The "Matchbox Country Series"
The short-lived Matchbox Country Series (also listed as "Matchbox Country Music Series" in various places) presented four evergreens from the West Virginian Kanawha label and the first crop of releases from the recently set up Rounder label, based at Greensboro, North Carolina. Other labels considered were Arhoolie/Old Timey (El Cerrito, California), County (New York), and Tennvale (Huntsville, Alabama). Further Rounder label records were also considered, though the series does not appear to have been particularly successful and was quickly dropped from catalogue.
Of the first five Rounder releases, Marchbox selected four for release (even if one was pulled at slightly past the eleventh hour). The one not selected was Clark Kessinger's 'Old-Time Music With Fiddle & Guitar' (0004), probably because Matchbox had already licensed another Kessinger LP from Kanawha.
Of the first five Rounder releases, Marchbox selected four for release (even if one was pulled at slightly past the eleventh hour). The one not selected was Clark Kessinger's 'Old-Time Music With Fiddle & Guitar' (0004), probably because Matchbox had already licensed another Kessinger LP from Kanawha.
(Vol. 1) - Clark Kessinger - Live at Union Grove (SDM 231)
Although a later catalogue number to Vol. 2, this was issued first; not credited as "Vol. 1" but all others in the series have volume numbers, which defaults this to Vol. 1. Original release, Kanawha, 312, 1968. As per several Saydisc/Matchbox/Village Thing albums, the German Autogram label later reissued this (AMLP-905). The sleeve design included the Matchbox version credits, though the sleeve was tinted a different colour.
Although a later catalogue number to Vol. 2, this was issued first; not credited as "Vol. 1" but all others in the series have volume numbers, which defaults this to Vol. 1. Original release, Kanawha, 312, 1968. As per several Saydisc/Matchbox/Village Thing albums, the German Autogram label later reissued this (AMLP-905). The sleeve design included the Matchbox version credits, though the sleeve was tinted a different colour.
Vol. 2 - Traditional Music for Banjo, Fiddle & Bagpipes (SDM 229)
Original release, Kanawha, 307, 1967. The front sleeve was redesigned though using the same base image as the US original. As per SDM 231, the German Autogram label later reissued this as AMLP 906 in the Matchbox sleeve design.
Original release, Kanawha, 307, 1967. The front sleeve was redesigned though using the same base image as the US original. As per SDM 231, the German Autogram label later reissued this as AMLP 906 in the Matchbox sleeve design.
Vol. 3 - George Pegram (SDM 235)
Original release, Rounder, 0001, 1971. The sleeve for the Matchbox release was lightly redesigned.
Original release, Rounder, 0001, 1971. The sleeve for the Matchbox release was lightly redesigned.
Vol. 4 - Joe Val - One Morning in May (SDM 236)
Original release, Rounder, 0003, 1971, The Matchbox sleeve design was the same, other than different company credits.
Original release, Rounder, 0003, 1971, The Matchbox sleeve design was the same, other than different company credits.
Spark Gap Wonder Boys - Cluck Old Hen - NOT RELEASED (SDM 237)
Subtitled "Cluck Six-Ten, the Dow Jones Average is Down Again", at least one test pressing exists but the album was subsequently unissued after the ladies in EMI's pressing room refused to press it (rude word alert). Original release, Rounder, 0002, 1972. No Matchbox sleeve design known. Undoubtedly, Plastic Dog Graphics would have done a slight makeover, adding an attractive border to the photo, altering the typeface and tinting the sleeve, possibly even adding a textured finish. We'll never know.
Subtitled "Cluck Six-Ten, the Dow Jones Average is Down Again", at least one test pressing exists but the album was subsequently unissued after the ladies in EMI's pressing room refused to press it (rude word alert). Original release, Rounder, 0002, 1972. No Matchbox sleeve design known. Undoubtedly, Plastic Dog Graphics would have done a slight makeover, adding an attractive border to the photo, altering the typeface and tinting the sleeve, possibly even adding a textured finish. We'll never know.
Vol. 5 - Snuffy Jenkins & Pappy Sherrill - 33 Years of Pickin' and Pluckin' (SDM 238)
Original release, Rounder, 0005, 1971. The sleeve for the Matchbox release was lightly redesigned.
Original release, Rounder, 0005, 1971. The sleeve for the Matchbox release was lightly redesigned.
Vol. 6 - Mud Acres - Music Among Friends (SDM 239)
Original release, Rounder, 3001, 1972. The Matchbox release was redesigned though using the top photo from the US original as a basis for the new design.
Original release, Rounder, 3001, 1972. The Matchbox release was redesigned though using the top photo from the US original as a basis for the new design.
Vol. 7 - Curly Herdman - Fiddler (SDM 242)
Original release, Kanawha, 310, 1968. The Matchbox release was in a completely different sleeve design to the original. Strictly speaking, the title is the same as the original - "Ohio State's Best" - but the front sleeve makes that look like a subtitle to "Fiddler" (and neither the rear sleeve nor the labels mention either title). As per SDM 231, the German Autogram label later reissued this as AMLP 907 using the Matchbox sleeve design, though with the Matchbox artist and title credits removed from the front sleeve.
Original release, Kanawha, 310, 1968. The Matchbox release was in a completely different sleeve design to the original. Strictly speaking, the title is the same as the original - "Ohio State's Best" - but the front sleeve makes that look like a subtitle to "Fiddler" (and neither the rear sleeve nor the labels mention either title). As per SDM 231, the German Autogram label later reissued this as AMLP 907 using the Matchbox sleeve design, though with the Matchbox artist and title credits removed from the front sleeve.
Vol. 8 - Hollow Rock String Band (SDM 241)
Although a later catalogue number than Vol. 7, this was issued first. Original release, Kanawha, 311, 1968. The sleeve for the Matchbox release was lightly redesigned. As per SDM 231, the German Autogram label later reissued this with the Matchbox sleeve design as ALLP-240 with a fold-out insert documenting the label's "American Oldtime & Stringband Music" releases.
Although a later catalogue number than Vol. 7, this was issued first. Original release, Kanawha, 311, 1968. The sleeve for the Matchbox release was lightly redesigned. As per SDM 231, the German Autogram label later reissued this with the Matchbox sleeve design as ALLP-240 with a fold-out insert documenting the label's "American Oldtime & Stringband Music" releases.
The 1972 Saydisc dealer's catalogue also lists the Roots LP, The Train I Ride by the Bluegrass Specials (SL 506) in the ""Matchbox" country music series" list. There's nothing to say that Austrian bluegrass can't be grouped with US roots artists. The same catalogue also states that LPs in preparation include ones by Derrol Adams and the Spark Gap Wonder Boys. Is the Adams one the same as that later issued by Village Thing and listed amongst that label's pending releases on p. 27 of the same catalogue?
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