Having completed our coverage of the Volume One series dedicated to “Ballads”, we now move on the Volume Two, which is dedicated to “Social Music”.

In this case, though, the term ‘social music’ covers a great span of musical styles, and also the ‘social’ intent of the songs themselves. For instance, social music applies to songs that were primarily suited for dance and social gatherings, but it also applies to ethnic and religious songs, as they were also utilized for social gatherings, albeit with an entirely different purpose than straightforward entertainment. Much (but certainly not all) of the dance music is instrumental, while the religious songs, by definition, require lyrics to make their point.

This episode focuses mainly on instrumental recordings, as follows:

Sail Away Lady –“Uncle Bunt” Stevens

The Wild Wagoner – Jilson Setters

Wake Up Jacob – Prince Albert Hunt’s Texas Ramblers

La Danseuse – Delma Lachney and Blind Uncle Gaspard

Georgia Stomp – Andrew and Jim Baxter

Brilliancy Medley – Eck Robertson and Family

Indian War Whoop – Hoyt “Floyd” Ming and his Pep-Steppers

Old Country Stomp – Henry Thomas

Old Dog Blue – Jim Jackson

Saut Crapaud – Columbus Fruge