Various Artists - Warner Collection, Vol. 1: Her Bright Smile Haunts Me Still (CD)

All Music Guide

This first volume in Appleseed Recording's Warner Collection series focuses on field recordings of ballad singers along the East Coast, made by Frank and Anne Warner between 1940 and 1966. Her Bright Smile Still Haunts Me serves a full plate, offering up nearly 60 folk songs (most, under a minute) that form a telling piece of American history. The performances range from light and entertaining to haunting, from solo vocalist to a family chorus (most of the vocalists are unaccompanied by instruments). This volume includes performances by Frank Proffitt, Edith Perrin, "Yankee" John Galusha, and many more, and the repertoire includes a few well-known folk songs such as "Tom Dooley" and "Little Maggie," but most of the songs will be new to most listeners. Included are also some brief, informal conversations between the Warners and the musicians that would make anyone smile, displaying the comfortable rapport and friendliness between the Warners and the folks they recorded. Since these are field recordings, the sound is not perfect. The lyrics are always audible, but a number of tracks have a heavy hiss due to the state of the vinyl from which these recordings were rescued. Regardless, this is a wealth of traditional songs delivered with heartfelt warmth and personality.

- Joslyn Layne, All Music Guide