Buell KazeeBuell Kazee-The Dying Soldier (January 18, 1928)

Recorded on January 18, 1928 in New York City.

Author: Buell Kazee
Date: 1928-01-18 00:00:00
Source: 78RPM>CD>MP3
Keywords: Music; Acoustic; Ballad; Country; Old-Time Appalachian; Banjo Tune; 78rpm

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Reviewer: dropthumb - - October 21, 2005
Subject: Heart-wrenching, free-metered balladic mastery!

Upon listening to this or any other existing recordings of Buell Kazee it becomes difficult to pin down exacly why this amazing banjo player/vocalist/interpreter has not been credited more often for being a precursor to todays young old time musicians. Buells haunting quality and song selection calls to mind contemporary acts like The Shiftless Rounders, The Mammals and Tim Eriksen. Perhaps Buell's comfortable obscurity stems from his own personal history and his decision to devote his energies in studing and spreading the Gospel rather than pursuing a lucrative recording career.
Regardless, he rises again. And with a presense so powerful and flowing it's readily available to hear his untapped appeal. His voice and words hang seemingly independent of the banjo; his phrasing reminiscent of a jazz soloist. This seperates him from most other old-time records made at the time. Existing outside the barriers of meter, the words are delivered in a manner usually reserved for poetry. The Kentucky-bred clawhammer style chugs a steady hoof-beat pulse and reminds me of tracks clacking invisble beneath the train Buell must have rode to New York City. I heard the producers of the session had asked Buell if he could sing with more of a southern accent. Buell was a bit perturbed by this, having worked relentlessly to hone his voice to a point he considered worthy of recording. Or the story goes he was asked to 'yankee' his voice, which fully represented his distant Kentucky realm. Either story fits well in my imagination. Regarless, Kazee's quivering voice is filled with an exciting anticipation, a breaking sadness and most importantly, a passionate conviction.