I am just listening to examples from a site dedicated to American Oldtime Music:
ROOTS OF AMERICAN FIDDLE MUSIC – Old Time Music Recordings, Photos, And Information
http://www.1001tunes.com/
On this homepage you can read:
Early recorded country music of the 1920’s and 1930’s, particulary of the southeastern states, is what is commonly referred to as “old time music”. The stringband tradition composed often of banjos, fiddles, and guitars flourished for a brief time as the recording industry cashed in on the many country musicians eager to strut their stuff in the recording studio. The industry went on to make millions as the vast majority of these recording artists received very little return for their efforts.
At the moment 120 free mp3 of oldtime tunes are available for free download. This is a great opportunity to learn oldtime music from the original recordings!
There are even some videos with rare shootings of oldtime music. Those can be found in the youtube chanel of OldTimeMusic.
Here are two very interesting examples:
Fiddlin’ Arthur Smith plays TURKEY IN THE STRAW -1948
Here is another Jimmy Wakely B western with the great Fiddlin’ Arthur Smith doing his thing. This time its the classic fiddle tune Turkey in the Straw and a great version it is. This video is from 1948.
Orange Blossom Special by Fiddlin’ Arthur Smith
Fiddlin’ Arthur Smith was a key figure in the transition from the 1920’s string band style to the more daring and improvisational techniques employed by all bluegrass fiddlers to this day.
This video I believe to be the first airing of this clip of Artur Smith playing and singing the now famous Orange Blossom Special. This clip is from the original 1945 Lonesome Trail cowboy B western starring Jimmy Wakely.
Several more clips of Arthur Smith from original movies made between 1945-1948 will follow.
Another youtube channel has several recording from the 1920s with Charlie Bowman:
Charlie Bowman and His Brothers
Charlie and the boys perform Money in both Pockets, Boys my moneys all gone in the comedic Moonshiner and His Money. Columbia Records 1st mountain music/country music genre recording.
Links
youtube channel of OldTimeMusic: http://www.youtube.com/user/OldTimeMusic
youtube channel of cabinbowman: http://www.youtube.com/user/cabinbowman