The Discovery of Roscoe Holcomb and the High Lonesome Sound

Geeking out on bluegrass roots today.

“The Discovery of Roscoe Holcomb and the ‘High Lonesome Sound’" is full of well-disguised microaggression toward rural Southerners (what else from The New Yorker?), and equally-brimming with invaluable musical insights.

The author cites Holcomb’s upbringing in the Old Regular Baptist Church as a primary influence on his singing style. Here’s a musical example of the style of singing Holcomb – and Ralph Stanley, btw – grew up with there.

The author also links Holcomb to Gaelic psalm singing on Isle of Lewis, Scotland. Here’s a haunting example of that style – and this one will blow you away. The roots of bluegrass singing, as exemplified by the first generation of bluegrass performers, could not be clearer.