I spent years between the time this book came out in 1964 and when I lost it some time around 1976 going through every page of this book, learning about every song, playing them in bands with people, or just by myself. If you like old timey music this is it.

The emphasis is on the most songs per page written down in music, not on tab or instruction. All these songs and what little commentary there is in this book was impossible to find elsewhere when this came out in 1964. Remember this comes from the early 60s when you were a weirdo pinko freak if you liked this kind of music (contrary to fantasies some folks have about the folk revival)s. This is a book to buy, go through all the songs, and enjoy.

To go along with this book, you should get the recordings of the NLCR. Several compilations are available on Smithsonian Folkways that can be bought wherever you get CDS. However, if you contact Smithsonian folkways, they will dub you a CD or a cassette tape of any of the original complete albums (I think there were about 20). This is not exactly stereophile music where a dubbed version will be unenjoyable. In fact, it probably will sound more like the original old time music 78s that the Ramblers were trying to imitate.

The most perfect matches here would be the records of the original group with Tom Paley. I am not one to claim, as many do, that the NLCR was no good after Paley left. In fact, the band continued and expanded its own musician horizons. Now with them nearing their 70s they still put out good interesting music although the NLCR has now disbanded officially. John Cohen and Mike Seeger continue to put out solo albums.

All I am saying is that these were the records made before this book, originally their songbook, came out and contain most of the songs in the book. I would note that "Songs from the Depression" is a masterpiece with some of the best picking and best songs I have ever heard.

Here's the list of the original; records.

FA 2396 New Lost City Ramblers (1958)
FA 2397 New Lost City Ramblers, Volume 2 (1959)
FA 2398 New Lost City Ramblers, Volume 3 (1961)
FA 2399 New Lost City Ramblers, Volume 4 (1961)
FA 2395 New Lost City Ramblers, Volume 5 (1962, released 1963)
FC 7064 Old Timey Songs for Children (1959, originally a 10" disc)
FH 5264 Songs from the Depression (1959)
FA 2494 Tom Paley, John Cohen and Mike Seeger Sing Songs of the New
Lost City Ramblers (1961)
FH 5263 American Moonshine and Prohibition (1962)

I rate this highly because its so damn informative. It's chock full of old string band standards from the twenties through the forties. Most, if not all, have been recorded at one time or another by the New Lost City Ramblers. It's geared toward those who are already musicians, although the novice instrumentalist can get a lot from it. It has very little in terms of tablature, but there is tuning and key information so you can strum along and figure out the accompaniment. In the introduction the book clearly points out that the best way to learn to play this music is by listening to the records if you can find them. In any event, if you're a fan of old-timey music, this book is something you have to have.

traditional old tyme type stuff it was originaly called the new lost city rambelers song book.

Being born and raised in Puerto Rico,I thought I knew all the good places to visit. I bought this book with a little skepticism and what a wonderful surprise it was. The author definitely goes off the beaten path and the tourist traps. My husband and I just came back from there and the directions and the restaurants that the author mentioned were excellent.

If you definitely want to explore the richness of the island and the diversified environments that it offers, this book is for you. I highly recommend it. We took it with us on our recent visit and we really had a very enjoyable time.

As a child, My wife lived in Puerto Rico for several years and thought she was familiar with the Island enough to not need another travel guide. We bought it anyway with a little reservation. Much to our surprise, what an AMAZING book! It gave us the best restaurants (not common tourist traps) to visit while traveling the Island, great maps to situate ourselves, and wonderful points of interest. To us it was invaluable!!! 5 stars!!! A must when traveling to PR. We loaned it to another couple that traveled to Puerto Rico last year, and they loved it too. I guess we will need to polish it off and pack it in our suitcase, since we are headed back next month.

If you're planning a trip to PR and you are interested in being more adventuresome than lying on the beach in San Juan, this book is a great resource. It covers several different trip options around the island. Had I not purchased it we would have never made it to the parts of the island which we did and would have had a far less enjoyable vacation. Also the restaurants that were hi-lighted were extremely helpful in making the trip more enjoyable.

This is an excellent book with an extremely insightful and fascinating chapter written by Mark I. Gruhin. He is a very skilled writer and lawyer, and I look forward to his future writings.

Being a lawyer in NYC, I was very impressed with some Inside the Minds: Interne Lawyers. Although it is impossible to cover every Internet related topic, the book does a good job at covering some very interesting topics. In addition, the individuals portrayed in the book represent a good cross sampling of different talents related to Internet law. I particularly enjoyed the interview with Mark Fischer at Palmer & Dodge. If you are a woman, make sure to also check out Inside the Minds: Leading Women.

This book is a great tool for teachers at any grade level. Designing Groupwork gets at the heart of the challenges facing teachers who use groupwork in the classroom. If you are looking for groupwork strategies, perspective on group dynamics, and creative team building examples, this is the book for you! I have used this book in my own teaching practice and have noticed huge improvement in groupwork experiences. In addition, I have gained an awareness of the groupwork process and am able to better serve the needs of my students. Every teacher should own a copy of this book!

Earl and Pearl The Christmas Squirrels is a very well written book. The illustrations were also superb. The author reminds us that during the holiday season, while most of us are making merry, others may not be as fortunate particularly animals. In this story, the author focuses on squirrels. The author reminds us that we need to have peace and good will to men, women, children, and especially our fellow animal friends. Our animal friends may not be as fortunate as us and we need to appreciate that. I give the story "two tails up." I recommend that you all make this story a part of your holiday tradition.

"Fighting Toxics" is an outstanding handbook on how to get polluters in your community to become a "good neighbor" by cleaning up their act. This book guides the reader on how to investigate potential environmental hazards in their community, how to research a company, and how to organize a campaign. I work for an organization which organizes "good neighbor" campaigns, and this is the best resource I have seen on organizing. I highly recommend it to any citizen who is concerned about environmental hazards in their community.

This book is a must for all libraries, a comprehensive record of everything John Huston directed, wrote and thought about cinema. Indespensible for all Huston fans.

I think this is wonderful book. It helps to more easily let you understand with big pictures to show what everything is. Also it has wonderful descriptions and design. It is also very updated.

Real Ghosts is the best ghostbook I have ever read! It has stories that are hard not to belive. With pictures and explanations of real taken pictures. I just love this book!

I treated myself to this book for its relationship with and inclusion of many subjects of my interest: photography, folk & bluegrass music, roots culture, beat culture, NYC 60s art culture, & exotic travel. When I read the description here, I thought, "wow, this sounds like one hell of a great book, tailored to my passions." Well, it's better than that. John Cohen is one lucky guy to have witnessed & recorded all that's in this book. The text is adequately sparse (for a 200-page book), but well-written and provides just enough accompaniment for the fascinating photography reproduced here. Regardless the title, looking through John Cohen's eyes is an ecstatic experience, taking one away to seemingly faraway times and places, especially for someone who was born in the 1970s (me). There is a story within each image, and the large scale of the prints makes you want to crawl inside each one and figure out what's going on. It's an Italian-made book, which explains the high quality; and it's the best ($) I've spent since Dylan was last in town.