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Sodom Laurel book/CD
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Sodom Laurel book/CD |
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Subject: Sodom Laurel book/CD From: RoyH (Burl) Date: 02 Feb 03 - 12:54 PM I've just been reading a remarkable book, 'Sodom Laurel Album' by Rob Amberg. Amberg lived in Sodom Laurel, Madison County, North Carolina,for twenty years, during which time he documented the life and culture of the area in words and photographs. Local matriarch and ballad singer Dellie Norton told him much about the old days and a way of life fast disappearing. She sang ancient ballads to him, and introduced him to singers descended from folks who sang for Cecil Sharp in 1916. The stories of the people of Sodom Laurel, their work, their struggle for existence, and their ever-present music, makes fascinating reading, enhanced by Mr Amberg's photographs. But this is not only a feast for the eye. It comes with a 20 track CD featuring Dellie Norton, Cas Wallin, Berzilla Wallin, Doug Wallin, Evelyn and Edison Ramsey, and Sheila Kay Adams. I'd call this production a 'must have' for anyone interested in American life and music. I'd also call it a work of art. I'm pleased to report that I got my copy via the good work of Camsco Music -our own Dick Greenhaus. Thanks Dick. Burl. |
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Subject: RE: Sodom Laurel book/CD From: McGrath of Harlow Date: 02 Feb 03 - 12:57 PM What a name for anyone to give to a place! There has to be some kind of story behind that. |
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Subject: RE: Sodom Laurel book/CD From: RoyH (Burl) Date: 02 Feb 03 - 03:28 PM McGrath, there is a story. In the book it states that Sodom was first named Revere, and is still Revere on topographical maps. Dellie Norton said that when logging camps came to the area bringing men away from home, with money and time on their hands there was a lot of violence and promiscuity. A visiting preacher said "You people are just like a bunch of Sodomites". The name stuck. Nowadays people are starting to use the name Revere once again. Burl. |
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Subject: RE: Sodom Laurel book/CD From: GUEST,bigJ Date: 02 Feb 03 - 03:51 PM Hi Burl, I'm just waiting for my copy to arrive, Dick arranged that, too. |
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Subject: RE: Sodom Laurel book/CD From: dick greenhaus Date: 03 Feb 03 - 11:06 AM Hey, it's a fine book (even without the CD) and a fine CD. I think it would be a bargain at the publisher's price of $45; it's a steal at the $32 that CAMSCO is asking for it. |
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Subject: RE: Sodom Laurel book/CD From: Rick Fielding Date: 03 Feb 03 - 11:10 AM Thanks for that Burl. We actually have a silver teapot that is labeled "Revereware". Thank Gawd it's not "Sodomware"! Rick |
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Subject: RE: Sodom Laurel book/CD From: McGrath of Harlow Date: 03 Feb 03 - 11:32 AM Reminds me of that sing almost in Finian's Rainbow: "How are things back in Gomorrah?" |
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Subject: RE: Sodom Laurel book/CD From: KathWestra Date: 03 Feb 03 - 01:23 PM I'd like to add my enthusiastic recommendation to Burl's (even though I can't be totally objective, since Rob Amberg is a good friend of mine). This is a WONDERFUL book of many layers, each revealing more of the heart of this rural North Carolina community! The first layer is the photos, which all on their own could stand as a fine portrait of the people, landscape, and work of Sodom Laurel. The text -- a combination of Rob's reflections and actual transcripts of oral history interviews he did with Dellie Norton and others -- is the next layer, drawing you deeper into the subject. Rob's writing is extremely evocative, and his love of the people who are his subjects shines through. The transcripts he has chosen succeed brilliantly in letting Dellie and others tell you about their community in their own words. This is no academic oral history exercise. And finally, the CD provides a third layer with which to approach this rich material. After you've seen her face in Rob's pictures, met her through Rob's eyes of friendship, and read her own words, hearing Dellie Norton's own voice singing the old songs is an incredible treat. Now for the commercial (available only in the Washington, DC, metro area!). Rob Amberg and Sheila Kay Adams will be presenting a "Sodom Laurel Album" program in readings, pictures, and music for the Folklore Society of Greater Washington (www.fsgw.org) on Saturday, May 19th at the WES Auditorium, 7750 16th Street NW. For details, check the FSGW website (program information is already posted). Hope to see you there! Kathy |
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Subject: RE: Sodom Laurel book/CD From: RoyH (Burl) Date: 04 Feb 03 - 07:05 AM Kathy, don't I wish I could fly over for that programme. It sounds terrific. I hope you get a great crowd. Burl |
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Subject: RE: Sodom Laurel book/CD From: Della525 Date: 18 Jul 03 - 08:33 PM Hi, I am new to the forum. I have been reading everybody's reactions to the book and CD. I just wanted to say how wonderful it is to see that people love this book and the CD because it is about my family. Dellie Norton is my great grandmother. Sheila Kay Adams is my cousin. Evelyn Ramsey is my aunt and so on down the line. So, this book and the music mean alot to me. Sheila and I sang this past weekend at Duke for the closing of the Sodom Laurel Album exhibition. It always amazes me everytime I see how well loved this type of music is still loved today. Thanks again for all the wonderful feedback. |
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Subject: RE: Sodom Laurel book/CD From: John Minear Date: 19 Jul 03 - 03:41 PM Della, Welcome to Mudcat. It is good to have you here. I hope that you will become a frequent contributor to many of our discussions. I became acquainted with the ballad traditions of Madison County, North Carolina, and especially of Sodom Laurel, within the last couple of years and have tried to "collect" as much of this material as I can find, beginning with the work of Cecil Sharp right on down to Rob Amberg's book. I have been excited by each new find, and have especially enjoyed all of Sheila Adams' work and the recordings of Dellie Norton, Evelyn Ramsey, Doug and Jack Wallin, Lloyd and Dillard Chandler and others. The SODOM LAUREL ALBUM is a wonderful addition to this material. I had hoped to make it up to D.C. for the presentation there on the SODOM LAUREL ALBUM but was unable to go, and I was also sorry to miss Sheila's recent concert at the Smithsonian's Folk Life Festival. I'm glad to know that you are out there singing the old love songs, and that this tradition continues to live and thrive through yet another person from Sodom Laurel. It is such an important tradition for all of us and a precious heritage for you. Have you recorded any songs yet? I look forward to hearing your work. T.O.M. |
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Subject: RE: Sodom Laurel book/CD From: dick greenhaus Date: 19 Jul 03 - 06:37 PM For more music from that area, Musical Tradition's two sets (2 CDS EACH) Far in the Mountains v. 1 & 2 and v. 3&4 are fine listening ($24 each at CAMSCO). And CAMSCO is offering the Sodom Laurel Album at a very reasonable $32. Call 800/548-FOLK (3655). |
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