I'm not sure how many of you are familiar with Jimmie Tarlton, but he's probably my favorite artist to listen to. There were two stages in his career- the first being his duo with Tom Darby, who was born way back in 1884, and the second being his solo career in the 1960s. His best stuff was with Tom in the pre-war years, and is available in its entirety in box set form via Amazon.com. His recordings during the blues/folk boom can also be found on Amazon.com on his cd called "Steel Guitar Rag."
Darby had mastered the rudiments of guitar and had a steady and deep voice. Jimmie would often howl over the end of Tom's vocal lines, creating an absolutely awe-inspiring sound. In fact, Jimmie Tarlton's singing was beautiful; he had the voice of an Irish tenor and he could hit incredibly high notes. He was an amazing guitarist who was truly one of a kind. His guitar style was a mix of black blues slide playing and the lap style of Hawaii. His repertorie was endless: everything from "When You and I Were Young, Maggie" to "Careless Love" to "Lonesome in The Pines" (known to most as "In The Pines") to "Lowe Bonnie," a ballad from the British Isles. He also recorded a version of "Frankie & Johnny," which Darby & Tarlton called "Frankie Dean."
The really great part is that nobody sounds ANYTHING like Jimmie Tarlton. Johnny James Rimbert Tarlton had all the bases covered, and I've never heard a more complete musician. Aside from the aformentioned skills, I'm filled with a really primitive but beautiful feeling whenever I hear the man's work. It's the same kind of feeling I get from the best- Hank Williams Sr., Robert Johnson, Muddy Waters- but perhaps this emotion is even more blatant and compelling when produced by Jimmie Tarlton's tunes.
Since Tarlton's isn't really a country blues artist, and can be better described as being an Old-Timey musician, I'm not sure how familiar everyone is with J.T. If anyone wants an mp3 or two of his, just e-mail me at Quicksi11ver@aol.com.
Darby had mastered the rudiments of guitar and had a steady and deep voice. Jimmie would often howl over the end of Tom's vocal lines, creating an absolutely awe-inspiring sound. In fact, Jimmie Tarlton's singing was beautiful; he had the voice of an Irish tenor and he could hit incredibly high notes. He was an amazing guitarist who was truly one of a kind. His guitar style was a mix of black blues slide playing and the lap style of Hawaii. His repertorie was endless: everything from "When You and I Were Young, Maggie" to "Careless Love" to "Lonesome in The Pines" (known to most as "In The Pines") to "Lowe Bonnie," a ballad from the British Isles. He also recorded a version of "Frankie & Johnny," which Darby & Tarlton called "Frankie Dean."
The really great part is that nobody sounds ANYTHING like Jimmie Tarlton. Johnny James Rimbert Tarlton had all the bases covered, and I've never heard a more complete musician. Aside from the aformentioned skills, I'm filled with a really primitive but beautiful feeling whenever I hear the man's work. It's the same kind of feeling I get from the best- Hank Williams Sr., Robert Johnson, Muddy Waters- but perhaps this emotion is even more blatant and compelling when produced by Jimmie Tarlton's tunes.
Since Tarlton's isn't really a country blues artist, and can be better described as being an Old-Timey musician, I'm not sure how familiar everyone is with J.T. If anyone wants an mp3 or two of his, just e-mail me at Quicksi11ver@aol.com.