Released in February 2003, Kentucky Mountain Music is the type of box set that will have old-time music lovers drawing up their holiday wish-list early. A roots music novice will probably question the size and scope of the set: Why would one state, after all, need seven full discs to document its music? But devotees know that (a) Yazoo wouldn't put out anything but a quality product and (b) Kentucky holds more old-time musical riches than most states. As Richard Nevins notes, "no other state comes even close in both terms of fascinating diversity of styles and prodigious amounts of great performances." Each disc contains 22-25 performances including fiddle tunes, string band music, and vocals from the 1920s and 1930s. A number of well-respected names make multiple appearances including Burnett and Rutherford, Buell Kazee, and Fiddlin' Doc Roberts. There are a number of fine cuts from Jimmy Johnson String Band("Gate to Go Through" and "Drink More Cider"),and Taylor's Kentucky Boys ("The Dixie Cowboy" and "Forked Deer"). There's a fun, snappy version of "Hot Corn" by Martin and Roberts, and some nifty banjo work by Henry L. Bandy on "Five Up." There are also oddities like Bill Bundy's "Poison in a Glass of Wine," about a jealous boy who poisons both himself and his true love, and the whimsical instrumental by the Fiddlin' Doc Roberts trio called "Honeymoon Stomp." The overall sound quality is good, though, as the liner notes point out, old recordings offer their share of problems when it comes to fidelity. The field recordings in particular were poorly recorded, leaving less room for improvement. Many kinks, however, have been ironed out, and fans will be thankful to have these recordings. This massive set is supplemented by an attractive booklet featuring good photographs and solid liner notes by Nevins and Charles K. Wolfe. Kentucky Mountain Music is a lovingly completed box set that will prove the perfect present for old-time fanatics everywhere.









Disc: 1

 1. Ladies On The Steamboat – Burnett & Rutherford

 2. The Dying Soldier – Buell Kazee

 3. Little Rabbit/Rabbit Where's Your Mammy – Crockett Family Mountaineers

 4. I Truly Understand You Love Another Man – Shortbuckle Roarke & Family

 5. Eighth Of January – Ted Gossett’s Band

 6. All Night Long Blues – Burnett & Rutherford

 7. Shipping Port – Jimmy Johnson’s String Ban

 8. The Rowan County Crew – Robert L. Day

 9. Deer Walk – Doc Roberts

 10. Let Her Go, I'll Meet Her – Rutherford & Foster

 11. That's My Rabbit, My Dog Caught It – Walter Family

 12. Lillie Dale – Martin & Roberts

 13. Cumberland Gap - Rutherford, Moore & Burnett

 14. The Old Fish Song – James Howard

 15. The Red Hill Special – Fort Thomas Group

 16. If I Die A Railroad Man – Green Bailey

 17. Grand Hornpipe – J.W. Day

 18. East Virginia – Walter Williams

 19. Forked Deer – Taylor’s Kentucky Boys

 20. Pretty Polly – Pete Steele

 21. Run Banjo – Justis Begley

 22. We'll Understand It Better Bye And Bye – Kentucky Mountain Chorusters



Disc: 2

 1. Curley Headed Woman – Burnett & Rutherford

 2. Gate To Go Through – Jimmy Johnson’s String Band

 3. Hot Corn – Martin & Roberts

 4. Grandma's Rag – Taylor, Moore & Burnett

 5. I'm As Free Little Birdie As Can Be – Rutherford & Foster

 6. Rocky Mountain Goat – Ted Gossett’s Band

 7. Shut Up In Coal Creek Mine – Green Bailey

 8. Sugar In My Coffee (medley) – Crockett Family Mountaineers

 9. The Butcher's Boy (The Railroad Boy) – Buell Kazee

 10. New Money – Doc Roberts

 11. Pearl Bryan – Burnett & Rutherford

 12. Crooked John – Kentucky String Ticklers

 13. The Moonshiner – Daw Henson

 14. Forked Deer – J.W. Day

 15. The Dixie Cowboy – Taylor’s Kentucky Boys

 16. Mississippi Sawyer – Walter Williams

 17. Six Months Ain't Long – Rutherford & Foster

 18. Blackberry Blossom – Ed Morrison

 19. Ellen Smith – Theophilus Hoskins

 20. Five Up – Henry L. Bandy

 21. Payday At Coal Creek – Pete Steele

 22. Golden Willow Tree – Justis Begley

 23. The Last Appeal – Alice & Martha Williams & Elizabeth Flatt



Disc: 3

 1. Way Up On Clinch Mountain – J.W. Day

 2. Going To Jail – Ted Gossett’s Band

 3. Richmond Blues – Rutherford & Foster

 4. Soap In The Washpan – Jimmy Johnson’s String Band

 5. Ain't Going To Lay My Armor Down – McVay & Johnson

 6. Old Voile – Blue Ridge Mountaineers

 7. Gentle Annie – Asa Martin

 8. Billy In The Low Ground – Burnett & Rutherford

 9. Lady Margaret And Sweet William – Daw Henson

 10. And The Cat Came Back – Doc Roberts

 11. Pass Around The Bottle – Walter Williams

 12. Coal Creek March – Marion Underwood

 13. Johnny O Johnny – Pete Steele

 14. Taylor's Quickstep (Monroe County Quickstep) – Rutherford & Foster

 15. I've Been All Around This World – Justis Begley

 16. Jenny Baker – Jimmy Johnson’s String Band

 17. Come All You Roving Cowboys – Clay Walters

 18. Soldier's Joy – Taylor’s Kentucky Boys

 19. I Came To This Country – Maynard Britton

 20. Medley Of Old Time Dance Tunes - Part 1 - Husking Bee/Old Molly Hare/Wild Horse/Soldier's Joy/Arkansas Traveller) – Crockett Family Mountaineers

 21. Rambling Reckless Hobo – Burnett & Rutherford

 22. Wild Horses – Bill Stepp & Walter Williams

 23. Old Christmas – Boyd Asher

 24. The Rowan County Feud – Ted Chesnut

 25. Wish I Had My Time Again – Hatton Brothers



Disc: 4

 1. Old Flannigan – Blue Ridge Mountaineers

 2. Willie Moore – Burnett & Rutherford

 3. The Wild Wagoner – J.W. Day

 4. My Cabin Home Among The Hills – Asa Martin

 5. Bow Legged Irishman – Ted Gossett’s Band

 6. There's No One Like The Old Folks – Rutherford & Foster

 7. Old Blind Dog – Jimmy Johnson’s String Band

 8. The Sporting Bachelors – Buell Kazee

 9. Sourwood Mountain – Taylor’s Kentucky Boys

 10. The Roving Boy – Justis Begley

 11. Of Old Time Dance Tunes - Part 2 (Sourwood Mountain/Sally In The Garden/Sally Goodin – Crockett Family Mountaineers

 12. Lack Fol Diddle I Day – Pete Steele

 13. Lost John – Burnett & Rutherford

 14. There's More Pretty Girls Than One – Rutherford & Foster

 15. Shaker Ben – Walter Family

 16. Jesus Walking Through The Land – Rev. Sherwin Sizemore & Church of the Ten Elders

 17. Pickaway – Green’s String Band

 18. Wallins Creek Girls – Daw Henson

 19. We'll All Go To Heaven When The Devil Goes Blind – Ed Morrison

 20. John Hardy – Walter Williams

 21. Wink The Other Eye – Hack’s String Band

 22. Hickory Jack – Boyd Asher

 23. Working's Too Hard – J.M. Mullins

 24. Sail Away Ladies – Henry L. Bandy

 25. The Great Reaping Day – Kentucky Mountain Chorusters



Disc: 5

 1. Buffalo Gals (Medley) – Crockett Family Mountaineers

 2. Three Black Sheep – Howard & Peak

 3. Run Them Coons In The Ground – Clifford Gross

 4. I Wish I Was A Mole In The Ground – Green Bailey

 5. Fire On The Mountain – Ted Gossett’s Band

 6. Wake Up You Drowsy Sleepers – Oaks Family

 7. Cuttin At The Point – Charlie Wilson & His Hillbillies

 8. The Cowboy Trail – Buell Kazee

 9. Drink More Cider – Jimmy Johnson’s String Band

 10. Two Faithful Lovers – Rutherford & Foster

 11. Maxwell Girl – Taylor’s Kentucky Boys

 12. Swafford Branch Stills – Daw Henson

 13. Wild Hog In The Woods – Lonesome Luke & His Farm Boys

 14. The Soldier And The Lady – Marvin Thornton & Fort Thomas Group

 15. Pine Tree – Kentucky Woodchoppers

 16. Lord Daniel – Green Maggard

 17. Leaving Here Blues – Kentucky String Ticklers

 18. The Peddler And His Wife – James Howard

 19. Waynesburgh – Doc Roberts

 20. Little Stream Of Whiskey – Burnett & Rutherford

 21. Next To Your Mother, Who Do You Love – Madisonville String Band

 22. Little Birdie – Pete Steele

 23. Hog Eyed Man – Theophilus Hoskins

 24. (fragment) – Walter Williams

 25. I'll Be Ready When The Bridegroom Comes – McVay & Johnson



Disc: 6

 1. Bill Cheatam – Mangrum & Shriver

 2. Short Life Of Trouble – Buell Kazee

 3. B Flat Rag – Madisonville String Band

 4. The Fate Of Ellen Smith – Green Bailey

 5. Washington Quadrille – Jimmy Johnson’s String Band

 6. Storms May Rule The Ocean – Rutherford & Foster

 7. Gray Eagle – Taylor’s Kentucky Boys

 8. Bile Dem Cabbage Down – Crockett Family Mountaineers

 9. Martha Campbell – Doc Roberts

 10. I'll Be With You When The Roses Bloom Again – Burnett & Rutherford

 11. Shelvin Rock – Charlie Wilson & His Hillbillies

 12. The Roving Cowboy – Buell Kazee

 13. Fox Chase – Ted Gossett’s Band

 14. Dogs In The Ashcan – Lonesome Luke & His Farm Boys

 15. Come All Ye Fair And Handsome Girls – Green Maggard

 16. Rambling Hobo – Pete Steele

 17. Leather Breeches – Clifford Gross

 18. Poison In A Glass Of Wine – Bill Bundy

 19. The Valentine – Tom West

 20. Flying Cloud Waltz – Walter Family

 21. A Western Union Telegram – Ed Morrison

 22. My Little Carpenter – James Howard

 23. Hook And Line – Hatton Brothers

 24. Will It Pay – Oaks Family



Disc: 7

 1. Rocky Mountain Goat – Clifford Gross

 2. The Orphan Girl – Buell Kazee

 3. Honeymoon Stomp – Doc Roberts Trio

 4. I Ain't A Bit Drunk – George Roark

 5. Bacon And Cabbage – Mangrum & Shriver

 6. I Cannot Be Your Sweetheart – Howard & Peak

 7. Little Boy Working On The Road – J.W. Day

 8. I Must See My Mothers – Martin & Hobbs

 9. New Harmony Waltz – Kentucky Woodchoppers

 10. Sugar Hill – Crockett Family Mountaineers

 11. Kentucky Plowboy's March – Hack’s String Band

 12. You'll Miss Me When I'm Gone – Oaks Family

 13. Tipple Blues – Kentucky String Ticklers

 14. He's Only A Miner Killed In The Ground – Ted Chesnut

 15. Rye Straw – Doc Roberts

 16. She's A Flower From The Fields Of Alabama – Rutherford, Moore & Burnett

 17. Ching Chow – Jimmy Johnson’s String Band

 18. My Mothers Hands – Shortbuckle Roark & Family

 19. My Pretty Snow Deer – Madisonville String Band

 20. Walter Family Waltz – Walter Family

 21. Going Across The Sea – Henry L. Bandy

 22. Knoxville Rag – Taylor, Moore & Burnett

 23. I'm Rolling Along – Buell Kazee



Yazoo Records was an American record label founded in the mid-1960s by Nick Perls. It specialized in early American blues, country, jazz, and other rural American genres collectively known as roots music

The first five releases (L 1001 to L 1005) were issued under the label name of Belzona Records. The label was then renamed Yazoo Records, and the first five releases were reissued under the new name.

The Belzona and Yazoo labels featured an Art Deco drawing of a peacock, adapted from the 1927 label of Black Patti Records.

For Yazoo Records Perls compiled rare 78-rpm recordings made in the 1920s by musicians such as Charley Patton, Blind Willie McTell, the Memphis Jug Band, Blind Blake, and Blind Lemon Jefferson; Times Ain't Like They Used to Be. Perls founded a second label, Blue Goose Records, in 1970, for which he recorded "rediscovered" black blues artists and younger blues and jazz performers.

In 1989 Yazoo was acquired by Shanachie Records  In 2014, Yazoo signed its first current artists, The Reverend Peyton's Big Damn Band and released their album So Delicious on February 17, 2015.