Let Your Deal Go Down
    • Old Time Songs, County 505 (196?), cut # 11 
  13. Falling by the Wayside
    • Charlie Poole and the North Carolina Ramblers, Vol .4, County 540 (1976), cut # 9 
  14. Flying Cloud(s)
    • Charlie Poole and the North Carolina Ramblers, Vol .4, County 540 (1976), cut # 3 
  15. Forks of (the) Sandy
    • Charlie Poole, 1926-30, Historical HLP-8005 (1975), cut # 2 
  16. Girl I Left in Sunny Tennessee
    • Charlie Poole and the North Carolina Ramblers, Vol .4, County 540 (1976), cut # 11 
  17. Good Bye Booze
    • Legend of Charlie Poole, County 516 (), cut # 5 
  18. Goodbye Mary Dear
    • Legend of Charlie Poole, County 516 (), cut # 11 
    • Old Time String Band (Old 78's Tape) - Vol. 2, (), cut # 6 
  19. Goodbye Miss/Sweet Liza Jane
    • Legend of Charlie Poole, County 516 (), cut # 7 
    • Old Time String Band (Old 78's Tape) - Vol. 2, (), cut # 8 
  20. Hesitation Blues 
    • (Poole), Charlie Poole and the North Carolina Ramblers, County 509 (197?), cut # 1 
    • (Poole), Southern Dance Music, Vol. 1, Old-Timey LP 100 (196?), cut # 3 
    • (Poole), White Country Blues, 1928-36 - A Lighter Shade of Blue. Vol. 1, Columbia Legacy CT47920 (1993), cut # 4 
  21. Highwayman
    • Legend of Charlie Poole, County 516 (), cut # 10 
  22. Honeysuckle
    • Charlie Poole and the North Carolina Ramblers, Vol .4, County 540 (1976), cut # 1 
  23. Hungry Hash House 
    • (Blues), Legend of Charlie Poole, County 516 (), cut # 2 
  24. Husband and Wife were Angry One Night
    • Charlie Poole, 1926-30, Historical HLP-8005 (1975), cut # 11 
  25. I'm the Man that Rode the Mule Around the World
    • Charlie Poole and the North Carolina Ramblers, Vol .4, County 540 (1976), cut # 4 
  26. I Ain't Got Nobody
    • Old Time Songs, County 505 (196?), cut # 8 
  27. If I Lose (Let Me Lose)
    • Charlie Poole and the North Carolina Ramblers, County 509 (197?), cut # 7 
  28. Jealous Mary
    • Charlie Poole and the North Carolina Ramblers, Vol .4, County 540 (1976), cut # 6 
  29. Kiss Waltz
    • Charlie Poole and the North Carolina Ramblers, Vol .4, County 540 (1976), cut # 5 
    • Charlie Poole, 1926-30, Historical HLP-8005 (1975), cut # 8 
  30. Leaving Dear Old Ireland
    • Legend of Charlie Poole, County 516 (), cut # 8 
  31. Leaving Home
    • Old Time Songs, County 505 (196?), cut # 7 
    • White Country Blues, 1928-36 - A Lighter Shade of Blue. Vol. 1, Columbia Legacy CT47920 (1993), cut # 3 
  32. Letter That Never Came
    • Old Time Songs, County 505 (196?), cut # 5 
  33. Look Before You Leap
    • Legend of Charlie Poole, County 516 (), cut # 1 
  34. Milwaukee Blues,
    • Legend of Charlie Poole, County 516 (), cut # 12 
    • Going Down The Valley; Vocal & Instrumental Music from the South, New World NW 236 (1977), cut # 11 
  35. Miss McCleod's Reel
    • Old Time Songs, County 505 (196?), cut # 10
  36. Monkey on a String
    • Charlie Poole and the North Carolina Ramblers, County 509 (197?), cut # 9 
  37. Mother's Farewell Kiss
    • Charlie Poole, 1926-30, Historical HLP-8005 (1975), cut # 12 
    • Charlie Poole and the North Carolina Ramblers, Vol .4, County 540 (1976), cut #12 
  38. Mother's Plea for Her Son
    • Cotton Mills and Fiddles, Flying Cloud FC-014 (1990), cut # 1 
  39. Moving Day
    • Charlie Poole and the North Carolina Ramblers, County 509 (197?), cut #11 
  40. My Gypsy Girl
    • Charlie Poole and the North Carolina Ramblers, County 509 (197?), cut # 6 
  41. My Old Kentucky Home(, Good Night)
    • Charlie Poole and the North Carolina Ramblers, Vol .4, County 540  (1976), cut # 7b 
    • Charlie Poole, 1926-30, Historical HLP-8005 (1975), cut # 6a 
  42. My Wife Went Away and Left Me
    • Legend of Charlie Poole, County 516 (), cut # 6 
  43. Old and Only in the Way
    • Legend of Charlie Poole, CouCountynty 516 (), cut # 3 
    • Old Time String Band (Old 78's Tape) - Vol. 2, (), cut # 5 
  44. Old Folks at Home
    • Charlie Poole and the North Carolina Ramblers, Vol .4, County 540 (1976), cut # 7c 
    • Charlie Poole, 1926-30, Historical HLP-8005 (1975), cut # 6c 
  45. One Moonlight Night
    • Charlie Poole and the North Carolina Ramblers, County 509 (197?), cut # 8 
  46. Only Girl I Ever Loved
    • Charlie Poole, 1926-30, Historical HLP-8005 (1975), cut # 9 
  47. Ragtime Annie
    • Charlie Poole and the North Carolina Ramblers, County 509 (197?), cut # 4 
  48. Southern Medley
    • Charlie Poole and the North Carolina Ramblers, Vol .4, County 540 (1976), cut # 8 
  49. Sweet Sunny South
    • Old Time Songs, County 505 (196?), cut # 2 
  50. Sweet Sixteen 
    • (Song), Old Time Songs, County 505 (196?), cut # 6 
  51. Take A Drink on Me
    • Old Time Songs, County 505 (196?), cut # 12 
  52. Take Back the Ring
  53. Turkey in the Straw
    • Charlie Poole and the North Carolina Ramblers, Vol .4, County 540 (1976), cut # 7d 
    • Charlie Poole, 1926-30, Historical HLP-8005 (1975), cut # 6d 
  54. Unnamed Melody
    • Charlie Poole, 1926-30, Historical HLP-8005 (1975), cut # 6b 
  55. Wayward Boy
    • Cotton Mills and Fiddles, Flying Cloud FC-014 (1990), cut # 9 
  56. What is a  Home without Babies(Love)?
    • Charlie Poole, 1926-30, Historical HLP-8005 (1975), cut # 4 
  57. Where the Whip-poor-will is Whispering Goodnight
    • Charlie Poole, 1926-30, Historical HLP-8005 (1975), cut # 1 
  58. White House Blues
    • American Folk Music; Vol. 1, Ballads, Folkways FA 2951 (1952), cut # 20 
    • Old Time Songs, County 505 (196?), cut # 1 
    • Roots N' Blues - The Retrospective (1925-50), Columbia Legacy 47911/47912-15 (1992), cut #1.01 
  59. Wild Horse(s)
    • Charlie Poole and the North Carolina Ramblers, County 509 (197?), cut #3 
  60. Wreck of the Virginian No. 3
    • Charlie Poole, 1926-30, Historical HLP-8005 (1975), cut #5 
  61. Write a Letter to My Mother
    • Legend of Charlie Poole, County 516 (), cut # 4 
    • Old Time String Band (Old 78's Tape) - Vol. 2, (), cut # 7 
  62. You Ain't Talkin' to Me
    • Charlie Poole and the North Carolina Ramblers, Vol .4, County 540 (1976), cut # 13 
  63. You Ain't Talkin' to Me
    • Charlie Poole, 1926-30, Historical HLP-8005 (1975), cut # 3 
  64. Young Boy Left his Home
    • Charlie Poole, 1926-30, Historical HLP-8005 (1975), cut # 7
Charlie Poole and the Highlanders
   Appearance as principal performer
  1. Don't Let Your Deal Go Down
    • Charlie Poole and the Highlanders, 1927-29, Puritan 3002 (196?), cut # 3 
  2. Flop Eared Mule
    • Charlie Poole and the Highlanders, 1927-29, Puritan 3002 (196?), cut #4 
    • Charlie Poole and the Highlanders, 1927-29, Puritan 3002 (196?), cut # 11a
  3. Kitty Waltz Yodel
    • Charlie Poole and the Highlanders, 1927-29, Puritan 3002 (196?), cut # 5 
  4. Lynchburg Town (Tune)
    • Charlie Poole and the Highlanders, 1927-29, Puritan 3002 (196?), cut # 7 
  5. May I Sleep In Your Barn Tonight Mister
    • Charlie Poole and the Highlanders, 1927-29, Puritan 3002 (196?), cut # 6 
  6. New River Train
    • Charlie Poole and the Highlanders, 1927-29, Puritan 3002 (196?), cut # 11b 
  7. No Room for a Tramp
    • Charlie Poole and the Highlanders, 1927-29, Puritan 3002 (196?), cut # 14a 
  8. Railroad Blues
    • Charlie Poole and the Highlanders, 1927-29, Puritan 3002 (196?), cut # 9 
  9. Richmond Cotillion (Richmond)
    • Charlie Poole and the Highlanders, 1927-29, Puritan 3002 (196?), cut # 1
    • Charlie Poole and the Highlanders, 1927-29, Puritan 3002 (196?), cut # 12a 
  10. Sidewalks of New York
    • Charlie Poole and the Highlanders, 1927-29, Puritan 3002 (196?), cut # 13a 
  11. Sunset March
    • Charlie Poole and the Highlanders, 1927-29, Puritan 3002 (196?), cut # 8 
  12. Tennessee Blues
    • Charlie Poole and the Highlanders, 1927-29, Puritan 3002 (196?), cut # 2 
  13. Thirty Days in Jail
    • Charlie Poole and the Highlanders, 1927-29, Puritan 3002 (196?), cut # 13b 
  14. Too Young to Marry
    • Charlie Poole and the Highlanders, 1927-29, Puritan 3002 (196?), cut # 11c 
  15. Trip to New York. On the Train
    • Charlie Poole and the Highlanders, 1927-29, Puritan 3002 (196?), cut # 15 
  16. Trip to New York. The Audition
    • Charlie Poole and the Highlanders, 1927-29, Puritan 3002 (196?), cut # 16 
  17. Trip to New York. In New York
    • Charlie Poole and the Highlanders, 1927-29, Puritan 3002 (196?), cut # 17 
  18. Trip to New York. In the Studio
    • Charlie Poole and the Highlanders, 1927-29, Puritan 3002 (196?), cut # 18 
  19. Turkey in the Straw
    • Charlie Poole and the Highlanders, 1927-29, Puritan 3002 (196?), cut # 12b 
  20. Under the Double Eagle
    • Charlie Poole and the Highlanders, 1927-29, Puritan 3002 (196?), cut # 10 
Charlie Poole 
    Appearance as principal performer
  1. Coon From Tennessee
    • Old Time String Band (Old 78's Tape) - Vol. 1, (), cut # 16 
  2. Hungry Hash House (Blues)
    • Southern Dance Music, Vol. 1, Old-Timey LP 100 (196?), cut # 10 
    Side Performer Appearance 
    Blacks, Whites and Blues, CBS 52796 

    Poole, Charlie / Charlie Poole, 1926-30, Historical HLP-8005 

    Charlie Poole and the North Carolina Ramblers, Vol .4, County 540 

    Charlie Poole and the North Carolina Ramblers, County 509 

    Poole, Charlie; and the Highlanders / Charlie Poole and the Highlander, Puritan 3002 

    Cotton Mills and Fiddles, Flying Cloud FC-014 

    Going Down The Valley; Vocal & Instrumental Music from the South, New World 
    NW 236 

    Poole, Charlie; and the North Carolina Ramblers / Legend of Charlie Poole, County 516 

    Poole, Charlie; and the North Carolina Ramblers / Old Time Songs, County 505 

    Roots N' Blues - The Retrospective (1925-50), Columbia Legacy 47911/47912-15 

    Southern Dance Music, Vol. 1, Old-Timey LP 100 

    White Country Blues, 1928-36 - A Lighter Shade of Blue. Vol. 1, Columbia Legacy CT47920 

 
 
 

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