This DVD is a compilation of short musical films created in the late 1920s and early 30s by newreel cameras as they traveled America during the Depression. Most of the content is rural or folk music, early pioneers of bluegrass and country. The films are in a variety of shapes and are rare indeed. Some are only a minute in length. We are just given a glimpse of some of the original music that came out of rural America. The title says it all.

The entire contents of the disc are as follows: Jimmie Rodgers -In this rare performance, the granddaddy of country and western sings and yodels his way through three numbers Waiting For A Train, Daddy and Home, and Blue Yodel. It was a short produced by Columbia in 1929 and may be the only film of Rodgers singing. Whistler's Jug Band-Foldin' Bed-A Louisiana jug band that was popular in the Twenties. Elder Lightfoot Solomon Michaux-Happy Am I-This Washington DC preacher also had a national radio show on CBS for many years. Bascom Lamar Lunceford Band-Seated on the back porch of his house, Lunceford and company practice for a contest. This band also features a girl guitar player. Jules Allen-A very short version of real cowboys singing a variation of Home On The Range Uncle John Scruggs-Little Old Log Cabin In The Lane-Uncle John plays the banjo in front of his shack while his grandchildren and wife dance and listen to his singing. A real highlight. Jack Johnson's Jazz Band-Tiger Rag-One of the many enterprises Jack Johnson was involved in after his prize fighting days were over. Johnson himself leads this band that included some future early jazz stars. Fiddler at a Square Dance-Another very short clip at a square dance. Bela Lam and Family-Poor Little Benny-This clip features Bela, his wife and daughter (who doesn't do much), singing in front of their log home in the mountains. Overcoats and hats are worn as this was shot in the middle of winter. Cumberland Ridge Runners-This band, looking like hillbillies, entertains at a Shriner's hospital in Chicago. Their gimmick included switching instruments among the members while playing the song. Their bass fiddle player also looked and acted just like Stan Laurel. Eddie Thomas and Carl Scott-Tomorrow/My Ohio Home-This short film begins with Eddie complaining that his wife is using his musical instrument to wash clothes. His instrument, of course is a washboard with cymbals attached. He also plays the kazoo while his partner plays the ukulele. Bob Wills' Texas Playboys-Considered by many as the first country and western band, the group looks like it just returned from George Bush's inauguration. Shot in 1951, this film is in great shape and has excellent sound for the time. A real highlight of the disc. Georgia Field Hands-Mary Don't Weep-This group of individuals were loaded with talent and sang with a lot of conviction, even through a false start. Bun Wright's Fiddle Band-Soldier's Joy-A very short clip of FDR's favorite fiddling band has FDR sitting in the middle as the boys do a number for him in Warm Springs, Georgia. Ted Weem's Orchestra-Cheer Up-Situated in Atlantic City, this orchestra is playing on the beach while chorus girls kick up in the sand. The song and atmosphere was probably produced to stimulate better times ahead attitudes during the Depression. Otto Gray's Oklahoma Cowboys-An entire vaudeville act captured on film features four real Oklahoma cowboys who sing and fiddle through quite a few numbers and novelties. This is another highlight of the DVD and probably influenced acts like Riders In The Sky for their material and costumes. Estudiantina Invencibal-The Faithful Lover-A Cuban band captured playing true Cuban melodies. Unknown Fiddle Band-Miss McLeod's Reel-A short (less than a minute) cli of a band playing at an outdoor celebration. Duke David Banjo Band-Ida-Featuring the world's largest banjo, this band used it like a bass fiddle. Lemire Twins-Mighty Lak A Rose/Dream Kisses-This group of father , who also claimed to play the world's biggest banjo, and his bespeckled sons really featured their banjo playing as dad soon drops out of the picture for the two numbers. Fiddler's Convention-Turkey In The Straw-Shot from far away, we see dancers and fiddlers for this short but inspiring country classic. Frank Westphal's Orchestra-Sing You Sinners-Frank, once married to Sophie Tucker, leads the orchestra through this jazzy number while playing his heart out on the piano. A good solid performance on the DVD, but it really doesn't fit the rest of the disc or its contents.

Those interested in early rural and country music will enjoy this great look at depression era America through the eyes of the filmmakers as they capture music in everyday homes throughout America. The DVD probably could have done without the less than a minute snippets , as they really don't add much to the importance of the work. However, I'm glad the footage is finally being used and will be preserved through DVD technology. Excellent liner notes accompany each number with many facts I have not mentioned that were written by the producers of the video. A lot of research was done on each clip included which is a real bonus.