Saro, by Matokie Slaughter, Alice Gerrard, Virgie Richardson

Saro

by Matokie Slaughter, Alice Gerrard, Virgie Richardson

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Matokie Slaughter, born in 1919, grew up in a large family of nine children. Her family were tenant farmers who worked hard and long hours on other people's land as well as for themselves. When she was in her late 20s she went to work in local furniture factories from which she retired in 1982. Matokie was self-taught, learning the basics of reading from her mother with the newspapers that lined the walls of their home. She learned her music the same way—from family, friends and neighbors. A band that she formed with relatives and friends, the Back Creek Ramblers, played regularly on Pulaski radio. This recording features Matokie both solo and with her sister, Virgie Richardson on guitar, and Alice Gerrard on fiddle.

Matokie's banjo style was unique, characterized by a driving rhythm and complex noting and double-noting with the right hand. Other recordings of Matokie's banjo playing have been on County LPs 717 and 757, recorded in the 1970s.

In an odd and wonderful twist, during the 1990s, young San Francisco artist and fan of traditional music, Margaret Kilgallen, began drawing freight train graffiti using the name "Matokie" as an homage to the original Matokie Slaughter. A fictionalized version of Matokie also figured prominently in many of Kilallen's non-graffiti artworks. A short video—"Heroines"—about Kilgallen's work features some of Matokie's music and photos of her. ... more

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1.	Stillhouse 02:03	info	buy track
2.	acoustic, Traditional folk, old-time - Cluck Old Hen 02:19	info	buy track
3.	Big Eyed Rabbit 01:35	info	buy track
4.	Train on the Island 03:01	lyrics	buy track
Train on the island, thought I heard her squeal Go tell my true love how happy I do feel. Train on the island, boys she's making' time Go tell my true love I'm coming down the line. Steam from the whistle, smoke from the stack Gonna catch that 5:18, never coming back. Train on the island lord I heard her cry Go and tell my true love, so lonesome I could die. Train on the island, moaning mighty low Go and tell my true love, as far as I can go.
5.	Blackeyed Susie 01:59	info	buy track
6.	Natural Bridge Blues 01:46	info	buy track
7.	Georgy 03:06	lyrics	buy track
What'll we do with the baby-o? When we go to Georgy-o Wrap him up in a tablecloth Throw him in the old hayloft. That's what I'll do with the baby That's what I'll do with the baby-o That's what I'll do with the baby That's what I'll do with the baby-o What'll we do when the baby cries? Give her a piece of apple pie.
8.	Shortening Bread 01:27	info	buy track
9.	Tumblin' Gap 01:33	info	buy track
10.	Old Jake Gillie 02:36	info	buy track
11.	Buffalo Gals 01:52	info	buy track
12.	Poor Little Johnny's Gone to the War 02:48	info	buy track
13.	Get Along Home Cindy 02:20	info	buy track
14.	Cousin Sally Brown 02:08	info	buy track
15.	Casey Jones (Sleepy Eyed John) 02:38	lyrics	buy track
Sleepy-eyed John, better get your britches on Sleepy-eyed John, tie your shoes. Sleepy-eyed John, better get your britches on Gotta get to heaven 'fore the devil gets to you.
16.	Rabbit Sittin' In A Corner of the Fence 01:48	lyrics	buy track
Rabbit sitting in a corner of the fence Ain't got no sense Ain't gonna rain, ain't gonna snow Ain't gonna rain no more. How in the world do the old folks know Ain't gonna rain no more Ain't gonna rain, ain't gonna snow Ain't gonna rain no more.
17.	Sourwood Mountain 02:09	info	buy track
18.	Saro 02:05	lyrics	buy track
Saro in the summertime Saro in the fall If I can't have the one I love I won't have none at all. Saro in the kitchen Saro in the hall If I can't have my Saro I won't have none at all. If you see my Saro Knocking at the door Shoes and stockings all in her hand Feet all over the floor. Saro in the kitchen Saro in the hall If I can't have my Saro I won't have none at all.
19.	Little Brown Jug 02:40	info	buy track
20.	Old Molly Hare 02:28	lyrics	buy track
Old Molly Hare What you doing there Runnin' 'cross the cotton patch Fast as I can tear. Rather be here Than to be back there With a big bunch of cotton burrs All in my hair. Old Molly Hare What you doing there Sittin' in the cotton patch Smokin' a cigar.
21.	Cluck Old Hen 02:02	info	buy track
22.	Jaybird Died With the Whooping Cough 03:37	lyrics	buy track
Jaybird died with the whooping cough Sparrow caught the colic Along came a frog with a fiddle on his back Inquiring the way to the frolic.
23.	Old Joe Clark 01:49	info	buy track
24.	Sally Ann 02:42	info	buy track

about

24 traditional tunes (mainly instrumental) featuring the banjo and fiddle playing of the great Matokie Slaughter from Pulaski, Virginia, along with Alice Gerrard on fiddle and vocals, and Matokie's sister, Virgie Richardson on guitar and vocals. Matokie learned almost all the tunes on this recording from hearing her father play them. They are all classic old-time tunes, some solo, some banjo and fiddle or banjo and guitar, some solo fiddle. All tunes are traditional/public domain unless otherwise noted.

credits

released January 1, 2013

Originally recorded in the field in 1990 by Paul Brown and Wayne Martin as a cassette tape. Tape transfers and re-mastering by Martin Fisher. Produced by Alice Gerrard; notes by Alice Gerrard and Andy Cahan. Cover photo by Alice Gerrard

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about

Alice Gerrard Durham, North Carolina

A singer and songwriter, Alice’s recordings with Hazel Dickens during the 1960s and ’70s influenced a generation of women musicians from Laurie Lewis to the Judds. Nominated for a Grammy in 2015, she was inducted into the International Bluegrass Music Assoc. Hall of Fame in 2017. A documentary film about Alice, "You Gave Me a Song" premiered at the Full Frame Independent Film Festival in 2019. ... more

alicegerrard.com

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