Sid Hemphill

Preceded by introduction by Alan Lomax. The setting given is that which Lomax announces; he later (in his “The Land Where the Blues Began” [1993]) referred to it as “The Funky Fives,” where a picnic was underway. His other reference in that book to “Po’ Whore’s Kingdom” remains unclear.

Corrected to +0.595 / 103.5%

Hemphill discusses his father, musical influences, and instruments and repertoire, then the story behind “The Carrier Line,” which he wrote in 1903, concerning lumber magnate John Carrier and his engineers Dave Cowart and Mr. Bailey, and the wreck on the road at Malone’s Trestle. The song was commissioned by Mr. Woolard, the section foreman.

Followed by discussion of Jack Castle, the subject of the ballad. The discs were accessioned in the wrong order, putting the second part of the song before the first.

Followed by a discussion of the ballad, concerning a lynching in Strayhorn, Miss.

Followed by discussion of composing the ballad, which Smith suggests Hemphill wrote in 1905.

Followed by solo demonstrations of each instruments’ part and their tunings . (Smith’s kazoo only comes in here.)

Corrected to +0.234 / 101.36%

After the tune, Hemphill encourages Askew to play “Emmaline, Take Your Time.” Askew claims to not remember it and nudges Sid to do it. Sid replies, “I’m too old to blow quills.”

Followed by interview with Hemphill about learning to play the quills, which he had from a Jeems Lomax. “Must be kin to me,” says Alan. Sid is playing ten-hole quills and blows each note for demonstration.

Identified on AFS card as “Rice Straw” (which is what Hemphill, at the end of the preceding band, might refer to it as).

Audio file culled from AFS reel due to inferior direct-from-disc transfer.

Identified on AFS card as “Old Blue,” but it is not a version of the song about the dog by that name.

Seriously marred by speed fluctuation.

It is assumed Smith and Askew are playing the snare drums.

Slightly less distorted transfer on AFC’s LWO 1832100-2-2 (MAVIS ID).