Any Old Time String Band - I Bid You Goodnight (1996)

Combining their two LP's on one disc, this extremely accomplished and versatile female string band rips through 25 songs in just under 80 minutes, all the while managing to throw out a dizzying array of influences. Featuring truly exemplary instrumental skills, as well as excellent harmony singing, Any Old Time String Band bounce with apparent ease from exuberant fiddle tunes to 20's and 30's pop influences and Cajun tunes. Bluesier material is represented with covers of two Bessie Smith tracks, "I've Got What It Takes" and "Lock and Key," as well as Ma Rainey's "Fairwell Blues." More traditional country elements are also found with the outstanding harmony singing on the Carter Family's "Hello Stranger" and the straightlaced cover of Jimmie Rodgers "California Blues." Still, a great deal of the material is just good natured down-home country picking, as the instrumentals here are solid if not flashy. Overall, Any Old Time String Band cover their bases like very few others can, making it nearly impossible to find any fault with this collection.