THE EBONY HILLBILLIES - SABRINA'S HOLIDAY
  • BONAPARTE'S RETREAT (1:50)
  • COTTON-EYED JOE (2:01)
  • THE OLD CARPENTER'S WALTZ (2:21)
  • HELL AMONG THE YEARLINGS (2:13)
  • LIZA JANE (3:17)
  • SUGAR IN THE GOURD (2:01)
  • SOLDIER'S JOY (1:42)
  • SHENANDOAH (5:24)
  • CHICKEN REEL (1:55)
  • CLUCK OL' HEN (3:01)
  • ROCK ALONG JOHN (2:03)
  • OH SUSANNA (2:25)
  • GRANNY WILL YOUR DOG BITE (1:35)
  • SABRINA'S HOLIDAY (2:11)
  • BONAPARTE'S RETREAT (1:50)
    Genre: Americana
    MP3 (01:51) [4.32 MB]
  • COTTON-EYED JOE (2:01)
    Genre: Americana
    MP3 (02:01) [4.69 MB]
  • THE OLD CARPENTER'S WALTZ (2:21)
    Genre: Americana
    MP3 (02:21) [5.46 MB]
  • HELL AMONG THE YEARLINGS (2:13)
    Genre: Americana
    MP3 (02:14) [5.17 MB]
  • LIZA JANE (3:17)
    Genre: Americana
    MP3 (03:17) [7.59 MB]
  • SUGAR IN THE GOURD (2:01)
    Genre: Americana
    MP3 (02:01) [4.69 MB]
  • SOLDIER'S JOY (1:42)
    Genre: Americana
    MP3 (01:42) [3.98 MB]
  • SHENANDOAH (5:24)
    Genre: Americana
    MP3 (05:25) [12.46 MB]
  • CHICKEN REEL (1:55)
    Genre: Americana
    MP3 (01:56) [4.49 MB]
  • CLUCK OL' HEN (3:01)
    Genre: Americana
    MP3 (03:01) [7 MB]
  • ROCK ALONG JOHN (2:03)
    Genre: Americana
    MP3 (02:04) [4.81 MB]
  • OH SUSANNA (2:25)
    Genre: Americana
    MP3 (02:26) [5.63 MB]
  • GRANNY WILL YOUR DOG BITE (1:35)
    Genre: Americana
    MP3 (01:36) [3.72 MB]
  • SABRINA'S HOLIDAY (2:11)
    Genre: Americana
    MP3 (02:11) [5.09 MB]
Biography

CONTACT INFORMATION:
EH REPRESENTATION - AB WALKER (347) 337-3403
ehmusicmgmt@gmail.com

Click here to go to The Ebony Hillbillies Music Page

EH QUOTES:

“What a wonderful connection to all our humanity!”
-The New York Times

"They recreate the music you would have heard if you could time travel to a country dance in Mississippi around 1903."
-Mick Gold, BBC/UK

"Joyous, athletic, ancient, modern, and eternal, the Ebony Hillbillies don’t just tell an important story about our country and keep an essential part of our musical heritage alive, but they entertain, magically, majestically, gracefully, and energetically. A pile of passionate, high-end musicians who apply their skill to filling this old tradition with beautiful new life, it’s likely you won’t see a more engaging, entertaining, and purely joyful band all year."
-Tim Sommer, SHO


THE EBONY HILLBILLIES - SABRINA’S HOLIDAY
Release Date - 2003/2004

The Ebony Hillbillies are not only one of the last black string bands in AMERICA, but they are the only string band based in NYC. Consisting of fiddle, banjo, washboard and bass fiddle, they have successfully created a following that has crossed over to audiences in pop, country, bluegrass, folk, jazz and beyond while maintaining their grassroots credibility. Their 19thcentury string band sound was popular in the 1920's and 1930's. This was a key element in the genesis of jazz and virtually everything after (blues, bluegrass, rockabilly, rock & roll, etc...). Those myriad influences can be heard to good effect on the group's debut CD, Sabrina's Holiday. The disc explodes with fascinating takes on such standards as "Liza Jane," "Granny Will Your Dog Bite" and a particularly edgy interpretation of "Cluck Old Hen" along with a couple of originals and the old folk song, "Shenandoah," which Norris sings with power and passion.
Sabrina's Holiday is also a showcase for Norris' hard-charging dulcimer playing. "The dulcimer fits together with the violin in a different way than the banjo and the fiddle," Rique explains. Rhythmically, it's a completely different sound. [When Norris switches from the banjo over to the dulcimer], it's like 'here we go—now we're a different group!'"
The Ebony Hillbillies' debut CD, Sabrina's Holiday, provides a great introduction to a largely forgotten cultural legacy.
www.theEbonyHillbillies.com


THE EBONY HILLBILLIES
SABRINA’S HOLIDAY
2004 EH MUSIC


01. BONAPARTE’S RETREAT 1:50
02. COTTON-EYED JOE 2:01
03. THE OLD CARPENTER’S WALTZ 2:21
04. HELL AMONG THE YEARLINGS 2:13
05. LIZA JANE 3:17
06. SUGAR IN THE GOURD 2:01
07. SOLDIER’S JOY 1:42
08. SHENANDOAH 5:24
09. CHICKEN REEL 1:55
10. CLUCK OL’ HEN 3:01
11. ROCK ALONG JOHN 2:03
12. OH SUSANNA 2:25
13. GRANNY WILL YOUR DOG BITE 1:35
14. SABRINA’S HOLIDAY 2:11



CREDITS:
HENRIQUE PRINCE - Violin, Vocals.
NORRIS BENNETT - Banjo, Mountain Dulcimer, Acoustic Guitar, Vocals.
DAVE COLDING - Acoustic Bass

Produced By ARCHIE “TEX” WALKER (AW)
Recorded 2003 At YOUNGBLOOD STUDIOS, NYC
Recorded By STEPHEN “YOUNGBLOOD” CEE
Mastered By AW at NKUNIM, BROOKLYN, NYC

Photography By MARTHA HOLMES




01. BONAPARTE’S RETREAT 1:50
Songwriter/Author: Traditional - Arr. by THE EH
Publishing: THE EBONY HILLBILLIES MUSIC INC

An EH rendition of an old fiddle song (circa 1800's) about a soldier running backwards namely Napoleon Bonaparte's disastrous retreat made famous by Pee Wee King and Willie Nelson.



02. COTTON-EYED JOE 2:01
Songwriter/Author: Traditional - Arr. by THE EH
Publishing: THE EBONY HILLBILLIES MUSIC INC

An American folk song originating from the negro plantations in Texas. This song has been far and wide. The insertion of Tchaikovsky as improvisation somewhere in the middle of this song was discovery, not invention in our humble rendition. We the EH believe the music comes through us not from us. Everybody had a ball.



03. THE OLD CARPENTER’S WALTZ 2:21
Songwriter/Author: CANRAY FONTENOT
Publishing: THE EBONY HILLBILLIES MUSIC INC

This is a Louisiana Creole Waltz by Mr. Canray Fontenot. They are not the same as a Vienna Waltz. It's a different language and diction, it has its  own kind of elegance and beauty.



04. HELL AMONG THE YEARLINGS 2:13
Songwriter/Author: Traditional - Arr. by THE EH
Publishing: THE EBONY HILLBILLIES MUSIC INC

"...the Yearlings" - Meant to raise a ruckus. A delightful old tune, with every note a Joy.  Dave was hollering and Norris was resolute. So many notes so little time to say it all in.



05. LIZA JANE 3:17
Songwriter/Author: Traditional - Arr. by THE EH
Publishing: THE EBONY HILLBILLIES MUSIC INC

An early American traditional tune. This one song is a party all by its self.  An ancient yet modern American classic known in every American genre - folk, jazz, bluegrass, country, blues, etc. right up there with "The Charge of The Light Brigade," and "Greensleeves."



06. SUGAR IN THE GOURD 2:01
Songwriter/Author: Traditional - Arr. by THE EH
Publishing: THE EBONY HILLBILLIES MUSIC INC

An old American reel that will humble a modern musician with its ability to take such great advantage of seemingly such a little bit of information. Both David and Norris understand that and it's all about distilling every type of thing down to a good time.



07. SOLDIER’S JOY 1:42
Songwriter/Author: Traditional - Arr. by THE EH
Publishing: THE EBONY HILLBILLIES MUSIC INC

One of the oldest American fiddle tunes circa 1700's. Popular in the British Isles for many years which meant it was popular and most requested in America. Hence it was played by Black people for the rich folk.  Nobody was ever the same again. So be it.



08. SHENANDOAH 5:24
Songwriter/Author: Traditional - Arr. by THE EH
Publishing: THE EBONY HILLBILLIES MUSIC INC

An American folk song...possibly 19th Century tune. First time Norris and I played together, someone requested this song.  We both knew it, and first time out it was epic. David's big booming notes fit all the majesty.



09. CHICKEN REEL 1:55
Songwriter/Author: Traditional - Arr. by THE EH
Publishing: THE EBONY HILLBILLIES MUSIC INC

A catchy poultry related folk dance tune. Popular in the minstrel days...Pure corn. We loved it. Another chance to be free. Anything goes. What do you mean it's not the blues? Hahahaha.



10. CLUCK OL’ HEN 3:01
Songwriter/Author: Traditional - Arr. by THE EH
Publishing: THE EBONY HILLBILLIES MUSIC INC

Known as an Appalachian banjo tune. Norris taught me this classic, a tune innocent enough to pass a breathalyzer test, but still bad enough to get everybody in trouble.  This song promotes time travel to an earlier time. We had Norris play it to death.



11. ROCK ALONG JOHN 2:03
Songwriter/Author: Traditional - Arr. by THE EH
Publishing: THE EBONY HILLBILLIES MUSIC INC

An old time fiddle tune. My personal favorite.  It sits astride old time and ragtime making it a first cousin to the blues. Norris stood resolute, but both David and I gave into the remarkable truth.



12. OH SUSANNA 2:25
Songwriter/Author: Traditional - Arr. by THE EH
Publishing: THE EBONY HILLBILLIES MUSIC INC

A minstrel tune by Stephen Foster. The break is of course original and a nice spot to take off from.  Eventually though everyone has to land.  Stephen Foster wrote this in the style of black folk, and we play it that way.



13. GRANNY WILL YOUR DOG BITE 1:35
Songwriter/Author: Traditional - Arr. by THE EH
Publishing: THE EBONY HILLBILLIES MUSIC INC

Necessary repertoire, if you're gonna battle the Devil.  This classic is a barn buster from the old days, Everybody is fully involved and committed to this old fiddle tune.



14. SABRINA’S HOLIDAY 2:11
Songwriter/Author: O H PRINCE
Publishing: IVORY THRONE MUSIC - BMI

My unconscious re-write of the classic Oh, Susanna. The break was a group decision, and a great landing strip.

Thank you for lending an ear as we express our sincere gratitude for your support.


6
  • Members:
    HENRIQUE PRINCE - Violin, Vocals. NORRIS BENNETT - Banjo, Mountain Dulcimer, Vocals. GLORIA THOMAS GASSAWAY - Vocals, Bones. WILLIAM "SALTY BILL" SALTER - Acoustic Bass. REGGIE (A.R. aka ALI RAHMAN) FERGUSON - Cowboy Percussion Kit NEWMAN TAYLOR BAKER - W
  • Sounds Like:
    Taj Mahal, Shemekiah Copeland, Keb Mo, Carolina Chocolate Drops, CJ Chenier,
  • Influences:
    Mississippi Sheiks, Algia Mae Hinton, The Altamont Sessions Recordings, The Stoneman Family, Canray Fontenot, Willie Dixon, Willie Nelson, Charlie Parker, Murph Gribble, Willie Dixon
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    08/30/20
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