Desperate Man Blues - Joe Bussard

tjluke68 · June 7, 2005

I caught this short movie (under an hour) over the weekend and being a record collector myself (LPs mostly) was quite intrigued by Joe Bussard. He collects old 78s of Hot Jazz, Swing, Hillbilly/Country, Folk, Blues, Gospel. Claims the "cancer of rock" destroyed music and that Jazz stopped around the 30s and it's some other type of music after that. Anyone else see this movie on cable, DVD, etc?

He definitely turned me onto some music that I'll be searching for (Billy Banks' version of Bugle Call Rag just smoked...)!!!

WD45 · June 7, 2005

Damn, Netflix doesn't have this.

I have an interest in Bussard's story, partly for his connection to John Fahey early in his career. [Fahey's first sides were on Bussard's Fonotone label.]

That, and that compilation he put together a couple of years ago of old 78s looks interesting...

Hank · June 7, 2005

That comp of Bussard's is great. It's called Down in the Basement and includes cuts from across the genres: blues, string bands, jug bands, jazz, western etc. All beautifully reproduced from pristine 78s.

blake · February 2, 2006

I have an interest in Bussard's story, partly for his connection to John Fahey early in his career. [Fahey's first sides were on Bussard's Fonotone label.]

I just noticed Dust-To-Digital has released the complete Fonotone catalog as a 5-disc box set - Fonotone Records (1956-1969).

It's the first time any of this material has been issued on CD. I'm intrigued by the Blind Thomas (aka John Fahey) recordings. Can anyone comment on the rest of the catalog?

Alexander · February 2, 2006

I have the Fonotone set, and while the Fahey material is outstanding, the rest of the set is wonderful too. Bussard really captured the first-take charm of the vintage 78s, but with outstanding sound. Recommended...

Neal Pomea · February 2, 2006

The track list is at http://dust-digital.com/fonotone-tracklisting.htm

It's heavy on bluegrass (Joe's strength) and old-time country music. There are also some guitarists (Backward Sam Firk, Bob Coltman, Birmingham Bill). Hope that helps. I haven't heard of many of these groups.

AllenLowe · February 2, 2006

Busard's a nut, but a nice guy and fun to talk to - and has the most massive collection of American music on the face of the earth -

Alexander · February 2, 2006

The track list is at http://dust-digital.com/fonotone-tracklisting.htm

It's heavy on bluegrass (Joe's strength) and old-time country music. There are also some guitarists (Backward Sam Firk, Bob Coltman, Birmingham Bill). Hope that helps. I haven't heard of many of these groups.

Well, almost everybody who recorded on Fonotone did so under a pseudonym (like Fahey, Mike Seeger, etc.). A lot of the bands are just Bussard and his friends recording under various names...

Alexander · February 2, 2006

I caught this short movie (under an hour) over the weekend and being a record collector myself (LPs mostly) was quite intrigued by Joe Bussard. He collects old 78s of Hot Jazz, Swing, Hillbilly/Country, Folk, Blues, Gospel. Claims the "cancer of rock" destroyed music and that Jazz stopped around the 30s and it's some other type of music after that. Anyone else see this movie on cable, DVD, etc?

He definitely turned me onto some music that I'll be searching for (Billy Banks' version of Bugle Call Rag just smoked...)!!!

Where did you see it? Seems to me that at the moment the DVD is available as an import only. Anyone know when and if this is going to be released in the US? The clips I've seen look fabulous...

WD45 · February 2, 2006

The track list is at http://dust-digital.com/fonotone-tracklisting.htm

It's heavy on bluegrass (Joe's strength) and old-time country music. There are also some guitarists (Backward Sam Firk, Bob Coltman, Birmingham Bill). Hope that helps. I haven't heard of many of these groups.

Well, almost everybody who recorded on Fonotone did so under a pseudonym (like Fahey, Mike Seeger, etc.). A lot of the bands are just Bussard and his friends recording under various names...

Do the notes give the AKAs?

tjluke68 · February 2, 2006

Saw it again about 2 months ago. It may have been IFC, Sundance or one of the Showtime spin-offs. IMDB.com is pretty decent on television listings sometimes.

Alexander · February 2, 2006

The track list is at http://dust-digital.com/fonotone-tracklisting.htm

It's heavy on bluegrass (Joe's strength) and old-time country music. There are also some guitarists (Backward Sam Firk, Bob Coltman, Birmingham Bill). Hope that helps. I haven't heard of many of these groups.

Well, almost everybody who recorded on Fonotone did so under a pseudonym (like Fahey, Mike Seeger, etc.). A lot of the bands are just Bussard and his friends recording under various names...

Do the notes give the AKAs?

Yes, they do.