Oxford American Digs Deep Into Arkansas

January 10, 2010Every year, the editors from Oxford American Magazine search the south for music, compiling an annual music issue that spans across a range of genres and decades. Editor Mark Smirnoff sat down for an interview with NPR, where he highlighted artists Linda Martel, Larry Donn, Wiley And The Checkmates, Feminine Complex, the Oliver Lake Organ Trio, and William Grant Still, as being shining examples of the south’s hidden treasures.

The Song “Color Him Father” is from a 1970 recording by Linda Martel, an African American country singer with a “flawless” sound.

“Its a revelation, I’m astonished and disappointed that its not better known in the country field,” says Smirnoff.

Herbert Wiley, a former soul singer in the 60′s, gave up music to become a shoe repairman in Oxford, Mississippi. Years later, Wiley formed a band called Wiley And The Checkmates, and recorded “Guess You Wouldn’t Know Nothin’ About That” in 2008.

Smirnoff knew Wiley before he was a member of the Checkmates, “I always remembered that he had a strong presence when I would go into the store, but I had no idea that he was as flamboyant, colorful, and over the top as he is on stage”

The Feminine Complex, was quite literally a “girl band”, comprised of five female high school graduates from Nashville. Only one record was put out, and every band member with the exception of the lead singer was replaced by studio musicians when recording.

“It was one of those knee-jerk corporate reactions,” explains Smirnoff “‘these little fragile girls can’t play in the studio, we have to use men,’ but the girls could have done it themselves.”

Larry Donn, who was described by Smirnoff as the Buddy Holly of Arkansas, had more of a following in Europe than the US.

And perhaps the most obscured track on the compilation, is from a group called the True Gospel Wymics, who Smirnoff found while surfing through EBay.

“It reminded that if you’re a music fan in America you should pinch yourself, because there are all of these great artists that are hidden in plain sight.”

source : www.npr.org

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Submited at Sunday, January 10th, 2010 at 1:00 pm on music by robert
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