Annotation:Ozark Waltz

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OZARK WALTZ. Old-time, Waltz. USA, Arkansas. F Major. Standard tuning (fiddle). AA'BB'. "Ozark Waltz" was originally recorded in Memphis, Tennessee, in June, 1930, by the Morrison Twin Brothers String Band of Searcy County, Arkansas, featuring the twin fiddles of Abbie (1876-1965) and Absie (1876-1964, sometimes "Apsie") Morrison, who were themselves twins, backed up on guitars by Abbie's sons Claude and Lawson. The brothers got their break after a recording company representative hear them play in Little Rock. Guthrie Meade believes the tune might have been adapted from an air of a popular song from around the turn of the 20th century, and identifies an early recording by Earl & Joe (1930) in addition to the Morrison's. Drew Beisswenger (2008) notes that it is not played much in the Ozarks in modern times.

Source for notated version: The Morrison Brothers [Beisswenger & McCann].

Printed sources: Beisswenger & McCann (Ozarks Fiddle Music), 2008; p. 104.

Recorded sources: County CD-3506, The Morrison Brothers - "Echoes of the Ozarks, vol. 1" (1995. Various artists, reissue recordings). 5 String Productions 5SP05002, The Hoover Uprights - "Known for their Reputation" (2006. The Morrison brothers' version). Victor Vi V-40323 (78 RPM), The Morrison Twin Brothers String Band (1930).

See also listing at:
Jane Keefer's Folk Music Index: An Index to Recorded Sources [1]
Hear the Morrison Brothers' 1930 recording on youtube.com [2] and at Slippery Hill [3]