Search - Hugh Farr & Karl :: Texas Stomp

Texas stomp 1934-1940

fiddlin' in Cincy | Cincinnati, OH United States | 07/18/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"These guys are GREAT- the southwest-swing version of Grapelli and Reinhard! (The main difference between the two great jazz fiddle/guitar duos is that the brothers drew their source material from Americana: traditional country, cowboy, western and fiddle tunes, etc.)



There was a famous conductor, back in the day, who, asked to name who he considered THE best violinist on earth at that time, responded that he would have to divide that "honor" between 2 people- the left hand of Fritz Kreisler (great classical violinist of the day)....and the right bow-arm of "that guy who plays for the Sons of the Pioneers.....!!!!!!! That would be Hugh Farr, of course- both Hugh (fiddle) and his brother Karl (guitar) were among the earliest members of the Pioneers, and played with them for decades. They'd be far (if you'll excuse the inadvertent pun) better known if they had not done most of their work under the auspices of that group! It's a shame they didn't record more, and on their own- and a shame they are not better known and recognized for how amazing they truly were. They couldn't read music, yet knew thousands of tunes...and could improvise entire performances of tunes from scratch and at the drop of a hat.



It just doesn't get any better than this! THE most prized CD in my swing collection...(It should be noted that the brothers recorded many more instrumental duets than what appears on this particular CD, which concentrates on their jazzier works- there are lots of duets scattered among most of the various "Sons of the Pioneers" recordings that they contributed to.)"

Grapelli and Farr

Tony Thomas | SUNNY ISLES BEACH, FL USA | 03/27/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Just to respond to the other comment, before the war Stephane Grapelli had heard some of these recordings and was familiar with Hugh Farr's violin playing."

Gypsy Swing Texas Style

Tony Thomas | 08/06/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Hugh and Carl Farr, formers of the legendary "Sons Of The Pioneers" presenting some of their best an unexpected Swing and Ragtime recordings. By listening for the first time these recordings reminded me to three fingers guitar genius Django Reinhard and his violin partner Stephane Grapelli. If you love early Western Swing, this CD is a must in your collection and you'll spin it redhot in your CD-player!"