The "Bristol Sessions" were two sets of recording sessions held in Bristol, Tennessee, in 1927 and 1928. While country music wasn't "invented" there, these recordings of soulful, early "hillbilly" music let the town lay claim to be "the birthplace of country music." Two of the thirty-some acts became widely known -- The Carter Family and Jimmie Rodgers. Many years later, the Library of Congress' new National Recording Registry noted the Bristol Sessions as part of their 50 "most significant" sound recording events. In 2011, Bear Family Records reissued the surviving recordings on a set of 5 CDs, and included an accompanying book.

Most people buy this set for the CDs, and they have some great early works. Some of the songs share similar melodies; many work off the same theme (the death of a mother; an orphaned child). The accompanying book offers thumbnail sketches of the artists -- many of whom we really know nothing about -- and make a valiant attempt to print all the lyrics for the songs (including a few that would be seen as highly offensive today). Also included are the actual recording sheets (some with handwritten notes), and images of the original Victor records when they exist. It's a nice visual complement to the auditory main course.

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LT Haiku:

Some call Bristol the
Birthplace of Country Music;
This book tells us why. ( )